Smit was discovered by Dutch middle of the road band BZN, who used his vocals in a duet called Mama. He has released several albums in Dutch and German since.
Jan dedicated the song Ik zing dit lied voor jou alleen (means: I Sing this song just for you) to his grandmother. In 1997, Smit toured South Africa with popular Afrikaans singer Nádine. In 2000, Smit won the Grand Prix der Volksmusik singing Ich zeig dir die Berge with Oswald Sattler for South Tyrol. In 2001 Smit won the Exportprijs for his success in Germany, France and Italy. In Germany he became one of the best selling Dutch artists ever, with German-language albums specifically aimed at the German market.
After three big hits in the late 90's, Jan's popularity began to wane gradually. His albums Jan Smit 2000 #32 (2000), Zing en Lach (Sing and Laugh) #33 (2001), Zonder Jou (Without You) #40 and Op Eigen Benen (On My Own Feet) #45 sold fewer copies than his first two albums from his child star era.
However, Jan was still very popular in Germany, where he spent most of his time touring. 2005 marked his comeback in his home country, when regional television host Willie Oosterhuis picked up a Jan Smit song recorded in 2003, 'Als de nacht verdwijnt' ('When the night is over'). Willie heavily plugged the song on his show, resulting in a medium sized hit.
During the same period Dutch broadcaster TROS wanted to produce a real life soap about Jan, with the focus on his life as a teenage star in Germany and The Netherlands, and on his private life in the picturesque seaside village of Volendam. The reality soap became a TV hit and an accompanying album, 'Vrienden voor het leven' ('Homies for life') brought Jan back at the top of the charts for the first time in a few years. It was written for his cousin Niek Smit(s), who lives in Maastricht.
In 2006 Smit had several big selling hit singles, such as 'Laura' (about a friend who died of cancer), 'Als de morgen is gekomen' ('When the morning has come') and 'Cupido' (Cupid). Jan usually includes special tracks on his CD singles, such as live recordings, previously unreleased tracks and CD-ROM-content, which makes his singles more interesting for his hardcore fanbase. In 2007 he topped the single charts again with "Op Weg Naar Geluk" (On The Road To Happiness) and with "Dan Volg Je Haar Benen" ('And then you check out her legs'), and the album charts also with the album "Op Weg Naar Geluk" (the album sold 160.000 copies in its first four days after being released, more than double platinum).
In 2006 he also recorded "Kerst voor Iedereen" (Christmas for Everyone) which was a Christmas-duet with Dutch tv-host Bridget Maasland as a part of Dutch tv-show Katja vs Bridget. He later on recorded this song with his younger sister Monique Smit, who recently also started a singing career
In 2007 he planned to tour the Netherlands again with the "Jan Smit Komt Naar Je Toe"-tour (Jan Smit Comes To You) but due to problems with his vocal cords this tour had to be postponed. For at least 6 months Jan Smit has to rest his voice.
'Dan volg je haar benen' was Jan's fifth Number One single in The Netherlands, making him one of the most successful soloists in Dutch chart history. Only George Michael and Dutch singer Marco Borsato had more Number Ones.
Iedereen
Jan Smit Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
De één weet van de ander niet waarheen die gaat
Ik zie zakenman in pak met aktetas
Een jonge meid op weg naar school versneld haar pas
Je ziet van alles als je kijkt zo om je heen
De één is vrolijk en de ander doet gemeen
Ik zie een moeder met haar kinderen op de fiets
Een swerver struint wat in het park op zoek naar iets
Iedereen heeft zo z'n eigen streven
Overal op deze wereld zal het anders zijn
Want iedereen heeft zo z'n eigen zorgen
Iedereen hoopt op een nieuwe morgen
Laten we vooral genieten met elkaar
Kijk die oude mannetjes op straat
Waarvan de één nog harder dan de ander praat
Over het voetbal politiek of een geloof
De ene helft met stok de andere helft stokdoof
Maar iedereen leeft zo z'n eigen leven
Iedereen heeft zo z'n eigen streven
Overal op deze wereld zal het anders zijn
Want iedereen heeft zo z'n eigen zorgen
Iedereen hoopt op een nieuwe morgen
Laten we vooral genieten met elkaar
En als de zon voor ons gaat schijnen
Lacht het geluk weer aan je zij
Je zal de wolken zien verdwijnen
Het maakt je vrolijk voel je vrij
Maar iedereen leeft zo z'n eigen leven
Iedereen heeft zo z'n eigen streven
Overal op deze wereld zal het anders zijn
Want iedereen heeft zo z'n eigen zorgen
Iedereen hoopt op een nieuwe morgen
Laten we vooral genieten met elkaar
The lyrics of Jan Smit's song "Iedereen" depict observations of different people going about their lives in a variety of situations. The singer describes walking among people on the street, noting that everyone has their own destination and purpose. There are businessmen in suits with briefcases and young girls hurrying to school. The songwriter emphasizes the diversity of human behavior, from some being happy to others behaving meanly. The image of a mother riding a bike with her children and a homeless person searching for something in the park further highlights the range of experiences and circumstances people live in. The chorus then emphasizes that everyone lives their own life and has their aspirations and desires, acknowledging that life can be different for everyone.
The second verse centers around the perspective of elderly men on the street. Some are louder, voicing their opinions on various topics like sports, politics, or religion. Some are physically weakened, leaning on a walking stick, while others struggle with hearing loss. This verse continues to highlight the unique experiences and characteristics of individuals. Similar to the first verse, the overarching sentiment is that everyone has their own life to live and their own goals to strive for.
In the following part, the lyrics shift to a more uplifting tone. The repetition of the phrase "overal op deze wereld zal het anders zijn" (everywhere in this world it will be different) emphasizes the universality of differing circumstances and concerns. The songwriter suggests that despite these differences, everyone hopes for a better tomorrow and should therefore focus on enjoying life together. The mention of the sun shining and happiness returning creates a hopeful and joyful atmosphere, suggesting that when things go well, one should cherish those moments and feel liberated. Once again, the chorus reiterates the message that everyone has their own life to live, their own aspirations, and their own struggles.
Overall, the lyrics of "Iedereen" emphasize the diversity of human experiences and the different paths that people take in life. It calls for understanding, acceptance, and enjoyment of life's moments together despite these differences.
Line by Line Meaning
Lopend tussen mensen over straat
Walking among people on the street
De één weet van de ander niet waarheen die gaat
One doesn't know where the other is going
Ik zie zakenman in pak met aktetas
I see a businessman in a suit with a briefcase
Een jonge meid op weg naar school versneld haar pas
A young girl hurries her step on her way to school
Je ziet van alles als je kijkt zo om je heen
You see all sorts of things when you look around
De één is vrolijk en de ander doet gemeen
One is happy and the other is mean
Ik zie een moeder met haar kinderen op de fiets
I see a mother with her children on bicycles
Een swerver struint wat in het park op zoek naar iets
A wanderer strolls around the park, looking for something
Maar iedereen leeft zo z'n eigen leven
But everyone lives their own life
Iedereen heeft zo z'n eigen streven
Everyone has their own aspirations
Overal op deze wereld zal het anders zijn
Everywhere in this world, it will be different
Want iedereen heeft zo z'n eigen zorgen
Because everyone has their own worries
Iedereen hoopt op een nieuwe morgen
Everyone hopes for a new morning
Laten we vooral genieten met elkaar
Let's especially enjoy together
Kijk die oude mannetjes op straat
Look at those old men on the street
Waarvan de één nog harder dan de ander praat
Whose one talks even louder than the other
Over het voetbal politiek of een geloof
About soccer, politics, or a belief
De ene helft met stok de andere helft stokdoof
One half with a cane, the other half deaf
En als de zon voor ons gaat schijnen
And when the sun shines for us
Lacht het geluk weer aan je zij
Happiness is smiling at your side again
Je zal de wolken zien verdwijnen
You will see the clouds disappear
Het maakt je vrolijk voel je vrij
It makes you happy, feel free
Overal op deze wereld zal het anders zijn
Everywhere in this world, it will be different
Want iedereen heeft zo z'n eigen zorgen
Because everyone has their own worries
Iedereen hoopt op een nieuwe morgen
Everyone hopes for a new morning
Laten we vooral genieten met elkaar
Let's especially enjoy together
Lyrics © CTM Publishing, Peermusic Publishing
Written by: CEES TOL, JAN SMIT, THOMAS TOL
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
A.potter
Wat hou ik van dit lied!! Echt een super album😍 altijd nog lekker aan het mee zingen😇😇
Monica S
Too good..😘❤