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.
Jij & Ik
Jan Smit Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Je hangt wat rond, bekijkt je telefoon
Het lijkt alsof je allang wilt gaan
Ik doe wat stappen vooruit en heel gewoon
alsof ik zomaar voorbij loop,
maar ben intussen dichtbij jouw
(dichtbij jouw)
Ik doe net of ik dansen kan
Begin ter plekke een beter plan
Ik pak je hand en vraag jouw met mij
de sterren van de hemel te dansen
en misschien daarna nog veel meer
EYO EYO
Jij en ik vergeten alles wat we weten
alles om ons heen.
EYO EYO
Jij en ik herleven
zwefend boven iedereen.
Het is net of ik jouw al ken
zoals je naar mij kijkt voelt heel vertrouwd.
Voel me vrij als ik bij je ben.
Ik geef me bloot en vraag jouw vanavond
We dromen van een lang leven samen
en misschien daarna nog veel meer.
EYO EYO
Jij en ik vergeten alles wat we weten
alles om ons heen.
EYO EYO
Jij en ik herleven
zwefend boven iedereen.
EYO EYO
Jij en ik vergeten alles wat we weten
alles om ons heen.
EYO EYO
Jij en ik herleven
zwefend boven iedereen.
Wat ik wil van jouw
is die ene zoen.
EYO EYO
Jij en ik vergeten alles wat we weten
alles om ons heen.
EYO EYO
Jij en ik herleven
zwefend boven iedereen.
EYO EYO
Jij en ik vergeten alles wat we weten
alles om ons heen.
EYO EYO
Jij en ik herleven
zwefend boven iedereen.
The song "Jij & Ik" by Jan Smit is about two people who are drawn to each other on the dance floor. The singer sees the other person standing alone and looking at their phone, as if they are ready to leave. He tries to catch their attention by dancing nearby, but the other person ignores him. He then decides to take a bold move and take their hand to dance together. They forget everything around them and immerse themselves in the moment, feeling free and alive. The singer feels a strong connection to the other person, as if he has known them for a long time. He dreams of a future together and hopes to share a kiss with them.
The song captures the excitement and nervousness of meeting someone new and trying to make a connection. The lyrics suggest that love is a powerful force that can make people forget about their worries and allow them to be in the moment. The dance floor is a metaphor for life, where people dance through their struggles and find joy in unexpected places.
Line by Line Meaning
Ik zie jouw op de dansvloer staan
I notice you standing on the dance floor
Je hangt wat rond, bekijkt je telefoon
You're loitering around, looking at your phone
Het lijkt alsof je allang wilt gaan
It seems like you want to leave already
Ik doe wat stappen vooruit en heel gewoon
I take some steps forward, acting casual
alsof ik zomaar voorbij loop,
as if I'm just passing by,
maar ben intussen dichtbij jouw
but I am actually close to you
(dichtbij jouw)
(close to you)
Ik doe net of ik dansen kan
I'm pretending that I can dance
maar zie dat jij mijn beste moves negeert
but I can see that you're ignoring my best moves
Begin ter plekke een beter plan
I come up with a better plan on the spot
Ik pak je hand en vraag jouw met mij
I take your hand and ask you to dance with me
de sterren van de hemel te dansen
to dance like there's no tomorrow
en misschien daarna nog veel meer
and perhaps even more afterwards
EYO EYO
Hey, hey
Jij en ik vergeten alles wat we weten
You and I forget everything we know
alles om ons heen.
all that surrounds us.
Jij en ik herleven
You and I come to life again
zwefend boven iedereen.
floating above everyone else.
Het is net of ik jouw al ken
It's as if I already know you
zoals je naar mij kijkt voelt heel vertrouwd.
the way you're looking at me feels very familiar.
Voel me vrij als ik bij je ben.
I feel free when I'm with you.
Ik geef me bloot en vraag jouw vanavond
I open up to you and ask you tonight
We dromen van een lang leven samen
We dream of a long life together
en misschien daarna nog veel meer.
and perhaps even more afterwards.
Wat ik wil van jouw
What I want from you
is die ene zoen.
is that one kiss.
EYO EYO
Hey, hey
Jij en ik vergeten alles wat we weten
You and I forget everything we know
alles om ons heen.
all that surrounds us.
Jij en ik herleven
You and I come to life again
zwefend boven iedereen.
floating above everyone else.
EYO EYO
Hey, hey
Jij en ik vergeten alles wat we weten
You and I forget everything we know
alles om ons heen.
all that surrounds us.
Jij en ik herleven
You and I come to life again
zwefend boven iedereen.
floating above everyone else.
Contributed by London S. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
X
Love this song! You're amazing Jantjee <3
X
@Margot Van Teeffelen ftw?
Tim Glasbergen Fotografie
Mooi muziek!
Stijn Bijlsma
Top lied!
daf
Wist niet dat deze van jou was ik hoorde hem altijd op de radio en ik wist niet van wie hij was en hoe hij hete maar nu weet ik dat hij van een van mijn favoriete zangers is🥳
Monica S
😘❤too good...
Franklin B.
Lekker liedje
Gerda Staelens
Heel mooi !x.......
Delcart Micheline
jan dat het mooie cd die je gemaakt heb
Journey van den Ende
Privé-concert voor de eerste 400 likes? Moet even wennen aan dit nummer maar ben bijna zover ;-) xo