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.
La paloma
Jan Smit Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Cuando, sali de la habana, val game dios
na di me-ha visto salir si nu fui yo
yuna, linda quachi nanga a lla voy yo
que se, vino tras de mi-qy si senda
Si a tu ventana ll ga, una paloma
trata la concarino que es mi persona
Ay chinita que si ay que dame tu amor
ayu que vente conmigo chinita
a donde vivo yo
Ay chinita que si ay que dame tu amor
ayu que vente conmigo chinita
a donde vivo yo
Cuando, sali de la habana, val game dios
na di me-ha visto salir si no tui yo
Si a tu ventana ll ga, una paloma
trata la concarino que es mi persona
Ay chinita que si ay que dame tu amor
ayu que vente conmigo chinita
a donde vivo yo
The song “La Paloma” by Jantje Smit is a romantic song that tells the story of a man who has left Havana in search of love. The opening lines express his amazement that no one seemed to notice him leaving. He then declares his intention to find a beautiful love interest in a far-off land. The phrase “valgame dios” is a Spanish expression that can be loosely translated as “Oh my God”.
The song focuses on the image of a dove, or “paloma” in Spanish, which is traditionally a symbol of love and peace. he singer implores the dove to serve as his messenger of love, promising that if it appears at his beloved’s window, he will send word that he is the one sending it. The bridge of the song repeats the plea for the singer’s love interest to come with him, using the pet name “chinita”.
Overall, the song is a charming and romantic expression of a desire for love, and the use of the dove as a symbol adds an element of nostalgia and longing for a simpler time.
Line by Line Meaning
Cuando, sali de la habana, val game dios
As I left Havana, I said goodbye to God
na di me-ha visto salir si nu fui yo
Nobody saw me leave except myself
yuna, linda quachi nanga a lla voy yo
I'm going to a beautiful place where I belong
que se, vino tras de mi-qy si senda
Someone followed my path
Si a tu ventana ll ga, una paloma
If a dove lands on your window
trata la concarino que es mi persona
Know that it's a message from me
Ay chinita que si ay que dame tu amor
Oh darling, please give me your love
ayu que vente conmigo chinita
Come with me, my sweet love
a donde vivo yo
To where I live
Cuando, sali de la habana, val game dios
As I left Havana, I said goodbye to God
na di me-ha visto salir si no tui yo
Nobody saw me leave except myself
Si a tu ventana ll ga, una paloma
If a dove lands on your window
trata la concarino que es mi persona
Know that it's a message from me
Ay chinita que si ay que dame tu amor
Oh darling, please give me your love
ayu que vente conmigo chinita
Come with me, my sweet love
a donde vivo yo
To where I live
Contributed by Micah G. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@elisalopez6886
Beautiful voice and awesome song!!!!!!!!!!
@ingridkaras1208
Mein Lieblings Lied, schon fur 76 Jahren !! Danke schon !
@donataloska444
Moja też a ten głos po prostu cudo słucham często i podziwiam wykonawcę pozdrawiam że szczecina
@PizzaLaFamosa
❤🎉
@inis337
Ein süßer Schatz! Eine Stimme aus Gold und seine Ausstrahlung ist einzigartig. Von klein auf singt er schon,berührt die Herzen der Zuschauer und er ist für die Bühne geboren. 🌞🎶
@jacquelinefickis1734
Jantje Smit is an excellent singer and he is my favourite Dutch singer of all time❤
@chusito69
Olé, olé y olé. Muy bien interpretada, con una voz fabulosa y una pronunciación perfecta. Enhorabuena y te deseo muchísima suerte. Desde España
@fernandepitrel1466
J aime 😍 super. Ce jeune garçon est maintenant un homme qui a un très grand succès avec ses chansons et son groupe
@fernandepitrel1466
Enfant Jan avait une très belle voix ,c'est toujours d actualité aujourd'hui c est un grand plaisir de l entendre chanter 🎶
@MariaMartinez-hw5si
Que Hermoso muchacho bello cante bello llegar muy lejos divina voz. bravo bravo 🙋