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.
Mattino
Jan Smit Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Il sole che nasce carezza
Pian piano le case sonnachiose
Nell'aria
Insieme ad un suon di campane
Un profumo di pane e di rose
Ascolta
Nel cieto di questo mattino
Che ha gli occhi blu di un bambino
Al mattino
Als ik jou zie dan zing ik: "mi amore",
Want zonder jou voel ik
Mij zo verloren.
Daar in de geur die de rozen geven,
Voel ik me thuis, wil ik
Voor altijd leven.
Als ik jou zie dan zing ik: "mi amore",
Zoals een nachtegaal z'n lied laat horen.
Daar in de geur van die rode rozen geven,
Voel ik me thuis, wil ik
Voor altijd leven.
The song "Mattino" by Jan Smit paints a picturesque scene of a tranquil morning. The opening lines describe the gentle touch of the sun as it rises and kisses the sleepy houses. The air is filled with the sound of bells and the aroma of bread and roses. The verse paints a serene and peaceful mood, setting the tone for the rest of the song. The following lines describe the singing of a swallow, and the blue eyes of a child. The swallows' singing symbolizes hope and new beginnings, while the child's eyes represent innocence and purity.
The chorus of the song showcases Jan Smit's declaration of love to his significant other. He sings "when I see you, I sing 'mi amore'," expressing his deep emotion for his loved one. He adds that he feels lost without them and that he wants to live forever in the fragrance of roses. The symbolism of the red roses represents love and passion. The chorus is romantic and emphasizes the importance of love in one's life. The song portrays the beauty in simple things and serves to remind listeners to cherish the moments that bring happiness to life.
Line by Line Meaning
Il sole che nasce carezza
The sun rises and caresses gently
Pian piano le case sonnachiose
Gradually, sleepy houses awaken
Nell'aria
In the air
Insieme ad un suon di campane
Together with the sound of church bells
Un profumo di pane e di rose
A scent of fresh bread and roses
Ascolta
Listen
La rondine innalza il suo canto
The swallow raises its song
Nel cieto di questo mattino
In the calm of this morning
Che ha gli occhi blu di un bambino
That has the blue eyes of a child
Al mattino
In the morning
Als ik jou zie dan zing ik: "mi amore",
When I see you I sing "my love"
Want zonder jou voel ik
Mij zo verloren.
Because without you I feel so lost
Daar in de geur die de rozen geven,
Voel ik me thuis, wil ik
Voor altijd leven.
There, in the scent that the roses give, I feel at home and want to live forever
Zoals een nachtegaal z'n lied laat horen.
Like how a nightingale sings its song
Daar in de geur van die rode rozen geven,
Voel ik me thuis, wil ik
Voor altijd leven.
There, in the scent of those red roses, I feel at home and want to live forever
Contributed by William P. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Vesna Covo
So eine Stimme gibt's nur ein mal auf der ganzen Welt. Liebe Jan du bist der beste, du bist fantastisch.💗💗💗.
Amelia del carmen Rodriguez
Que voz y que forma de cantar es de admirar muchas bendiciones
Vesna Covo
Kein Senger dieser Welt hat so a schöne Stimme wie Jan, einfach wuderschön und einmalig.❤️❤️❤️😘😘😘.
Neide Denzin
Meu cantor preferido e não tem outro
Rosi Hornisch
Egal in welcher Sprache Jan singt...es hört sich immer wunderschön an. Dieser Mann fasziniert mich immer wieder. Er sieht soooo gut aus....er hat eine bildhübsche Frau...uns Süße Kinder. Wünsche ihm und seiner Familie viel Glück und Gesundheit 🍀🍀🍀😘😍
Helena Dos Santos
Á moi aussi Jan Smith mi enchante avec cette Voix Únique et cette Beauté en tant que personne Incomparable , Homme qui séduit tout le monde 🥰🥰🥰🥰❤❤❤ Jan je vous souhaite tout le bonheur du monde á vous et votre famille 💏 ❤ 👭❤ 🤾 ❤ que le Seigneur vous Bénisse 🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻 Soyez toujours Heureux 🥰🥰🥰❤❤❤🍀🍀🍀 11 - 05 - 2022
Lourdes Lombardi
Que bela canção Italiana bela bela
chabbis59
Mon favori!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Josie Bono
Love the song great voice ,more of these beautiful songs,in Italian and E nglish that’s what l understand.
Vesna Covo
Einfach herrlich diese wunderschöne Stimme und dieser wunderschöne Mann.❤️❤️❤️🌷🌷🌷.