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.
Mijn gitaar
Jan Smit Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Ik drink wat koffie en ik ga maar weer op pad.
Ik zing voor jou, en iedereen die mee wil zingen.
Ik zing voor jou, elke avond weer een ander stad.
Refrein
Met m'n gitaar heeft elke dag weer zin.
De muziek zit in mijn ziel, diep binnen in.
Alleen maar ik en m'n gitaar.
En als de show voor bij is wacht er een hotel.
In duisternis, en ook m'n medgezel.
Refrein
Ik zing voor jou, en iedereen die mee wil zingen.
Ik zing voor jou, en elke avond weer een andere stad.
Refrein
In alle lege uren ben ik nooit alleen.
Ik pak dan m'n gitaar en speel voor iedereen.
Met m'n gitaar heeft elke dag weer zin.
De muziek zit in m'n ziel, die binnen in.
Maakt niet uit wat er gebeurt, we gaan nooit uit elkaar.
Alleen maar ik en m'n gitaar, alleen maar ik en m'n gitaar.
The song "Mijn gitaar" by Jan Smit is a beautiful ode to the power of music and the bond between an artist and their instrument. In the verses, Smit describes the routine of his daily life, but it is through his guitar that he finds true meaning and purpose. He sings for himself and anyone who wants to sing along, imbuing each performance with fresh energy and emotion. The refrain repeats the theme of the guitar being a constant companion, a source of joy and solace no matter what life throws at him. When the show is over, Smit and his guitar retire to a hotel room where they are both each other's only company in the dark.
There is a sense of intimacy and vulnerability in the lyrics that suggests that the guitar is much more than just an object or tool for Smit. It is a part of him, something that he turns to when he feels lost or alone. The repetition of the refrain underscores this idea, driving home the message that the guitar is a constant in a world that is always changing. Ultimately, the song is a celebration of the transformative power of music and the enduring bond between an artist and their instrument.
Line by Line Meaning
Een nieuwe morgen dus de krant valt op de mat.
Starting another day, I see the newspaper arriving on my doorstep.
Ik drink wat koffie en ik ga maar weer op pad.
After having some coffee, I start wandering again.
Ik zing voor jou, en iedereen die mee wil zingen.
I sing for you and for everyone who wants to sing along.
Ik zing voor jou, elke avond weer een ander stad.
I perform for you every night in a different city.
Refrein
Chorus
Met m'n gitaar heeft elke dag weer zin.
My guitar gives meaning to each and every day.
De muziek zit in mijn ziel, diep binnen in.
The music is inside my soul, deeply ingrained.
Maakt niet uit wat er gebeurt, we gaan nooit uit elkaar.
No matter what happens, we will never separate.
Alleen maar ik en m'n gitaar.
Just me and my guitar.
En als de show voor bij is wacht er een hotel.
After the show is over, a hotel is waiting.
In duisternis, en ook m'n medgezel.
In the dark, my only companion is the guitar.
Ik zing voor jou, en elke avond weer een andere stad.
I perform for you every night in a different city.
In alle lege uren ben ik nooit alleen.
During all the empty hours, I am never alone.
Ik pak dan m'n gitaar en speel voor iedereen.
I pick up my guitar and play for everyone.
Met m'n gitaar heeft elke dag weer zin.
My guitar gives meaning to each and every day.
De muziek zit in m'n ziel, die binnen in.
The music is inside my soul, deeply ingrained.
Maakt niet uit wat er gebeurt, we gaan nooit uit elkaar.
No matter what happens, we will never separate.
Alleen maar ik en m'n gitaar, alleen maar ik en m'n gitaar.
Just me and my guitar, only me and my guitar.
Contributed by Ella F. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Karoline js Benoist
Jan ist einfach super 👍❤
Christa Christiaens
Dit vind ik heel leuk liedje van jan smid 🌹
Christa Christiaens
Prachtig liedje jan smid
Christa Christiaens
Mooi liedje prachtig jan smid
Christa Christiaens
Mooi liedjes prachtig Jan Smit
Christa Christiaens
Heel mooie liedjes Jan sm
Christa Christiaens
Mooi liedjes prachtig jan smid
Chanty De Lange
Dit vind ik heel leuk lied van jou jan smit
Christa Christiaens
Dit vind ik heel leuk liedje van jan smid
Monica S
😘❤THE best