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.
Op eigen benen
Jan Smit Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Voor het eerst hier in mijn eigen huis
Al m'n spullen heb ik meegenomen
En toch voel ik me nog niet thuis
Een nieuwe stap in m'n leven
Nee dat gaat niet zonder slag of stoot
En m'n moeder belde me zo even
-refrein-
Het is wel wennen zo alleen
Op eigen benen
Elke morgen zijn m'n broodjes aan gebrand
En de vuile vaat is niet vanzelf verdwenen
Maar gelukkig elke dag m'n eigen krant
Tis niet dat ik terug wil naar vroeger
Ook al denk ik daar dikwijls aan
Ik bewonder m'n vader en moeder
Wat zij voor mij hebben gedaan
-refrein-
Het is wel wennen zo alleen
Op eigen benen
Elke morgen zijn m'n broodjes aangebrand
En de vuile vaat is niet vanzelf verdwenen
Maar gelukkig elke dag m'n eigen krant
Ik voel mij als een vis in het water (water)
Ben als een vogel zo vrij
Soms zit het tegen en soms zit het mee
Maar dat hoort er allemaal bij
-refrein-
Het is wel wennen zo alleen
Op eigen benen
Elke morgen zijn m'n broodjes aangebrand
En de vuile vaat is niet vanzelf verdwenen
Maar gelukkig elke ,dag m'n eigen krant!
The Jan Smit's song 'Op eigen benen' talks about the emotions and experiences of leaving the comfort of one's home to live on your own. The lyrics depict the mixed feelings that come with taking a new step in life, leaving behind family and trying to navigate the new environment.
The first verse describes the momentous occasion of moving into a new home, and even though all personal belongings have been moved in, it still doesn't feel like home. This portrays the struggle of adjusting to the new environment and missing the familiarity of the former home. The second verse talks about how the new step is not easy and requires one to be strong, even though the mother called and secretly cares.
The refrain talks about the challenges of living independently. Burning the toast, piles of unwashed dishes but finding joy in the little things like reading the newspaper. The bridge provides a positive outlook on the situation. Even though independence comes with challenges, it also provides freedom and opportunity. The song concludes with the refrain repeated.
Overall, the lyrics of Jan Smit's 'Op eigen benen' convey a story of a person's journey toward independence, the challenges faced and the joy that comes with the growing sense of freedom.
Line by Line Meaning
Opeens is dan de dag gekomen
Suddenly the day has arrived
Voor het eerst hier in mijn eigen huis
For the first time here in my own home
Al m'n spullen heb ik meegenomen
I have taken all my things with me
En toch voel ik me nog niet thuis
And yet I still don't feel at home
Een nieuwe stap in m'n leven
A new step in my life
Nee dat gaat niet zonder slag of stoot
No, it doesn't go without a struggle
En m'n moeder belde me zo even
And my mother just called me
Voor haar houd ik me altijd groot
For her, I always stay strong
Het is wel wennen zo alleen, Op eigen benen
It's quite an adjustment being alone, on my own two feet
Elke morgen zijn m'n broodjes aan gebrand
Every morning my bread is burned
En de vuile vaat is niet vanzelf verdwenen
And the dirty dishes don't just disappear on their own
Maar gelukkig elke dag m'n eigen krant
But luckily I have my own newspaper every day
Tis niet dat ik terug wil naar vroeger
It's not that I want to go back to the past
Ook al denk ik daar dikwijls aan
Even though I often think about it
Ik bewonder m'n vader en moeder
I admire my father and mother
Wat zij voor mij hebben gedaan
For what they have done for me
Ik voel mij als een vis in het water (water)
I feel like a fish in water
Ben als een vogel zo vrij
I am as free as a bird
Soms zit het tegen en soms zit het mee
Sometimes things go wrong and sometimes they go right
Maar dat hoort er allemaal bij
But that's all part of it
Contributed by Vivian V. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Uschi Mutti
Super wie immer ein wunderschöne Stimme
Denise van zon
he he eindelijk staat hij er op hier heb ik zo lang naar gezocht!!
Marijn Leegstra
vanaf vandaag woon ik op mijzelf voor het eerst een eigen huis en ik hou me niet groot tegen mijn moeder ik huil vaak het is nog zo veel wennen
Teye Van Der Molen
Dan heb je super mazzel
Marijn Leegstra
ja
Teye Van Der Molen
Heb je zo,n lieve mama ?
melvin54321
hahah
sunnysight
Ja...krantje is belangrijk...
melvin54321
alsjeblieft :D
Monica S
😘