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.
So lang nicht mehr im Himmel
Jan Smit Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
länger lass ich mich nicht fangen
jetzt bin ich hier, mit dir erwacht
will plötzlich gar nicht mehr gehn
bloss nicht da raus in die freiheit
da will ich nie wieder hin
nach langer zeit
spür ich was tief in mir drin
ich war schon so lang nicht mehr verliebt
ich glaubte schon lang nicht mehr an engel
und dass es noch kleine wunder gibt
ich wollte mein herz nie mehr verlieren
um gar keinen preis gefangen sein
jetzt will ich dich für immer spüren
nur dich allein
hab ganz bestimmt, viel schönes versäumt
doch das hol ich nach mit dir
lass mich noch eine nacht bleiben
vielleicht noch tausend danach
nach langer zeit
ist da was in mir erwacht
ich war schon so lang nicht mehr im himmel
ich war schon so lang nicht mehr verliebt
ich glaubte schon lang nicht mehr an engel
und dass es noch kleine wunder gibt
ich wollte mein herz nie mehr verlieren
um gar keinen preis gefangen sein
jetzt will ich dich für immer spüren
nur dich allein
ich wollte mein herz nie mehr verlieren
um gar keinen preis gefangen sein
jetzt will ich dich für immer spüren
nur dich allein
The lyrics of Jan Smit's song "So lang nicht mehr im Himmel" talk about the experience of falling in love after a long time of being detached from the feeling. At first, the singer is hesitant and does not want to be trapped in a relationship again, but after spending time with his/her significant other, he/she realizes that he/she wants to stay with them forever. The lyrics express a longing for a life without restrictions and limitations, where he/she is free to love without fear of getting hurt. It also talks about the feelings of doubt and disbelief in love and wonders if it is still possible to believe in the magic of love again.
The singer's feelings of vulnerability and the fear of being trapped in a relationship forever are relatable to many people. The song's message is clear - no matter how long one has been away from love, it is never too late to fall in love again. The chorus emphasises the sentiment of falling deeply in love again and being swept away by that feeling.
Line by Line Meaning
für eine nacht, hab ich gedacht
I thought it was just for one night
länger lass ich mich nicht fangen
I won't let myself fall for you for too long
jetzt bin ich hier, mit dir erwacht
But now that I'm here with you, I feel alive
will plötzlich gar nicht mehr gehn
I don't want to leave now
bloss nicht da raus in die freiheit
I don't want to go back out into the world
da will ich nie wieder hin
I never want to go there again
nach langer zeit
After such a long time
spür ich was tief in mir drin
I feel something deep inside me
ich war schon so lang nicht mehr im himmel
I haven't felt this happy in a long time
ich war schon so lang nicht mehr verliebt
I haven't been in love for a long time
ich glaubte schon lang nicht mehr an engel
I didn't believe in angels anymore
und dass es noch kleine wunder gibt
Or that there were still small miracles in the world
ich wollte mein herz nie mehr verlieren
I never wanted to lose my heart again
um gar keinen preis gefangen sein
And be trapped for no cost
jetzt will ich dich für immer spüren
Now I want to feel you forever
nur dich allein
Only you
hab ganz bestimmt, viel schönes versäumt
I missed out on a lot of beautiful things
doch das hol ich nach mit dir
But I can make up for it all with you
lass mich noch eine nacht bleiben
Let me stay for one more night
vielleicht noch tausend danach
Or maybe even a thousand more after that
ist da was in mir erwacht
Something inside me has awakened
Contributed by Adeline S. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Andrásné Sipos
Super Jan,,,
Brigitte Stanic
😭...es tut sooo weh...😭🕯🙏🕯