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.
Tegen Beter Weten In
Jan Smit Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
of ben je soms wat slechter gehumeurd?
En wordt er aan je hoofd vaak gezeurd?
(who o o o)
Laat ze dan weten dat jij gaat vergeten wat iedereen je aanraad keer op keer.
Je hebt geen eigen mening meer.
Want de beste stuurlui staan aan wal.
Tegen beter weten in geef je anderen toch steeds hun eigen zin.
Trek je nooit iets van een ander aan, blijf alijd achter jezelf staan.
Wees gewoon hoe je het liefst wilt zijn.
Hou je vast aan waar in jij gelooft dan krijg men jou niet klein.
Weet dat het leven je veel meer kan geven als jij je eigen weg maar altijd gaat.
En overal je mannetje staat.
(who o o o)
Dan zul je zien dat je eindelijk weet wat je uitstraalt naar zovelen keer op keer.
en telt je eigen mening weer.
Want de beste stuurlui staan aan wal, ga dr gewoon eens tegenin.
Dan krijg jij vanaf voortaan je eigen zin.
Trek je nooit iets van een ander aan, blijf alijd achter jezelf staan.
Wees gewoon hoe je het liefst wil zijn.
Hou je vast aan waar in jij gelooft dan krijg men jou niet klein.
Want de beste stuurlui staan aan wal, laat ze daar maar lekker staan.
Want je weet het beste zelf waar jij wilt gaan.
Trek je nooit iets van een ander aan, blijf alijd achter jezelf staan.
Wees gewoon hoe je het liefst wil zijn.
Hou je vast aan waar in jij gelooft dan krijg men jou niet klein.
The lyrics of Jan Smit's "Tegen Beter Weten In" urge the listener to stand up for their own beliefs and not be swayed by the opinions of others. The song opens with questions about being timid or feeling down, and being pressured by those around you. The chorus advises against giving in and losing your own identity to accommodate what others want. It is important to assert your own independence and stick to your own convictions.
The second verse repeats this message, emphasizing the need to be true to oneself and ignore the criticism of others. The repetition of the phrase "Trek je nooit iets van een ander aan," meaning "Never take anything from anyone else," emphasizes the importance of self-reliance and self-confidence. The song concludes with a call to stand up to outside pressure and embrace your individuality.
Jan Smit's "Tegen Beter Weten In" was released in 2005 and became one of his biggest hits in the Netherlands. The title means "Against Better Knowledge," referring to the lyrics' message of not giving in to others' opinions even when you know it may be easier.
Line by Line Meaning
Ben je verlegen? of zit het wat tegen?
Are you feeling shy or facing some difficulties?
of ben je soms wat slechter gehumeurd?
Or are you in a bad mood sometimes?
En wordt er aan je hoofd vaak gezeurd?
And do people often nag you?
(who o o o)
Laat ze dan weten dat jij gaat vergeten wat iedereen je aanraad keer op keer.
Tell them that you're going to forget what everyone advises you time and again.
Je hebt geen eigen mening meer.
You've lost your own opinion.
Want de beste stuurlui staan aan wal.
Because the best helmsmen are on the shore.
Tegen beter weten in geef je anderen toch steeds hun eigen zin.
Against your better judgment, you still let others have their way.
Trek je nooit iets van een ander aan, blijf alijd achter jezelf staan.
Don't pay attention to what others say, always stand by yourself.
Wees gewoon hoe je het liefst wilt zijn.
Just be how you want to be.
Hou je vast aan waar in jij gelooft dan krijg men jou niet klein.
Hold onto what you believe in, then no one can bring you down.
Weet dat het leven je veel meer kan geven als jij je eigen weg maar altijd gaat.
Know that life can give you so much more if you always follow your own path.
En overal je mannetje staat.
And stand your ground everywhere.
(who o o o)
Dan zul je zien dat je eindelijk weet wat je uitstraalt naar zovelen keer op keer.
Then you'll see that you finally know what you radiate to so many time and again.
en telt je eigen mening weer.
And your own opinion counts again.
Want de beste stuurlui staan aan wal, ga dr gewoon eens tegenin.
Because the best helmsmen are on the shore, just go against them for once.
Dan krijg jij vanaf voortaan je eigen zin.
Then from now on you will get your own way.
Laat ze daar maar lekker staan.
Let them just stand there.
Want je weet het beste zelf waar jij wilt gaan.
Because you know best where you want to go.
Trek je nooit iets van een ander aan, blijf alijd achter jezelf staan.
Don't pay attention to what others say, always stand by yourself.
Wees gewoon hoe je het liefst wil zijn.
Just be how you want to be.
Hou je vast aan waar in jij gelooft dan krijg men jou niet klein.
Hold onto what you believe in, then no one can bring you down.
Contributed by Eli V. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Monica S
😘❤cool....