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.
Van Goes Tot Purmerend
Jan Smit Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
We zijn haast overal bekend
En elke schooldag steeds weer repeteren
Na de les
Van vier tot zes
House en dance
Take a chance
Uit de sleur
Feest in de tent
van Goes tot Purmerend
als wij komen spelen met de band
de saxen gaan tekeer
we swingen op en neer
de fans die willen meer en meer en meer
ali ali aloa
ze willen hen, ze willen meer
De zenuwen die gieren door m'n lijf
Als ik de bune weer bestijg
maar als ik dan ga zingen is dat over
dan roep ik: hé!
doe met ons mee
dance en soul
rock 'n roll
uit de sleur
want er staat weer een weekend voor de deur
Feest in de tent
van Goes tot Purmerend
als wij komen spelen met de band
de saxen gaan tekeer
we swingen op en neer
de fans die willen meer en meer en meer
ali ali aloa
ze willen hen, ze willen meer
Ik zie ons al in Londen en Las Vegas
Denise likes calling our name
we spelen daar dan in de big Arena's
en maken daar potje met feest!
Feest in de tent
van Goes tot Purmerend
als wij komen spelen met de band
de saxen gaan tekeer
we swingen op en neer
de fans die willen meer en meer en meer
ali ali aloa
ze willen hen, ze willen meer
Feest in de tent
van Goes tot Purmerend
als wij komen spelen met de band
de saxen gaan tekeer
we swingen op en neer
de fans die willen meer en meer en meer
ali ali aloa
ze willen hen, ze willen meer
ali ali aloa
ali ali aloa
ze willen hen, ze willen meer.
(End)
The song "Van Goes Tot Purmerend" by Jan Smit tells the story of a high school band that has gained popularity by playing at various events, particularly in tents in different cities. The lyrics describe the routine of the band members, who practice from four to six every day after school and dream of playing in big arenas in London and Las Vegas. The song speaks of the audience's desire for more as the band plays, and the singer invites the concertgoers to dance and sing along with them.
The lyrics of "Van Goes Tot Purmerend" convey the excitement, adrenaline rush, and nervousness that musicians feel when performing in front of an audience. The song's upbeat tempo and catchy melodies, along with the brass section's energetic sounds, make it an excellent tune to dance along to. The lyrics also talk about the unifying power of music, as people from different backgrounds and places come together to enjoy the band's performance.
Line by Line Meaning
Met vrienden van de school heb ik een band
I have a band with my school friends
We zijn haast overal bekend
We are almost famous everywhere
En elke schooldag steeds weer repeteren
Every school day we practice
Na de les
After school
Van vier tot zes
From four to six
House en dance
House and dance
Take a chance
Take a chance
Uit de sleur
Out of the routine
Want er staat weer een weekend voor de deur
Because there's a weekend ahead
Feest in de tent
Party in the tent
van Goes tot Purmerend
From Goes to Purmerend
als wij komen spelen met de band
When we come to play with the band
de saxen gaan tekeer
The saxophones go wild
we swingen op en neer
We swing up and down
de fans die willen meer en meer en meer
The fans want more and more and more
ali ali aloa
Ali Ali Aloa
ze willen hen, ze willen meer
They want them, they want more
De zenuwen die gieren door m'n lijf
The nerves that rush through my body
Als ik de bune weer bestijg
When I climb the stage again
maar als ik dan ga zingen is dat over
But when I start singing, it's over
dan roep ik: hé!
Then I shout: hey!
doe met ons mee
Join us
dance en soul
Dance and soul
rock 'n roll
Rock 'n roll
Ik zie ons al in Londen en Las Vegas
I see us in London and Las Vegas
Denise likes calling our name
Denise likes calling our name
we spelen daar dan in de big Arena's
We play there in the big arenas
en maken daar potje met feest!
And have a party over there!
ali ali aloa
Ali Ali Aloa
Feest in de tent
Party in the tent
van Goes tot Purmerend
From Goes to Purmerend
als wij komen spelen met de band
When we come to play with the band
de saxen gaan tekeer
The saxophones go wild
we swingen op en neer
We swing up and down
de fans die willen meer en meer en meer
The fans want more and more and more
ali ali aloa
Ali Ali Aloa
ze willen hen, ze willen meer
They want them, they want more
Feest in de tent
Party in the tent
van Goes tot Purmerend
From Goes to Purmerend
als wij komen spelen met de band
When we come to play with the band
de saxen gaan tekeer
The saxophones go wild
we swingen op en neer
We swing up and down
de fans die willen meer en meer en meer
The fans want more and more and more
ali ali aloa
Ali Ali Aloa
ze willen hen, ze willen meer
They want them, they want more
ali ali aloa
Ali Ali Aloa
ze willen hen, ze willen meer.
They want them, they want more.
Contributed by Eva E. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@user-id5hc7kc5i
Lieber Jan, ich höre Ihre Lieder seit dem Jahr 2000. Ich habe damals eine Band mit Ihrem Songs von 1998 beckommen. Ich war echt gerührt, die Stimme, die Tekste!!!. Ich kannte kein Niederländisch, kaum Deutsch, und trotzdem habe ich fast alles, die Gefühe verstanden. Dann haben sie deutsche Schlager gesungen. Außer " Hallo mein Kleiner", nein, das sind Sie nicht der Jantje, total langweilig. Und dann habe ich auf Youtube ihre Konzerte in Hollad gefunden, auf niederländisch. Und wieder grosse Begeisterung. Hier sind Sie echt, lebendig, das Publikum begeistert. Und ich bei jedem Lied sehr gerüht. Ich danke Ihnen, alles Gute.
@Shaheem-lf6nm
Yeududueueuueueuueueueueueueueueueueueeueueueuey6ee7e7eye7eyeyeeyueyeyyeyeyeye6e6e6e6e6ehjdudueueyeyeyeyeyeyeyeyeyeyyeyueyeyeyyeyeueyeyyeyeyyey❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉
@VioricaPricop-kg9nr
Acest cântec minunat și vesel mi-am propus să-l ascult în fiecare dimineață , astfel ziua o să fie mult mai frumoasă!! Mulțumesc Jan & Marco!!
@user-nh1qj8qq9w
D A N K E........❤
@veruschka7894
Feest und Engelbewaarder am Morgen,vertreibt alle Sorgen❤😅
@wooden_chairnl
Gefeliciteerd Johannes met je verjaardag!!!!!
@MG-fb2fr
Überragend so eine Art Schlager fehlt in Deutschland!
@gerdabraaksma604
Geweldig Jan ! goed swingend liedje !
@jurgenmalot8613
Met dit nummer heb je direct feest in de tent🎉🎉🎉
@HansdeKruif
het is stil rond Jantje, door Marco's succes komt ie weer in de lift , slim gespeeld Volendam