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.
Vogelvrij
Jan Smit Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Er lijkt geen spoor van zekerheid te zijn
Het liefst lig je de hele dag in bed,
Te wachten op die wekker die je redt.
Je verzameld de moed om op te staan,
En slaat de krant op, waar is het mis gegaan.
Je beseft what het doel is deze dag.
Laat zien dat je straalt met een lach.
Refr.
Als een vogel zo vrij,
Alle zorgen voorbij.
Vanaf vandaag zet ik alles opzij.
Bekijk het leven per dag,
Want niets moet, alles mag.
Heel de wereld is blij als je lacht.
Het leven draait om cijfers en om geld.
Toch is dat niet het enige dat telt.
Geluk is van belang voor iedereen,
Want niemand is graag eenzaam of alleen.
Al die oorlogen ben ik meer dan zat.
En met problemen heb ik het wel gehad.
Dus geniet maar van alles what je doet.
Want blijdschap maakt alles weer goed.
Refr.
Als een vogel zo vrij,
Alle zorgen voorbij.
Vanaf vandaag zet ik alles opzij.
Bekijk het leven per dag,
Want niets moet, alles mag.
Heel de wereld is blij als je lacht.
Probeer te genieten van elk moment,
Want voor je 't weet is 't voorbij.
Een beter gevoel heb ik nooit gekend.
Verlost van de angst, ik ben vrij.
Refr.
Als een vogel zo vrij,
Alle zorgen voorbij.
Vanaf vandaag zet ik alles opzij.
Bekijk het leven per dag,
Want niets moet, alles mag.
Heel de wereld is blij als je lacht.
Heel de wereld is blij als je lacht.
The lyrics to Jan Smit's song "Vogelvrij" speak of feeling small in a world that seems too big, uncertain, and lacking in security. The singer admits to wanting to stay in bed all day, waiting for the alarm to save them. But they summon the courage to face the day, only to find bad news in the newspaper. However, they remember the purpose of the day, to show the world their smile.
The refrain focuses on the freedom and carefree spirit of a bird, with all worries left behind. The singer resolves to set everything aside and enjoy life, taking each day as it comes, with no obligations and everything permitted. In doing so, they bring joy to the world with their smile. The lyrics encourage us to relish every moment, rather than being consumed by fear, worry, and the pressures of life.
Line by Line Meaning
De wereld lijkt te groot, je voelt je klein
Feeling small in a world that seems too big
Er lijkt geen spoor van zekerheid te zijn
Uncertainty looms without clear direction
Het liefst lig je de hele dag in bed,
Prefer to stay in bed all day
Te wachten op die wekker die je redt.
Waiting for the alarm to wake you up
Je verzamelt de moed om op te staan,
Gathering courage to face the day
En slaat de krant op, waar is het mis gegaan.
Reading the news and wondering where it all went wrong
Je beseft wat het doel is deze dag.
Realizing the purpose of the day
Laat zien dat je straalt met een lach.
Showing that you can shine with a smile.
Als een vogel zo vrij,
As free as a bird,
Alle zorgen voorbij.
All worries left behind.
Vanaf vandaag zet ik alles opzij.
From today, putting everything aside.
Bekijk het leven per dag,
Looking at life one day at a time,
Want niets moet, alles mag.
Because nothing is mandatory, anything is possible.
Heel de wereld is blij als je lacht.
The whole world is happy when you smile.
Het leven draait om cijfers en om geld.
Life revolves around numbers and money.
Toch is dat niet het enige dat telt.
However, that is not the only thing that counts.
Geluk is van belang voor iedereen,
Happiness is important for everyone,
Want niemand is graag eenzaam of alleen.
Because nobody wants to be lonely or alone.
Al die oorlogen ben ik meer dan zat.
I'm tired of all these wars.
En met problemen heb ik het wel gehad.
I've had enough of problems.
Dus geniet maar van alles wat je doet.
So enjoy everything you do.
Want blijdschap maakt alles weer goed.
Because happiness makes everything better.
Probeer te genieten van elk moment,
Try to enjoy every moment,
Want voor je 't weet is 't voorbij.
Because before you know it, it's over.
Een beter gevoel heb ik nooit gekend.
I've never experienced a better feeling.
Verlost van de angst, ik ben vrij.
Freed from fear, I am free.
Heel de wereld is blij als je lacht.
The whole world is happy when you smile.
Heel de wereld is blij als je lacht.
The whole world is happy when you smile.
Contributed by Matthew E. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@trijnvogel2575
Super mooie lied
@jolanda336
mooi lied
@nathalieeynatten2397
Ik hou van Jan Smit
@nettieschool5429
Dan ben je niet de enige
@irisoever
Cool lied
@ninahoegee825
leuk lied
@chacha05041988
dat vind ik ook
@leonieguijt7609
jammer dat er geen songtekst van is
@melkzuiper2650
dan maak je die haha