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.
Vriendschap
Jan Smit Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Het regent in je hart, de wereld lijkt te vergaan
Een liefde die verdween, en je vraagt je af waarheen
Je hebt het helemaal gehad, je bent alleen.
Vriendschap, vriendschap is goud waard
Ook al zie je elkaar niet elke dag,
't Zijn de echte vrienden, die je altijd steunen
Vriendschap , vriendschap is goud waard
Als je niet meer ziet hoe 't verder moet
Hoef je maar te weten, dat ze aan je denken
Je voelt dat echte vriendschap nooit bekoelt.
Ergens schijnt de zon, laat de gordijnen maar dicht
De regen in je hart vecht om een klein straaltje licht
De dag verliest z'n gloed en je verliest al haast de moed
Nee je gelooft 'r niet meer in, toch komt het goed.
Vriendschap, vriendschap is goud waard
Ook al zie je elkaar niet elke dag,
't Zijn de echte vrienden, die je altijd steunen
Je weet dat een vriend je nooit vergeet.
Vriendschap, vriendschap is goud waard
Als je niet meer ziet hoe 't verder moet
Hoef je maar te weten, dat ze aan je denken
Je voelt dat echte vriendschap nooit verkoelt
The song "Vriendschap" by Jan Smit is about the importance of true friendship during tough times. The verses tell a story of a difficult day when everything is going wrong - someone has lost a love, feels alone and as if the world is ending. However, the chorus talks about the value of real friendship, even if friends don't see each other every day. Friends are the ones who offer support and don't forget each other. The bridge of the song describes a moment when the sun may be shining, but the person still feels the rain in their heart. They are losing hope but believe that everything will work out in the end.
The song's message is crystal clear: friendship is crucial during tough times, and good friends are always there to support each other. The lyrics are straightforward and relatable, communicating that everyone goes through tough situations but having supportive friends is what can make all the difference in the world. Jan Smit's soft, soothing voice adds to the calming and comforting essence of the song.
Line by Line Meaning
Soms is er een zo'n dag, die je het liefst over zou slaan
There are days when you wish you didn't have to experience.
Het regent in je hart, de wereld lijkt te vergaan
You feel despair and sadness, like the world is ending.
Een liefde die verdween, en je vraagt je af waarheen
You've lost a love and wonder where it went.
Je hebt het helemaal gehad, je bent alleen.
You're fed up and feeling alone.
Vriendschap, vriendschap is goud waard
Friendship, true friendship, is invaluable.
Ook al zie je elkaar niet elke dag,
Even if you don't see each other every day,
't Zijn de echte vrienden, die je altijd steunen
It's your real friends who will always support you.
Je weet dat een vriend je nooit vergeet.
You know a true friend will never forget you.
Als je niet meer ziet hoe 't verder moet
When you can't see a way forward anymore,
Hoef je maar te weten, dat ze aan je denken
Just knowing they're thinking of you,
Je voelt dat echte vriendschap nooit bekoelt.
You feel that true friendship never cools off.
Ergens schijnt de zon, laat de gordijnen maar dicht
Somewhere the sun is shining, even if you can't see it.
De regen in je hart vecht om een klein straaltje licht
Your heavy heart is fighting for a glimmer of hope.
De dag verliest z'n gloed en je verliest al haast de moed
The day loses its shine and you're close to losing hope.
Nee je gelooft 'r niet meer in, toch komt het goed.
You don't believe it now, but things will get better.
Contributed by Gabriella Y. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@editealves5795
Vejo que as musicas desse rapaz e para todos os públicos porque vejo jovens e também terceira idade e simplesmente incrível ❤❤
@VioricaPricop-kg9nr
❤Acest cântec îl ascult aproape în fiecare zi,este deosebit asemeni interpretului,este ca un vis frumos din care nu aș vrea să mă trezesc! Mulțumesc Jan Smit pentru toate melodiile tale superbe!
@user-hl5tk9ck2s
PRIWET Jan!🖐️🌷🙂 СПАСИБО большое за твои песни!❤️Я смотрю все радуются твоему голосу!👍🌷👍И я тебе говорю ... Бравооо...🙏❤️🙏Слушаю их когда мне скучно, и сразу становится легче! СПАСИБО большое твоей маме, что подарила миру такое сокровище!❤️🙏❤️🇬🇷
@VioricaPricop-kg9nr
❤😮🎉 Mult prea frumos, îmi umpli inima de bucurie și mă încarc cu energie pozitivă! Mulțumesc din suflet pentru acest cântec minunat!
@milenamajhenic1138
DRAGI Jantje...rojen si pod srečno zvezdo.Ko poješ,žariš!! Zrastel si v lepega mladeniča,z čudovitim glasom in nasmehom.Želim ti zdravja,uspeha in ostani takšen kot si...preprost in odličen pevec!! Lep pozdrav,lepe želje iz SLOVENIJE!!
👍🙏👍
@mariaszczotka3136
Wspaniały wykonawca
@cecyliakrl5623
Wanda Król piękna piosenka klasyka pieknie dziękuję masz o małego dziecka wielki talent piekne wspomnienia tak wspaniałych piosenek kłaniam się nisko pozdrawiam z Poland dziękuję. 💖💖💖🍀🌹🌹🌹
@andreluizfernandesdematos9198
Boa tarde e a tarde fica mais feliz ☺️.
Lindas canções, só alegria precisamos gostar das mais lindas canções, para as vezes lembrar de um grande amor 💘.
É encantador, maravilhoso.
Muita luz ao mundo.
André Luiz. Brasil
@PauloJukovsky
QUE MARAVILHA É VER GENTE TÃO FELIZ, A GENTE FICA FELIZ TAMBÉM
@jacintoluiz7495
Música maravilhosa,desde são Paulo Brasil, 22 04,2021, trás uma paz profunda em nossos corações! Muito bom,amo essa cancion,