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.
Zie Wel Hoe Ik Thuis Kom
Jan Smit Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Ik weet inmiddels nu hoeveel ik hebben kan
Toch wil ik heel af en toe nog even iets te snel
Als ik ga trek ik al gauw m`n eigen plan
Want de nacht is dan van mij zolang de tap maar loopt
Ook al ben ik dagen later nog gesloopt
Ik zie wel hoe ik thuiskom heb nog niet genoeg
Ben nog lang niet klaar in deze kroeg
Wacht maar niet op mij ben niet zo vlug
Als ik eenmaal zit , zit ik de hele avond uit
Zing dan overal mee, mee niet mooi maar luid
Want de nacht die is van mij zolang de tap maar loopt
Ook al ben ik dagen later nog gesloopt
Ik zie wel hoe ik thuiskom heb nog niet genoeg
Ben nog lang niet klaar in deze kroeg
Vind de weg naar huis wel kom vanzelf terug
Wacht maar niet op mij ben niet zo vlug
Draait de hele wereld even om me heen
Houd de sfeer hier binnen mij wel op de been
Ik zie wel hoe ik thuiskom heb nog niet genoeg
Ben nog lang niet klaar in deze kroeg
Vind de weg naar huis wel kom vanzelf terug
Wacht maar niet op mij ben niet zo vlug
The lyrics of the song "Zie Wel Hoe Ik Thuis Kom" by Jan Smit is about a person who knows his limits but sometimes still wants to push beyond them. He knows how much he can handle, but occasionally he still wants to go too fast. He likes to go out and drink, and he will always make his own plans. He knows that he will be tired the next day, but he doesn't care because he's having too much fun in the moment. He enjoys the freedom of the night, and he's not in a hurry to go home.
The lyrics also suggest that the singer likes to stay in one place when he goes out. He'll stay at the bar all night, singing along to the songs, and enjoying the atmosphere. He doesn't want to leave until he's ready, regardless of how tired he might feel. The singer acknowledges the world and the hardships outside the bar, but he chooses to stay in this place of joy because it keeps him going.
Overall, the song conveys a sense of youthful abandon and a desire to live in the moment. The singer is aware of his limits but chooses to push them occasionally. He is happy to stay out all night and enjoy himself, despite the consequences that might come the next day.
Line by Line Meaning
Na verloop van tijd ken ik me eigen grenzen wel
After some time, I have a good understanding of my personal limits
Ik weet inmiddels nu hoeveel ik hebben kan
I now know my capacity for drinking alcohol
Toch wil ik heel af en toe nog even iets te snel
Occasionally, I still want to drink more than I should
Als ik ga trek ik al gauw m`n eigen plan
When I go out, I tend to do what I want
Want de nacht is dan van mij zolang de tap maar loopt
During the night, I feel like I own the place as long as they keep serving alcohol
Ook al ben ik dagen later nog gesloopt
Even if I feel tired and drained for days afterwards
Ik zie wel hoe ik thuiskom heb nog niet genoeg
I don't care how I get home, I'm not finished drinking yet
Ben nog lang niet klaar in deze kroeg
I'm not ready to leave this bar yet
Vind de weg naar huis wel kom vanzelf terug
I'm sure I'll find my way home eventually
Wacht maar niet op mij ben niet zo vlug
Don't wait for me, I won't be quick to leave
Als ik eenmaal zit , zit ik de hele avond uit
Once I start drinking, I won't stop until the night is over
Zing dan overal mee, mee niet mooi maar luid
I'll sing along to anything, even if I'm not good at it
Draait de hele wereld even om me heen
I feel like the center of attention
Houd de sfeer hier binnen mij wel op de been
I contribute to the lively atmosphere of the bar
Contributed by Amelia G. Suggest a correction in the comments below.