Johannes Hendricus Maria "Jan" Smit (born December 31, 1985) is a Dutch pop… Read Full Bio ↴Johannes Hendricus Maria "Jan" Smit (born December 31, 1985) is a Dutch pop music and schlager singer. He scored his first number one position in the Dutch charts with Ik zing dit lied voor jou alleen (I sing this song only for you) in 1997. Being 12 years of age back then, he was known as Jantje Smit.

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.

Zomaar een Cadeautje
Jan Smit Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

M'n Kamerraam de maan de sterren
Geluiden van het donker

Jij en ik in gedachte
Het laatste moment van elke dag

Waar wonderen gewoonten werden
We wankelden en dronken

Hagelwind zijde zacht
Elk verhaal in dit bed kwam onverwacht

En dan naderen dromen
Langs de straten alle bomen voorbij
Jij weet muren om mijn dromen te bouwen
Te geven te houden van mij

Zomaar een cadeautje en zomaar een zoen
Zonder dat ik ooit iets voor jou hoef te doen
Alleen maar aardig zijn de waarheid te spreken
Of gewoon waardig zijn

Alleen voor jou is dit ein
Je bent m'n bron van inspiratie

Zoveel steun en zoveel gratie
Wil ik waardig zijn bij jou voel ik me klein

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of "Zomaar een Cadeautje" by Jan Smit paint a picture of a mystical and intimate moment shared between two individuals. The first stanza sets the scene with the singer observing the moon and stars through their bedroom window, surrounded by the sounds of the night. This creates a tranquil and reflective atmosphere that sets the tone for the rest of the song.

The second stanza introduces the theme of a special connection between the singer and the other person, with them being constantly on the singer's mind. It describes this connection as the culmination of each day, suggesting that their thoughts of the other person bring a sense of wonder and comfort to their life. The imagery of wonders being made into habits implies that their relationship is something extraordinary and magical that has become a regular part of their existence.

The third stanza continues to evoke a sense of intimacy and vulnerability, with references to stumbling and drinking together. The mention of "Hagelwind zijde zacht" (hailwind soft as silk) conveys a contrast of harsh elements with softness, perhaps representing the complexities and delicacy of their bond. The idea of unexpected stories unfolding in their shared bed hints at the depth and unpredictability of their connection.

The final stanza expresses the singer’s gratitude and admiration for the other person, likening them to a gift and a source of inspiration. The lines about building walls around dreams and the need for worthiness indicate a desire to protect and cherish the relationship. The singer acknowledges feeling small in the presence of the other person, emphasizing the deep admiration and humility they feel towards them. Overall, the lyrics of "Zomaar een Cadeautje" capture a sense of deep emotional connection, appreciation, and vulnerability between two individuals.

Line by Line Meaning

M'n Kamerraam de maan de sterren
As I look out my bedroom window, I see the moon and the stars shining bright in the night sky

Geluiden van het donker
I hear the sounds of the darkness all around me

Jij en ik in gedachte
You and I in my thoughts

Het laatste moment van elke dag
The final moment of each day

Waar wonderen gewoonten werden
Where miracles became habits

We wankelden en dronken
We stumbled and drank

Hagelwind zijde zacht
Soft as a silk hailwind

Elk verhaal in dit bed kwam onverwacht
Every story in this bed happened unexpectedly

En dan naderen dromen
And then dreams come closer

Langs de straten alle bomen voorbij
Past all the trees along the streets

Jij weet muren om mijn dromen te bouwen
You know how to build walls around my dreams