Macrooy's music can best be described as modern soul. His audience is in the Netherlands, Suriname, and increasingly in Belgium, France and Germany. He was due to represent the Netherlands in the Eurovision Song Contest 2020 held in Rotterdam with the song "Grow", but the contest was cancelled because of the COVID-19 pandemic. He will represent the country in the Eurovision Song Contest 2021 with the song "Birth of a New Age"
In April 2016 Jeangu’s debut EP ‘Brave Enough’ was released. The day of the release Jeangu was named ‘Serious Talent’ by 3FM radio, and the week after he played his first single ‘Gold’ at Dutch national TV talk show ‘De Wereld Draait Door’, where he has become a frequent guest ever since. ‘Gold’ was later used in a commercial for television network HBO. During the summer of 2016 Jeangu and his band played a multitude of festivals, after which he toured the Netherlands with Popronde in autumn. He also provided the support for Blaudzun, Remy van Kesteren, Bernhoft and Selah Sue, resulting in a total of 120 shows in just 12 months. The year 2016 was concluded with a performance at Noorderslag and a nomination for an Edison Award in the category ‘Best New Artist.’
Jeangu’s Perquisite produced debut album ‘High On You’ is more energetic and danceable than its predecessor. Melancholy still prevails in songs like ‘Circles’, but generally the focus has shifted to a more raw sound that drives songs like ‘Crazy Kids’ – a duet with twin brother Xillan – and ‘Head Over Heels’. ‘Antidote’ and ‘High On You’ show Jeangu’s affinity with soul music. It is on tracks like these that his powerful voice is intensified by the addition of brass arrangements that can be heard on the majority of the album. The common thread throughout the record, however, is still Jeangu’s unique vocal capacity, that hypnotises in the low range and moves the listener in the high range.
‘High On You’ was released on Unexpected Records on April 14th, 2017. The record entered the Dutch album charts, was nominated for the Edison Pop ‘Best Album’, and received critical acclaim from the press. Algemeen Dagblad gave the album 4 out of 5 stars and wrote: ‘He’s only 23, but has a soul veteran-like depth in his voice. ‘High On You’ might be the best Dutch debut album of 2017.’ De Telegraaf added: ‘Your mouth will drop with surprise and admiration. What a way to start your career!’. Oor Magazine called Jeangu ‘a newcomer that will really excite you’.
The release of the album was celebrated with two club tours throughout the Netherlands of fifteen shows in total of which thirteen were sold out. In the summer of 2017, Jeangu played an abundance of festivals with his band, including North Sea Jazz and Lowlands. In December Jeangu flew back to Suriname, where title song ‘High On You’ had been at the number one chart position for seven weeks straight, for the first time since he moved to The Netherlands. He played there with his full live band for a thrilled 1500-piece audience. Back in The Netherlands, the year 2018 kicked off with a show at the Eurosonic showcase festival.
Step Into the Water
Jeangu Macrooy Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Yeah, I was a troubled boy
Countlessly on the road
So one day I woke up
I complained no more
But then I heard the river calling me
Surrender, don't you try to hide your lies no more
Tomorrow when the night has died
And the dawn brings out a brand new light
You will be born again"
(Oh, oh, yeah)
The devil was breathing my name
He kept on playing in my head
But I'd seen the light and he stood no chance
Cause I found myself some sweet salvation
When I heard the river calling me
Calling me
Saying, "Step into the water, child
Surrender, don't you try to hide your lies no more
Tomorrow when the night has died
And the dawn brings out a brand new light
You will be born again"
Come, swim with me
Come in
Come, swim with me
Come in
Come, swim into the light
Come into the river
Come, swim with me
Come in
Come, swim with me
Come in
Come, swim into the light
Step into the water
Step into the water, child
Step into the water
Step into the water, child
Step into the water
Step into the water, child
"Step into the water, child
Surrender, don't you try to hide your lies no more
Tomorrow when the night has died
And the dawn brings out a brand new light
You will be born again"
Oh, oh, oh
Born again
Oh, oh, oh, yeah
In "Step Into the Water," Jeangu Macrooy shares his personal journey of inner turmoil and finding solace in the river's call. He starts by admitting that he had stains on his soul and was a troubled boy, perhaps indicating that he was carrying some emotional baggage. However, he also expresses that he complained no more, suggesting that he was willing to take responsibility for his past actions and move forward. Then, something calls out to him- the river. The river speaks to him and tells him to step into the water, to surrender and stop hiding his lies. Jeangu sees this as a path to rebirth, where he can shed his past mistakes and start anew.
The second verse talks about the devil breathing his name, perhaps representing his inner demons that he struggled to shake off. But with the help of the river's call, he finds salvation and sees the light. The river's voice becomes louder as it calls out to him. In the end, the song repeats the message to step into the water, reminding the listener that they too can find solace in letting go of their past and taking a step towards a new beginning.
Line by Line Meaning
I had some stains on my soul
I had done things in my past that didn't align with who I wanted to be
Yeah, I was a troubled boy
I had a lot of internal struggles on an ongoing basis
Countlessly on the road
I was lost and unsure of my path in life
So one day I woke up
I had a moment of realization that I needed to make a change
I complained no more
I stopped blaming others or circumstances for my problems
But then I heard the river calling me
I felt a strong pull towards making a spiritual connection
Saying, "Step into the water, child
The river was guiding me to take a leap of faith
Surrender, don't you try to hide your lies no more
Let go of your fears and be honest with yourself
Tomorrow when the night has died
In the morning, after all the darkness has passed
And the dawn brings out a brand new light
A new beginning will emerge with the light of day
You will be born again"
You will have the opportunity to start anew with a fresh perspective
(Oh, oh, yeah)
The devil was breathing my name
I felt like I was being tempted and swayed towards a negative path
He kept on playing in my head
Those temptations felt like they were consuming my thoughts and influencing my actions
But I'd seen the light and he stood no chance
I gained clarity about what was truly important and didn't let negative influences take hold
Cause I found myself some sweet salvation
Instead of succumbing to temptation, I found peace through faith
Calling me
Come, swim with me
Join me in a spiritual journey
Come in
Come, swim into the light
Embrace the spiritual awakening that is waiting for you
Come into the river
Step into the water
Take that leap of faith
Step into the water, child
Oh, oh, oh
Born again
Reborn in a spiritual sense
Oh, oh, oh, yeah
Contributed by Juliana A. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Timo
Lyrics:
I had some stains on my soul
Yeah, I was a troubled boy
Countlessly on the road
So one day I woke up
I complained no more
But then I heard the river calling me
Saying, "Step into the water, child
Surrender, don't you try to hide your lies no more
Tomorrow when the night has died
And the dawn brings out a brand new light
You will be born again"
The devil was breathing my name
He kept on playing in my head
But I'd seen the light and he stood no chance
'Cause I found myself some sweet salvation
When I heard the river calling me
(Calling me)
Saying, "Step into the water, child
Surrender, don't you try to hide your lies no more
Tomorrow when the night has died
And the dawn brings out a brand new light
You will be born again"
Come, swim with me
Come in
Come, swim with me
Come in
Come, swim into the light
Come into the river
Come, swim with me
Come in
Come, swim with me
Come in
Come, swim into the light
Step into the water
Step into the water, child
Step into the water
Step into the water, child
Step into the water
Step into the water, child
"Step into the water, child
Surrender, don't you try to hide your lies no more
Tomorrow when the night has died
And the dawn brings out a brand new light
You will be born again"
Oh, oh, oh
Born again
Oh, oh, oh, yeah
CARTER
One of the best songs I've heard in a very long time. Amazingly beautiful!
CA LT
If he will do a song like this in ESC, then Maastricht will have another chance in 2021
Melvin
Neejoh, ik had geen idee dat dit een Nederland was. Wat een stem en wat een accent eey.
Gregory Bainathsah
Truly fantastic! Can't wait to hear more
Voloșanca 🇲🇩
I absolutely ADORE those reggae vibes on the instrumental 💚
Jay Sam
Your voice is on fire 🔥
Stephan Rietveld
Jij zingt echt met gevoel kerel. Mijn applaus. Jouw nummers beschikken over liefde die zich laat horen via de klanken van je stem.
Henk Stam
GELIJK HEB JE HOOR
CM Lim
this song is so awesome
Man_of_Tears
Makes me wanna sing along :)