1. Johan is a Dutch … Read Full Bio ↴There are at least three artists called Johan.
1. Johan is a Dutch indie rock band, established in 1990 in the town of Hoorn, The Netherlands, by singer, guitarist and songwriter Jacob de Greeuw, who initially named the group Visions Of Johanna (after the Bob Dylan song of the same name).
The name was changed into Johan in 1996. That same year the band put out their début album, Johan, to overwhelming acclaim from the Dutch music press. The band underwent several personnel changes. De Greeuw soon was the only permanent member. Johan recorded and released three more studio albums of melodic, crafty, Beatle-esque guitar pop with English lyrics that often touched on De Greeuw's personal life. The frontman suffered several bouts of serious clinical depression, the subject of many songs on the Dutch indie classic Pergola (2001) as well as THX JHN (2006). By 2006 De Greeuw had re-located to Amsterdam and formed an Amsterdam-based line-up of the band.
The album 4 (2009) would be thought to be Johan's swan song: the band - to the surprise of many fans - decided to call it a day after a sold-out 'farewell show' at Amsterdam's Paradiso in December 2009. In 2018 they released their 5th studio album Pull Up(2018) All five of Johan's albums (particularly the first three) are regarded as Dutch indie gems, but Johan never made a mark outside of The Netherlands, which is why they are regarded by many (in spite of their domestic success and 'gold' certification for Pergola) as criminally underrated.
Frontman Jacco (or Jacob) de Greeuw is the only permanent Johan member. The first Johan line-up (the 'Hoorn line-up' of 1996) was completed by Remco Krull, Niels de Wit and Wim Kwakman.
The 'Amsterdam line-up' line-up that called it a day in late 2009 consisted of De Greeuw, Maarten Kooijman (guitar, vocals), Diets Dijkstra (guitar, bass guitar, vocals) and Jeroen Kleijn (drums).
De Greeuw's decision to call it quits was perhaps more of a surprise than his decision to re-form the band in 2018 after nine years of absence. The comeback album, Pull Up was regarded by most critics as 'just as good as the first three'. A long string of Dutch festival shows and sold out club gigs followed. The current line-up of Johan is the 'Amsterdam line-up' of 2009, with the exception of guitarist Maarten Kooijman, who penned several songs on 2009's 4. Robin Berlijn (previously in Fatal Flowers, Moke and Kane, amongst others) replaced him.
2. Johan is an American singer and music producer who, until 2010, had never seriously listened to any kind of popular music--he was fully immersed in the world of classical, as an award-winning composer and self-taught pianist. But then Johan was introduced to Kanye West's symphonic 2010 album, My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy, while on acid at a house party in the suburban Massachusetts town where he grew up. Captivated, he immediately began teaching himself how to sing and produce contemporary songs.
In 2016, Johan became the composer for Yeethoven--a concert featuring the music of Kanye West and Beethoven juxtaposed and combined by a 50-piece orchestra. Johan's work soon caught the attention of Mike Dean and No I.D., both of whom he's worked with extensively since then on albums for Travis Scott (Astroworld), Teyana Taylor, Nas, Kanye West, Vic Mensa and others. His contributions on these records range from writing & production, to composing & singing grandiose choral atmospheres to orchestrating symphonic interludes.
Now, Johan is releasing new music of his own, featuring the same vocal and orchestral textures he contributed to these artists. They appear not as background components in his work, but as a central compositional feature--something Kanye West personally encouraged him to consider when working on Teyana Taylor's album.
Johan's songs, which he produces largely himself, explore a feeling of suburban ennui and anxiety about growing up, often viewed through a darkly humorous, self-deprecating lens.
3. Johan is also a Dutch folk/pub singer. His full name is Johan Hengeveld, 'Jij hebt de hemel verdiend' (2009) his best known song.
Coming In From The Cold
Johan Lyrics
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Found a coin and a medal
I took the hard way to get here alive
Ready the saddle
Well I'm coming in gonna stay for awhile
With a conscience to fight there's a might
It's gonna shatter
Won't even matter
Closing your blinded eyes because you are petrified
All of this is coming back to you
Now I'm getting out of the cold rainy night
In your world of deceit I will find
You're guilty of treason
Gonna light up the sky till it's clear
There must be a reason
I couldn't wait cause I know what it takes
For you to comprehend the meaning of a lie
I'm out of faith when there's so much at stake
You're even blinded by the truth between the lines
So I'm coming in
Gonna stay out of sight
Yeah I'm coming in from the cold
Left a coin and a medal
It took a long way to get here alive
I'm not gonna give in
No I'm not gonna give in
I'm not gonna give in
I took the hard way to get here alive
I'm not gonna give in
No I'm not gonna give in
The lyrics of Johan's song "Coming In From The Cold" talk about a person who has been through tough times and struggles but has finally reached their destination. They found a coin and a medal, symbolic of the efforts and sacrifices made along the way. The person is coming in from the cold, signifying that they are stepping out of the difficulties and hardships of their past and moving towards a better future. They are determined to stay for a while and fight against the conscience, which has been shattered by their experience.
The second stanza of the song shows the person's frustration towards those who live in a world of deceit and treason. They will light up the sky until it's clear, indicating that they will expose the truth and punish those responsible. But the person is not waiting around for anyone's comprehension or help. They have reached a point where they have lost faith and trust in others. The person is out of sight and not giving in, signifying that they are not going to fall victim to deceit and false promises anymore.
Overall, the song showcases a person's journey from a hopeless and difficult past towards a brighter future. The lyrics describe the struggle, determination, and perseverance of the person and their unwillingness to give up despite being let down repeatedly. The song creates a powerful message of hope and inspires listeners to keep going, even when the way ahead seems uncertain and tough.
Line by Line Meaning
I'm coming in from the cold
I have returned after facing hardships and challenges.
Found a coin and a medal
Despite the difficulties faced, I have been rewarded for my efforts.
I took the hard way to get here alive
I had to endure a great deal of hardship and difficulty to arrive at this point in time.
Ready the saddle
I am prepared to face whatever may come next.
Well I'm coming in gonna stay for awhile
I intend to remain here for an extended period of time.
With a conscience to fight there's a might
I am determined to fight for what is right despite the challenges I may face.
It's gonna shatter
The opposition will crumble under the weight of my conviction and determination.
And a crash landing right in your face
My victory will affect my adversaries directly and severely.
Won't even matter
Their resistance will be in vain.
Closing your blinded eyes because you are petrified
You are afraid of the truth, so you choose to ignore it.
All of this is coming back to you
Your past actions have caught up with you and you must face the consequences.
Now I'm getting out of the cold rainy night
I am moving forward and away from the darkness that once plagued me.
In your world of deceit I will find
I will expose your dishonesty and hold you accountable.
You're guilty of treason
You have betrayed trust and broken promises.
Gonna light up the sky till it's clear
I will not rest until justice is served and the truth is revealed.
There must be a reason
I believe that there is a higher purpose to this pursuit of truth and justice.
I couldn't wait cause I know what it takes
I had to act quickly because I realize the importance of taking action to effect change.
For you to comprehend the meaning of a lie
You need to understand the impact and harm caused by dishonesty and deceit.
I'm out of faith when there's so much at stake
I have lost trust and confidence in you, particularly when so much is at risk.
You're even blinded by the truth between the lines
Even when the truth is staring you in the face, you still choose to ignore it.
So I'm coming in
I am arriving with renewed vigor and determination.
Gonna stay out of sight
I will work in stealth and secrecy to achieve my objectives.
Left a coin and a medal
I have tangible evidence of my success and achievements.
I'm not gonna give in
I will not surrender to fear, opposition, and resistance.
No I'm not gonna give in
I will persevere and succeed in the pursuit of justice and truth.
I'm not gonna give in
My determination and conviction will not waiver or falter.
I took the hard way to get here alive
The journey was arduous and challenging, but I emerged stronger and victorious.
I'm not gonna give in
Despite the obstacles faced, I will continue on with unrelenting determination.
Contributed by Bentley B. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Zico Medze
Nog steeds NL beste band ever...........