In 1971 wordt Van Broekhoven aangenomen als diskjockey in de Tilburgse Combi Bar.
Naast zijn werk als deejay is Van Broekhoven in 1974 ook als vertegenwoordiger in dienst bij de Belgische platenfirma Monopole Records. Voor de grap brengt hij een eigen single uit met de titel Jealous Fool. Van Broekhoven doopt zijn naam om in John Spencer, direct ontleend aan het telefoonboek van Memphis. Jealous Fool wordt een bescheiden hitje in België, evenals de opvolger Corina, Corina. De langspeelplaat John Spencer Sings American Hits bevat voor de helft eigen nummers.
In 1975 schrijft hij samen met stadsgenoot Henny Vrienten het liedje Call It Love, dat in België de top tien haalt en ook uitkomt in Nederland, Scandinavië, Duitsland, Zwitserland, Hongarije en Italië. Spencer krijgt daarna een contract aangeboden bij de grote platenmaatschappij Phonogram.
Na een conflict bij Phonogram vertrekt Spencer in 1980 naar platenlabel Telstar. Hier neemt hij de plaat Songs For A Rainy Day op. Deze flopt, maar Spencer geeft het echter niet op. Met gespaard geld en zijn opgebouwde know-how gaat hij zich toeleggen op productie- en componeerwerk. Voor de Nederlandse zanger Nick MacKenzie schrijft en produceert hij het nummer Hello Goodmorning.
Het jaar 1983 wordt Spencers doorbraak. Hij vertaalt Roy Orbisons liedje Lana in het Nederlands. Het wordt zijn grootste hit. In de jaren die volgen staat hij regelmatig in de Nederlandse hitlijsten.
Begin jaren negentig beginnen de hitsuccessen langzaam af te nemen. Spencer stopt met zingen en optreden en legt zich volledig toe op het produceren en componeren.
Na een afwezigheid van een aantal jaren maakt Spencer in 1997 zijn come-back met de single Buono Sera. De plaat wordt geen hit. Er verschijnt ook een verzamelalbum met zijn grootste successen.
Sinds enige jaren treedt Van Broekhoven nog af en toe op als John Spencer en is hij steeds actief als songschrijver, onder meer voor het Holland Duo, zanger Theo van Cleeff uit Nijmegen en zanger Bouke Scholten uit Emmen.
Van Broekhoven woont in het Belgische grensplaatsje Poppel.
When a Child Is Born
John Spencer Lyrics
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A tiny star lights up way up high
All across the land dawns a brand new morn
This comes to pass when a child is born
A silent wish sails the seven seas
The winds have changed whisper in the trees
And the walls of doubt crumble tossed and torn
A rosy hue settles all around
You've got the feel you're on solid ground
For a spell or two no-one seems forlorn
This comes to pass when a child is born
And all of this happened
Because whe world is waiting
Waiting for one child
Black, white, yellow, no one knows
But a child that would grow up and turn tears to laughter
Hate to love, war to peace
And everyone to everyone's neighbour
Misery and suffering would be forgotten forever
It's all a dream and illusion now
It must come true, sometimes soon somehow
All across the land dawns a brand new morn
This comes to pass when a child is born
John Spencer's "When a Child is Born" is a song about the promise of hope and the renewal of faith that comes with the birth of a child. Throughout the song, Spencer reflects on how the arrival of a new life can bring about positive changes in the world. The opening verse speaks of a "ray of hope" and a "tiny star" that symbolize the birth of a child, while the second verse speaks of a "silent wish" that sails across the sea and the walls of doubt that crumble away in anticipation of the child's arrival.
The chorus of the song reiterates that the birth of a child is a moment of profound significance, signaling a new beginning for all of humanity. The verse that follows speaks of a "rosy hue" settling all around and the feeling of being on "solid ground," suggesting that the birth of a child can bring a sense of stability and comfort to the world. The final verse of the song is perhaps the most hopeful, as it imagines a future in which a child grows up to turn tears into laughter, hate into love, and war into peace.
Overall, Spencer's lyrics convey a message of hope and optimism, suggesting that the birth of a child can bring about positive change in the world. The song's simple yet powerful message has resonated with generations of listeners, making it a timeless classic.
Line by Line Meaning
A ray of hope flitters in the sky
In times of darkness and turmoil, a glimpse of optimism shines through, indicating a potential for positive change.
A tiny star lights up way up high
An insignificant entity, like a small star in the grand universe, has the power to bring illumination and brightness to the world.
All across the land dawns a brand new morn
With the birth of a child, there's a sense that a new age is dawning, full of possibilities and opportunities for growth.
This comes to pass when a child is born
All the aforementioned transformations and changes occur due to the miraculous birth of a child, representing the hope and potential for a better future.
A silent wish sails the seven seas
Good intentions and hope for a positive change travel far and wide, igniting a spark of optimism and inspiration in others, despite their physical distance.
The winds have changed whisper in the trees
The world around us is in a state of flux and transformation, and a small shift in the winds of change can cause an entire revolution, creating new possibilities and eroding old beliefs.
And the walls of doubt crumble tossed and torn
With the birth of a child, our doubts, fears, and uncertainties come crashing down and are replaced with a newfound sense of confidence and hope.
A rosy hue settles all around
With the birth of a child, there's a sense of peace and contentment in the air, and it feels like everything is going to be alright.
You've got the feel you're on solid ground
Even in uncertain times, the birth of a child gives one a sense of stability, trust, and support, providing them with the strength to face life's challenges.
For a spell or two no-one seems forlorn
People are filled with joy and happiness at the birth of a child, and it seems like all their troubles are forgotten, if only for a brief moment.
Because the world is waiting, waiting for one child
The world is waiting for a special child, who will bring about positive change, and who will transform the world through kindness, love, and compassion.
Black, white, yellow, no one knows
The color, race or ethnicity of the child is irrelevant, for they will be loved equally, and their impact on the world will be felt regardless of their background.
But a child that would grow up and turn tears to laughter
The ideal child will have the ability to bring joy and happiness to the lives of those around them, turning negative emotions into positive ones.
Hate to love, war to peace
The child will be instrumental in creating a world free from hatred and conflict, replacing these negative emotions with love and harmony.
And everyone to everyone's neighbor
The child will encourage a closer, more supportive relationship between all individuals, no matter their differences, bringing people together through love and unity.
Misery and suffering would be forgotten forever
The birth of the child will usher in an era of positivity, hope, and prosperity, where the suffering and pain of the past are a distant memory, and people can live in harmony and peace.
It's all a dream and illusion now
At the moment, this vision of a better world is just a distant dream, but it's important to hold onto this ideal and work towards it.
It must come true, sometimes soon somehow
It's the responsibility of everyone to make this dream a reality, taking actions towards positive change, and making sure our children inherit a world full of love, unity and promise.
All across the land dawns a brand new morn
Once we start taking real steps towards positive change, we'll see the dawn of a new era, one free from conflict and strife, full of promise, potential, and love. This new dawn is what we're all striving for.
This comes to pass when a child is born
Ultimately, it's the birth of the child that is the catalyst for all this positive change, and it's up to us to ensure that they inherit a world full of promise, hope, and love.
Writer(s): F. Jay, Zacar
Contributed by Sophie E. Suggest a correction in the comments below.