The choir currently consists of 33 kids: Anthony, Bas, Bowie, Bregtje, Duru, Esmée, Evy, Felicia, Flore, India, Isabel, Jaïr, Jairo, Jesslyn, Lavita, Lotus, Lucía, Luna, Melody, Mhijs, Mirte, Niels, Rinse, Sam, Senna, Shifrah, Sofie, Sophie, Stefania, Sterre, Tevin, Thimo and Yunus.
Every album starts with the 'Kinderen Voor Kinderen' theme tune, which (apart for a verse about sad children in third world countries) remains unchanged from the original 1980 version. The themes of the songs are mainly introduced by children from all ages by sending letters to the choir. (Famous) Dutch songwriters then make songs about these themes.
Dutch singer EliZe appeared on Kinderen Voor Kinderen in the 1996 edition and sang 'Het Tietenlied' (The Boobsong).
Circus
Kinderen Voor Kinderen Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Lying while our fans are expected to last
Could it be that the jig is on us?
Masquerading like we are the one
Can you blame us?
It started as fun
Didn't know that the game must be won...
Sorry
Never did I lie; never did I need a trick yall
But they told me this how they get rich yall
Make a hit song, same lame lyrics, same bass, same kickdrum
Buy the record you became a big big victim
Bitch can't front, get what I want, neck, hands and my wrist numb
Sick none, diamonds on my wristband
Who I'm talking to? You, you and my biggest fan
Thinking that ya girl got it all, and I got the best man, best hair, best legs
Need a break, you in my face, asking K, what I'm putting out next year
Is it gonna be real freaky, critics wanna come critique me
Are you gonna be more grunge, rock and roll like back when you dropped before
But get back, before I get ill
Black love, black mask, listen to some real black love
That's all I have, that's all I have
Come join our circus where we all wear masks
Lying while our fans are expected to last
Could it be that the jig is on us?
Masquerading like we are the one
Can you blame us?
It started as fun
Didn't know that the game must be won...
Sorry
Musicians, magicians, tightropes, strobe lights, lion tamers, entertainers, Sold Out Nights
Dressing rooms, costumes, who's doing who? Gossip rumors
Groupies just too much, everybody's like let's do lunch
That's why it doesn't matter
That's why I'm not a rapper
Still spit a few bars, might never hear this song
Label might say hell naw, get a new female star
She don't have to sing, she don't have to bring anything
Get her some new earrings, fly her off to Beijing
Book her shows in Wyoming, David Letterman and Conan
Your advance just alone and doesn't it all sound grand?
Number one on soundscan, just keep the clubs bouncing
Come join our circus where we all wear masks
Lying while our fans are expected to last
Could it be that the jig is on us?
Masquerading like we are the one
Can you blame us?
It started as fun
Didn't know that the game must be won...
Sorry
How can I shake this circus clown?
What does the ringmaster need from this clown?
Should I dive through the circle of fire?
No... I'm just gonna be me
Come join our circus where we all wear masks
Lying while our fans are expected to last
Could it be that the jig is on us?
Masquerading like we are the one
Can you blame us?
It started as fun
Didn't know that the game must be won...
Sorry
The song "Circus" by Kinderen Voor Kinderen is a commentary on the music industry and how artists feel pressured to conform to certain expectations in order to succeed. The lyrics talk about wearing masks and lying to fans, implying that artists in the industry are not being true to themselves and are putting on a façade to cater to what they think fans want to hear. The chorus questions whether the artists themselves are being fooled by their own performance, indicating that they may have gone too far in their efforts to be successful.
The verses delve deeper into these themes, with specific references to the challenges faced by musicians in the industry. The verse about making hit songs with "same lame lyrics, same bass, same kickdrum" highlights the pressure artists feel to conform to formulaic approaches to music-making. The mentions of groupies, gossip, and dressing rooms further emphasize the idea that the music industry is like a circus, with performers putting on a show for their audience.
Overall, the song is a critique of the music industry and the ways in which it can warp artists' sense of self and authenticity. The repeated apologies in the chorus suggest that the artists themselves feel guilty about the mask they wear and the lies they tell, but they are still trapped in the game of the circus.
Line by Line Meaning
Come join our circus where we all wear masks
We invite you to enter our world of entertainment, where we all wear masks and hide our true selves, performing for those who adore us.
Lying while our fans are expected to last
We pretend to be something we're not, while our fans continue to support us and believe in our false persona, hoping it will last.
Could it be that the jig is on us?
Is it possible that we are the ones being fooled, believing that our fame and fortune are worth sacrificing our true selves and living a lie?
Masquerading like we are the one
Pretending to be the top dog in the industry, putting up a facade to hide the insecurities and vulnerabilities that come with being a public figure.
Can you blame us?
Can you fault us for falling into the trap of fame and losing sight of our true selves in exchange for a career of glitz and glamour?
It started as fun
Our journey into the entertainment industry was an enjoyable experience, with the excitement of creating music and performing generating a positive atmosphere.
Didn't know that the game must be won...
We were unaware that our time in the industry would require sacrificing our true selves and playing the 'game' of fame in order to succeed.
Sorry
We apologize for the inevitable compromises and sacrifices we had to make in exchange for success and attention in the entertainment industry.
How can I shake this circus clown?
How can I break free from the persona and image that the industry has created for me, and return to living as my true self?
What does the ringmaster need from this clown?
What does the entertainment industry ultimately gain from the performer's sacrifice of their true self to conform to the standards of fame and fortune?
Should I dive through the circle of fire?
Should I take a risk and attempt to break free from the persona that the industry has created for me, even if it means risking my success and longevity in the industry?
No... I'm just gonna be me
Instead of conforming to the expectations and standards of the entertainment industry, I choose to embrace my true self and reject the artificial persona that has been created for me.
Contributed by Landon K. Suggest a correction in the comments below.