Their musical style has varied considerably over the years, as has their line-up with the core of Henk Hofstede (vocals, guitar, also the band's lyricist), Rob Kloet (drums, percussion) and Robert Jan Stips (keyboards; also had stints in Supersister, Gruppo Sportivo and Golden Earring).
Although most of the band's songs are sung in English, Nits have been praised as a group that is 'European' more than anything else, staying relatively far away from American and British influences. They are an 'album band', not a 'singles band', although they had a number of considerable hits in The Netherlands and beyond. The biggest hit in their native Netherlands was "Nescio" (1983), a tribute to the Dutch author Jan Hendrik Frederik Grönloh a.k.a. Nescio. The hit that brought the band to the attention of an international audience was "In the Dutch Mountains" (1987), which has become their signature song.
The band released dozens of studio albums, from The Nits (1978) to the triptych Angst, Knot and Neon in 2017, 2018 and 2019, respectively. Three of their studio albums reached the top 10 of the Dutch album charts, but their highest charting album was the 1989 double live album, Urk, which hit #2 in The Netherlands and still stands as a near-perfect introduction to the group's work.
On 16 May 2022 the band's own studio and 'headquarters', De Werf in Amsterdam, burned down. The group's archives, as well as many instruments and master tapes, went up in flames. Hofstede sings about the tragedy on 2024's mini album, Tree House Fire. Its release marked the start of Nits' anniversary year: the band celebrated its 50th anniversary with an international tour and two special performances in Amsterdam's Carré Theatre in April.
Footprint
Nits Lyrics
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Footprints
Shoes fit
Footprints
Shoes fit
Footprints
Shoes fit
Footprints
Scar between the shoulders
Scar on the back of his head
The sole between the shoulders
The heel on the back of his head
Mother said it looks like a footprint
And she knows it very well
Mother said it looks like a footprint
And she's hiding it very well
Dark spot on the baby
He'll never be this strong
His face upon the carpet
He's waiting for so long
So long
So long
So long
So long
Shoes fit in footprints
Shoes fit in footprints
Shoes fit in footprints
Shoes fit in footprints
Mother said it looks like a footprint
And she knows it very well
Footsteps in the back room
He knows there's something wrong
His face upon the carpet
He never felt so strong
So strong
So strong
So strong
So strong
So strong
So strong
So strong
(So strong)
(So strong)
(So strong)
The song "Footprint" by Nits is a haunting and enigmatic piece that seems to be all about mystery and intrigue. At the core of the song, the lyrics describe a series of footprints and shoes that the singer is trying to make sense of. The repetition of the phrase "shoes fit, footprints" over and over again creates an almost hypnotic effect and serves to emphasize the centrality of these objects within the narrative.
The lyrics go on to describe a series of scars and marks on the singer's body that seem to suggest a history of trauma and pain. The reference to a "footprint" scar between the shoulders is especially evocative, as it suggests something ominous and possibly even supernatural. The repeated refrain of "Mother said it looks like a footprint" only adds to this sense of unease, as it suggests that the singer's mother may be hiding something important or even dangerous.
The final verses of the song are equally ambiguous, describing the singer's sense of unease and vulnerability as they wait for something to happen. The repeated refrain of "So strong" feels almost like a mantra or a desperate reassurance, as if the singer is trying to convince themselves that they can handle whatever is coming.
Overall, "Footprint" is a song that leaves a lot of room for interpretation and analysis. Its enigmatic lyrics and haunting melody create a sense of mystery and unease that lingers long after the song is over.
Line by Line Meaning
Shoes fit
The shoes match with the feet
Footprints
The mark left behind by one's feet
Shoes fit
The shoes match with the feet
Footprints
The mark left behind by one's feet
Shoes fit
The shoes match with the feet
Footprints
The mark left behind by one's feet
Shoes fit
The shoes match with the feet
Footprints
The mark left behind by one's feet
Scar between the shoulders
There is a permanent injury between the shoulders
Scar on the back of his head
There is a permanent injury on the back of his head
The sole between the shoulders
The unique mark left by the sole of someone's shoe between the shoulders
The heel on the back of his head
The unique mark left by the heel of someone's shoe on the back of his head
Mother said it looks like a footprint
Mother believes that the injury looks like a footprint mark
And she knows it very well
Mother has full knowledge of the appearance of the mark
Mother said it looks like a footprint
Mother believes that the injury looks like a footprint mark
And she's hiding it very well
Mother tries to conceal the mark carefully
Dark spot on the baby
A dark mark seen on the baby
He'll never be this strong
He will never be similarly strong as his elders
His face upon the carpet
Child is lying on the carpet and looking at it
He's waiting for so long
Child is waiting for a long time
Shoes fit in footprints
The shoes match with the mark footprints
Shoes fit in footprints
The shoes match with the mark footprints
Shoes fit in footprints
The shoes match with the mark footprints
Shoes fit in footprints
The shoes match with the mark footprints
Mother said it looks like a footprint
Mother believes that the injury looks like a footprint mark
And she knows it very well
Mother has full knowledge of the appearance of the mark
Footsteps in the back room
Sound of footsteps heard in a back room
He knows there's something wrong
The person is aware of a mysterious ongoing event
His face upon the carpet
Person is on the ground with face on the carpet and looking at it
He never felt so strong
This is the strongest the person has ever felt emotionally
So strong
So strong
So strong
So strong
So strong
So strong
So strong
(So strong)
(So strong)
(So strong)
Contributed by Juliana T. Suggest a correction in the comments below.