Nits, originally established as The Nits (and sometimes still credited as s… Read Full Bio ↴Nits, originally established as The Nits (and sometimes still credited as such today, even though the article was dropped in 1987), are a Dutch art rock group, established in 1974 in Amsterdam, The Netherlands.

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.

Goodnight
Nits Lyrics

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Goodnight
Goodnight
Goodnight
Goodnight
Goodnight
Someone sings
Goodnight
In a sweet voice

Goodnight
Tonight
Everything's alright
Goodnight
Goodnight
Goodnight
Goodnight
Goodnight
Goodnight
Mother is coming
Goodnight
Up the stairs
Goodnight
She tells a story
Goodnight
Of a manetee
Goodnight
Someone sings
Goodnight
In a sweet voice
Goodnight
Tonight
Everything's alright
Goodnight
Goodnight
Goodnight
Goodnight
Goodnight
Goodnight
Goodnight
Goodnight
Goodnight
Goodnight
Goodnight
Goodnight
Goodnight
Goodnight
Goodnight
Goodnight

Goodnight
...

Overall Meaning

The song "Goodnight" by Dutch band Nits captures the feeling of a peaceful night, where everything is alright and a mother tells a bedtime story. The repetition of the word "goodnight" throughout the lyrics emphasizes the idea of a peaceful end to the day. The song starts with someone singing "goodnight" in a sweet voice, setting the tone for the rest of the song. The repetition of the word creates a calming effect and gives the impression of someone slowly drifting off to sleep. The mother then appears in the lyrics, coming up the stairs to tuck her child in for the night. She tells a story of a manatee, which is an unexpected twist to an otherwise ordinary bedtime routine.

The song is filled with a childlike sense of wonder and imagination, which perfectly captures the feeling of a comforting bedtime routine. The repetition of the word "goodnight" creates a sense of security and comfort, almost like a lullaby. The story of the manatee adds a touch of the unexpected, which can be seen as a nod to the power of imagination at bedtime. The lyrics evoke a sense of nostalgia for simpler times, where a mother's bedtime story was all that was needed to ensure a good night's sleep.

Line by Line Meaning

Goodnight
A soothing farewell

Someone sings
A melodic voice softly utters

Goodnight
A soothing farewell

In a sweet voice
With gentle tones

Goodnight
A soothing farewell

Tonight
This very evening

Everything's alright
All is well

Goodnight
A soothing farewell