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.
Return
Nits Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Always
Returns
Things we lost
Not today
Sometimes
A button
A memory
Not today
What we lost and what we found
Lines we crossed without a sound
What is real and what is not
What we lost and what we got
A real life
A real house
A real love
A real child
I can wait
It’s not too late
To turn
Return
The first verse of the song, "This house always returns things we lost," sets the tone for the entire song. It's about a house that holds memories and items that have been lost over time. The next few lines of the verse emphasize that sometimes things are found and sometimes they're not - it's all up to chance. The chorus then questions what is real and what is not, what has been lost and what has been found. The second verse speaks of the importance of having a real life, real house, real love, and a real child. This is a reminder that the sentimental items and memories that the house holds aren't what really matter in the grand scheme of things. The song ends with the word "return," which brings the message full circle - no matter what is lost or found, the house remains a constant in life.
One interpretation of this song could be that the house is a metaphor for our memories and emotions. Just like a house holds sentimental items, our minds hold memories that are important to us. Sometimes we're able to retrieve them and sometimes they're lost forever. The song could be a reminder to cherish what we have and not to get too caught up in the past.
Line by Line Meaning
This house
The physical building in which we reside
Always
Without exception or pause
Returns
Brings back to us
Things we lost
Items that were previously in our possession but we no longer have
Not today
On this particular day, it did not happen
Sometimes
Occasionally, but not always
A button
A small object that can become detached from clothing
Most of the time
The majority of instances
A memory
Recollections of the past that are triggered by an event or object
Not today
On this particular day, it did not happen
What we lost and what we found
Both items that slipped from our possession and those that were gained again
Lines we crossed without a sound
Moments in time where significant decisions were made, but no words were exchanged
What is real and what is not
The distinction between genuine occurrences and falsehoods
What we lost and what we got
Both negative and positive things that have come our way
A real life
An existence that is genuine and authentic
A real house
A physical dwelling that is tangible and not an illusion
A real love
A deep and sincere affection shared between two people
A real child
An actual offspring, that is not imagined or pretended
I can wait
I am willing to be patient
It’s not too late
There is still time to make things right
To turn
To change course or direction
Return
To come back or resume where we left off
Contributed by Violet J. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@kerryevans7283
My 4 year old nephew had head lice and passed it on to me and his grandparents. Absolute pain to get rid of.
@DoctorODonovan
Sorry to hear this. Hope the video was helpful
@12345rdwuwij
did u manage to get rid of it ? if so how
@warriorqueen9792
I found treatments that contain dimeticone are quite good. And thorough lock by lock combing with a nit comb and conditioner. Some info says leave a couple of days after using the treatment before you use conditioner. And do a follow up treatment a week later.
@seannwoko
@12345rdwuwij there is always one way shave your head
@sage_151
I’ve had lice twice once from my neighbor and the other time from a classmate. This is an absolute pain! I’ve even thought about just shaving my head because I didn’t want to deal with it! My sister has them and I’m scared if I have them again because she slept with me during an all nighter. My moms asleep and we’ll definitely have to break the news to her in the morning! I’m absolutely devastated. Should I shave my head? Or suffer the treatment?
@haroldellicott5103
What did you end up doing?
How are you now?
@AlenaRoseXIV
The easiest way to get rid of head lice is by doing a head lice treatment (you can usually find it at your local pharmacy) and then dyeing your hair after. The chemicals kill all of its eggs as well. Comb your hair with the head lice comb after to remove all the dead eggs and lice.
@Ikigai747
I wish we had that here, where u from
@fionahawkes1758
Ive heard the old school vinegar recipe works well