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.
Sleep
Nits Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
In the black of the night
There's a flashing light
Shining bright, shining bright
What happens now to your eyes so suddenly
What happens now to your eyes
Durch Nacht und Wind
Darling child, come with me
My daughters sing and rock you to sleep
In the back of the car
In the back of the car
Who cares where you are
No one cares
No one cares
No one cares
What happens now to your eyes so suddenly
What happens now to your eyes
To your eyes
So sad and lonely
What happens now to your eyes
Du liebes Kind, komm geh mit mir
Du liebes Kind, komm geh mit mir
Can't you hear, can't you see
There is someone waiting for me
In the black of the night
There's a flashing light
Shining bright, shining bright
What happens now to your eyes
What happens now to your eyes
To your eyes
So suddenly
What happens now to your eyes
So sad and lonely
Wer reitet so spät
Durch Nacht und Wind
Es ist der Vater
Mit seinem Kind
Wer reitet so spät
Durch Nacht und Wind
Es ist der Vater
Mit seinem Kind
Wer reitet so spät
Durch Nacht und Wind
The first verse of "Sleep" by Nits depicts a black night, interrupted by the flashing of a bright light. The second verse questions what happens to our eyes in such a moment, perhaps suggesting a disturbance or confusion. The third verse introduces a child who is invited to sleep in the back of a car by a stranger who promises that their daughters will sing and rock the child to sleep. The repetition of the phrase "no one cares" in the third verse can be interpreted as a commentary on the indifference of the world towards the child's fate.
The chorus continues to question what happens to our eyes, evoking a sense of loneliness and sadness. The inclusion of German poet Johann Wolfgang von Goethe's poem "Erlkönig" in the bridge adds an additional layer of darkness to the song. The poem's story of a supernatural being who lures a child to their death parallels the theme of a stranger promising comfort to a child in the back of a car.
Overall, "Sleep" is a haunting song that raises questions about vulnerability, loneliness, and the dangers of trusting strangers.
Line by Line Meaning
In the black of the night
The darkness of the night prevails
There's a flashing light
A flickering light is visible
Shining bright, shining bright
Glimmering with intensity
What happens now to your eyes so suddenly
Why have your eyes transformed without warning?
Wer reitet so spät
Who rides so late?
Durch Nacht und Wind
Through night and wind
Darling child, come with me
Beloved infant, follow me
My daughters sing and rock you to sleep
My female offspring will lull you into slumber
In the back of the car
Within the vehicle's rear
Who cares where you are
No one is concerned about your location
No one cares
No one gives a thought
To your eyes
Regarding your eyes
So sad and lonely
Stricken with grief and solitude
Du liebes Kind, komm geh mit mir
You lovely child, come go with me
Can't you hear, can't you see
Are you unable to hear or see?
There is someone waiting for me
There is someone anticipating my arrival
Wer reitet so spät
Who rides so late?
Es ist der Vater
It is the father
Mit seinem Kind
With his child
Contributed by Carter I. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
HEXhibitionist
One of the best from the Nits ever!
The Mighty 'V'
Yes! So sad, though; The child mentioned in the lyrics is dying.
Christian Landaeta Torres
Totally fantastic track which brings to mine some notes on Patrick O'Hearn's REUNION from RIVERS GONNA RISE. Never found the time to explore THE NITS thoughrouhly by what great band and songs they made.
Klaas Vos
@Christian Landaeta Torres Christian i understand. have a nice weekend.
Christian Landaeta Torres
@Klaas Vos it is. In fact, all of O'Hearn's solo discography is instrumental. I meant to say there's something in common, to my ear, in some chords.
Klaas Vos
I search on a Dutch music site and i found that album of Patrick O'Hearn its a instrumental album.
Leople X
Sounds very similar to Hotline Miami Theme by Benny Milles, (and also this track is very great, i love so much Hotline Miami!!!, it's a great fucking game!)
Goldstain Marc
It sound like… Rihanna (shining bright)!
The Mighty 'V'
Klaas Vos - That also was their bassist and backing vocalist's name then! :)
Pol Decroos
Weet iemand wie de 2de stem is (Duits) in dit mooi nummer?