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.
The Panorama Man
Nits Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Who brings the cars of Michel Valliant
Who brings Archie 'the man of steel'
Who brings the apes of Scandinavia
Out of the drizzle into the real world!
Here comes the panorama man
The globe will turn beneath his thumb and he's leaving again
Here comes the panorama man
The power of the chemical stain remover
Did you know the habits of the orchids and rabbits
Pictures of rosebud trees in bloom
He says he's living in a nothing-block
His wife is from a family of wealthy epileptic
But poverty does not mean unhappiness
Body rich, body poor, nowadays nothing's sure
Here comes the panorama man
The globe will turn beneath his thumb and he's leaving again
Here comes the panorama man
What's your most romantic moment ?
A school of herring in the fishing net
A very black man is crossing a rope bridge
The knock out of a welter weight
Here comes the panorama man
The globe will turn beneath his thumb and he's leaving again
Here comes the panorama man
"The Panorama Man" by Nits is a song that tells the story of a man who travels the world to collect and share interesting things. The lyrics describe some of the things that he brings with him, including cars, apes, and victims of floods. He is knowledgeable about a variety of subjects, from habits of orchids and rabbits to the power of chemical stain remover. Despite living in a "nothing-block" and being married to a wealthy epileptic woman, he finds joy in his travels and in discovering new things.
The chorus of the song repeats the phrase "Here comes the panorama man," creating a sense of anticipation and excitement as he arrives and departs on his journeys. The line "the globe will turn beneath his thumb" suggests that he has power and control over the world, at least in the sense of what he chooses to share with others. Overall, the song celebrates curiosity and the joy of discovery, while also acknowledging the complexities and contradictions of life.
Line by Line Meaning
Who brings the cars of Michel Valliant
Who transports the luxury cars owned by Michel Valliant
Who brings Archie 'the man of steel'
Who transports the infamous and powerful Archie, also known as 'the man of steel'
Who brings the apes of Scandinavia
Who transports primates from Scandinavia to elsewhere
Out of the drizzle into the real world!
Bringing creatures or objects from a dreary or obscure place to a more prominent or better-known location
Here comes the panorama man
Introducing the figure known as the 'panorama man', who has a worldwide outlook
The globe will turn beneath his thumb and he's leaving again
He has significant influence and control, and is constantly on the move from place to place
Who brings the victims of the flood (on the roof)
Who transports those affected by a flood, even if they are stranded on a rooftop
The power of the chemical stain remover
The efficiency and effectiveness of a particular cleaning product when it comes to removing stains
Did you know the habits of the orchids and rabbits
Are you aware of the unique behaviours and practices of orchids and rabbits?
Pictures of rosebud trees in bloom
Photographs of trees with rosebuds that have fully opened
He says he's living in a nothing-block
He claims to reside in a very plain or unremarkable neighbourhood
His wife is from a family of wealthy epileptic
The man's spouse is descended from a family that is both affluent and has a history of epilepsy
But poverty does not mean unhappiness
Despite being poor, one can still be content and satisfied with life
Body rich, body poor, nowadays nothing's sure
Regardless of wealth or financial status, the future is never certain
What's your most romantic moment ?
Asking about the most memorable or emotional romantic experience one has had
A school of herring in the fishing net
A group or large catch of small fish in a fishing net
A very black man is crossing a rope bridge
A person with dark skin traversing a suspension bridge made of ropes
The knock out of a welter weight
A knockout in a boxing match between welterweight fighters
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: HENDRIK HOFSTEDE, R. KLOET, ROBERT STIPS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind