De Leeuw gained national fame in the late eighties and early nineties with television shows for the public broadcasting company VARA. Though satire was only a part of these shows and much of its humour was essentially harmless he came into publicity with satire about Dutch show business personalities who were often ridiculed.
Besides, many obscure musical acts were featured in his shows, many of which managed to gain national fame after they had been in De Leeuw's programme (e.g. Twarres and AIDS suffering singer Rene Klijn). VARA has since continued his shows apart from a few interruptions, often with considerable success.
In the early nineties, Paul de Leeuw also had some shows celebrating the new year. In the 1993-1994 show he ridiculed the new commercial television channel RTL 5 by announcing another new channel, "RTL 6" (RTL six, beter dan niks (at least better than nothing)). This led to a trial by the RTL company, who demanded that De Leeuw withdraw his joke.
He and his partner, Stephan Nuger, have adopted two children: son Kas (adopted in October 2001) and son Tobey (adopted in December 2002).
Paul de Leeuw has had many hit singles in The Netherlands. He is most famous for: Vlieg met me mee (#2), Ik wil niet dat je liegt / Waarheen, waarvoor (#1), and 'k Heb je lief (#3). Since the beginning of his television and singing career he released albums and singles, always becoming a big success.
In 2006, he recorded the song "Mijn Houten Hart" (My Wooden Heart) with Raffaela, which was later released as a single and peaked at #18 in the Dutch Singles Top 100, becoming one of his smallest hits.
Eurovision Song Contest 2006 incident
De Leeuw is, despite being famous for a long time in the Netherlands, best-known internationally for presenting the results of the Dutch televote in the Eurovision Song Contest 2006. De Leeuw was supposed to present the televote by simply thanking the presenters, performers and fans, before giving the result but instead the openly gay De Leeuw gave his mobile number to the male presenter Sakis Rouvas live on-air, and made other comments which somewhat lengthened the Dutch results.
De Leeuw also made a reference to gay culture when he remarked that Rouvas and his female co-presenter Maria Menounos reminded him of Will & Grace. As the results were live and required for the contest to continue, De Leeuw could not be cut off until he finished giving the voting results.
De Leeuw's actions resulted in negative comments from the commentators, with the BBC's Terry Wogan calling the act "pathetic" and asking "Who selected this eejit?" during the United Kingdom coverage of the contest. Other commentators, like the Portuguese Eladio Climaco, didn't translate properly the gay remarks and said he was saying that they really look like Greeks. Parts of the dialogue were also shown on the German comedy show TV total.
The dialogue between De Leeuw and Rouvas
Rouvas: Hello Netherlands! Paul...
De Leeuw: Hello Greece, kalisperma everybody! [note that sperma means sperm in many languages, at least both in Dutch and Greek]
Rouvas: Kalispera Paul. [kalispera means 'Good evening', which was supposed to be said]
De Leeuw: You look like Will... [stops, likely due to the cheering of the crowd behind him] You look like Will & Grace, you two. So here are the votes, the Dutch votes. Let's come. [In an extremely high tempo] One, Ukreene (sic), two, Russia, Germany, three, Ireland, four, Greece, five, Lithuania, six, Finland, seven points! [resumes normal tempo]] Now the eight points. Are you ready Chaci, tzatziki, cichaci?
Rouvas: Yes, haha.
De Leeuw: Are you ready? Eight points... I like your blouse... The eight points are for Bosnia-Hoshegovina (sic). Yeah.
Rouvas: Bosnie-Herzegovine, huit points.
De Leeuw: Yes, I say. And the ten points, Zhacki, Zhicka, Chucka, are from (sic) Armenia!
Rouvas: Armenie, dix points.
De Leeuw: Ok, and Chacki, do you have my mobile number now or after twelve points?
Rouvas: Give it to me now. I bet it's 69 69 69. [In Greece, mobile numbers always begin with 69, but the rest of the 69's are a sexual innuendo, since Rouvas did not seem to like Paul's lines.]
De Leeuw: Ok, 00... [interrupted by Rouvas' remark] no no no no no... I'm not the French guy! [Probably refers that Rouvas was once interviewed for a French magazine, in which the interviewer assumed that Rouvas was gay and directed his questions accordingly.] Its 00 31 6 24 74 44 32 10 dial 1. Twelve points goes to, I'm very proud to say, Turkey! Twelve points.
Rouvas: Turquie, douze points.
Knuffellied
Paul de Leeuw Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Waar onze liefde breekbaar was maar zo intens
Nooit een stem die in mij zei
Dat wat je hebt gaat ooit voorbij
Jij was van mij, niemand zoals jij
Ik raak dit nooit en nimmer kwijt, denk je tevreden
Jij voelde onrust, onze passie was gedoofd
Maakte alles stuk
En hoewel ik 't probeer, schat
Ik begrijp 't echt niet meer
'k Wacht op jou
'k Wacht op jou
Mijn liefste neem de tijd
Ik wil je nog niet kwijt
Al duurt het wel wat lang
Twijfel maakt me bang
'k Wacht op jou
'k Wacht op jou
Wat je keus zal zijn, met vreugde of met pijn
Het verandert niet zo gauw
Mijn liefde, lief, voor jou
'k Verwacht van jou geen trouw, excuus of boterbrief
Jouw keus, mijn lot, heb ik 't meeste lief
De hersenspinsels in mijn kop
Hij kapt met mij, hij zet 't stop
Dat houdt nooit op
Maar goed, de klok tikt door en na een tijd misschien
Zal ik in wat jij hebt beslist het positieve zien
Geen jaloezie meer, geen verwijten, bevrijd van alle last
Of blijf je bij me, oh vast
Jij, die het beste bij me past
'k Wacht op jou
'k Wacht op jou
Mijn liefste neem de tijd
Ik wil je nog niet kwijt
Al duurt het wel wat lang
Twijfel maakt me bang
'k Wacht op jou
'k Wacht op jou
Jouw liefde geeft me kracht
Waar ik zo op heb gewacht
Jouw liefde kleurt m'n hemel blauw
En maakt het leven zacht
'k Wacht op jou
The song "Knuffellied" by Paul de Leeuw tells the story of a past love that was intense but eventually became fragile. The memories of that time are still strong, and the singer is waiting for their partner to make a decision about their future together. However, the partner's doubt and uncertainty are causing the singer to feel anxious and scared. Despite this, the singer is willing to wait and hopes that their love will be able to overcome any obstacle. The lyrics also express a sense of resignation that whatever happens, the singer will be able to find peace and happiness in the end.
The use of the word "knuffellied" in the title reflects the theme of the song, which is about longing for physical touch and emotional comfort. The word "knuffel" is a Dutch term that means "cuddle" or "hug," and it conveys a sense of warmth and intimacy. Throughout the song, there are references to past moments of physical closeness between the singer and their partner, which add to the emotional depth of the lyrics.
One interesting aspect of the song is that it was originally recorded in Dutch, but was later covered in a variety of languages, including German, Spanish, and English. The English version, titled "Cuddle Song," features lyrics that are faithful to the original Dutch version and has been performed by a number of artists, including Charlotte Church.
Another notable fact about the song is that it was written by Jan Rot, a Dutch musician and songwriter who has worked with a wide range of artists over the years. Rot is known for his ability to write poignant and emotionally engaging lyrics, and "Knuffellied" is a prime example of his talent.
Chords: Unfortunately, chords for the song are not available at the moment.
Line by Line Meaning
Denkend aan een mooie tijd, niet lang geleden
Remembering a beautiful time, not too long ago.
Waar onze liefde breekbaar was maar zo intens
Where our love was fragile but so intense.
Nooit een stem die in mij zei
Never a voice inside me saying,
Dat wat je hebt gaat ooit voorbij
that what you have will one day be gone.
Jij was van mij, niemand zoals jij
You were mine, no one like you.
Ik raak dit nooit en nimmer kwijt, denk je tevreden
I'll never lose this, do you think it satisfies you?
Jij voelde onrust, onze passie was gedoofd
You felt restlessness, our passion was extinguished.
Jouw twijfel over ons geluk kwam tussen ons
Your doubts about our happiness came between us.
Maakte alles stuk
Destroyed everything.
En hoewel ik 't probeer, schat
And although I try, dear,
Ik begrijp 't echt niet meer
I really don't understand it anymore.
'k Wacht op jou
I'm waiting for you
Mijn liefste neem de tijd
My dear, take your time.
Ik wil je nog niet kwijt
I don't want to lose you yet.
Al duurt het wel wat lang
Even if it takes a while.
Twijfel maakt me bang
Doubt scares me.
Wat je keus zal zijn, met vreugde of met pijn
Whatever your choice may be, with joy or with pain,
Het verandert niet zo gauw
It won't change quickly.
Mijn liefde, lief, voor jou
My love, dear, for you.
'k Verwacht van jou geen trouw, excuus of boterbrief
I don't expect faithfulness, excuses, or a love letter from you.
Jouw keus, mijn lot, heb ik 't meeste lief
Your choice, my fate, is what I love most.
De hersenspinsels in mijn kop
The thoughts spinning in my head,
Hij kapt met mij, hij zet 't stop
He's done with me, he stops it.
Dat houdt nooit op
That never stops.
Maar goed, de klok tikt door en na een tijd misschien
But well, the clock keeps ticking and maybe after some time,
Zal ik in wat jij hebt beslist het positieve zien
I'll see the positive in what you've decided.
Geen jaloezie meer, geen verwijten, bevrijd van alle last
No more jealousy, no more blaming, free of all burdens.
Of blijf je bij me, oh vast
Or will you stay with me, oh steadfast?
Jij, die het beste bij me past
You, who fits me best.
Jouw liefde geeft me kracht
Your love gives me strength.
Waar ik zo op heb gewacht
What I've been waiting for.
Jouw liefde kleurt m'n hemel blauw
Your love colors my sky blue.
En maakt het leven zacht
And makes life gentle.
'k Wacht op jou
I'm waiting for you.
Contributed by Avery N. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
MommaElin
Na twee jaar in een wereld waar de angst-psychose de mensen in de tang heeft genomen; we stierven zonder knuffels: het knuffellied! Aan een ieder die dit leeft: wie knuffelt leeft meestal langer: en gelukkiger.