He became popular during the 1960s. His most famous songs include Sammy, Zing-Vecht-Huil-Bid-Lach-Werk En Bewonder (Sing, fight, cry, pray, laugh, work and admire), We zullen doorgaan (We shall go on), Pastorale and Laat me (Leave me be). He frequently collaborated with Dutch singer Liesbeth List.
Shaffy was born in Paris, in the suburb Neuilly-sur-Seine. His father was an Egyptian diplomat, his mother was a Polish duchess from Russian descent. He grew up with her in Cannes. When she was infected with tuberculosis, Shaffy was sent to an aunt in Utrecht. Eventually, he ended up in a foster family in Leiden.
He did not finish high school, but he was accepted at the Amsterdam school of theatre arts in 1952. In 1955, he made his debut with the Nederlandse Comedie (Dutch Comedy). Together with his life partner Joop Admiraal he went to Rome in 1960, hoping to find a job as a film actor. They eventually returned without success. In 1964, Shaffy founded the theatre group Shaffy Chantant, which led to his first collaborations with Liesbeth List. He also worked with together with Dutch pianist Louis van Dijk. Others, including Thijs van Leer, were members of the group for short periods of time. Together with Liesbeth List, he recorded the classic song Pastorale.
His hit Wij zullen doorgaan was parodied by comedian André van Duin in 1975.
In the 1980s, Shaffy returned to the stage and the set as an actor. He successfully played Don Quixote in the musical De man van La Mancha (The man from La Mancha) in 1993. Pieter Fleury made a documentary about Shaffy in 2002, titled Ramses. It won a Gouden Kalf (Golden Calve), the most prestigious Dutch film award. In the film, Shaffy's life as a somewhat confused, shaky old man in a rest home in Amsterdam is shown. He ended up there after being beaten up at night by thugs. Many years of extensive alcohol use are the main cause of his current condition. Some say he suffers from Korsakoff's syndrome, but his doctors have never diagnosed him with it.
In the years following the film, Shaffy's condition improved slightly. His memory had become better and he sometimes made public appearances again. In the fall of 2005 he even re-recorded his 1978 hit song Laat me, together with Liesbeth List and the band Alderliefste. It became a small hit.
Shaffy died of esophageal cancer on Tuesday the 1st of december 2009.
Johnny Van De Vier Seizoenen
Ramses Shaffy Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Hij voelt zich onbezorgd en vrij
Naar de hel met tijd, want vandaag is een eeuwigheid
Verliefd op zichzelf heeft hij lief, z'n liefhebberij
Z'n hart is er nog steeds niet bij
Is nog vermomd, want wie weet wie er straks nog komt
Johnny van de vier seizoenen
Johnny van de kouwe grond
Z'n vrienden zijn aan hem verwant
En de tijd verhult hem, hoe hij langzaam voortschrijdt
Er is altijd wel iemand die hem meeneemt aan de hand
Naar de bergen of het strand
Hij is mooi en kiest zuinig zijn prooi
Johnny van de vier seizoenen
Johnny van de kleine fooi
Hij kent heel goed de regels van 't oude spel
't Is en blijft een kestie van precisie
Hij loopt heel gedwee met z'n weldoener mee
't Is en blijft een kwestie van klandizie
De tijd breit aan de lachrimpels zorgelijke rimpels bij
De jaren gaan niet meer opzij
En de nacht is niet meer van dezelfde kracht
Z'n jeugd trekt als een glimlachende page aan hem voorbij
Hij blijft achter en is niet meer vrij
Er is niet veel tijd en de dag is onzekerheid
Johnny van de vier seizoenen
Van de loze tederheid
The song "Johnny Van De Vier Seizoenen" by Ramses Shaffy is about a young man named Johnny who lives life carefree and in the moment, not thinking about the consequences of his actions or the future. He is described to be in love with himself and his hobbies more than anything else. He is always out partying and enjoying life, while his heart is not fully present. He is described as being beautiful and chooses his partners carefully, taking only what he needs from them. Johnny lives for the night, and his friends are the ones who enable this lifestyle. Growing old, Johnny begins to see the effects of his lifestyle on his body and the people around him. He realizes that time is running out for him and that he is no longer free to live as he once did.
The lyrics are a reflection of the youth culture of the time, where the focus was on living life to the fullest, without thinking about the consequences. The song highlights the idea that this lifestyle may seem exciting and fun at first, but it ultimately leads to a lonely and unfulfilled life. Johnny's character is a representation of the people who fall into this pattern of behavior, becoming trapped in a cycle where they live only for the moment and never think about their future.
Overall, "Johnny Van De Vier Seizoenen" is a poignant and reflective song about the fleeting nature of youth and the importance of living with purpose and meaning in our lives.
Line by Line Meaning
Ergens loopt een jongen aan de dingen en zichzelf voorbij
A boy is aimlessly wandering around, not paying attention to his surroundings or even to himself.
Hij voelt zich onbezorgd en vrij
He feels carefree and unrestrained.
Naar de hel met tijd, want vandaag is een eeuwigheid
He hates time because he thinks that today is eternal.
Verliefd op zichzelf heeft hij lief, z'n liefhebberij
He loves himself and his hobbies without a care for anything else.
Z'n hart is er nog steeds niet bij
He is disconnected from his emotions.
Is nog vermomd, want wie weet wie er straks nog komt
He hides his true self because he doesn't know who might come along later.
Johnny van de vier seizoenen
A nickname for the boy who lives life carelessly all year long.
Johnny van de kouwe grond
Another nickname for the boy who comes from humble beginnings.
Z'n dagtaak is de nacht en het feest heeft de overhand
His daily routine involves partying all night long.
Z'n vrienden zijn aan hem verwant
His friends are like family to him.
En de tijd verhult hem, hoe hij langzaam voortschrijdt
Time is deceiving him as he ages slowly.
Er is altijd wel iemand die hem meeneemt aan de hand
There is always someone to guide him.
Naar de bergen of het strand
They take him to mountains or beaches.
Hij is mooi en kiest zuinig zijn prooi
He is handsome and picky when it comes to choosing his lovers.
Johnny van de vier seizoenen
A reminder of his carefree lifestyle all year round.
Johnny van de kleine fooi
With little money, he still parties like a king.
Hij kent heel goed de regels van 't oude spel
He is familiar with the rules of the old game.
't Is en blijft een kestie van precisie
It's still a matter of precision.
Hij loopt heel gedwee met z'n weldoener mee
He obediently follows his benefactors.
't Is en blijft een kwestie van klandizie
It's still a matter of building a customer base.
De tijd breit aan de lachrimpels zorgelijke rimpels bij
Time brings worry lines along with laugh lines.
De jaren gaan niet meer opzij
He can't stop the years from passing.
En de nacht is niet meer van dezelfde kracht
The night doesn't have the same power anymore.
Z'n jeugd trekt als een glimlachende page aan hem voorbij
His youth passes him by like a smiling page.
Hij blijft achter en is niet meer vrij
He is left behind and no longer free.
Er is niet veel tijd en de dag is onzekerheid
There's not much time left, and each day is uncertain.
Johnny van de vier seizoenen
A reminder of his carefree lifestyle all year round.
Van de loze tederheid
His fleeting moments of tenderness.
Contributed by Camilla G. Suggest a correction in the comments below.