From 1972 on Raymond mixes candid observations on human behavior with his own, unique sense of humor. His songs are alternatively full of emotion and boisterous, dark and joyful, but are always powered by a sound base of rock'n roll and references to all four musical corners of the globe". They rightfully awarded him the title "His excellence of Belgian Pop".
Early Years
Born in a musical family (his father is Nico Gomez), Raymond starts performing with Johan Verminnen. In 1975 he says : "Like Lennon shouted "Twist and Shout", no one had ever made music before. We felt that as being extremely non-comformistic. So we also had long hair and jeans. It was Johan Verminnen who showed me the life in bars. He led me into the nightlife. That was necessary, 'cause my parents where Dutch people who lived an isolated life in Antwerp."
After somewhile as a musician backing up other people (e.g. with Della Bosiers), he forms his own band with Erik Van Neygen called Louisette. Already he gives Flanders some of its musical evergreens like 'Maria, Maria ik hou van jou" and "Zij houdt van Vrijen".
In an era of "Osmonds and Mud" Louisette fails to make it big. He reforms the group, this time as RvhG and Bien Servi, for which the lineup includes Jean-Marie Aerts (see TC Matic etc ..) and Jean Blaute (see Kate's Kennel, K's Choice ...).
Humo, more than 25 years later acknowledged the fact that "Je moest eens weten hoe gelukkig ik was" (you should know how happy I was) by Bien Servi was a masterpiece : "When Raymond was hungry and 22 and stayed in bed to keep himself warm he wrote a song called "you should know how happy I was". Classy! Only Randy Newman could have done better. When there was electricity in his apartment he would constantly put Newman's first record on the turntable. Maybe it wasn't that clear at the time, but nowadays it's crystal clear that this record is the best Dutch-speaking debut album of all times."
First Succes
"Nooit meer drinken" of 1977 is the first album on which he operates with his backing group, then called "The Millionaires", but later on renamed to e.a. "The Centimeters" and "de Vlaamse Mustafa's". He records "Meisjes" (girls) which becomes a huge hit and gains fame through his steamy live-reputation.
After the ironic hit "Vlaanderen boven" (Flanders on top) he also travels abroad to Holland with "Je veux de l'amour" (I want love) and makes appearances at the major Pinkpop & Torhout-Werchter festivals. He quits playing live after the successful single "cha cha cha".
"It was becoming too easy, and most of all : too much. Never time to take a break, never time to do something fresh. I had toured Belgium twice before my appearance at Pinkpop. After that I toured the country twice again, and then I had enough of it".
Van het Groenewoud takes a step back and starts writing music for films (e.g. "Brussels by night" from Marc Didden or "Sailor's don't cry" with Elsje Helewaut). He also produces some music for others (Employees, Kamagurka).
New Breaktrough
After a few "sabbatical years" he refocuses on his musical career again, but it's a different Raymond who has come back : deeper, more emotional and intimate, sometimes more painful and more romantic is his music. His comeback doesn't bring his popularity to the heights of the late seventies. For another minute of fame in the general public eye, he has to wait 'till 1990 with a compilation of his early work and a surprise hit "Liefde voor muziek" (the love for music), a gospel-ish song which makes it as a carnival-hit. Raymond is back just in time to make it as the godfather for a whole new generation of Dutch-singing artist who emerged in the 90's (Noordkaap, de Mens, Gorki)
More recently, he did a very successful -almost acoustic - concert tour through the theater halls of Belgium and Holland. A wonderful and intimistic report of this tour has been released as "De minister van Ruimtelijke Ordening".
Now that he has seen Abraham (has become 50), Raymond van het Groenewoud has been honoured with a book. This luxurious hardback (with a cover in pluch) entitled "Je veux de l'amour" contains an intro written by Boudewijn de Groot, a story of his career, a complete discography and more than 139 lyrics to the songs that have made him such a unique figure. Moreover, the book comes with a cd, that contains 10 songs recorded acoustically at home. (Btw : it sure are busy times for Raymond-collectors, as there was also a cd with live-songs on only 2,000 copies that was handed out to those present at the Valentine's Day-gig in February 2000 at the Ancienne Belgique).
In 2000, Raymond was also the author of the soundtrack for the very succesful film "Iedereen Beroemd" by Dominique Deruddere and the theme song "Lucky Manuelo" (which received an Oscar nomination for Foreign Language movie, but was beaten by "Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon)
In 2001, Raymond released a CD with the title "Een jongen uit Schaarbeek" (a boy from Schaerbeek). The CD was recorded with César Janssens on drums again, and the young Thomas Vanelslander (Overflow) on guitar. Strangely enough, the production was done by Christine Verschorren, who also happens to be the current Ms. Van Het Groenewoud. The CD-release itself is for October 4th 2001, but there is already a track that gets lots of airplay, the single "Keineig (verliefd op haar)" (I'm so like totally in love with her).
One track on the album, the titlesong "Een jongen uit Schaarbeek" is being sung by Sarah Bettens, about which track he tells Humo "it's a lullaby for adults. It had to be sung by a woman. I had it so bad (lovesickness) that I wished I had someone who would sing for me softly, make me feel as if I was in the warm bath of a womb again".
Raymond fans also were pleased to find a Cd with newspaper De Morgen, with seven track - some old songs and two tracks from the new album, called "Water en Brood" (water & bread).
Respected Belgian Artist
In 2005, Raymond releases two more CD's: "Ballades" (Ballads) and "Mr. Raymond", which includes the protest song "Weg met Amerika", in which he denounces the USA imperailism and the commercialisation/americanisation of society. Touring around the country performing a mix of intimate songs and his well known hits, he reaches a big audience. He gets admired not only because of his great music, but also for he has his very own style and humour in the way he performes. Many Belgian young artists are inspired by his person, resulting among other tribute's in the project "Raymond en zijn jonge helden" ("Raymond and his young hero's") organisated by Poppunt.
Ik ben de man
Raymond van het Groenewoud Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Waar je steeds op steunen kan
Ik ben de man
Jouw flinke stoere Rambo
Ik ben de man
Waar je steeds op steunen kan
Ik ben de man
De oplossing is zo nabij
U voelt zich eenzaam, onbegrepen
Eén adres, hier bij mij
Ik zal u in vervoering brengen
Een plaats waar u nooit bent geweest
Ik zal er voor voldoening zorgen
Ja, ook voor de geest
Ik zal u pepermunt trakteren
En sprookjes lezen uit een boek
Ik zal u alles, alles geven
Alles wat u mij verzoekt
Dames, onthoud het goed
Dames, onthoud het goed
Ik ben de man
Waar je steeds op steunen kan
Ik ben de man
Jouw flinke stoere Rambo
Ik ben de man
Waar je steeds op steunen kan
Ik ben de man
Bedenk eens wat een buitenkansje
Ik heb voor jou altijd de tijd
Ik ben er om je te bevrijden
Van kommer, kwel en treurigheid
En als je alles weg voelt glippen
In deze wereld vol van kwaad
Besef dan dat je niet alleen bent
Ik zal er zijn met raad en daad
Dames, onthoud het goed
Dames, onthoud het goed
Ik ben de man
Waar je steeds op steunen kan
Ik ben de man
Jouw flinke stoere Rambo
Ik ben de man
Waar je steeds op steunen kan
Ik ben de man
The lyrics to Raymond van het Groenewoud's song "Ik ben de man" are an amusing take on a self-proclaimed hero archetype. The persona the singer takes on is that of a man who claims to be the solution to every woman's problems. He asserts that he is the man that women can rely on and that he will always be there to support them, much like a "flinke stoere Rambo" (a brave and strong Rambo). He assures his audience that he can bring them happiness and pleasure, things that they may never have experienced before. He promises to treat them to pepermunt (peppermints) and read them fairy tales. He declares that he will give them everything they could ask for.
However, the irony in these lyrics is evident when one looks at the persona the singer is portraying. He seems to be exaggerating his abilities and is instead a comical character. Moreover, his belief that women need him to solve their problems is misguided and patronizing. The story is not about a real hero but rather an attempt to showcase the absurdity of the man's claims.
In conclusion, the lyrics are a satirical take on the masculine ideal of the "savior". The intriguing thing is that the song's catchy rhythm and upbeat melody contrast with the sarcastic tone of the lyrics, making them even more amusing.
Line by Line Meaning
Ik ben de man
I'm the one you can rely on
Waar je steeds op steunen kan
To always be there for you to rely on
Ik ben de man
I'm the one who's strong and tough like Rambo
Jouw flinke stoere Rambo
The one you can count on for strength and resilience
Ik ben de man
I'm the one you can rely on
Dames, waarom verder zoeken
Ladies, why look any further
De oplossing is zo nabij
The solution is right here
U voelt zich eenzaam, onbegrepen
You feel alone and misunderstood
Eén adres, hier bij mij
One address, here with me
Ik zal u in vervoering brengen
I'll make you feel moved and captivated
Een plaats waar u nooit bent geweest
A place you've never been before
Ik zal er voor voldoening zorgen
I'll make sure you feel fulfilled
Ja, ook voor de geest
Yes, even for your mind
Ik zal u pepermunt trakteren
I'll treat you to some peppermint
En sprookjes lezen uit een boek
And read you fairy tales from a book
Ik zal u alles, alles geven
I'll give you everything, everything you ask of me
Alles wat u mij verzoekt
Everything you request of me
Dames, onthoud het goed
Ladies, remember this well
Dames, onthoud het goed
Ladies, remember this well
Bedenk eens wat een buitenkansje
Think about what a great opportunity this is
Ik heb voor jou altijd de tijd
I always have time for you
Ik ben er om je te bevrijden
I'm here to free you
Van kommer, kwel en treurigheid
From worry, misery, and sadness
En als je alles weg voelt glippen
And if you feel like everything is slipping away
In deze wereld vol van kwaad
In this world full of evil
Besef dan dat je niet alleen bent
Realize that you're not alone
Ik zal er zijn met raad en daad
I'll be there with advice and action
Dames, onthoud het goed
Ladies, remember this well
Dames, onthoud het goed
Ladies, remember this well
Ik ben de man
I'm the one you can rely on
Waar je steeds op steunen kan
To always be there for you to rely on
Ik ben de man
I'm the one who's strong and tough like Rambo
Jouw flinke stoere Rambo
The one you can count on for strength and resilience
Ik ben de man
I'm the one you can rely on
Contributed by Austin I. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Patrick Sprenkels
Heel goed Raymond 👍
Pes fan Jarne en alessia
Wa een lied dit is gewoon zo!!goed
SamyTheMilfHunter
I liked it
Pumpshotgun2001
Hahaha ik ben hier gekomen door fc de kampioenen van boma
Kyara Balcaen
BucePlays ik ook
hinirs Goossens
Ik ook
Jan Wittebrood
tja heu .. ik ook in 2021 nog wel...
Jirosj
Kris Wauters van Clouseau achter de drums. Nu ben ik een beetje verward.
Purple Dinosaur
This elicits shrieks of joy from Dutch people? The fuck?
neel
Ik ben de man
Ik ben de man
Ik ben de man
Ik ben de man
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