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.
Vlaanderen Boven
Raymond van het Groenewoud Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Waar een kip aan het spit is
Waar de kerk in het midden staat
Waar de purperen hei bloeit
En het geld in het zwart vloeit
Waar men nauwelijks Nederlands praat
Waar een diploma geen zin heeft
En de koning ook al niet
Waar het volk goedlachs is
En een vuist zonder kracht is
Waar men faalt en aan de toog expliceert
Vlaanderen boven
Waar men de heer nog kan loven
Waar de mensen belangrijk zijn
En de buiken omvangrijk zijn
Vlaanderen buiten
Waar de vogeltjes fluiten
Vlaanderen mijn land
Bij het Noordzeestrand
Waar de kleurenbuis grijs is
Een schroef nog een vijs is
Waar de rijkswacht goed functioneert
Waar een pik een houweel is
Er geen pintje te veel is
Francis Bay het orkest dirigeert
Waar een g soms een h is
AVVV VVK is
Waar men Ensor danig prijst
Waar de Chiro paraat staat
De vrouw aan de vaat staat
De camera traag gaat
De premier nogal vaag praat
De vakantie naar Spanje wijst
Vlaanderen bove
Waar men de heer nog kan loven
Waar de mensen belangrijk zijn
En de buiken omvangrijk zijn
Vlaanderen buiten
Waar de vogeltjes fluiten
Vlaanderen mijn land
Bij het Noordzeestrand
De Kemmelberg, het Gravensteen
De Koekelbergbasiliek - ja, die van Koekelberg
De waterzooi
Het meisje in't hooi
De Vlaamse romantiek
Vlaanderen boven
Waar men een peer nog kan stoven
Waar de mensen belangrijk zijn
En de pensen omvangrijk zijn
Vlaanderen buiten
Waar ik de heer nog zag spuiten
Vlaanderen mijn land
Bij het noordzeestrand
The song "Vlaanderen Boven" by Raymond van het Groenewoud is a tribute to the region of Flanders in Belgium. The lyrics describe the unique characteristics of the region, such as its cuisine (mossel met friet, chicken on a spit), natural beauty (purperen hei), language differences (nauwelijks Nederlands praat), relaxed attitude (het volk goedlachs is), and cultural icons (Ensor, Francis Bay). The chorus celebrates the people of Flanders and their pride in their homeland, which is contrasted with the outside world where things are not as pleasant. The song culminates in a list of landmarks and cultural references that are unique to Flanders.
The song is an example of the genre of "Nederpop" (Dutch pop music) and was released in 1989. It quickly became a hit in Flanders and has since become a cultural touchstone, often played at events celebrating the region. The song's catchy chorus and upbeat melody make it an anthem of sorts for the people of Flanders, who see it as a celebration of their distinct identity within Belgium. The song has been covered by several artists and has appeared in various TV shows and films.
Line by Line Meaning
Waar er mossel met friet is
In Flanders, you can find places where they serve mussels and fries.
Waar een kip aan het spit is
You can also find roasted chickens in Flanders.
Waar de kerk in het midden staat
The church is often located in the center of towns in Flanders.
Waar de purperen hei bloeit
Purple heather fields can be found in Flanders.
En het geld in het zwart vloeit
Black market money circulation is common in Flanders.
Waar men nauwelijks Nederlands praat
Some regions in Flanders may not speak fluent Dutch.
Waar een diploma geen zin heeft
Degrees may not be as necessary in certain areas of Flanders.
En de koning ook al niet
Even the king may not be important in some parts of Flanders.
Waar de schuimwijnkoningin defileert
The queen of sparkling wine may have a parade in Flanders.
Waar het volk goedlachs is
Flemish people are often happy and cheerful.
En een vuist zonder kracht is
Here, a fist without power is not intimidating.
Waar men faalt en aan de toog expliceert
In Flanders, people may talk about their failures at the bar.
Vlaanderen boven
Flanders above all else.
Waar men de heer nog kan loven
In Flanders, you can still praise the Lord.
Waar de mensen belangrijk zijn
People are valued and respected in Flanders.
En de buiken omvangrijk zijn
Large bellies are prized in some parts of Flanders.
Vlaanderen buiten
Outside of Flanders.
Waar de vogeltjes fluiten
Birds can be heard singing outside of Flanders.
Vlaanderen mijn land
Flanders, my home country.
Bij het Noordzeestrand
Located by the North Sea beach.
Waar de kleurenbuis grijs is
TV screens in Flanders are gray.
Een schroef nog een vijs is
Nuts and bolts are called by different names in Flanders.
Waar de rijkswacht goed functioneert
In Flanders, the police force is well-run.
Waar een pik een houweel is
Certain words can mean different things in Flanders.
Er geen pintje te veel is
Drinking culture in Flanders is moderate and not excessive.
Francis Bay het orkest dirigeert
Francis Bay may conduct an orchestra in Flanders.
Waar een g soms een h is
In Flanders, some words may be pronounced differently than in other Dutch-speaking regions.
AVVV VVK is
Refers to labor unions that are well-known in Flanders.
Waar men Ensor danig prijst
Artist James Ensor is highly regarded in Flanders.
Waar de Chiro paraat staat
The Chiro youth organization is active and available in Flanders.
De vrouw aan de vaat staat
Women may be expected to do household chores like washing dishes in some parts of Flanders.
De camera traag gaat
Video cameras move slowly in certain Flanders towns.
De premier nogal vaag praat
The prime minister may not always speak clearly in Flanders.
De vakantie naar Spanje wijst
Many Flemish people go on vacation to Spain.
Waar men een peer nog kan stoven
Flanders is known for its cuisine, such as stewed pears.
En de pensen omvangrijk zijn
Large sausages are also popular in Flanders.
Waar ik de heer nog zag spuiten
In Flanders, some people may still engage in religious practices like speaking in tongues.
De Kemmelberg, het Gravensteen
Names of landmarks located in Flanders.
De Koekelbergbasiliek - ja, die van Koekelberg
A famous basilica located in the town of Koekelberg.
De waterzooi
A traditional Flemish dish made with vegetables, chicken, and cream.
Het meisje in't hooi
Another reference to Flemish romanticism.
Contributed by Logan S. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@hassesiemonsdochter574
Ik als Hollander krijg echt zin om naar Vlaanderen te gaan.
Het vlaamse volk is toch echt anders als de Nederlanders.
Zelfs als Vlamingen gaan vloeken vind ik ze nog schattig.
Ik hou van Vlaanderen,ik drink nog een pint op Vlaanderen.
@dylan2478
hasse Siemonsdochter haha, jij bent een legend man
@Spoon3rYT
Groter Nederland wordt nog realiteit.
@jonastheunissen6285
Ma jullie zijn altijd zo happy, alle Hollanders hebben altijd een dikke smile op het gezicht en hier zijn de mensen altijd mottig
@Akiwaki1999
Klasse man, groetjes van een Vlaming!
@wulfheort8021
@@jonastheunissen6285 Ja maat, maar das eigenlijk vals. De Hollanders gedragen zich naar mensen die ze nie kennen alsof ze die al 5 jaar kennen en ge weet da da vals is. Maar da is alleen in het zuiden van Nederland zo, ik woon al een tijd in het noorden en daar zijn de mensen nie zo vals in hun uitstraling.
@rolandalexander741
De Raymond, ne man gelijk no other
@robinmolenberg
Heerlijk om dit te horen in wallonie
@_M1sty.
I need to sing this with Raymond on a concert 😊
@1032peter
Ik heb zijn muziek en zijn stijl van zingen prachtig gevonden en het heeft ook altijd iets komisch haha 👍👍👍