… Read Full Bio ↴Tee Set was a Dutch beat band from the town of Delft, The Netherlands.
Founded in 1965, Tee Set was initially leaning towards rhythm & blues, but their music gradually became more 'poppy' from 1969 onwards (some of the early fans would call it 'slick'). Tee Set seemed to have disappeared by 1979, but resurfaced in 1983 and in the following years regularly performed at 'back to the sixties' festivals.
Between 1966 and 1979 fourteen Tee Set singles reached the Top 20 of the Dutch charts. Their biggest hit in The Netherlands was She Likes Weeds, but its success (#1 in Holland in 1970) was easily eclipsed by the international triumph of Ma Belle Amie, which peaked at #5 in the U.S. Billboard Hot 100. In The Netherlands it was 'only' a #6 hit.
Tee Set was the earliest example of a 'Do It Yourself' attitude in Dutch music history: the band founded their own record label. All of their post-1967 releases were self-released on Tee Set Records, an unusual business model in the 1960s.
The band's line-up underwent many changes over the years. Frontman Peter Tetteroo (who died in 2002, aged 55) was the only permanent member.
The 1966 line-up that recorded the earliest hits fell apart in 1967: three band members (Hans van Eijck, Polle Eduard and English guitarist, Ray Fenwick) formed a new band, named After Tea. Tetteroo formed an entirely new Tee Set line-up. Hans van Eijck returned in 1969 and is the Tee Set member with the highest number of 'years in office' after Tetteroo.
Ma Belle Amie
Tee Set Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You were the child of the sun
And the sky and the deep blue sea
Ma belle amie
Apres tous les beaux jours
Je te di merci , merci
Before we trough
I want to tell you that I adore you
And always do
That you amaze me by leave me now
And start a-new
Ma belle amie
I'm in love with you
Let the bells ring
Let the birds sing
Let's all give my substitude a big cheer
Let the bells ring
let the birds sing
For the man after him waits here
For the man after him waits here
Ma belle amie
Your the child of the sun
And sky and the big blue sea
Ma belle amie
There was a time that you thought
That your only friend was me
You where the answer to all my questions
Before we trough
I want to tell you that I adore you
And always do
That you amaze me by leaving me now
And start a-new
Ma belle amie
I'm in love with you
The song "Ma Belle Amie" by Tee Set tells the story of a love that was full of passion and wonder until the woman, referred to as "ma belle amie", decides to leave the singer and start a new life. The song opens with the singer admiring the beauty of the woman, describing her as a child of the sun, sky, and sea. He expresses his gratitude to her for being the answer to all his questions, but realizes that their time together has come to an end. The singer confesses his love for her, declaring that he will always adore her.
The chorus of the song is a celebratory one, urging the listener to join in the festivities of the singer's friend's substitute. The bells and birds are invited to ring and sing, welcoming the new man who will take the place of the friend who has left. Through these lines, the singer hints at the possibility of finding new love and moving on, despite the pain of losing his previous love.
As the song comes to a close, the singer reflects on the past and the role that "ma belle amie" played in his life. He realizes that there was a time when she thought he was her only friend, but now he is forced to say goodbye. Despite the pain of their parting, he reaffirms his love for her, accepting that she must move on to new adventures.
Overall, Tee Set's "Ma Belle Amie" is a reflective and bittersweet ode to a love that has withered away. The singer's gratitude and love for the woman are tempered by the realization that he must let her go, though he will always cherish their memories together.
Line by Line Meaning
Ma belle amie
My beautiful friend
You were the child of the sun
And the sky and the deep blue sea
You were as radiant and natural as the sun, sky, and sea
Apres tous les beaux jours
Je te di merci , merci
After all the beautiful days, I say thank you, thank you
You were the answer of all my questions
Before we trough
You were my solution to everything before our downfall
I want to tell you that I adore you
And always do
I need to express that I love and appreciate you always
That you amaze me by leave me now
And start a-new
I'm amazed that you're leaving me and starting fresh
I'm in love with you
I'm deeply in love with you
Let the bells ring
Let the birds sing
Let's all give my substitude a big cheer
Let's celebrate my replacement with ringing bells, singing birds, and cheers
For the man after him waits here
For the man after him waits here
The next man is waiting here, ready to take his place
Your the child of the sun
And sky and the big blue sea
Once again, you are as radiant and natural as the elements
There was a time that you thought
That your only friend was me
You once believed that I was your only confidant
Lyrics © CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC, THE MUSIC GOES ROUND, CTM Publishing, Peermusic Publishing
Written by: H. VAN EYCK, P. TETTEROO
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@stevsones
Great song, I was 11 when this was a hit in 70. top 5. lately I have been hearing it and have revisited the song. He had such a unique voice. I liked the key change at the chorus and the song turned into a Gospel Hymn tent revival with the clapping. There is something magical about this song. To use an old phrase-they don't write em like this anymore. God Bless Tee Set and Peter Tetteroo.
@ulisesdjnavarros4867
Que gran cancion..!! pasaba que en esos años las emisoras muy pocas daban el nombre de los Interpretes y este tema era muy tocado pero dificil de grabarse el nombre de quien la cantaba....TEE-SET - MA BELLE AMIE....un gran recuerdo, gracias por subirlo..!!!
@crystalroberts5041
Translate please. I see that you like the song- you think it's a very good selection and you're thankful. ..I'm very rusty on mi espanol
@tammysack4097
This is the first 45 my dad gave me after my mom and him split. I was 3. I played it hundreds of times, hoping he would come home. When I listen now I can see and smell the room I was in. The beginning of my love of music!
@marilu2083
I love this song from Tee Set, a Netherlands group. Peter Tetteroo had an amazing voice, and he was good looking too.
@sonofthehills
What a querky little song. Strange enough that once you have heard it, it sticks like glue in your mind for years everafter
@chriselisa78
I was nine years old when this came out. Brings back so many fond memories!
@j99tinks
I always liked this song. It still gets a lot of airplay on local radio. This live version on this set is very cool.
@farodyoung
Pure talent! Great memories thanks for posting.
@AndyMorrisArt
I was 12 and there was this girl 11 on my paper route that would come outside everyday when I delivered the paper, and we'd talk but I could never tell her how I felt, but this song always makes me think of her.