The first few demos attracted lots of listeners on MySpace and obtained positive reviews from music industry magazines, blogs and websites.
One particular song, “(It's a) Beautiful day, was chosen by McDonald's as the jingle for the "Chicken Gourmet" TV commercial; All major italian TV networks aired the McDonald's commercial from 2008 to 2010.
The combination between one of the biggest multinational companies in the world and an ultra-independent artist made this unusual story very popular on the internet; The magazine “XL” wanted the Van Houtens drummer for an article and a photo-shooting of the 5 coolest italian female musicians, but they didn't know that Lia19, the official Van Houtens drummer at that time, wasn't a real drummer at all - she is actually an american pornstar. Alan had to ask his sister Karen a big favor: "pretend to be Lia just for one day".
In 2009 The Van Houtens with the song “Matala” won "That's Indie 2009”, a competition launched by RADIO 2 which acknowledged the most interesting young artist in Italy.
At the end of 2010 Alan finished the recording of The Van Houtens first album, which was thereafter mastered at the Air Studios in London.
In 2011, March, Alan decided that the fake-band days were over and managed to get together some musicians in order to start playing gigs; After a couple of months of rehearsing the band was finally ready to launch on stage! The first step of this new adventure was a mini-tour in some well-known events and venues in Milan (Rocket Club, Circolo Magnolia, Teatro Parenti - Elita and others).
In May 2012 The Van Houtens released the single "John Ferrara & Betty Karpoff"; It went top 20 in the Italian singles chart on iTunes.
June 2012 - "FLOP!", the first record, was finally released with "Facelikeafrog Records" and distributed by "Venus"; The cover is drawn by the talented artist Alessandro Baronciani.
In November, after the Italian summer tour, another single was released: "I Want to Tell you"; The video was shot in London and it features rockstar look-a-likes such as Elvis, Freddie Mercury, Amy Winehouse, Michael Jackson and Kurt Cobain.
Beautiful Day
The Van Houtens Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I know you have a svastica tattoo!
You point your finger to my son,
you tell me he smokes grass all day long (but)
you're doin drugs like a rolling stone!
I don't know what's happening to you
I don't know why
You cry, you pray, you smile...
Uoh oh oh it's a beautiful day!
and if you come come come,
I'll sing a song
Uoh oh oh it's a beautiful day!
and if you come come come,
I'll sing a song to you
You say you love the beatles so
a ticket for a gig you bought...
but you forgot that 3 of them are dead!
You tell the kids how to behave
tallkin bout jesus every day (but)
how many times you said god ---?
I don't know what's happening to you
I don't know why you cry, you pray, you smile
Uoh oh oh it's a beautiful day!
and if you come come come,
I'll sing a song
Uoh oh oh it's a beautiful day!
and if you come come come,
I'll sing a song to you
Uoh oh oh it's a beautiful day!
The Van Houtens's song Beautiful Day presents a complex and ironic critique of modern society and its contradictions. The lyrics seem to describe a person who hides a gun, has a swastika tattoo, accuses someone's son of smoking weed while doing drugs like a rolling stone, and talks about Jesus every day, among other things. The singer then expresses confusion about what is happening to this person, wondering why they cry, pray, and smile. Despite this chaotic description, the chorus repeatedly states "it's a beautiful day," celebrating life and urging the listener to come and sing a song.
Line by Line Meaning
In a big bag you hide a gun...
I suspect that you have a dangerous weapon concealed in a large bag.
I know you have a svastica tattoo!
It is clear to me that you have a symbol of hate and intolerance inked onto your skin.
You point your finger to my son,
you tell me he smokes grass all day long (but)
you're doin drugs like a rolling stone!
You accuse my child of illegal activity while engaging in similar behavior yourself.
I don't know what's happening to you
I don't know why
You cry, you pray, you smile...
I am confused by your unpredictable behavior, as you appear to experience a range of emotions without clear cause.
Uoh oh oh it's a beautiful day!
Despite our conflict, the present moment offers an opportunity to appreciate the beauty of the world around us.
and if you come come come,
I'll sing a song
I am extending an invitation to bridge the divide between us, expressing my willingness to connect through music.
You say you love the beatles so
a ticket for a gig you bought...
but you forgot that 3 of them are dead!
You profess to appreciate a band that has lost several members, yet you are forgetful of this fact and fail to honor their legacy.
You tell the kids how to behave
tallkin bout jesus every day (but)
how many times you said god ---?
You espouse religious values to impressionable young people, but your actions do not always align with your words, causing me to question your sincerity.
Uoh oh oh it's a beautiful day!
Once again, I am struck by the beauty of the world and the possibility for connection despite our differences.
and if you come come come,
I'll sing a song to you
My offer to find common ground through music still stands, and I would gladly serenade you with a song.
Contributed by Lucy P. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Andrea Partisani
beautiful song... puts in a good mood.
luca solari
Veramente unici! Non vi conoscevo ma ora che vi ho visto ad x factor mi sono innamorato di voi... Spero veramente possiate andare avanti nella vostra carriera! Grandi!!!
Maurizio Zanetti
Canzone sentita 2 settimane fa alle 7 del mattino su Radio Rai 2... ti mette mega il buonumore per la giornata che verrà!! Bravi !
Van Houtens
ITA: Grazie, sei molto gentile! ENG: Thank you, that's very kind of you!
FILIPPO TRIOLO
Mi sono innamorato di voi a xfactor.
Bravissimi.
Il pubblico aveva grandissima ignoranza in campo musicale.
Rozzy Alien
...i can't listen this song every time!...but it's just a beatiful day
Van Houtens
thank you!
Van Houtens
Thank you! <3
404error. alexnotfound
Vi ho amati dal primo momento in cui vi ho visti su quel cazzo di palco di X-Factor! Poco da dire, caratteri forti, canzoni originali e simpatiche, voci contrastanti e stile particolare. La gente vuole soltanto la copia moderna di canzoni vecchie, contenuti delicati per conquistare l'ipocrisia del pubblico e un bel sorriso falso stampato sul viso di una macchina-macinasoldi...ma voi siete cazzuti e fate quel che cazzo vi pare! Mitici!
Nick Radogna TV
<3