He scored his first hit in 1963 with "Eenzaam zonder jou". Many others followed, going from easy listening over chansons to Dutch pop music, gospel, rock 'n roll, country, and even a bit of rap music.
In 1984 he made a tribute album to Elvis Presley and in 1992 he surprised with his West-Flemish rap song "Moa Ven Toh". In the same year he presented his first "Tura In Symphony" where he sings with a symphonic orchestra behind him.
In 1990 several flemish rock artists released the album Turalura, filled with covers of his greatest hits, in 1993 he sang the song "Hoop doet leven" at the funeral of King Boudewijn I, and in 2001 he was raised to the nobility by King Albert II, he's a knight now.
Will Tura keeps composing and releasing albums, and his concerts still ar very popular. In 2002 he fulfilled his dream: he recorded an album in London with the London Philharmonic Orchestra, filled with songs he composed himself. And in 2005 the album Viva Tura was released, in honor of his 65th birthday.
Als de muren konden praten
Will Tura Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Over alles wat ze zien
Ja, dan zouden hun verhalen
Ons verwonderen, misschien
Want er bestaat zoveel leed
Dat men niet weet
Als de muren konden praten
Achter ieder vensterraam
Zouden wij niet zo voldaan
Elke avond slapen gaan
Er is zoveel eenzaamheid
Die uit trots verborgen blijft
En waaraan geen mens wat doet
Omdat niemand ze vermoedt
Als de muren konden praten
Over alles wat geschiedt
Zou er soms wel iemand zijn
Die een mens troost in ′t verdriet
Maar de muren praten niet
Als de muren konden praten
Over alles wat ze zien
Ja, dan zouden hun verhalen
Ons verheugen, misschien
Want er bestaat, gelukkig ook
Nog liefde en hoop
Als de muren konden praten
Over elke lieve daad
Was, wie weet, al dat gepraat
Dat geklets in iedere straat
Voor één keer 't beluisteren waard
Maar de muren zwijgen stug
Over liefde en geluk
En bewaren elk geheim
Waarvan zij getuigen zijn
Als de muren konden praten
Over jou en over mij
Zou de hele wereld zien
Dat er ondanks leed en pijn
Nog verliefde mensen zijn
The song "Als de muren konden praten" (If walls could talk) by Will Tura talks about the things that walls have witnessed if they could speak. The opening lines of the song describe how the walls, if they could talk, would tell stories that would surprise us. The walls have been witness to so much pain and suffering, which is unknown to us. The lines "Want er bestaat zoveel leed dat men niet weet" (Because there's so much pain that we don't know about) depict that the world is unknowingly ignorant to the troubles faced by many people.
The song goes on to describe how the walls would speak of the loneliness that people experience in their lives, something that is kept hidden by one's pride. The walls have seen how people go to bed every night, pretending to be content with their lives while they suffer silently. The lines "Er is zoveel eenzaamheid die uit trots verborgen blijft en waaraan geen mens wat doet omdat niemand ze vermoedt" (There is so much loneliness which is hidden out of pride and nobody does anything about it as no one suspects) brings out the need to reach out and comfort those going through a difficult time.
The song also reflects on the possibility that if the walls could talk, people would listen more intently to those showing kindness rather than indulging in useless gossip. But despite all these things, the walls remain silent on matters of love, happiness, and secrets that they have witnessed.
Overall, this song is an insightful reflection on the importance of empathy and the need to reach out to people in their times of need. It highlights the fact that people often suffer without anyone knowing, and the walls are a silent witness to it all.
Line by Line Meaning
Als de muren konden praten
If only walls could talk
Over alles wat ze zien
About everything that they witnessed
Ja, dan zouden hun verhalen
Yes, their stories would amaze us
Ons verwonderen, misschien
And we would be astounded, perhaps
Want er bestaat zoveel leed
For there exists so much pain
Dat men niet weet
That one is not aware of
Als de muren konden praten
If only walls could talk
Over alles wat gebeurt
About everything that happens
Achter ieder vensterraam
Behind every window frame
Zouden wij niet zo voldaan
We wouldn't go to bed so content
Elke avond slapen gaan
Every evening, to sleep
Er is zoveel eenzaamheid
There is so much loneliness
Die uit trots verborgen blijft
That is hidden out of pride
En waaraan geen mens wat doet
And that no one does anything about
Omdat niemand ze vermoedt
Because no one suspects it
Als de muren konden praten
If only walls could talk
Over alles wat geschiedt
About everything that happens
Zou er soms wel iemand zijn
There might then be someone
Die een mens troost in ′t verdriet
Who comforts a person in their sadness
Maar de muren praten niet
But walls cannot talk
Als de muren konden praten
If only walls could talk
Over alles wat ze zien
About everything that they witnessed
Ja, dan zouden hun verhalen
Yes, their stories would delight us
Ons verheugen, misschien
And we would rejoice, perhaps
Want er bestaat, gelukkig ook
For there exists, luckily too
Nog liefde en hoop
Still love and hope
Als de muren konden praten
If only walls could talk
Over elke lieve daad
About every kind deed
Was, wie weet, al dat gepraat
Perhaps all that small talk
Dat geklets in iedere straat
All that gossip in every street
Voor één keer 't beluisteren waard
Would be worth listening to, just this once
Maar de muren zwijgen stug
But walls remain stubbornly silent
Over liefde en geluk
About love and joy
En bewaren elk geheim
And keep every secret
Waarvan zij getuigen zijn
That which they have witnessed
Als de muren konden praten
If only walls could talk
Over jou en over mij
About you and about me
Zou de hele wereld zien
The entire world would see
Dat er ondanks leed en pijn
That despite pain and suffering
Nog verliefde mensen zijn
There are still people who are in love
Writer(s): Nelly Byl, Will Tura
Contributed by Isabelle F. Suggest a correction in the comments below.