The more I find myself in 'international' communities the more I find myself saying 'I'm Dutch!' It didn't really mean that much to me before since I see nationality as a huge coincidence that I just happened to have received upon birth. So the accomplishments of 'my' people and 'my' country are not really mine and I could just as easily have been born somewhere else and have disliked all that is Dutch.
But, while I exchange information, life stories and fun light-hearted chats with people from so many countries, my 'Dutchnes' is starting to mean more. I appreciate where I live, I appreciate the lack of worry people in my country have, and I appreciate rain in a way I know I will never be able to explain to the many Steemians living in warmer parts of the world.
Dutch is a language too
Being Dutch is not just an identity but Dutch is a language too. One I chat with in a specific 'Dutch' Discord community with the aim to promote Dutch content. Now, Dutch people all speak some level of English and depending on educational level it's a bit better or a bit worse, but we are all able to write, understand and speak English. I know many Steemians from other countries who speak 'a' language as their mother tongue and write in English. Some communities choose to write in their native language exclusively.
There are many variations thinkable when you speak more than one language, and it's a very specific subject of interest to me: the huge variety of people and languages in a world that's dominated by the English language. I personally lose part of my personality, and win another part as well, by speaking in English. I find my wit and spontaneity to be more pleasant in Dutch. I find my emotionality to be more easily expressed in English.
So anyway, it's interesting most people on this platform write and express themselves in English while they would or would not be 'different' writers or conversationalists in their own, native language.
This is a very long rambling intro for actually just a fun community engagement challenge I want to introduce
Let's celebrate our native languages by sharing music
I want as many Steemians as possible who speak a language other than English as their first language to share a music video from that language with me in the comments.
I've recently been listening some 'golden Oldies' in Dutch and it somehow got me emotional and feeling connected to something I had lost or thought I never had. It's basically Oldies because I myself as an adolescent or adult have not really been listening to Dutch music much. But my parents did and we used to watch Dutch television where Dutch artists would visit and play a song or two. So I am posting here a few Dutch songs I learned to love (or first hate) because my parents listened to them, and end with two songs that came out in the hit lists more recently.
I want YOU to: 1) state your mother tongue in the comments, 2) pick a song in THAT language that you like or has a significant meaning to you, and 3) post a link to the music video or sound-based app in the comments.
I will upvote all the music videos I like and probably even those I don't like and will do a follow-up post with my favourites later this week.
Now, I know I post videos below that you might not be able to appreciate since sometimes it's the words alone or the memories tied to it that make the song worth listening to. But not to worry if you feel a song is not worth sharing or hard to appreciate without speaking the language. I just want to display some of the language diversity we have on this platform in a fun and light-hearted way. We can be proud of being able to express ourselves in a language that's not primarily ours and for a moment be mindful about that :-)
A few Dutch songs
Wat is mijn hart
The title is "Wat is mijn hart" which translates to "What is my heart". For me the meaning is: in love and relationships where we fight - what then is your heart? Where stops yours and starts theirs? If you express your pain and anger, what pain and anger do you then cause the one you're yelling at? The singer, Marco Borsato, has many hits in the Dutch charts and I've always admired his artistry. The video I believe is well understood even without the lyrics and at the meantime you can also see the intensity of Marco Borsato the singer himself.
Zing, Vecht, Huil, Bid, Lach, Werk en Bewonder
(Sing, Figh, Cry, Pray, Laugh, Work and Admire)
This is from a Dutch singer, Ramses Shaffy, who has touched many Dutch hearts. He is no longer with us and I know many Dutch people have cried when he passed away. To compare: the same song from both his younger years and when he was already considered 'old':
Onderweg
I know @r00sj3 will love this song for example, and many Dutch women (?) of our generation will. This Dutch band, 'Abel' has a singer with a lovely Dutch accent from one of our provinces and it's such a sweet song with lovely lyrics that makes you swoon. I love the simple videos that were made in this period by the way.
Dat ik je mis
A song from a Dutch 'singer songwriter' contest where contestants write their own lyrics and music and perform them for the first time (!) in front of a jury. It's so so poetic this song and if you listen the song to the end you will see the jury basically can't keep their eyes dry it's so touching.
Zoutelande
This is probably the band I have seen live the most since both my mother and I love their music. The lead singer, Pascal, has so much heart, and the fact he comes from my favourite province in the Netherlands means I feel so much 'home' in his lyrics as well. His current hit song is no exception - this is the song I would listen to when I was living abroad and missed home. The lyrics, his voice, the video even - they scream 'home' and reminds me in so many ways of people I care about... It's a true favourite of mine.
I'm curious about your entries! If I receive enough input I will create a 'Steem World Playlist' of some sorts just for fun :-)
And to those who don't speak anything but English: expose yourself to some other languages while you're here! You will find you might understand more than you think. Music in a way is universal anyway. (And if you really need to add music because it's just too much to be left out like this you can cheat by sharing a 100% instrumental song. Well, ain't that kind of me!)
This is wow!
Expect mine maybe tomorrow cos its already late and almost midnight here
My mother tongue is "Yoruba language" and I will sing in Yoruba
Are you going to sing yourself?! I didn't see that coming! :D
My idea was for you to share a video from for example Youtube from your/a favourite artist - but if you want to share something you sing yourself you might also like some of the other music communities on Steem like https://steemit.com/trending/openmic <3
I'm very very curious about music in the Yoruba language by the way!
It took me a while, but I finally managed to assemble my list for Poland :)
Hope you like it: https://steemit.com/music/@breadcentric/steemit-world-playlist-my-polish-candidates
Amazing @breadcentric! I have opened your post and will read and listen to all of it tomorrow :-) Thank you!
Let me know how you find it :)
Thank you for your continued support of SteemSilverGold
So... Since I can post now :) my favorite pick from your list (at least for first time hearing all of them) is Maaike Ouboter!
So after thinking a lot here are some songs in Serbian - I was considering cheating and adding some songs from our first native language "serbo-croatian"... but here is some distilled music from Serbia :)
I opted for studio versions, only because there aren't quality videos on youtube, even tho I enjoy live performances way more.
Anyway here are my picks from two authors - I wanted to put like 10 but then :) the point is to narrow it down as much as possible :) if you like it we can exchange more. :D
Enjoy! :)
Wow wow wow - the Serbian team is killing this! So many amazing songs are coming from over there :-) I honestly love listening to all three of them, maybe the first is my favourite :D
Picking Maaike Ouboter is show you have good taste! I think she has the most tender and special song of them all - the voice plus lyrics are amazing.
Thanks a lot for stopping by and sharing these amazing songs @svemirac!
hi )
"Дикі танці" by Руслана ("Wild dances" by Ruslana)
Personally I like more a mix version (English + Ukrainian)
"Щедрик" ("Shchedryk")
Виктор Цой - Звезда по имени солнце ("Star Called Sun" by Viktor Tsoi)
Подмосковные Вечера "Moscow Nights"
Thank you for sharing @alexbiojs! I love Ruslana! And the Щедрик song is famous all over the world, I believe the actual melody is hundreds or thousands years old, but never heard it like this: beautiful! Very very intense and a strong choir <3
I like the last two as well: a more 'rock' song that I find easy to listen too and the last one is really special: it has a lot of story in it. Really really great examples of Ukrainian songs - I enjoyed all of them. Thank you!
That's great. It's very interesting to listen to all songs listed in the comments. Thanks for your initiative (indeed, we get "A Steem World Playlist") )
:D I noticed not many songs are available on Spotify so that's a petty - but maybe I could try to make a YouTube playlist :D
After lots of thinking I managed to choose one of the most beautiful ballads in my native language (Serbian) in my opinion.
The song is from 1997 and I selected it because I really like the guitar at the beginning of the song, the voice of the female singer and of course, the lyrics:
I love the song @scienceangel! The sings have a lot of passion in their voices and I loved looking at the very simple but effective video as well - love the colour editing :-) The female singer is very special indeed - and the musical instruments!
Thanks so much for participating!
It's great to hear a few songs in Dutch. So far, I've known just Splendid, which I really like to listen to, even though they sing in English:) Anyway, I'm from the Czech Republic and just recently, I've posted this article about a newly established band. They're quite specific as their music is based on traditional Czech folk music but somewhat in a modern style. 🎼
Ohhh WOW @livadija - I thought nothing would beat that second song but the song you're sharing last is breathtaking! I love everything - the singer is amazing, the video is awesome, the dress is gorgeous <3 I love the energy in the song, so happy and upbeat! And for me it's a very pleasant language to listen to as well.
Thanks a lot for this! Made me happy. I'm plugging the video here because more people should see it:
Wow this is an amazing song and the clothing is amazing! And the scenery is just breathtaking!
It's been shot in Adršpach-Teplice Rocks in the Czech Republic, it's a really nice place for a walk, climbing or swimming in the summer. About that clothes, that's traditional Czech folk costumes with some extra decoration (and make-up).
It really is beautiful. Nothing like that here with the costumes. Something to be proud of in your culture. The place seems magical and almost from another fantasy world. <3
I agree! So so special <3
I'm glad you like it, they are, indeed, very special. :)
Yes they are - one of my favourites! Can't find them on Spotify - my idea of creating a playlist with all the entries seems to be not realistic - many of the entries I've gotten so far are not over there, didn't think about that :-)
Hi! Im from Poland. I like different types of music. Music is a form of relaxation and reflection for me. It is like a drug without which I can not live. Why this song? These are mainly emotions expressed by my son. I understood a few things and I cried..
This is a great song @jozef230! Thanks for sharing it here. I love the rhythm of rap songs and this one has a good one. Of course it's even more important to understand the words, but if you cried it must be quite the text they're sharing...
If I could only share one Flemish song (I'm from the Flemish part of Belgium) then it would be 't smidje by the awesome group Laïs.
As a very little guy, I used to dance in a folk dancing group and this has always been one of my absolute favorite tracks and routines :)
I noticed I was moving my legs on the rhythm of this song @woodzi! I can imagine folk dancing on this particular song was amazing! I've danced a lot and the right music will make it super easy to do :-)
It's so funny that we live so close and might have missed so much of music from 'across the border' - I have never even heard of this band let alone this song but I love it :-) Thanks for sharing!
I've heard it somewhere before!
i am a sucker for lyrics so sometimes it is hard for me to enjoy music that i don't understand.
so if you like a song in my mother tongue here is one of my friends songs (have to support :D )
and one in my father tongue and my country language
(and after thinking and thinking :) i decided to share a song called "Santa Claus is broke")
Hey @bil.prag I was hoping you'd join!
The first song is something I would listen too regardless the language! I love it, very calming and melodic and amazing instruments and voices <3 Those are your friends? Wow! They should be supported indeed!
The second song is amazing as well, you seem to have some talents living in your country! Also a lot of instruments and the singer seems to master his lyrics I sort of feel he plays with the words even though I don't understand a thing he says.
What's the difference between your 'mother' and 'father' tongue? I know you've spoken about speaking many languages in your country but I am not sure I know the difference between these two languages :-)
Did you see and know the entry of @scienceangel above in the comments as well?
The HF20 and all i feel like this was a month ago :)
Slovak and Serbian are for me almost the same, but only because i speak them. both are in the Slavic category. Short history :) ottoman empire wanted to visit central europe but they had some troubles at the borders (i think it was an issue of bringing weapons through the border) so they stopped here around Danube. So Maria Theresa and some after her decided to give land to people if they move here so they could monitor the border. No one really wanted to be in Padina, as it is an and of sandy terrain and first sign of water is at 40+ meters. But then Slovaks came and said they will try to dig the wells :) and until now Padina is 94-95% made by Slovaks, we have a slovak school, we speak (some kind) of slovak and we live in Serbia.
About the first song, you have some additional info here: https://steempeak.com/photofeed/@bil.prag/vlasto-a-sachariny-prazdna-je-dedina-photo-video-and-some-background-story
My language is German
The translation of the title is: Two old aunties are dancing Tango in the middle in the night.
I have loved that song since I was a older teen. I always wanted to grow into an old woman that dances tango in the middle of the night. 🤪 got the old part down - not so much the Tango.
It is a song being critical of society in a smart and funny way.
I don't understand all the lyrics but what I do understand and the way that combines with his voice, the music... I can imagine this makes you smile! I can totally see myself being an old Tango dancing lady someday lol! That's amazing. I love this song, it's original and quirky and I love you feel so connected to it.
Thanks a lot for this contribution @mariannewest! :D (Did you grow up in Germany?)
Oooohh i dont see Indonesian yet
I dont know any new Indo songs, but back in 2000, one of the famous songs was this one, which I happen to like. Its melody is a bit solemn, maybe I'm emo idk 🤣
It's about loving someone
That’s a lovely ‘balad’ type song @thekitchenfairy! I’m not often exposed to the Indonesian language so that was interesting for me to hear. Did you live in Indonesia in 2000?
Oud en afgedankt - Marco Borsato
As a Dutchie ánd Music lover I of course have to reply on this great post. I have many songs but one I recent listen again is this song of Marco Borsato free translated it means "old and scrapped". It is a song about a person who has Alzheimer's disease and has been 'neglected' by family and friends. (short version). And those are lyrics which are unfortunate true, often people with Alzheimers are experienced as funny, scrapped while in stead people can bring so many joy into those patients life just by being there.... I think this song has one of the strongest lyrics in holland's music history.
Ugh - you speak some true words there @verhp11! I hope you don’t speak them from personal experience because indeed it’s really sad to witness how people with any form of Dementia are often treated - we can do better than that is what I think about it.
Thanks for sharing - Borsato has a way to share our emotions in a way not many can. I believe there are few Dutchies who don’t have a song they somehow have been touched by <3 Quite amazing and I don’t think I have appreciated that enough before.
I do speak out of own experience though the person having Alzheimer's wasn't a close relatieve. We sure can do better.... I totally agree.
Yep, Borsato (or better John Ewbank) sure know his way of writing Lyrics. And Borsato had the ultimate voice to briong those emotions to life..
@soyrosa mag ik hopen dat dit in inspiratiebron kan zijn voor jou, groeten
Amazing! There’s a lot of truth in these lyrics and I love the beat as well. I recognize a lot of stuff being discusses over here in NL as well, but that won’t be a surprize to you :-) Thanks for sharing your inspiration @jackjohanneshemp!
Very nice @soyrosa, very nice idea indeed :-) Unfortunately I'm from the netherlands too... But!
Where's Drs. P. ? I mean, can't get more Dutch than his song "Veerpont"... And none more funny in my opinion :-)
"...en zulke overdenksels heb ik nu de hele dag"
Heerlijk! You know I missed Drs. P. in my upbringing and yes I'll talk to my parents about that :') I have friends who are exposing me to Drs. P. sometimes though, and now you, so I have to listen more. This was indeed super funny :D It's probably weird for non-Dutch people but it's a comedy like song and very funny lyrics.
Thanks a lot for sharing @zyx066! Much appreciated. I'll probably receive a few more Dutch entries lol but this is very unique :-)
I regret not having learnt Dutch. It sounds so nice!
Wow such powerful songs. Even though I don't understand the language I can feel it.
I think this post is great. A fine way of bringing different cultures together and doing it through music shows how we are all connected and that there is no such line of division between us all.
It is quite hard to find just one song to share so I hope it is ok to share a couple.
The songs I have are french (from Québec). This first one I am sharing is from Sir Pathétik called Maman. It talks about the hardships of mother's and what they do for their children and his appreciation for his mother. The chorus says : I have so much to say, but I would rather write it. I liked seeing you every morning and for you I will become someone good.
And talks about how she was always there during hard times that he was there and always accepted him.
A bit personal why I share this song but I wont go into that here :)
Since you shared an older song, I will too, but not too old lol. This video has the english translation in the video.
I really like the drum in this song. And the words... well see for yourself :P
Note: On the translation a few mistakes were made but pass ok but the one where it says 'To calm your wishes to uphold your families head' That is rubbish.... Pour calmer tes envies de hold-uper la caissière. Means to calm your desires of doing a hold up on the cashier. Or basically finding a way to not rob the cashier lol. Not always easy to translate.
Ok only 2 for now as there is too many to share but you have inspired me to write a post! Thank you. When I do I will let you know ;)
Wow - thanks for sharing these songs!
The first is magic and reminds me of pop/R&B bands from the 80s if you understand what I mean. It has great contents too, I understand bits and pieces of French and that makes me love listening to French lyrics always - it's like a little present when I understand a sentence ;-)
The second song has an amazing beat to it! I love that! And 'arrière-arrière' just sounds so musical lol! I don't know if I like the 'slut shaming' part about the woman sleeping with different partners and having all those regrets but it might sound different in French and I understand it's a parody :-)
Well - I actually can't wait for your post now @foxyspirit because you seem to really love this! :D Thanks again and looking forward to reading more!
Hoping I can write the post today time giving.
Ya the slut shaming part isn't great, but I do understand where he was going with it. Talking about how times change, how before the great great grand parents were to the great grand parents etc to now (when the song was written I mean), when today everything is being sexualized. Looking at videos where women are more than half naked, twerking and objectifying themselves to that. Lacking respect for themselves in a sort of way. It is how I see the message.
I rewatched the video and where he says 'when you do dirty things', it doesn't exactly translate to that. I mean it somewhat does, kind of like 'when you fool around'... and 'you save yourself with abortions' is more like saying you run from your problems through abortion. It is nicer said in french than the translation they give.
It also comes with understanding how some things are in the cities in Quebec or even smaller towns how it can be. Many do go through that. When in my teens, later high school, I've had heard friends go through that. It is more sad that part than it is shaming. But anyways, it is a song about how times have changed but the one thing that never did was dancing, having fun. :)
Haha - yes, I understand as well that context matters and even the exact translation and intonation of words :D Quebec sounds like an interesting city and knowing that city must add even more to the meaning of the song :-)
Times HAVE changed a lot indeed, sometimes for the better, sometimes... well, for way worse ;-)
Wow! I just went to bed so will listen to your songs in the (my) morning - but already super impressed by your comment. So happy it inspired you to write a post <3 We’ll talk more later!
Im reading the comments and listening to the songs. I am happy that you are getting many replies on this post. It's awesome!
I am just boring old plain old English :/ Nothing very exciting there.
However, I LOVE to hear music in other languages and particularly French, not sure why.
Yes, I love French songs too - you should listen to the ones from @foxyspirit as well! I like this one, didn't know it :-)
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Leuk leuk leuk hier ga ik ff voor zitten morgen 😉oh and I tell everyone who wants to hear I AM DUTCH and then the next question is ohhh AMSTERDAM 😬 No Rotterdam if you want to know 😂😂
Tof! Hahahaha - and yes, GO Rotterdam, let people forget about Amsterdam already :')
Wow...!!!