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Hallo! Today I want to talk about Douwe Bob and his music.
Douwe Bob is a singer and songwriter born in The Netherlands in December 1992. Since young he shared his love for music, starting to play the piano with 6 years old, concentrating in the genres of jazz and classical music, and adding one more instrument to his list of talents with 14, the guitar. In 2012 he won the Dutch show De beste singer-songwriter van Nederland (The Best Singer-Songwriter of the Netherlands), and later in May 2013, he debuted his first album Born In a Storm. Posteriorly, in May 2015 he released his second album Pass It On, and in the following year his third one Fool Bar.
Moreover, I will tell you how I discovered this fascinating artist. As you probably know, I am a huge fan of Eurovision and until now 2016 was one of my favourite years, it was filled with marvellous music! Well, Douwe represented his country with the song Slow Down. He wasn't my winner, but I guarantee you that he was on my Top 10. His performance was superb, and, in the end, he finished in 11th place in the final with a total of 153 points.
I adored his song, and even after the competition ended that year, I continued to listen to it until I got very curious, and consequently looked for more of his music. After listening to a reasonable number of his songs I just thought to myself "Why haven't l looked for more of his stuff before?!".
Thus, Douwe Bob music focuses on the genres of country, pop-folk, indie and folk. He is astoundingly talented, and one of the things that I like the most about his music is the message that he intends to transmit to the listeners. With this said, I wanted to share with you readers some of my favourite songs of him, with my favourite lyrics and one or two words about the meaning and my opinion. Try to interpret the significance of the lyrics of a singer is not something that I always like to do since it's very subjective, however, I will do it hoping to not commit any atrocity.
Jacob's Song
“Now there's so much left to fight for
But nothing left to show
The only one I’d kill for
Doesn't need me anymore”
But nothing left to show
The only one I’d kill for
Doesn't need me anymore”
Obviously, this is a love song, a beautiful one. Actually, this is my favourite song of Douwe, I love the fact that you can feel the emotion of the music when he sings, and the instrumental part is truly a masterpiece. It’s one of those songs that you close your eyes and relax while you listen to the melody.
How Lucky We Are
“We live a long, long time
And feel life is short
We got all we need
And yet we still want more”
Remember the message that I mentioned previously that he tries to transmit? Here’s one example. Today's World it's all about consumerism, and this song remembers us that. Most people often forget that although we don't live perfect lives, there are persons in a worse situation. We forget to be grateful for what we have, we always want more, and I sometimes am included. In fact, lately, this is something that I have been thinking about... as the lyrics say: "There's a light that you don't see/ You're the light that shines on me/ We got everything we need/ To make this work".
Slow Down
“I’m going nowhere and I’m going fast
I should find a place to go and rest
I should find a place to lay my head tonight
Every morning there’s another start
Every morning hits so hard
Guess I’m running scared, guess I’m running on empty”
The music that he took for Eurovision. I love the song for a simple reason: what he sings it's completely authentic! Also, more and more, I understand and relate to what he means. Almost every day for me it's the same routine: I run to the University (since, of course, me being me leave home always late), I have my classes and then I return home, study and go to sleep. The following day is similar, and so on. I am regularly worried, and even when I am trying to relax, talking with my friends, my family, watching a series, or drinking a coffee with my colleagues, I'm constantly thinking about my concerns. This is unquestionably not good, the feeling that no matter what you do or how hard you work, you are going to fail anyway, the feeling of emptiness... I guess I should do as Douwe sings and slow down occasionally ahah. This is a song that puts a person to think about life, especially when you are on the subway and you see people running from one place to another. Curiously, he has another song called Can’t Slow Down, the opposition is kind of funny.
Fine Line
“They drew a fine line
Between the good and evil
They drew a fine line
Between the right and wrong
See one man kills and gets the chair
Another kills and gets a medal
They drew a fine line
Between the right and wrong”
“They run their country on amphetamines
They run us over with their limousines
Waiting in line for the cash machine
Begging for my money and my hopes and my dreams
They always seem to find another enemy
Cause it's the best way to fuel the economy
And when the have-nots rage in the street
They just make 'em a promise that isn't meant to keep”
Once more, the verses of this song are precious. Douwe sings about the inequality in our Society, the great differences between those born in a "golden cradle" and "the others”. Those who are born with their full rights against those who do not even have their freedom, those who kill and pay for it against those who kill and receive medals for it, those who only want to know about money against those who cannot even afford to live a comfortable life… It's hard to believe that in the 21st century, with a so-called developed and open-minded Society, there are people whose rights are not respected or people that are still discriminated because of the colour of the skin.
Take It All
A love song. Honestly, I don't have much to say about the song, despite being pretty. I really adore his voice.
History
“Don't you believe
Man is but a small grain in the sands of time
Don't you believe
We are merely seconds to the years gone by
Let's make 'em shine”
Besides the lovely melody, and once again, his voice, the deep meaning of the song is incredible. We are indeed "a small grain in the sands of time".
Pass it on
“Keep your memories alive
What seems lost is still inside
Practice love until you master it
And pass it on”
"These are uncertain times", for sure. In my point of view, since nothing is certain nowadays, everything is ephemeral, we should make sure that we stay beside our loved ones, be kind to others and be happy, creating memories to tell in the future.
To sum up, as you can tell by now I adore listening to Douwe Bob music. It’s not only his beautiful voice, and the magnificent instrumental, it’s also the essence of the message. Despite this, in my perspective, Douwe is one of those artists who deserve more recognition for his work. Likewise, I would like one day to see him perform live. If you liked the song that I choose for this article, and if you are interested you should totally check out other amazing music from him, you won't regret it.
I hope you liked to know more about Douwe Bob. What is your favourite song from him?
Nb: I do not own any of these videos and pictures and I am not trying to infringe copyright here.
Have a lovely day!
Mariana Nunes
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