Inspired by the below article, let’s do a series of threads with songs about (or at least reference) a particular town, city or place. First up Amsterdam.
More than 1,100 readers responded to an earlier call. This is the shortlist of ten songs that was determined by a professional jury based on your entries. Which song do you think should win the competition? You can vote in the voting form at the bottom of this article.
Suddenly, the polls were almost closed, a wave of votes came in for the song Amsterdams Accent by Café Wehmut. A group of friends in the café, with a beer in hand, quickly checking if they could influence the election of the most beautiful song about Amsterdam? Okay, this entry then, although the song did not make the longlist of 25 songs with the most public votes.
More than 1,100 readers responded to the call from Het Concertgebouw and Het Parool to overwhelm us with suggestions for contenders for the title of best Amsterdam song ever. It didn’t matter whether it was a well-known or lesser-known song, whether it was an old or new number. And the genre didn’t matter either.
The jury deliberations
125 songs were submitted, and among them were a remarkable number of classics. And many different versions of the song Amsterdam , from De Dijk to David Bowie (or that one voice for the version by Gavin Friday, not unnoticed). There was also that other Amsterdam , the Eurovision Song Contest entry from 1980 by Maggie MacNeal. Or a completely different Amsterdam by Nothing but Thieves.
On Friday 6 December, the jury deliberations took place in the office of Amsterdam’s alderman for the arts and jury chair Touria Meliani in the Stopera with jury members Orville Breeveld (musician, producer, composer and consultant for the Concertgebouw), Peter van Brummelen (pop journalist for Het Parool ), Joris Nassenstein (musician, production manager and concept developer at the Concertgebouw) and actress and musician Merel Pauw, who is known as a rapper under the name Elmer.
There was listening and humming along, pointing out brilliant compositions, magnificent violin solos and an accordion that was just a synthesizer. The jury was mostly unanimous, sometimes voting rounds were necessary.
Hard against hard
Meliani: “What is the Amsterdam life song? Is it nostalgia, or is it much broader than that? Does it change over time, should we strive for renewal? Is it the moment when you are sitting together in the pub – or is a song the Amsterdam song purely because it is beautiful?”
The last two dropouts were a tough contest in their arguments. Tulips from Amsterdam by Herman Emmink: best love song about Amsterdam – or a vulgar hit? Sophie Straat with Groen Amsterdam : a must as the voice of this generation – or a pale imitation of 't Kleine café aan de haven ?
Based on the list of 25 songs that received the most votes from Parool readers, this shortlist of 10 was created: for the unforgettable performers who symbolize the city, for how they represent and interpret the city’s identity and for artistic quality.
Voting is possible until January 2 at the bottom of this article, the winner will be announced on January 29 during the ode to the Amsterdam song Amsterdam in Concert in the Concertgebouw on the occasion of 750 years of Amsterdam.
Why These Are the 10 Best Songs About Amsterdam
What function can a good city song have? And what makes these ten selected songs so good? You can hear it in the podcast Amsterdam world city.
This is the shortlist of ten songs, with Spotify link
Ramses Shaffy expresses in 't Is stil in Amsterdam the feeling that every Amsterdammer experiences who has the city to themselves very early in the morning. Jury member Joris Nassenstein: “Shaffy is one of the most brilliant singer-songwriters. He came from outside, but embraced Amsterdam.” Jury member Merel Pauw: “This song is emotion in itself.”
Read more here about why 't Is stil in Amsterdam is on the shortlist .
The lyrics of Geef mij maar Amsterdam – about the klaverjas club Schoppen Negen that spent a week in Paris – are hard to sing along to. But the song has a chorus with what the jury calls ‘a low entry-level model.’ Jury chair Touria Meliani: “I like light-hearted, I think it’s beautifully uplifting. This is about group feeling and putting your arms around each other.”
Read more here about why Geef mij maar Amsterdam has been nominated .
Parking problems, noise pollution, tourism and dirt on the streets – Big City by Tol Hansse with music by Clous van Mechelen from 1978 anticipates gentrification and is still relevant. And a paragon of Amsterdam humor. Jury member Peter van Brummelen: “A hilarious sing-along.”
Read more here about why Big City should be on the shortlist .
According to the jury, At the Foot of That Old Wester should not be missing, because it was one of Willy Alberti’s biggest hits. Jury member Joris Nassenstein: “Willy Alberti was the one who brought the Neapolitan tenor to Amsterdam. With his use of voice, he created a specific song tradition here.”
Read more here about why At the foot of that old Wester should be on the shortlist .
The innovation on the shortlist dates back to 2000 with Origineel Amsterdams by the Osdorp Posse. Jury member Merel Pauw: “These are pioneers in Dutch hip-hop history. It is recognition for how big the genre is here and that it started in Amsterdam – we can be super proud of that.”
Read more about Origineel Amsterdams and why it is one of the nominees here .
With the lyrics by Jan Boerstoel and the interpretation by Jenny Arean, Amsterdam perfume makes an indelible impression. Jury member Joris Nassenstein: “Jenny Arean, one of the grande dames of the Amsterdam song.” Jury member Merel Pauw: “The feeling of Amsterdam in this really evokes recognition.
Read more here about why Amsterdams Parfum should be on the shortlist .
André Hazes is a symbol for Amsterdam, his Blood, Sweat & Tears is perhaps more associated with Ajax. Jury chairman Meliani: “But it is about people who have to work their way up, about individual struggle. It is a very uplifting song and in that sense really for every Amsterdammer.”
Read more here about why Blood, Sweat & Tears deserves a place on the shortlist .
If there is one song that brings everyone together, it is Aan de Amsterdamse grachten . Jury member Orville Breeveld: “Composer and lyricist Peter Goemans was born in Constantinople. You can hear that in the arrangements, the composition is brilliant. Even if you don’t speak Dutch, this song will still grab you.”
Read more here about why Aan de Amsterdamse Grachten is such an Amsterdam classic .
In Amsterdam huilt, Rika Jansen sings about the darkest history of the city, on a beautiful melody with many Yiddish influences. Jury member Merel Pauw: “It evokes a childlike fear in you, a feeling of oppression. Because she sings about the good times that once were, you feel the tragedy even more.”
Read more here about why Amsterdam cries is on the shortlist .
This original version had to be it: Amsterdam by the Belgian Jacques Brel, also known as Dans le port d’Amsterdam. The fact that it was actually about Antwerp (but that didn’t fit the meter) doesn’t matter: a foreign artist exalted the Amsterdam harbor with this song - and what happened behind the scenes.
Read more about why Amsterdam is on the shortlist here .
