The Golden Years of Dutch Pop Music
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Looking back at the golden years of Dutch pop music, it’s easy to see why the country has such a rich musical heritage. From early pioneers like Willy Alberti and Connie Francis to contemporary superstars like Anouk and Ilse DeLange, the Dutch have always had a knack for creating catchy, memorable tunes. In this blog, we take a look at some of the most iconic Dutch pop songs from the past few decades.
The Rise of Dutch Pop Music
Dutch pop music, also called Nederpop, is a genre of popular music that originated in the Netherlands. In the 1950s and 1960s, Dutch pop music was very popular in the Netherlands and many Dutch artists enjoyed success in other countries. Some of the most popular Dutch pop artists of the time include Willy Alberti, Conny Vink, and Rob de Nijs.
The early days of Dutch pop music
The early days of Dutch pop music are often associated with the rise of so-called Nederbeat groups in the mid-1960s. These groups, such as The Motions and The Cuby + Blizzards, were inspired by British and American beat music and helped to introduce this new genre to Dutch audiences. Nederbeat would go on to enjoy considerable popularity in the Netherlands during the 1960s and 1970s.
Other important early figures in Dutch pop music include Will Tura, who was one of the first Belgian artists to find success in the Netherlands, and Corry Brokken, who was the first Dutch artist to win the Eurovision Song Contest. Both Tura and Brokken enjoyed long careers and remain popular figures in theDutch music industry today.
During the 1970s, Dutch pop music began to diversify, with a number of different genres and subgenres emerging. Among the most popular genres during this decade were disco, roots, and new wave. Important artists from this period include BZN, Doe Maar, Rob de Nijs, André Hazes,and Earth & Fire.
The golden years of Dutch pop music
During the 1960s, Dutch pop music rose to prominence globally with a string of hits by the likes of Johnny Lion, Willy Alberti, and Annie de Reuver. The so-called “Golden Years” of Dutch pop saw a boom in the country’s music industry, with a variety of genres being represented in the charts.
During this period, Dutch artists found particular success with ballads and melodic songs, many of which went on to become international hits. These included Willy Alberti’s “We zullen doorgaan” (1964), Annie de Reuver’s “Droomland” (1965), and Johnny Lion’s “Waar is everybody?” (1966).
While Dutch pop music was largely overshadowed by English-language music in subsequent decades, the Golden Years remain an important part of the country’s musical history.
The Fall of Dutch Pop Music
In the early 2000s, Dutch pop music was on the rise. Artists like Anouk, Racoon, and Doe Maar were topping the charts and winning awards. However, by the end of the decade, the Dutch pop music scene had all but disappeared. So, what happened?
The decline of Dutch pop music
The fall of Dutch pop music can be traced back to the early 2000s. At the turn of the millennium, the Dutch music scene was flourishing. There were a number of hugely successful artists, such as Anouk, Within Temptation and Racoon, and the Netherlands was considered to be a major force in European pop music. However, by the early 2000s, Dutch pop music was in decline. A number of factors contributed to this, including the rise of digital piracy, changes in the music industry and a lack of new talent. In recent years, there has been a resurgence in Dutch pop music, but it remains to be seen whether this will be enough to reverse the decline.
The current state of Dutch pop music
It is safe to say that the Golden Age of Dutch pop music is over. For almost two decades, starting in the late 1990s, the Netherlands was one of the most vibrant and innovative music scenes in Europe, with a string of internationally successful artists and a sound that was distinctly Dutch. But today, Dutch pop music is in a state of decline, struggling to find its place in a globalized musical landscape.
The reasons for the decline are numerous and complex. One factor is the rise of streaming services like Spotify and Apple Music, which have made it easier for people to access music from all over the world. Another is the economic downturn in the Netherlands since 2008, which has hit the music industry hard. And then there are changes in taste: today’s young listeners seem to prefer rap and R&B to pop, and they’re more likely to consume music on YouTube than on radio or CDs.
Whatever the reasons, the fall of Dutch pop music has been swift and steep. In 2006, eight of the top 10 songs in the Netherlands were by Dutch artists; by 2016, only two were. In 2006, Dutch artists had five albums in the top 10; by 2016, they had none. And in 2006, four Dutch artists were among the top 10 selling artists in Europe; by 2016, there was not a single Dutch artist in European’s Top 100.
It’s still possible for Dutch artists to find success internationally—the comedian Hans Teeuwen recently had a viral hit with his song “Trump plaagt Holland”—but it’s clear that the days when Dutch pop dominated Europe are over.
