Nits - In The Dutch Mountains (1987)

The Nits are a Dutch art rock group, founded in 1974. Their musical style has varied considerably over the years, as has their line-up with the core of Henk Hofstede (the group's lead singer and lyricist), Rob Kloet, drummer, Robert Jan Stips (Supersister, Gruppo Sportivo, Golden Earring), keyboards.

Their biggest hit in the Netherlands was "Nescio" (1983), a tribute to the Dutch author Jan Hendrik Frederik Grönloh. The major hit that brought the band to the attention of an international audience was "In the Dutch Mountains" (1987).

In the Dutch Mountains is an album by The Nits. It was released in October 1987 by Columbia Records.Contents

Hidden text

After the release of their meticulously assembled and produced previous album, Henk (1986), which ended up sounding somewhat lifeless, the band decided to go back to basics and record this their next album live to two-track in their own rehearsal space to, in their own words, "reproduce the special atmosphere of a Nits concert". As a result, the songs sound far more sparkling without becoming rough or rushed.

Lyrically, singer Hofstede delves into his childhood memories, conjuring up a vision of childhood life in the Dutch Fifties and Sixties. The album cover reflects this, featuring actual historical Children's Benefit stamps. Even though they resemble young versions of all four band members, they are in fact real Dutch stamps from 1951.

In the Dutch Mountains was the Nits' most successful album to date and the first to gain a UK and U.S. release. Its lead single and title track was a reasonable hit across the European continent. In the Netherlands, two more singles were pulled off the album, "J.O.S. Days" and "The Panorama Man".

I was born in the valley of bricks
Where the river runs high above the rooftops
I was waiting for the cars coming home late at night
From the Dutch mountains

I was standing in the valley of rock
Up to my belly in an early fog
I was looking for the road to a green painted house
In the Dutch mountains

In the Dutch mountains
Mountains

I met a woman in the valley of stone
She was painting roses on the walls of her home
And the moon is a coin with the head of the queen
Of the Dutch mountains

Mountains

I lost a button of my shirt today
It fell on the ground
And it was rolling away
Like a trail leading me back
To the Dutch mountains

To the Dutch mountains
Mountains

I met a miller on the back of a cow
He was looking for the wind but he didn't know how
I said: Follow the cloud that looks like a sheep
In the Dutch mountains
In the Dutch mountains
In the Dutch mountains
Mountains
Mountains
Buildings




Track Listing

In the Dutch Mountains – 3:26
J.O.S. Days – 3:13
Two Skaters – 6:51
Pelican and Penguin – 3:57
In a Play (Das Mädchen im Pelz) – 3:35
Oom-Pah-Pah – 1:21
The Panorama Man – 3:29
Mountain Jan – 4:41
One Eye Open – 3:16
An Eating House – 5:53
The Swimmer – 3:50
Good Night – 2:42
Strangers of the Night – 4:27
The Magic of Lassie – 1:37
Moon and Stars – 4:31

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