Jeangu Macrooy was supposed to represent host nation the Netherlands at Eurovision 2020 with his song “Grow”. The Suriname-born singer-songwriter was internally selected by Dutch broadcaster AVROTROS to fly the Dutch flag in Rotterdam. It has been already confirmed that Jeangu will be back to represent the Netherlands at next year’s Eurovision.
Scroll down for the “Grow” lyrics
The Netherlands in Eurovision 2020: Jeangu Macrooy “Grow”
Jeangu Macrooy is a 26-year-old singer-songwriter from Paramaribo, Suriname. In 2011. he formed the band Between Towers together with his twin brother Xillian. After studying at the Conservatory of Suriname, he moved to the Netherlands to study songwriting.
There he met producer Perquisite, signing at his record label. His debut EP Brave Enough appeared in 2016, while his first solo album High On You was released in 2017. The album peaked at number 69 on the Dutch Albums Chart, while the title track topped the Nationale Top 40 in his native Suriname.
What do the “Grow” lyrics mean?
“Grow” is a moody ballad that mixes dark soul and gospel, an autobiographical song about Jeangu’s growth as a person. The main message is that it’s the highs and lows that make you grow. And most probably Jeangu had his own rollercoaster of life too, living as an openly gay man in conservative Suriname, before moving to the Netherlands.
Jeangu also apologizes for the way he is expressing himself, singing “Don’t take it personally, don’t be offended, don’t mind my mood changing like the weather, God knows I tried to hold it all together, oh, I’m getting older, and it ain’t what I thought it would be”.
Finally, he draws the conclusion, singing “The more I learn, the less I know, through every high and every low, I’ll grow”.
Speaking of the song himself, Jeangu said:
“Emotions, good and bad, are a universal language. I hope this song makes people feel a little less lonely in their search for happiness. I think that openness and honesty about how we really feel will ultimately bring us closer. I believe in the power music has to bring people together. It’s the reason I do what I do.”
“Grow” lyrics — Jeangu Macrooy (The Netherlands ESC 2020)
Written and composed by: Jeangu Macrooy and Perquisite
Perquisite is a Dutch producer and composer, the founder of Jeangu’s current label Unexpected Records. He also co-wrote Jeangu’s 2017 song “Crazy Kids”.
Text
[Verse 1] When I’m sad, I am unreasonableJust like a little kid, mad at the world
When I’m alone, I am defenseless
Just like the boy I was, afraid in the dark [Chorus] Don’t take it personally, don’t be offended
Don’t mind my mood changing like the weather
God knows I tried to hold it all together
Oh, I’m getting older and it ain’t what I thought it would be [Verse 2] Wide awake, the planet spins around
A little too fast for me most of the time
Lost control, my thoughts are flickering
Just like satellites, lost in the sky [Chorus] Don’t take it personally, don’t be offended
Don’t mind my mood changing like the weather
God knows I’ve tried to hold it all together
I’m getting older and it ain’t what I thought it would be [Bridge] One day I’ll find
Some peace of mind
And then I’ll stop being afraid
I won’t make it through the night [Outro] The more I learn, the less I know
Through every high and every low
Oh, oh, the more I learn (Grow)
The less I know (Grow)
Through every high and every low (Grow)
I’ll grow, oh-oh
The more I learn (Grow)
The less I know (Grow)
Through every high and every low (Grow)
I’ll grow, oh-oh
What do you think of “Grow”? Would you have voted for the Netherlands at Eurovision 2020? Could Jeangu have beaten the host nation curse? Sound off in the comments below!
This is Salvador Sobral quality. Raw, emotional, personal. No fireworks.
The very best in songwriting of all this year’s songs. With Jeangu’s capability as a performer and soulful vocals the Netherlands could have had a standout moment on the grand stage in the Ahoy Arena for sure. It draws you in..takes you on a journey. Jeangu bares all. He …”Opens Up”!
Fitting the brief perfectly. My personal winner for 2020.