Nits’s Sea Shanty: “Port of Amsterdam”

51 Shapes of Nits: The 30th shape are the bottle and the blanket for when it’s colder

There’s one line in the lyrics of Henk Hofstede that never fails to make me laugh. It’s the cheeky carefreeness in the « Port of Amsterdam » couplet “For now I’ve got a bottle and a blanket – And I use it when it’s colder”. It’s not just the words. It’s the persuasiveness and the sheer lack of affectation and inhibition of Henk Hofstede that always make me smile. This otherwise so very sophisticated band can also teach us a few things about letting go of the expectations and loosening the reins. Well, the song “Port of Amsterdam” doesn’t in fact lack sophistication, quite the contrary; it is a true Nits song in every way. Nits easily adjust to all kinds of idioms and this Nits sea shanty is as Nitsy as can be. It is not a pastiche, nor is it a parody. Nits has this strange ability to take any musical idiom in their stride and make it completely their own. The full power of their musical prowess is shown in this song in a masterful way. The first notes already announce themselves full of humour and musical wit. And then Henk opens the song with this romantic intimation and its equally romantic imagery: “We’re sailing on an ocean – On an ocean – And the time flies …”, like the words of an adventure novel. In a most elegant profession of these words, young Henk Hofstede – with his typical shoulder dancing and a shyish smile – knows so well how to introduce this seafaring tale with a teasing suspense and melodic delicacy in his utterance. But then soon it all changes … THEY ARE SO TREMENDOUSLY HAPPY TO FINALLY SET SAIL!

This sailor song – I never think about sailors when I hear this song, probably because Henk’s performance on stage is so funnily genuine! – is nothing short of Nits’s work manifesto in a metaphorical interpretation of this sea chant! It is their very own work shanty where they proclaim their breaking away at last, from the certainties of the mainland of pop and set sail for all sorts of musical adventures. HENK indeed is a breaking-away album. The early morning enthusiasm of “Bike in Head” where they joyfully ride on their bicycles through the streets of Amsterdam, works as a little prequel to the thundering and lightning excitement of leaving the port of Amsterdam. This couple of songs – opening the fabulous HENK album – form this most refreshing duo signalling a newfound creativity and determination which, with this album, take off for good. With no precise destiny in mind. They are off to freedom … musical freedom! Never to return.

And there is no doubt that they are very determined! The song with its strong marching rhythm leaves no room for anything less than complete and utter tenacity. You cannot but admire the bravery and courage with which they trumpet the audacity of their endeavour. The elatedness and exuberance of a newly discovered freedom. The youthful naivety of it all is in stark contrast with the remarkably idiosyncratic musicianship. There is an almost unquenchable humorous drive – as if the four musicians were engaging in some rowdy banter -, yet at the same time the four of them manage to display an impressively convincing authority and control that lend the song such a monumental stature. Unsure of what their musical fate will be, they embrace the challenge eagerly. For now they will be merry and free … with a bottle and a blanket for when it gets colder …

The URK live version comes with the big drum on stage; the cover of the live album shows Henk banging this big drum … this whimsical freedom drum, announcing one of the best and most creative spells of their career. It was prophesied already in the light of the moon shining on the never resting waves of the sea. And the fervent work manifesto of Nits expressed in this early sea shanty on HENK foretold the richness of what was to come.

Joke Roelandt, April 2025