Levenslied

Levenslied (Dutch, literally "life song" or "song about life") is a sentimental Dutch-language subgenre of popular music. Levenslied lyrics can be sweet or bitter, light and sentimental, but also reflective and dark, about subjects such as love, misery and far-away, sunny, exotic holiday places. The darker, more sentimental songs are also known as "smartlap" ("sorrow bandage"). The levenslied is related to the chanson though for a lower-class audience, like the schlager.

A typical levenslied has catchy, simple rhythms and melodies and is built up in couplets and refrains. Traditional musical instruments in levenslied music are the accordion and the barrel organ. Modern levenslied artists also use synthesizers and guitars.

The songs are usually in Dutch but also English or Italian.

Three cities in the Netherlands, Breda, Tilburg and Nijmegen, have annual Levenslied festivals.

Artists
Notable Dutch levenslied singers:
 * Willy Alberti
 * Willeke Alberti
 * Frans Bauer
 * Peter Blanker
 * Renée de Haan
 * André Hazes
 * Stef Bos
 * Johnny Jordaan
 * Pierre Kartner
 * Tante Leen
 * Imca Marina
 * Manke Nelis
 * Dries Roelvink
 * Sieneke
 * Jan Smit
 * Zangeres Zonder Naam

Notable Flemish levenslied singers:


 * Eddy Wally
 * Laura Lynn
 * Will Tura