Souvenirs

Souvenirs - Extra content

As a kid, I fell in love with the music of the great crooners. Thanks to Robbie Williams’ album ‘Swing When You’re Winning’ I discovered a genre that opened my eyes and ears. Since then, it’s been my mission, my dream, to keep that music alive. This album is a manifestation of that dream and it’s the most ambitious project I’ve ever done. It’s bigger, better, and closer to me than anything I’ve done before, despite the fact that it only contains one song I wrote myself. It is the album I’ve always wanted to make.

Throughout my life, the music of the great crooners, like Dean Martin, Sammy Davis Jr., Michael Bublé, Bobby Darin, Frank Sinatra and many others, has meant a lot to me. Just like my parents, my friends and other loved ones, these crooners and their songs were there to celebrate good times and to comfort me through hard moments. They inspired me to bring out the best version of myself. I have so many memories with their songs, I started looking at them as musical souvenirs that I’ve collected in my life. Some of my favorite memories, my dearest souvenirs, are now bundled in this album.

Below you'll find extra content, video's, credits, song lyrics and more of every song on the album!

Feeling Good

This version sets the tone for the entire album: honoring the greats who came before, but doing so with a young spirit and a voice of my own. A new-generation crooner claiming his space. And even though this arrangement is bold and unmistakably mine, we made sure to tip our hat to the original.

Can't Take My Eyes Off You

For me, this song is a musical souvenir tied to a wonderful memory from my childhood. My version is built on that memory. A big band in full swing, staying true to the feel of the original by Frankie Valli, and with that Heath Ledger charm always in the back of my head.

The title track of 'Souvenirs' and also the only Dennis van Aarssen original song on the album!

Don't Stop The Music

Most people on this planet will probably know this as a dance hit by Rihanna. But when I first heard the Jamie Cullum version, I was absolutely blown away. It made me realize what the greatest crooners of all time do best: They interpret a song.

Something Stupid (ft. Lara Louise)

My love for crooner music started when I was 7 years old, sitting in the backseat of our family car, on our way to Spain for a vacation. Fifteen hours on the road, with Robbie Williams’ Swing When You’re Winning on repeat. Out of all the songs on that album, Something Stupid was one of my favorites.

One For My Baby

If there’s one song that captures the very essence of croonership, it’s 'One For My Baby'. The ultimate saloon song. A man with a broken heart, talking to his bartender, with nothing but a drink and a fading sense of hope.

That's Life

The song that started it all for me! That’s Life has become my anthem, ever since I sang it first on Dutch national television whilst auditioning for The voice of Holland in 2018.

Everybody Loves Somebody

The B-side of the first single of the album. A swinging. original take on the Dean Martin classic!

I Can't Help Falling In Love

Elvis Presley may not be the first name that comes to mind when you think of a crooner. But make no mistake: he could definitely croon, and he did so beautifully in I Can’t Help Falling In Love.

Accentuate The Positive

I first heard Accentuate The Positive… while gaming. As a teenager, I was a pretty hardcore gamer, Call of Duty, FIFA, and especially my favorite series: Fallout.

Watermelon Sugar

I once posted a short video of me singing it on TikTok, saying: “Maybe a crooner’s not supposed to sing this song… but I’m doing it anyway.” The response was overwhelmingly positive. One comment said: “It doesn’t matter if a crooner should sing this… YOU should sing this.” And that’s when I knew for sure: this song fits me.

My Way

People have often told me I was too young to sing this song. Well, I’m 31 now, and I think that argument’s starting to wear a little thin. Because this isn’t really a song about age or endings. It’s about staying true to yourself. Doing things your way. And that’s exactly what I’ve always done in my life, but also with this album.