For the first album, I mainly wanted to thank my friends for being in my life and meaning so much to me. These are personal songs, each carrying its own story and emotion. But beyond friendship, I also want to express how deeply grateful I am for my nephews and the friends who feel like family. They bring light and laughter into my days and remind me what family truly means. Their energy, kindness, and love make my life better in ways words can hardly describe. Watching them grow and seeing their personalities shine gives me purpose and joy.
This album is not only about the people who stood beside me through the years, but also about the ones who inspire me to keep moving forward. A special shoutout to Jeffrey, Dennis, and Martijn, you are part of that heartbeat. And of course, there are many more people I love who deserve a shoutout. Love you all!
Lyrics
1. The More We Play (Friends for Life), for my best friend Dennis
The more we play
We met at DUO+, back in the day
From Oudewater to Ouderkerk, we found our way
Started as strangers, but the timing was right
Now we’re leveling up, night after night
In the glow of the screen, the world disappears
But the bond that we’re building will last for years
Oh, Dennis, my brother, the more that we play
The stronger the connection, come what may
There’s nobody else that I share so much with
This friendship we have, it ain’t no myth
From the controllers in hand to the thoughts in our head
We’re winning at life, just like you said
We’re trading ideas, making each other grow
The seeds of ambition, we’re starting to sow
Influencing minds with the good and the gold
A story of friendship that’s yet to be told
Enjoying the moments, just being right here
With you in my corner, there’s nothing to fear
Whether we’re winning or losing the game
The vibe in the room stays exactly the same
A heart to heart talk or a tactical plan
I’m proud to be gaming with such a great man
DUO+ was the start, but we’ve come so far
Dennis, my friend, you’re a genuine star
Yeah, we’re winning at life…
Game on, my friend
2. Two boys one heartbeat, for my gay cousins Martijn en Jordi (not really gay, i think)
Met at the river
Shoes in our hands
Mud on our jeans
Laughing too loud for this town
Back of the buses
Eyes on our skin
People keep staring
Like we’re some kind of sin
We run where the street ends
Two boys
One heartbeat
We hold what the sky hides
Two boys
One heartbeat
If the whole world turns away
We still breathe in the dark
Two boys
One heartbeat
Dinner is quiet
Forks scrape the plates
Questions like knives
Cutting around what we feel
Your mother says careful
My father says shame
Every slammed door
Echoes the same old fear
Late night
Shaking
You say there’s something you need to say
Photos on the dresser
Family faces all in the same frame
Same eyes
Same jawline
Same blood running in our veins
The word nephew
Falls heavy between us like rain
Now we’re on the pavement
Cold air
Warm hands
World feels smaller
But our chest still expands
They said love has borders
Lines we can’t cross
But I’d rather be lost here
Than live in their frost
In the last light
I whisper your name
You answer with mine
And it all feels the same
Whatever they call us
Whatever they write
We were still two boys in the dark that night
Martijn Rila
Jordi Rila
Martijn Rila
Jordi Rila
3. Brothers On The Chairlift, for my best friend Jeffrey
Old school bus
Gear piled high
First trip
First run
Thin mountain sky
Chairlift talk
Fog in our breath
Laughing at the edge
Our friendship is set
From the first cold mountain
To the warm years after
Jeff and Ricardo
Brothers in our laughter
Miles on the map
Can’t cut that tether
The more years we carry
The more we love each other
Latenight screens
Tiny blue dots
All is what it seems
You are the same
Just far away
Good thing we game
You get married
I raise my glass
Even if im far away
You have my ass
You have my ass
From the first cold mountain
To the warm years after
Jeff and Ricardo
Brothers in our laughter
Best friend
Blood deep
Two hearts
One beat
Long road
Same street
Rise above
Boylove
Miles on the map
Can’t cut that tether
The more years we carry
The more we love each other
From the first cold mountain
To the warm years after
Jeff and Ricardo
Brothers in our laughter
Miles on the map
Can’t cut that tether
The more years we carry
The more we love each other
The more we love each other
Love ya bro, love ya bro
4. Brothers On The Chairlift (Remix)
Old school bus
Gear piled high
First trip
First run
Thin mountain sky
Chairlift talk
Fog in our breath
Laughing at the edge
Our friendship is set
From the first cold mountain
To the warm years after
Jeff and Ricardo
Brothers in our laughter
Miles on the map
Can’t cut that tether
The more years we carry
The more we love each other
Latenight screens
Tiny blue dots
All is what it seems
You are the same
Just far away
Good thing we game
You get married
I raise my glass
Even if im far away
You have my ass
You have my ass
From the first cold mountain
To the warm years after
Jeff and Ricardo
Brothers in our laughter
Best friend
Blood deep
Two hearts
One beat
Long road
Same street
Rise above
Miles on the map
Can’t cut that tether
The more years we carry
The more we love each other
From the first cold mountain
To the warm years after
Jeff and Ricardo
Brothers in our laughter
Miles on the map
Can’t cut that tether
The more years we carry
The more we love each other
The more we love each other
Love ya bro,
Love ya bro
5. Brothers On The Chairlift (Cover)
Old school bus
Gear piled high
First trip
First run
Thin mountain sky
Chairlift talk
Fog in our breath
Laughing at the edge
Our friendship is set
From the first cold mountain
To the warm years after
Jeff and Ricardo
Brothers in our laughter
Miles on the map
Can’t cut that tether
The more years we carry
The more we love each other
Latenight screens
Tiny blue dots
All is what it seems
You are the same
Just far away
Good thing we game
You get married
I raise my glass
Even if im far away
You have my ass
You have my ass
Best friend
Blood deep
Two hearts
One beat
Long road
Same street
Rise above
Boylove
From the first cold mountain
To the warm years after
Jeff and Ricardo
Brothers in our laughter
Miles on the map
Can’t cut that tether
The more years we carry
The more we love each other
The more we love each other
Love ya bro
6. The Road to Here, and the best for last, my Girlfriend Wietske
The Road to Here
It started with a spark in a Paris street
The City of love at our very feet
Then Utrecht saw our love grow tall
Building a life, answering the call
Twelve years of memories, etched in time
I’m so glad your heart is next to mine
Wietske, we’ve come a long, long way
Through the golden sun and the skies of grey
From the city of love to our Amersfoort home
There’s no other place I’d rather roam
We’re standing strong, the best is yet to be
In this new era for you and me
The roar of the engines on the open road
Motorcycle trips where the freedom flowed
From highspeed turns to the quiet nights
Gaming marathons and TV lights
Drinks with the neighbors on a Friday night
Everything’s easy, everything’s right
Wietske, we’ve come a long, long way
Through the golden sun and the skies of grey
From the city of love to our Amersfoort home
There’s no other place I’d rather roam
And now two daughters, our greatest pride
With the whole family by our side
Watching the animals, a day at the zoo
Every moment is better because of you
Through the ups and downs, the tide and the flow
We only get stronger, as the years go
Twelve years down, and a lifetime to go
My love for you continues to grow
Here in Amersfoort, our story stays true
Always and forever, it’s me and you
7. The Road to Here (Extended mix)
The Road to Here
It started with a spark in a Paris street
The City of love at our very feet
Then Utrecht saw our love grow tall
Building a life, answering the call
Twelve years of memories, etched in time
I’m so glad your heart is next to mine
Wietske, we’ve come a long, long way
Through the golden sun and the skies of grey
From the city of love to our Amersfoort home
There’s no other place I’d rather roam
We’re standing strong, the best is yet to be
In this new era for you and me
The roar of the engines on the open road
Motorcycle trips where the freedom flowed
From highspeed turns to the quiet nights
Gaming marathons and TV lights
Drinks with the neighbors on a Friday night
Everything’s easy, everything’s right
And now two daughters, our greatest pride
With the whole family by our side
Watching the animals, a day at the zoo
Every moment is better because of you
Through the ups and downs, the tide and the flow
We only get stronger, as the years go
Twelve years down, and a lifetime to go
My love for you continues to grow
Here in Amersfoort, our story stays true
Always and forever, it’s me and you