Mijn Vriend Van Andre Hazes En Andre Hazes Junior: Bedankt
You can find various versions of this tribute, including the original 1988 solo and the 2007 duet, on platforms like Spotify and YouTube . André Hazes - She Believes in Me (1999) | IDFA Archive
The song remains a staple of the Dutch levenslied (song of life) genre, characterized by its emotional transparency:
: While the original was about a lost friend, the duet transformed the song into a public conversation between a son and his legendary father. For André Hazes Jr., it marked his official entry into the Dutch music scene as his first hit. Key Themes in the Lyrics Bedankt mijn vriend van Andre Hazes en Andre Hazes junior
: The chorus repeatedly thanks the "friend" for their support and for the "harvest" (success) they shared together.
The song (Thank You My Friend) carries a bittersweet legacy that connects a tragic loss in the 1980s with a father-son tribute decades later. The Origin: A Loss in 1988 You can find various versions of this tribute,
André Hazes originally wrote and recorded the song in 1988 for the album Liefde, leven, geven . It was a deeply personal ode to his producer and best friend, , who had died in a car accident that same year. The lyrics express profound gratitude for a friendship that "made me what I am" and lament a life cut far too short. The 2007 Revival: Father and Son
: The version featured André Hazes Jr. (then only 13 years old) singing alongside his late father’s original vocals. Key Themes in the Lyrics : The chorus
: This version became a massive hit in the Netherlands, entering the charts in October 2007 and reaching #1 . It remained in the Top 20 for 13 weeks.