This week I wrote the lyrics for a new Dutch song, titled ‘Ongelezen Brief’ (Unread Letter).
The theme of this song is holding love in your heart for someone who can't or won't receive what you have to give. Whether this occurs between family members, friends or romantic partners, it is a painful experience and a difficult sentiment to sit with.
So I wrote this song for every person who has received a ‘return-to-sender’ on their genuine love and sincere care.
For the most part I tried to keep the lyrics conversational, almost colloquial, so that it would feel like something you'd actually say to someone in person - with a vulnerability and honesty that is so easily expressed in Dutch.
In writing this song, I also realised there are two distinct ways that we say “I love you”:
“Ik hou van je” - which is the most common and straightforward translation of “I love you”.
“Ik heb je lief” - which has the same meaning, but emotionally it's like a full orchestra underscoring the ‘I love you’: it's dramatic, poetic and earnest.
I end the song with the latter, “Ik heb je lief”, as the final statement, condensing all the sentiment of what is held back and returned-to-sender, in this unread letter.
“Ongelezen Brief”
Renaté Bianca
September 17th, 2025
