60 jaar Top 40, deel 3: 2005 – 2024

To mark the sixtieth anniversary of the Dutch Top 40 in 2025, this book completes the third and final instalment in the 60 Years of Top 40 series. This volume shifts the focus to the period from 2005 to 2024, during which pop music became increasingly international, digital, and genre-blurring. As in the previous two volumes, the book is packed with remarkable anecdotes. For instance, The Killers guitarist Dave Keuning discusses his Dutch roots; singer Carmit Bachar speaks candidly about internal tensions within The Pussycat Dolls; Black Eyed Peas rapper Taboo explains how Where Is the Love? quite literally changed his life; and Train frontman Pat Monahan shares the emotional story behind Drops of Jupiter.

But there’s more. Did you know, for example, that Rihanna was originally intended to provide the vocals on David Guetta’s Dangerous, but pulled out due to lack of interest? That Armin van Buuren’s hit single Sunny Days was heavily inspired by the 1970s classic Lovely Day by Bill Withers? And that Dua Lipa’s Physical was initially titled Riot?

The book also gives ample space to personal stories from Dutch artists and musicians. Dinand Woesthoff and Dennis van Leeuwen reflect on the career and temporary comeback of KANE; we take a closer look at the special bond between Ilse DeLange and the American music city of Nashville; and Duncan Laurence speaks openly about his life and career following the major success of Arcade.

In addition, the book features exclusive interviews with songwriters and producers Rick Nowels, Rodney Jerkins and Jason Evigan. Complemented by year-end charts, exclusive photographs, and personal reflections from Top 40 DJs Jeroen Nieuwenhuize and Domien Verschuuren, Volume 3 of 60 Years of Top 40 reaffirms the timeless status of the Top 40 as the definitive chart of the Netherlands.

“In my career as a radio DJ, the Top 40 has played an enormous role. For twenty years! That’s a third of the chart’s existence.”
– Jeroen Nieuwenhuize

“The Top 40 remains the most authoritative chart in the Netherlands. It’s an honour to lend it my voice every week.”
– Domien Verschuuren

Godfried Nevels (1973) is a freelance journalist, author and music critic. He has previously published the books Forever 27, I Love 80’s Music, In Search of Elvis and George Michael. He also writes articles and reviews for a number of music magazines.