The song Gute Nacht, Freunde ("Good Night, Friends") was written by German singer-songwriter Reinhard Mey. It's a classic that concertgoers, especially those attending performances by Anton van Doornmalen –greatly appreciate. Anton always ends his concerts with this song, both in Germany and in the Netherlands. That’s because Dutch audiences also know and love this piece.
Reinhard Mey originally wrote the song for the vocal duo Inga and Wolf, who were intended to perform it at the Eurovision Song Contest in 1972. Although it placed only fourth in the national selection, the song has remained popular to this day. In the lyrics, a person bids farewell to friends after spending one or more days together. In addition to hospitality, the song highlights meaningful, open conversations. The warmth of the hosts is symbolized by the light in their home, which "seems warmer."
The song goes like this: “Gute Nacht, Freunde / Es wird Zeit für mich zu geh’n / Was ich noch zu sagen hätte / Dauert eine Zigarette / Und ein letztes Glas im Steh’n.” ("Good night, friends / It's time for me to go / What I still have to say / Would take a cigarette / And one last glass while standing.")
These lines express, in a simple yet poetic way, a farewell filled with warmth, gratitude, and closeness. They symbolize the end of a shared evening—quiet, respectful, almost ceremonial. That’s why this song fits so perfectly as the closing piece of a concert: it’s not a loud goodbye, but a gentle thank-you to the audience. For Anton van Doornmalen, it has become a ritual—a sign of appreciation and a soft transition from the intensity of the concert experience back into everyday life.
The song creates a sense of connection that transcends borders and reminds us how precious time spent together truly is.