Boudewijn de Groot (born May 20, 1944) is a Dutch singer-songwriter, guitarist, composer, producer, and occasional actor. Born in Batavia, in the former Dutch East Indies, he became one of the defining figures in Dutch-language popular music. His work combines folk, pop, chanson, and theatrical songwriting, with lyrics that range from intimate character studies to social and political commentary.
De Groot grew up in the Netherlands and met lyricist Lennaert Nijgh while attending the Coornhert Lyceum in Haarlem. Their partnership became one of the most important songwriting collaborations in Dutch music. De Groot initially studied at the Netherlands Film Academy, but his interest in music soon took precedence. His first single, "Strand," appeared in 1964, followed by other early recordings that brought him modest attention on radio and television.
His breakthrough came in the mid-1960s. "Een meisje van zestien," a Dutch adaptation of a Charles Aznavour song with lyrics by Nijgh, reached the Dutch charts in 1965. The following year, the song "Welterusten, mijnheer de President" established De Groot as a major artist. Its criticism of political power and the Vietnam War led to his frequent description as a protest singer, although his repertoire was broader and more literary than that label suggests.
The albums Boudewijn de Groot and Voor de overlevenden, both released in 1966, presented a carefully arranged form of Dutch folk-pop. They were followed by Picknick in 1968, whose imaginative production and psychedelic touches expanded his musical vocabulary. Songs such as "Meester Prikkebeen," "Waterdrager," and "Als de rook om je hoofd is verdwenen" demonstrated his ability to move between pop accessibility, surreal imagery, and dramatic storytelling.
After a period of intensive activity, De Groot withdrew from regular performing and explored other roles in the music business. He worked as a producer and contributed to records by artists including Rob de Nijs and Oscar Benton. He also recorded with guitarist Eelco Gelling under the name Tower. His own albums of the period took a darker and less commercial direction, notably Nacht en ontij (1969) and Maalstroom (1984).
De Groot returned to the spotlight with Een nieuwe herfst in 1996, renewing his collaboration with Nijgh. Their later work included Het eiland in de verte (2004), completed around texts Nijgh had left behind before his death in 2002. De Groot subsequently released Lage Landen (2007), Achter glas (2015), and Even weg (2018), the latter recorded with The Dutch Eagles.
In 2016, De Groot formed Vreemde Kostgangers with Henny Vrienten and George Kooymans. The trio released albums and toured successfully with a program combining group material and songs from their individual careers. De Groot announced in 2021 that he would stop performing live, but he continued working creatively. His album Windveren appeared in 2022, followed by the final Vreemde Kostgangers album, Mist, in 2023.
Beyond recording, De Groot has composed music for film and television, acted in stage and screen productions, and translated thrillers into Dutch under the name Frank de Groot. His enduring reputation rests principally on the distinctive partnership of voice, melody, and language that made him a central figure in Dutch singer-songwriter music. In 2025, he received the Buma Lennaert Nijgh Prize for songwriting.