TOP		APC		PEAK		title		YEAR
	1		1242		81		LEA		1968
	2		1366		313		ONE WAY WIND		1971
	3		2040		303		MARIAN		1969
	4		2106		608		SCARLET RIBBONS		1969
	5		2428		374		WHERE HAVE I BEEN WRONG		1970
	6		2483		292		WHY		1969
	7		2543		430		SAILING HOME		1987
	8		2547		386		TIMES WERE WHEN		1968
	9		2862		1029		ROCK'N ROLL (I GAVE YOU THE BEST YEARS OF MY LIFE)		1974
	10		3040		770		VAYA CON DIOS		1972
	11		3114		371		LET'S DANCE		1972
	12		3326		249		BE MY DAY		1974
	13		3484		1307		THE END OF THE SHOW		1980
	14		6952		2489		SURE HE'S A CAT		1967
	15		7088		1625		THERE HAS BEEN A TIME		1972
	16		8176		2069		MAGICAL MYSTERY MORNING		1970
	17		8694		2468		WHAT A CRAZY LIFE		1966
	18		9457		2622		SAVE THE LAST DANCE FOR ME		1977
	19		10138		2940		LET'S GO TOGETHER		1973
	20		10292		3251		COME SUNDAY		1974
	21		10369		3020		WALKING TOGETHER		1987
	22		10475		3061		MARIBAJA		1973
	23		11265		3490		TURN AROUND AND START AGAIN		1968
	24		11842		3686		ROLLIN' ON A RIVER		1975
	25		12301		3868		LA DILIGENCE		1983
	26		13857		4468		LIKE A SPANISH SONG		1975
	27		15706		5224		DON'T WASTE YOUR TIME		1971
	28		15842		5292		LOVE IS A GOLDEN RING		1984
	29		16207		5422		WE SHOULD BE TOGETHER		1976
	30		16899		5690		HARD TO BE FRIENDS		1975
	31		17993		6067		CINDY		1977
	32		18538		6403		SWAN LAKE		1969
	33		19004		6600		STAY IN MY LIFE		1983
	34		19560		6807		WHENEVER YOU NEED ME		1988
	35				6966		SILENT NIGHT		1975
	36				7957		LA COMPARSITA LA PALOMA		1994
	37				7507		SHE WAS TOO YOUNG		1978
	38				1874		WITHOUT YOUR LOVE		1967
	39				7579		VIVE L'AMOUR		1967
	40				7580		WHAT'S THE WORLD COMING TO		1967
	The Cats emerged in the picturesque town of Volendam, where a group of young musicians came together in the 1960s through a shared passion for music. What began as friendly jam sessions under names like The Mystic Four and The Blue Cats would evolve into one of the most influential bands in Dutch pop history. In their definitive lineup, the band consisted of Piet Veerman, Arnold Mühren, Jaap Schilder, Cees Veerman, and later Theo Klouwer. Signing a record deal with Bovema in 1966 marked their first major step toward fame. Their debut single Sure He’s a Cat immediately set the tone: melancholic, harmonious, and steeped in a sound that would later become known as the “palingsound” — a reference to the distinctive musical style that originated in Volendam. Although Cees Veerman initially handled most of the vocals, it was Piet Veerman’s voice that gradually came to define the band’s sound. His warm, resonant voice left a deep impression and became a key element in The Cats’ growing popularity. In the Netherlands, they scored numerous hits with songs like Lea, Why, Scarlet Ribbons, and Marian. But it was One Way Wind that opened the door to international success. The song became a major hit in Germany, Switzerland, and Austria, introducing The Cats to a massive audience. Their soft harmonies, personal lyrics, and wistful atmosphere struck a universal chord. Many listeners assumed they were hearing a British or American band, which only added to their international appeal. The years between 1968 and 1974 were undoubtedly their golden era. The band released successful albums, toured extensively, and became a source of national pride. At the same time, the first signs of exhaustion and internal tension began to emerge. The relentless touring and recording started to take an emotional toll. In 1974, Piet Veerman decided to temporarily leave the band. Singer Piet Keizer stepped in, but Veerman’s distinctive voice proved irreplaceable. When Piet returned in 1976, it breathed new life into the band. They enjoyed several modest successes with tracks like She Was Too Young and Endless Summer, but the intensity of their earlier years was gone. The musical landscape was also changing, and the band increasingly felt their sound no longer resonated with the spirit of the times. Nonetheless, The Cats remained beloved by fans. In 1980, they decided to bring their career to a close after a final series of performances. The members each went their separate ways, though music continued to bind them. The Cats left behind an impressive body of work. In the decades that followed, their songs were reissued on compilation albums, and awareness grew that they had contributed a unique sound to Dutch pop music. Their influence on later artists from Volendam was unmistakable. For fans, their songs remained a source of comfort, nostalgia, and connection. After The Cats disbanded in 1980, Piet Veerman reinvented himself as a solo artist. While his voice had long been the beating heart of The Cats, it now became clear just how powerful and versatile his vocal talent truly was. In 1987, he released Sailin’ Home — a melodic ballad that instantly struck a chord with listeners. It became a phenomenal success: topping the Dutch charts for weeks, earning gold and platinum certifications, and ultimately becoming one of the best-selling Dutch singles of all time. Sailin’ Home would remain in the charts for over 100 weeks, cementing Veerman’s status as a vocalist once and for all. Encouraged by this success, Piet released a self-titled album in which he explored various styles, from pop and soft rock to subtle influences of country music. His voice — with its characteristic warm timbre and a hint of melancholy — remained the unifying force. Not long after, new hits followed, including Walking Together, Mama, and the Dutch-language Als ik maar bij jou ben. In interviews, he spoke candidly about how transitioning to a solo career felt liberating in some ways — he could now make his own choices entirely — but also brought with it a sense of loneliness. For years, he had been able to rely on the dynamic of a band; now, he had to do it all himself: the decisions, the direction, the connection with the audience. Still, he found his balance. Piet performed not only nationally, but also internationally. Especially in Germany — where the name The Cats still carried weight — he managed to build a loyal fan base. His music, steeped in emotion and carried by a voice you recognized instantly, left a lasting impression. In the 1990s and early 2000s, he remained active, releasing albums like Another Side of Me and In Between. While these did not yield hits comparable to Sailin’ Home, they revealed an artist who continued to evolve. He wrote more of his own material, collaborated with other musicians, and experimented with new production styles. Beyond his career as a singer, Piet also gained recognition as a visual artist. Painting and drawing had been passions since childhood, and over the years he developed into a respected painter. His work was exhibited in galleries in the Netherlands and abroad, and his colorful canvases — often depicting seascapes and portraits — revealed the same sensitivity as his music. For Piet, music and art flowed seamlessly into one another: both were ways to capture memories, dreams, and emotions. In interviews, Piet always remained modest. He spoke with affection about his years with The Cats, but he was also keenly aware of the fleeting nature of fame. What truly mattered to him, he often said, were the stories from fans: people who fell in love at a concert, found comfort in his lyrics, or remembered a lost loved one through one of his songs. That bond with his audience remained the driving force behind his work. Even into his later years, Piet stayed involved in music. He performed at special events, occasionally released new songs, and was honored with awards and distinctions for his contribution to Dutch music. His legacy is one of heartfelt emotion, timeless melodies, and a voice that touched generations. From the modest fishing village of Volendam to the grandest stages in Germany and the Netherlands, Piet Veerman proved that true musicality easily withstands the test of time.