The Netherlands might have the tallest people in the world but its pop stars have always had a tendency to blend into the crowd. With few chart acts wearing their national identity on their sleeves, the country's biggest names are frequently mistaken overseas for being British, American or German. While this might partly be the result of understated Dutch modesty, the primary reason is likely to be their uncanny ability to soak up international influences and sell pitch-perfect imitations back to where they came from.
From searing 60s psych-rock to today's dancefloor bangers, the dominant story of Dutch pop has been stealing and improving on anything that isn't firmly nailed down. It's a strategy that may have limited the development of many instantly identifiable Dutch scenes, but one that has led the Netherlands to consistently punch above its weight when it comes to international success.
Read more: Sounds of the Netherlands – day one: a history of Dutch pop in 10 songs | Music | guardian.co.uk
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