How AI Gave a Dutch Clasic Song 11 New Voices

TL;DR - At a Glance

• Challenge: Can AI help reinterpret a traditional song in ways that are creative, inclusive, and musically engaging?
• Solution: Using tools like Suno and Udio, we created 11 AI-generated versions of “Zie ginds komt de stoomboot”, each with a unique style, tone, and audience focus.
• Outcome:
  • Gregoriaans remix: highest CTR (3.57%)
  • Baroque: longest watch time per second
  • Blues: deepest viewer engagement
  • A cappella: now used in education
  • A working model for creative remixing with AI
• Explore samples of all versions in the interactive remix matrix

Project Snapshot

This project set out to answer a bold question: Can AI help reimagine cultural heritage without losing its soul?

We used AI to create eleven versions of the same song, each shaped by distinct musical influences - from noir and punk to baroque and blues. But the goal wasn't just stylistic variety. It was to test how emotion, tone, and presentation influence engagement across different age groups and settings.

By combining thoughtful prompt design with human judgement, the project delivered more than music - it became a working prototype for how AI can support education, creativity, and cultural reflection.

The Challenge & Context

Zie ginds komt de stoomboot is a well-known Dutch children's song, tied to the festive season and steeped in tradition.

We wanted to explore how such a song could be adapted - not simply modernised, but reinterpreted - through AI tools. Could we make it relevant to a wider audience, while respecting its emotional roots?

The challenge:

• Creative complexity: Make each remix distinct yet recognisable
• Cultural responsibility: Adapt the song in ways that feel inclusive, not gimmicky

This meant considering not just genre, but also lyrical changes, tone, and when and where a version might be played - from classroom use to festive gatherings or reflective listening.

Our Approach

Each remix was treated as a creative brief. We asked:

• Who is this for?
• What mood should it evoke?
• Should the lyrics stay the same - or be rewritten?

Using AI music tools like Suno and Udio, we generated arrangements guided by prompts that matched style, tone, and target audience. Some versions retained the original lyrics; others were rewritten poetically to match the new mood.

We considered four key criteria for every remix:

• Style & Atmosphere: (e.g. lo-fi, punk, baroque, noir)
• Target Audience: (children, adults, education)
• Lyrics & Adaptation: (original, poetic, rewritten)
• Listening Moment: (festive, reflective, creative use)

Tools used:

• Suno, Udio - for music generation
• Custom prompt design - to match tone and audience
• YouTube Analytics - to track viewer behaviour
• Interactive data visualisation - to compare remix impact

Outcomes & Insights

With eleven versions released on YouTube, we used analytics to track how each remix performed. Metrics like click-through rate (CTR), watch time per second, and viewer retention revealed what resonated - and why.

Highlights

• Gregoriaans Remix - Highest CTR (3.57%) thanks to a mystical tone and surprising visual framing
• Baroque Version - Longest watch time per second, suggesting strong aesthetic engagement
• Blues Remix - Highest total watch time per viewer - fewer views, but stronger emotional impact
• A Cappella & Baroque - Balanced broad appeal with educational value
• Brass Party Remix - Underperformed despite high energy, highlighting the importance of context

Style Clusters

• Festive & Upbeat: retro game, pop punk, brass party
• Poetic & Reflective: lo-fi, blues, noir, spiritual a cappella
• Classical & Educational: baroque, inclusive a cappella, 1950s original

▶ Open interactive bubble chart

Discussion & Future Directions

This wasn't just a music project - it was a test of how AI can support cultural storytelling and education.

✅ What Worked

• Poetic or rewritten lyrics added depth, especially for reflective or educational use.
• Quiet styles like baroque and noir held attention surprisingly well.
• Style clusters (festive, reflective, educational) helped users compare and choose.

⚠️ What Needs Work

• Music and visuals sometimes clashed - better alignment boosts impact.
• Clearer audience targeting would improve tone, tempo, and lyric fit.
• Track length needs more variety to match mood and context.
• More vocal layering (e.g. choirs or harmony) could enhance richness.

💡 Key Takeaways

• AI can create emotional impact - even with imperfections.
• Framing matters as much as the music itself.
• Data is a creative guide, not just a performance metric.

Client Value & Integration

This case feeds into broader services at Symbio6, from creative workshops to AI training and educational prototyping.

We help:

• Educators integrate AI-generated content into the classroom
• Cultural organisations explore remixing as inclusive storytelling
• Creatives and teams learn to use AI tools purposefully, not passively

“We didn't just use AI to generate songs - we used it to ask better questions.”

Soundtrack Your Story - with AI Remixing

Use the playlist during gift-giving evenings, in the classroom, or as part of creative workshops. Or explore for yourself how AI could cast your heritage or project in a new musical light.

Listen samples or the full version on YouTube - or get in touch to book a workshop on AI remixing, inclusive lyric writing, or educational uses of music tools.