An American's Guide to Balašević, Part 1: Pub - Professor Skye's Record Review

Can you love someone without truly trying to understand their culture? Probably not. Thus, I am undertaking the herculean task of comprehending the monumental importance of Djordje Balašević to my wife, her home country of Serbia, and her spiritual home region of Voivodina. One album every year. I should, I hope get there soon.
Join me on this journey as I try to go beyond the cool to get at the true.
If you want to hear the album, here it is on youtube in its entirety...
• Djordje Balasevic - Pu...

[@4everane]

He’s not a singer, he’s a poet. And a great one, too. I studied literature and I am a translator and all i can say is he’s up there with the worlds greatest. The only problem is, he is untranslatable... I mean, too much is lost in translation. But the fact he was singing his poems made the people learn poetry directly from the maestro. He enriched serbo-croatian language more than anyone. Rest in peace, Djole

[@MladenPostruznik]

If you really want to understand Serbs like I do (because I am a Croat) you have first to understand that Serbs have a great tradition of poetry. Being a poet is a great thing in Serbia. Balašević perfectly fits into that tradition. What you are touching here is that huge Serbian poet tradition. But beware! As much as Serbs can be so poetic, they are a very rebel nation, it is their mentality. It is because they have a very refined sense of justice. That is why I adore Serbs. Those guys are straightforward as they can be. Honest. Opened. No beating around the bush. If you don't understand that or do not appreciate that, your fault.

[@tiamilo3673]

I am Serbian and I couldn't have described these people better, hats off to you!

[@natasalazarevic9334]

Hats of to you. I just trying to imagine how all our region would be different today if there is more people like you .

[@Dan_vise]

I just want to say hello to you!

[@draganavasic2476]

Thank you !

[@nemanjastevanov9980]

@Kicabran Ticta Žena mu je iz Novog Sada ako sam dobro razumeo. A piše u objašnjenju videa da je iz Srbije žena. Ali, na kraju krajeva, sve je to isti ku*ac, svakako je naša odakle god da je. :D

[@milanikonic7882]

Problem about understanding Balasevic's texsts even with translation, is becose his texsts are something like images. Its full of metaphores, so u need to understand culture to understand meaning.

[@sonja158]

Absolutely. It isn't just translating the meaning of the words, it is so much bigger than that. What makes him such a legend, is the metaphore underneath it, the feelings that we all had and he talked about, the undertones intertwined with our particular type of humour and sarcasm that you can only really "get" if you yourself were one of the kids growing up in ex Yu in the 80s. It's not translatable - you can't explain or clarify satire that's based on our lives. How do you explain "zecove"?! I think you have done an amazing job trying to understand the depth behind it, I really think it's admirable and so sweet of you to try to get into it but one thing I think is super important to understand here is that Balasevic isn't signing "to us", he is singing "about us" and "for us", he a bridge connecting all these 70s ex Yu kids from all Novi Sad, Osijek, Zagreb, Pula, Ljubljana, Sarajevo, Beograd... He IS the thread that keeps us together, the one unbreakable link between Serbs, Croats, Bosnians, between the city kids and the small town kids, between all layers of the society and that is something that goes so far beyond the lyrics and the tune, it can never be explained, only felt. Pocivao u miru.

[@marjankrebelj4007]

True, even for us Balkans (Slovenia here), it is difficult to unwrap everything he says. But once you do it is very rewarding.

[@tiamilo3673]

As someone married to a native English speaker, I've had so much disappointment in the realization that, while you can be fluent in several languages, it does not mean that you can translate Balašević. You just can't. Not because there are no words or grammatical structures or corresponding terms, but because every language, as an entity, has a vibe, an underlining emotion, a tone, a spirit of its own. English simply does not have the right emotion to support these meanings of his words, and regardless of how accurately you try to translate it, it does not sound the same. The words don't hold the same weight, they do not sound as deep nor powerful yet in Serbian, they pierce your soul, over and over again and so effortlessly bring you on an emotional rollercoaster of joy, despair, sadness, tranquility, melancholy, love...In Serbian, every line is artistry, a wonderful, intelligent, thrilling game of words, he used them together like no one ever did before, his metaphors, his comparisons, his allegories...hearing and feeling how this man used words is experiencing art, unfolding before you, deeper and deeper, diving into the very core of your soul. It happens vice versa as well, any English song will sound and feel completely different once translated to another language because that language will not have that vibe that English demands. But this man in particular... it's just impossible. It would be like describing the difference between blue and red to a colorblind person. A whole different point of view. But I am glad that you had the chance to experience this wonderful man's work and I do hope that you still get to enjoy at least a fraction of his brilliance. All the best to you and your family, you seem like wonderful people who deserve all the happiness in the world.

[@natasapetrovic6521]

Bravo! I really enjoyed reading this...

[@zivkaatanasovski6943]

You are an amezing person! Thank you for everything you said about Balasevic! Hope that Americans can understand his grateness and meaning he had and will have in future for our. generation. We will never forget him and his songs... Thanks from the bottom of my heart. Regards to you and your wife. Love from Serbia! Wish you all the best!

[@megamillionfreak]

Balasevic was from Vojvodina, the part of Serbia north of the river Danube, where the history, society, culture, ethnic composition and even speech are significantly different from those of Central Serbia, Belgrade or Serbian lands and culture/speech in Bosnia and Montenegro, or Croatia (in fact, come to think of it, these would be well understood/shared by listeners from Eastern Slavonia region of Croatia which borders Vojvodina). There is no way that gets translated. It's probably being lost on 2/3 of non-Vojvodinian Serbs (and other Serbo-Croatian speakers) as it is. It's a level of "metadata" that is probably a greater part of his creation and any kind of translation of his art is risking communicating close to nothing to target audiences.

[@analazovic441]

čak ni ne volim balaševića, ali ovo je predivno napisano ♥️ moraću da mu dam još jednu šansu

[@evaluciani8891]

Best reply ever! 👏

[@MrRadzaboy]

To me his poetry is like missing warm grandma’s hug sweetened with doughnuts and vanilla on a bright sunny day.

[@samkun3297]

I love this and I hope you didn't plagiarize it.

[@MrRadzaboy]

@@samkun3297 actually it’s all me .

[@amirabates7282]

Yes, our Dylan, Cohen, JJ Cale ... but Springsteen and Shakespeare too ... and im not exaggerating 🙏 rip Legend

[@humanafterall2259]

Let's not forget to put Johnny Cash on the list too. 🙂

[@tompanoname3579]

Maybe Štulić would be more like Dylan...

[@yafmaverick]

@@tompanoname3579 definitely not Stulic

[@tompanoname3579]

@@yafmaverick If u take thematic compare, it's not that far. Almost spoken word, acoustic for good part, band never mattered to him, so basically they could be called J.Štulić i prateći. Maybe Cohen would be closer, but Štulić was more electrified. Eff it, if someone dropped some other names, we would find a fitting one.

[@yafmaverick]

@@tompanoname3579 fair enough

[@sawovsky]

Lepa Protina Kći is actually one of his iconic and most beloved songs

[@aleksjazzy]

Very true and Professor Skye approaches it as typical brainwashed American, like pervert view of some boy peeking at some girl taking bath bla bla, and just went over this song like it is some rubish. In the song " Archpriest's daughter" Djole is doing storytelling but also mentiones idealized womans beauty and love that every man experienced in a different way but in this one it is sublimed. I felt a bit insulted when Professor Skye ignorantly said that peeking at girl taking a bath is some of pervert begining of the song without having an open minded insight of the scenery. It is pure poetry, young man is gazing at woman's body for the first time and idealizing it. Djole made so poetic and inventive expressions here: " Mesec tinja nad vrbakom/ Moonlight is smoldering over wilow grove, Srebri nebom zvezda roj/ swarm of stars is silvering the sky, i kapi vode kao biseri/ and water drops like pearls, koji blistaju svud po njoj/ sparkling all over her". So this mesmerized admiration is found to be a pervert?!? Typical puritan view, still culturaly chained by Victorian era with an attitude of being free and open minded toward whoever chosen to be looked down upon.

[@aureliani66]

Exactly. Professor Skye missed the point on this song, an absolute jewel and probably (one of) the most memorable love songs of the entire Balasevic's career. Beautiful fingerpicking on the guitar too and awesome harmonies. Maybe some of the Jim Croce songs come close.

[@sarmatianns]

@@aleksjazzy give him a break. Understanding Balasevic through translated lyrics is a monumental task. And he does explain later that while direct translation of lyrics might suggest the song is about a peeping tom, it is much deeper.

[@MacakPodSIjemom]

@@sarmatianns Of course he must be given a break. Understanding any poetry from foreign culture through translation can be very tricky, because it is much harder to translate poetry than some everyday speech. That-s why people like to read poetry in its original language even if they are not absolutely in command of that language. I can read and listen to English and Russian poetry, and I can tell you that I've seen only a handful of translations that can match the original (some even surpass it in my view).

[@yuslaven89]

A Warrior with Villein Heart* (Ratnik paorskog srca) When Braca* returned in '19. from the distant front where he served, he told us how he was hit, and rolled up his sleeve to show it. And we, we were just boys. And we, we were just boys. Braca told us about the smell of the sea and about the patrol he was fleeing from. How he cursed a major and get confined. And we, we were just boys. And we, we were just boys. He told us how he crossed the Carpathians, how bullets buzzed like swarms of bees. He said, "War is bloody, you know, but I don't feel sorrow for the people or the villages. Hey, I greave for horses ... " When Braca returned in '19, He talked to us every evening at the alley, how many girls he won, and how the cannons plowed the fields. And we, we were just boys. And we, we were just boys. As soon as Braca steps out from the courtyard, all company from our alley gather around. We all had big eyes, pure hearts and imagination of a boys. Well, yes, we were just boys. Well, yes, we were just boys then. Braca cursed culprits and victims, rifles and lices and trenches full of mud. He said, "You can't count the dead because the emperors were playing war. Hey, he greaves for horses. You see, somewhere in Braca there is a villein roots and there can be wars and wars. Villeins are not made for a soldiers, they prefer horses and land to people. And we, we were just boys, and everything was still valid for us. Hey, hey, white horses are ridden across the sky, through dreams and through the clouds in the gait. * Although word "paor" can be translated as peasant it have some different connotation. I used word villein/planter. It just feel better suited. * Braca is a nickname Song is about WW1 veteran, who has returned home in 1919. From song you can conclude that he fought in Austro-Hungarian army on Russian front.

[@defufna]

It's also inspired by Balasevics grandfather who fought on Austro-Hungarian side on Russian front. There's also at least one more song that covers this theme Galicija.

[@yuslaven89]

@@defufna Yes, true. I misplaced that information somewhere :) Galicia is great song. It's in my top three. Along with Drvena pesma, and Kao rani mraz.

[@LucaAnamaria]

Thank you for taking an interest in our culture. Though Đole was Serbian, we all enjoy his work, no matter where we are from in the Balkans (I am Croatian). We are all currently devastated that he is no longer with us. If you would like to deepen your appreciation of him, might I suggest the following songs: -Priča a Vasi Ladačkom -Svirajte Mi, Jesen Stiže -Neki Novi Klinci -Blues Mutne Vode -Ćaletova Pesma -Devojka sa Čardaš Nogama -Kad Odem -Samo da Rata ne Bude -Panonski Mornar -Ne Volim Januar -Ne Lomite Mi Bagrenje -Sevdalinka -Slovenska -Život je More I am a lyricist / poet and I speak both languages. My mum and I are currently working on translating Život je More. If you need help understanding any of them, feel free to get in touch and I'll do my best to explain. Again, thank you so much for taking an interest in the culture. We're sad that we lost him, but I think what is even more sad is that the English world never had him. His writing was better than that of Bob Dylan and Leonard Cohen combined. And that's saying something, because I really like Bob Dylan.

[@tijanaristanovic7465]

Čovek sa Mesecom u očima Provincijalka

[@marjanastrmcnik4461]

It was not Serbian nationalism that started WW1, but German and Austrian imperialism. I really had to correct you :)

[@natalijaradojicic3600]

And I'm really glad you did! ♥

[@sonjakeri4934]

Brilliant! Haven’t listened to all of it but I have great respect for you doing this. Balasevic is home. He is home. He reaches the bottom of your heart. Respect for your wife too! She’s done well with you! Novi Sad person in Australia here

[@BoraZivkovic]

This is genius! Really good. Someone already, down in the older comments, corrected the "duck" idea - it's just what poultry one can find in a yard. No horses - his biggest conquests are turkeys. I also agree - people always say he is the Dylan of Serbia, but I've been saying for decades that he is the Cohen of Serbia, both in the complexity and depth of lyrics and in music/singing style. While most of the songs from this old album are still popular today, the one with the greatest longevity, one that is usually listed in his "best of" lists, is Lepa Protina Kci. Yesterday, as we all learned that Balasevic died, some of my childhood friends contacted me to say how much they remember Balasevic in my voice as I used to sing his songs at parties quite a lot. And Lepa Protina Kci is something they keep mentioning as the one they remember the most. I was once in a restaurant in Serbia and when the place closed, the band packed up their instruments to walk home, and someone told them I could play guitar, so they handed me one, and asked me to sing Lepa Protina Kci while walking them to their house, on a path lined with white locust trees. I wish you'd do all of the albums at a rate faster than one a year! Also, look at his two older albums. The first, with Zetva is OK, nothing special, some songs are still very beloved, but he was still learning and maturing. But the second album, Odlazi Circus, with Rani Mraz (his band, so essentially he and friends, not much different from "solo"), is amazing and every song is a cause of lots of crying among the Yugoslavs. Most are on the "best of" lists. Much more mature. When it came out, and I heard it for the first time, some songs sounded like they were already old, already a part of the decades of local folklore. Yes, that good. Anyway, just bravo. I am Serbian, my wife is American, and she just watched this and loved it, too. She's been trying to understand Balasevic - and through him to understand me - for 30 years. You are helping.

[@mitrevf]

This is very accurate. He is not at all similar to Dylan, dont know why people say that, while Cohen is very much alike.

[@aidahuric4075]

as i am listening to this great(lucky) husband, I am getting goose bumps :-)...such a great video, story...your wife is so happy to have you...after watching this video I guess many Americans will start listening to Balasevic's music :D... This is LOVE!!! Thanks a lot!!! I am also a big fun of Balasevic, trying to attend almost all of his concerts. All the best guys :-)

[@krunokartus5382]

Excellent introduction to this great man, more then a poet and artist, for Balkan people. When he passed away, the day I think it was one of the saddest days for the whole region in recent time, and that describes Balasevic's importance for our lives and our culture. I come from Croatia and it doesnt matter, it is only the matter of language that separate his art from being a global heritage. I love all his musical styles and artistic changes which are seen from album to album, emotional and amusing long concerts, ¸his special connection with fans and the role he made in a postwar ex-Yugoslavia region where his songs were a universal thing that we shared despite bloody war that ruined once beautiful and prosper society. Balasevic's songs have so many citates used in everyday conversation, so much fun and beauty that I consider myself happy to have been a witness of such a monumental person. Prior to his short illness and hospital, the very last interview he gave was for the Macedonian television and, accidently he ended with words: "I prolonged the ending credits too long, and it is a true end.", saying with a charming smile, and that was the last from him for us. It is impossible to choose a favorite or the best of his songs, because it is truely private thing and many people identify themselves with emotions and characters he described and sang in his songs. Perfomance quality, of guitar, piano, saxofon, violine...it is also not by chance, he always assembled some of the best musicians in the country, because everybody was attracted with his life energy and positivity. Especially it was dramatic during the war and terrible regime in a divided region, once known as Yugoslavia, where he played pacifist and anti-fascist art and activism and put himself and his family on life jeopardy instead of conformism. There are many many heart breaking examples, when he played first concert in ruined Sarajevo, made a song about Vukovar, about liberty in Serbia and, when all ended, when peace arrived but criminals and apaty overtook the society, then he sang only about simple love. Hope you will continue to enjoy his songs together with your family.

[@hepocube]

He is to my mom what he is to your wife. I grew up having him always being asociated to my mom being happy. Since he passed I always feel like she lost a dear friend. This video is so beautiful and well made that you made my day.

[@jvezi]

I was so impressed by your analyses until the moment you played the song. Then I understood that there will always be something untold, something unreachable in his music. Something that has to be felt and seen, but then again you have to be a culture- insider to really "smell" the dust of the past he is describing. Respect for you and greetings from Macedonia

[@Majorfatal1]

His songs are untrasletable Magic

[@biserkasertic1208]

I'm realy thankfull you made this presentation to American audience.Only one correction - it's better to call him a songwriter than just a singer.He was average singer, but great poet and songwriter.I even used to call him "bigest Panonian priest" - cause his concerts were something like "soul-cleaning" experiences. He moved into eternity, and his immortal songs remain with us. I know it's difficault to translate his poetry because of different cultural background. Hope your wife have enough inspiration for this mission! All the best for you and your family! PS - forgive my "broken" english (I never learned in School)

[@vesnaisailovic]

Svaka tebi čast čoveče!!! I blago tvojoj ženi!!! A pošto tvoja ljubav ka njoj izbija iz svake tvoje reči, ne brini, imaš ceo život sa njom pa ćeš verovatno sve više razumeti i Balaševića i Srbe... Da je sreće da se više ljudi odaklegod na ovom svetu više interesuje za sve one druge kulture iz kojih nije potekao, kao što ti radiš, otvorenog srca i uma, pa gde bi nam bio kraj!!! Ti si očigledno humanista kao i sam Balašević, a ona je birala da sa jednim takvim podeli život... Ih, kakvu bi pesmu spevao vama Balašević! Izvini, slabo divanim engleski, pa je komentar na srpskom... :) Neka ti žena prevede... ;) kzbin.info/www/bejne/b4Gyg2NqqKaBm6M

[@anyastojanovicchand566]

His songs are like short stories, and very often ballads about eccentric characters. For example there is a Japanese short story called Hoichi the Earless about ae popular story teller Hoichi who attracted masses due to his unique skills, one of the greatest short stories I've ever read. Balasevic is like Hoichi, a legend, because he tells unique stories that make sense. So if you analyse a song you have to analyse this story in it and its main characters. Balasevic is also using unusual vocabulary where he makes up phrases on the go.

[@borisbosnjakovic]

First of all you did an amazing job analyzing and understanding the artist and this album. In my opinion Balasevic is by far the best lyric writer, maybe ever in former Yugoslavia, but definitely not the best musician or singer and he knows this :) Djordje a.k.a. Djole Balasevic is a good friend of mine, as well as his two lovely daughters. One of his daughters, Beba Balasevic, who is now his PR Agent shared your video on her Facebook page and that's how I learned about it. You did such a great job with this and for such a romantic cause, that I am sure Djole would love to meet you some day if you come back to Novi Sad. I am sure I could arrange that meeting. FYI - Djole just had a heart attack earlier this month, and after an emergency heart surgery where the doctors implanted 3 stents, he is alive and well and performing in concerts again! Just to clarify a few things. The song "Predlog" means suggestion. Regarding the song "Pesma o jednom petlu"... You are correct that patka (duck) is a slang for the male sexual organ, the fact that his cock went after geese and ducks has nothing to do with bisexuality. Even though I am sure the song is an allegory for his youthful promiscuity... however the duck part really meant that he wasn't picky :) The pianist working with Balasevic for years now is Aleksandar Dujin who is a very accomplished artist ... here is a link on him www.discogs.com/artist/440146-Aleksandar-Dujin All the best.

[@professorskye]

Thank you for this message. It is amazing that his daughter shared this video. I never imagined such an outcome! And thank you for your clarifications on the lyrics. They are so dense. I will certainly try to contact you next time I'm in Serbia. :)

[@MacakPodSIjemom]

@@professorskye I'm very surprised that you could come across a thought that in this song could be any bisexuality. His rooster is described as a thorough and thorough a womanizer, so he jumps after any (female) bird (guska, patka, ćurka is female for goose, duck, turkey, male would be gusan, patak, ćuran). Now, I was born in 1976 and this song was the first I liked as a 7 year old boy who partially grew up in a village, so it was perfectly innocent to me, because my grandma had a rooster and chicken, only 15 later I understood that there could be a pervert allegory to it. That-s how good the song is, you can totally enjoy it as an innocent kid or as a seasoned grownup.

[@boriskal]

A better translation for 'Predlog' in the context of the song would be 'Proposal'.

[@dobrilapasic632]

Thank you for saying something nice about any Serbian.Balasevic was really importante

[@vesnaslamka]

Its not easy to understand slavic soul full of sadnes and melancholy

[@MV-fp1uq]

You did great job with commiting yourself so much to understand author your wife - from different country - loves so much! And you did some great analysis of Djole's work, too. So I will give some comments here. - Language - I would not say you can not understand fully him in you do not know Serbian. You can, but some nuances in language will be lost since he used a bit specific words sometimes, specific in general (for Serbian language, like some old forms) or specific in sense that they belong to Vojvodina's dialect. But you can understand the songs if properly translated, as you already know by now. - Music - Balasevic obviously (I don't know this, but conclude from his own songs) wanted do be rock singer/author while he was young, but he was not made for that (his figure, stlye, mentality...). Also, he was born in 1953. so he grew up on old US/Brit rock (I presume) and it made an impression on him. So that is why he uses that style of rock sometimes. And, his songs are not for harder sound either, so that is what he is stuck to - older style rock. Also, not all of his songs have music I like (texts also, to be honest), but no one can have 100% hits. But the ones that are good (text, music or both) are really good. As far as I know he had small group of musicians who worked with him most of the time, and they were good, as you said, but the style was mostly pop with some trips to old style rock (which is relatively close to pop) - 'cause that was his "sound". - Ratnik paorskog srca - important related to this song is that Vojvodina is very agriculture oriented being very fertile soiled land, but also whole Serbia was until recently (maybe even now) very agriculture oriented. So in 1919 people were mosly peasents here in Serbia. Also, our people knew wars very well unfortunatelly and that is why war has such strong affect, described in the song also. - Thomas Soyer is humorous song - someone described in comments very nice what it is all about. Point - it is not agains book. - Za trecu smenu - yes, song about workers. Worth noticing is that at that time decomposion of Yugoslavia, mostly as political system (but also country) already begun. Life was not so good anymore, at that times there already were reductions of some sorts of supplies, and "bad things coming" wibe was in the air. So this song is actually a critics to that system, who was officially "for workers" while in fact it was more and more for ruling class (present also in comunism and socialism of Yugoslavia). Maybe for USA guy it can be a bit strange to understand fully, maybe even for younger ex-Yu people who do now remember socialist regime and Yugoslavia as whole, but I think that in current world situation we all can understand what it is all about. - Lepa protina kci - Beautiful priest's daughter is one of his best songs, according to ex-Yugoslav people. And this is maybe where it can be hard for someone not from our region to understand or like this - it's about "Slavic soul", how we like to call it. Balasevic ofter sings about girl/women he lost, or liked but couldn't have. I believe all people in the world can understand that, but the pain that it can cause to a person, so he/she suffer, openly or inside, whole life is something we (Balkan people) think only we have. Of course it is not true, but we believe so. There are also 2 I think psychological effects that "hide" behind this song, one being that we all remember our first love, so some important experience that brain remembers forever, and second that we always imagine something or someone we want/like to be much better that it really is. I would like to add that for many of us this song is one of few that determine Balasevic as author. Hard to explain if the song doesn't get to a person. - wistfulness - yeah, that would be the determinig word for his work. But, he had some funny songs also, not bad at all, but I thing they are not so good as his balads (sad, melancholic songs). - Pesma o jednom petlu - I think all is clear now, no homo moments, he is jumping on all kind of feathered 2-leg things on the farm! But what is interesting is that many Serbian speaking/understanding people, mostly younger ones, did not and do not understand that song is both about cock and about "cock" - they thought it is about real rooster, which also can be understood if literary perceiving song. Also interesting thing is that Serbian word for penis is actually also meaning cock, but in some old form not used anymore in Serbian (I will just write that in Russian chicken female is called KURICA, pronouncing COORITZA, and Serbian word for penis is literary male form of this Russian word). Many Serbs do not know this, but our word for penis is literary what cock mean in English, only in old forgotten form. From this point this song have even more symbolics. BTW word PEVAC (PEWATZ) we use now for cock means (a bit modified form for) "singer". - Boza zvani pub - even I didn't know, but it is a real story! People wrote about it in comments. - Predlog - means proposition, as someone wrote. Well, this is standard Balasevic song with humor + "naughty" spice in it, about "let's go to your place to listen to music". Khmm, khmm... If you know what I mean. He has such songs, mostly mediocre such as this one. But it is in his style, have to say. You can call it love song. - for end, I will mention that Balasevic is not so much famous about his musical geniality, his songs are sweet and cheesy but go nice (most of them) with his texts. So he is famous for songs, but texts are his stronger side, although some have great music. And yes, he was taking all kinds of styles for his songs - as mentioned, he was not new-style-in-music kind of guy, band included. But they made some solid good music, according to lyrics he wrote. - you analysed music - guitar, drums etc - I think rarely any ex-Yugoslav will do that, exept maybe pros. His music goes with lyrics, and lyrics are the main thing, but music is, if not good, then (some more, some less, but mostly) OK. But of course music is important, and thanks for your analysis.

[@aerodrom22]

That rock concert poster is pure artefact! 😍 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻

[@draganarsov9650]

Thanks for this video, djordje balasevic is best! I always talk to my friends from other countries out of balkan about Balasevic and his songs:)

[@makiwien5958]

Divno. Respect!

[@thanksthe5505]

Man, you really love your woman!!! And she really loves Balašević...

[@aureliani66]

Excellent video, I enjoyed watching it. Grew up in Croatia, with Balasevic, his music, albums, and concerts but escaped the troublesome 90s and moved out (to the good old United States). He was truly a special one-of-a-kind artist, his concerts were usually very long (4 hours or more), he probably enjoyed it as much as his fans. We already miss him, may he rest in peace!

[@justImagineIJ]

First of all I admire your interest to discover stuff in such depth, especially for the love of a woman that you married. It tells a lot about your persona and who you are, and tell your wife she picked THE right one! I guess she is a special one and she deserved it somehow. Just wanna try and help you a bit to grasp some things and maybe get another perspective about his lyrics and depth of his songs. You are on a good trail but as many said its very hard to understand and appreciate to its fullest simply because you have to have same cultural heritage, upbringing, surrounding and everything else in order to do so. I will just write something about "Ratnik paorskog srca" in order to give you an idea and how to look at it. Im not sure im gonna be successful in this, as it makes sense in my head and I understand the meaning fully, but when it comes to putting it into words and explanation... You are right, it is an anti-war song, whose main goal is to tell you (the listener) about the nonsense of a war and how not all people are made for it because they simply dont have the worrior in themselves nor the capacity to ever understand or justify it and to se bigger picture (political, religious, territorial etc). Paor (in this case this solider, his grandfather) was not a coward or bad solider, he is just a person who is not ever made to be solider and a killer. Paor is a word for a peasant, who only cares about his hard work, livestock, nature and such things and thats all there is to him, thats his whole life and his whole universe. He even states in the song that he liked animals more than humans, because he knew that humans are evil. So he was a very pure soul who will never understand the purpose of war, killing, occupation because simply it was never a part of his life. Thats why the title "warior with a peasant heart" meaning no matter what uniform, profession you give him deep inside he will always remain just that, a peasant. He tells the story about war through his own perspective and a lot of things will never make sense to him. The punch line and the whole moral of the song is at the end when he says "al zao mi konja". Which can be taken in two contexts, first one as it its,through the characters eyes, where he feels more sad for the killed horses than killed soliders, because he was a peasant and they represented huge sentimental value to him and he knew how innocent they were, in his mind and his life they were more vaulable and better than people, which I explained in the beginning. And the other context you can observe as Balasevic himself telling you, zao mi konja, which means Im sad for the stupid idiots that gave life in vain and died. Konj = horse, but its an insult as well and can be used when offending or depicting someone in a negative way (jerk, idiot, dumbass, or in english you donkey = konj) ! Hope this helps, and I only did it as a payback for your efforts to understand us better. Regards from Sarajevo for all people who have a pure ❤

[@NYCBG]

Respect. Your video is another example that often you need a foreigner or "outsider" to understand your own station in life.

[@vukdjokic8011]

Znaci, matori, rasplakao si me trudom na gitari. Vrh je !!!

[@robertborbely9205]

Bravo za video. Jedan od najboljih albuma Đoleta, neka mu je večna slava.

[@stanojevic1998]

Wow... I don't often leave comments here, but your analysis was phenomenal, really thorough, thoughtful and humane. Some pretty insightful stuff, this really blew me away, especially the intro to the album review about the historic moment, and the importance of Balasevic in those dark, dark times for Serbia, and Yugoslavia. Really liked the way you approach this complex subject. Thank you for this, enjoyed every second of it! Greetings from Novi Sad!

[@ycerovce]

I grew up on Balasevic. My dad is from Banja Koviljaca, and I remember listening to some of the most popular artists from there. I deeply appreciate this series. You put into words why I took a liking to Balasevic at such a young age.

[@AnthonyAvon]

I always wanted to know how people from around the world feel about Serbian movies, shows and music, because when they are good, they are really good, but they are 100% the product of our country's history and culture and I don't know how they translate. Balasevic, I think, is unique on a global level so just for the experience, I'd recommend checking him out.

[@agicsanjin]

Balasevic is everything to us normal people from ex Jugoslavia :)

[@ilijaradovanov3263]

What a great rewiev, I just sent a link to my American friend, because I sent to him a link of Covek za koga se udala Buba Erdeljan and English translation of lyrics. I told to him, how hard is to translate Balasevic lyrics, but your video help me a lot. Thanks!!!! P. S My second favourite song is Saputnik, but everyone has different

[@nelavukotic6036]

Greetings from Novi Sad! 🥰

[@sarmatianns]

The One... The world is a sadder place without him.

[@ag_siclone]

Firstly, great video, really appreciate hearing other peoples thoughts on one of, if not, the best singer-songwriters of our small region. His songs tend to be very metaphorical and tend to even paint pictures that can be fairly difficult to fully embrace even for locals. For example, in my first year of living in a dorm, sharing a room with 4 other folks, none of them actually actively listened to Balasevic, but all heard some of his songs from the radio, but due to me listening to his stuff, they also started listening to him more on their own accord and realized just how poetic and beautiful most of his work is. The way he phrases his songs is just fantastic with pretty solid instrumentals to back it up. As for "Pesma o jednom petlu", I like to interpret that song as him singing about either his or his sons years of chasing after various girls. It's not that uncommon to refer to some girls as "guska" or "patka" or even "ćurka". Those can be used as slightly offensive (I guess) nicknames for girls that kids used. Like a girl that would scream and yell a lot would be called a "guska" or a dumb girl would be called a "ćurka". I feel like hes just suggesting that you let yourself/your kids live their life freely and do what they want to. The cool thing is that you can kinda interpret it how you want :D I'd highly recommend that you check out his other albums too, a personal favorite would be "Rani Mraz" (Early frost). It has what I would consider some of his most iconic songs. If you do check out any more of his stuff, I'd love to hear your thoughts about 'em. Make sure to give all of the songs a listen at least 3-5 times since they do grow on you the more you listen to them. Regards from Serbia

[@fifi23o5]

I was fortunate enough to meet Balašević in person. It was on his first concert in Ljubljana, Slovenia, after breakup of Yugoslavia. I was the photographer for the intended live album (which, unfortunately never came to be). I met him the day before the concert on a walk through Ljubljana and a photoshoot. After that we went for a coffee++ and talked for almost two hours. What an amazing, normal, warm human being! These were times when he was persona non grata both in Serbia and Croatia, which sounds pretty odd. Yes, he is from Serbia, precisely, Vojvodina, he is from mixed marriage, Croatian and Serbian. It was time of war and emotions were high. Croats banned him because he was Serbian, in spite he was half Croatian, Serbs didn't like him because he didn't support serbian regime abd they even persecuted him. BTW, Slovenia granted him citizenship soon after that. The concert was pure madness! In the best sense. The Tivoli hall was never so packed. The ticket reached 10 times the original price on the black market, in spite one of the organizers got a second set of tickets in the circulation.. He had a really amazing musicians in his accompanying band and they started somewhat slow and shy, later Balašević said he almost froze when he saw the mass of people, he felt intimidated, but whe he realized the mass is with him an for him, the hell broke loose. Not hell, but pure joy. They played for four hours straight, they would play even more, but cops came and stopped it.

[@Akiboy81]

Ohh man...You really love your wife... and understand what Balasevic mean to us. Bravo, good man.

[@nattyhyde2394]

I really like your effort!!! And you made me laugh at one point when you spoke about ducks and male chicken. :) I hope somebody explained the meaning of those animals in the song. And thank you for this cheerful video in these days of sorrow following Djole’s death. I’m looking forward to more videos about other albums. Greetings from a Serbian girl stuck in Sweden. :*

[@emilijavulic1663]

"Third shift" is allegorical, politically engaged songs, showing empathy for the hard working class (third shift as a metonym for hard work), and blame for the political leaders, their lavishing life style and the policy they led at that time. "Tonight the third shift is paying back someone's debts." It's all wrapped up in personal, emotional story, and that is Balashevic's style. At the end, at that time, political messages had to be passed in that way.

[@davorpo]

Excellent reviews, knowledge and understanding of a foreign culture and music. I am really impressed, coming from the former Yugoslavia. I would just like to add, which I believe, an important aspect of the song "Ratnik paorskog srca“, when he says ‘I don’t fell sorry for people and villages, I feel sorry for horses’. To me, this tells a lot about his take on the war, as you nicely pointed out. Thank you for all you coverage on Balašević, especially your emotional and touching eulogy after his death.

[@Milosnec]

You are a good man.

[@sinisabosanac]

Jedna riječ o gitaristi. Josip je Boček jedan od najboljih gitarista u bivšoj nam državi. Potekao je u Osijeku u grupi Dinamiti skupa s Dadom Topićem i Ratkom Divjakom. Onda je svirao u Korni grupi koja je s jedne strane bila orog rock a s druge tralala pop. Kod Đoleta je svirao i producirao na više albuma.

[@vladimirpejic]

Here I am, spent my first hour at work listening to your heartwarming analysis of Balašević. A true love letter indeed to your wife. Wish you all the best, continue to love each other so much! ❤

[@TomMcisaac250]

I applauded alone in my bedroom for you at the end. Fabulous video Prof.

[@BOdelaRUT]

If you wanna talk about it, understand more... feel free to contact me. My wife (also Serbian) is from the same street as Balašević... and I'm a non Serbian, but still understand the stuff, so I can help out. But let's start with Za sve je kriv Toma Sojer: It's about how books of young adventurers, who can get away with something has influenced his life. As kids, they were pretending Danube was the Mississippi and that they were like Tom and Huck, so they stole a boat to have an adventure... but soon they got stuck and an old fisherman toed them back home, where he ended up getting whooped by his dad. OK, and I have to give you extra credit for Pesma o jednom petlu... No, when he's mentioning the ducks... it's in the context of he was chasing them - all of them - chickens, ducks, turkeys (but all female), saying it didn't matter what kind of a girl it was... she'd go after them. However, your reference about a Cock chasing Dick... it's funny, but yet, that might have a special, even deeper meaning meaning. Also in his concert he was making a joke about it, how the old Rooster would get rid of competition... The old Rooster would challenge the young Rooster to a running contest, but as he's old, he'd ask for a bit of a head start (just a few steps). So when they start running, and the farm owner comes alone - the farmer thinks the young Rooster is trying hump the old Rooster, so the farmer shoots the young Rooster for being gay and useless on a chicken farm - so the old Rooster gets rid of competition. OK, and I know you made this 2 years ago, so you probably got answers already... but PUB actually means the Jack (the card - as in Jack, Queen and King). So - not a kid anymore, but not a grown man eaither.

[@Dan_vise]

Serbia!!! ❤️🇷🇸🇷🇸🇷🇸🇷🇸🇷🇸🇷🇸🇷🇸🇷🇸❤️Србија!!!

[@ned4772]

Funny, only one comment not in english yet not a single american or english native commenting. Still, respect for trying to bring different culture closer out to world.

[@professorskye]

I am happy to say that quite a few American have told me that they discovered Balasevic's music because of the channel. Wish there were more.

[@cmilemile]

This is so beautiful! I can't understand who disliked this fabulous man!

[@tatjanakecman7236]

We grew up on equally Western and Eastern literature when you mentioned Tom S. We were not just politically but culturally the Third Alliance, or something in between, taking what was valuable from both sides.

[@DarkoStojanovicDaredevil]

You must understand Yugoslavia was socialist country on the first place, communisam was only politics. We have one party but whole politics was about brotherhood and unity, and workers rights. Sorry for english :D

[@matrix_x_]

One hot summer night, Cile, Pichuka and I. We brought some food to find in a day or two So we went to Brazil or to the southern seas at least We came up with a style, we forged a long plan Jungle, Gold And Amazon, so that day came Along the Danube to the Black Sea, everything is still a simple matter It's all Tom Sawyer's fault, such books shouldn't exist It was a temptation, he pushed so well on his own The Mississippi we dreamed of on our old linden tree is also to blame for everything As we watched Tom sail through the canopy across the sky to the stars It's his fault We chose long boats, we stole one yellow one We even brought baits to fish along the way It seemed at the beginning that the fun would be nice But first we ran out of bread, we were tormented by a terrible hunger Then thunder from the clear sky And a storm of rain, hail But fortunately, then some uncle received us on a barge It's all Tom Sawyer's fault, such books shouldn't exist It was a temptation, he pushed so well on his own The Mississippi we dreamed of on our old linden tree is also to blame for everything As we watched Tom sail through the canopy all the way to the stars On that raft of yours They brought us home tomorrow, alas, which embarrassed me So I wanted to sneak in, he was sneaking up against the wall My first mother saw me: Wow, my son is back To that, the father said only: Let him, let him be alive and healthy But I was still strangely blue here and there afterwards So I was called Huckleberry Finn at school for a long time It's all Tom Sawyer's fault, such books shouldn't exist It was a temptation, he pushed so well on his own The Mississippi we dreamed of on our old linden tree is also to blame for everything As we watched Tom sail through the canopy across the sky to the stars It's all Tom Sawyer's fault, such books shouldn't exist It was a temptation, he pushed so well on his own The Mississippi we dreamed of on our old linden tree is also to blame for everything As we watched Tom sail through the canopy across the sky to the stars.

[@user-uq7tf6pt4i]

Baš dobro!

[@matrix_x_]

@@user-uq7tf6pt4i Google translate is much better then before :) Just little fix needed

[@flutejovana6330]

Felt really nice listening to this. Thank you 👌😊

[@madhousecro]

OMG! You made me cry talking about Đole, hugs and love to your wonderful wife from Croatia

[@IvanaScepanovic]

I would also warmly recommend you to hear Arsen Dedic, I wonder if he too wasn't a big influence on dear Đole

[@jelkapavkovic7895]

I grew up listening to him.He was one of the kind.His songs are as deep as an ocean and yet so simple , funny ,heartbreaking ..I don't think there will ever be another one like him .

[@pepton21]

Problem is that you have to understand serbo-croatian to fully experience Balašević. Translating his songs will not do the original texts justice. And of course, one can never fully understand his work if he hasn't lived on the ex-Yugoslavian countries as it is impossible to understand the division of once very close people who called themselves brothers. This criticism of nationalism and the anti-war narative is one of the main themes of Balašević and it only strikes you to the core if you have went through all of that and lost a country, culture and solidarity that you were proud of.

[@milanikonic7882]

Suggestions Ladjarska serenada Na bogojavljensku noc Nedostaje mi nasa ljubav Enjoy

[@creativelyfirefly]

I've accidentally stumbled onto this video after the one where you speak of his death. As a child of Croatia, raised on Đorđe Balašević music thanks to my parents, I'm impressed with much of your understanding of his music. I wholeheartedly agree with your wife, loving Balašević is a very spiritual thing for us, and each of his lyrics has both universal and personal meaning. Dating an Irish man, I understand why she hesitated in revealing this to you. It's hard to say these lyrics in any other language. The rooster and duck bit was funny, but no, a "patka" is a female duck. From what I always took to it, the rooster picked those meant for him and does not, but didn't care. I can relate it in some odd way to Olivera. There too, Đorđe talks about he wrote songs to other women because he didn't know she existed (his wife).

[@IvanaBoHe]

I always imagined older women when he said "patke" in the Rooster / Cock song. I only realize it now. In the sense - he didn't mind women of any age and kind, he wasn't picky. I really enjoyed the video and the comments, made me really emotional.

[@anasilver7070]

The main point about Đole is his humanity from the deepest part of his soul! Trough his clear humanity based on love and acceptance for everyone and everything he impressed him self trough so many poems. On the Ende the real reason why he was loved all over balcan countries is becouse so many good people were touched deeple and because we understood the deepest meaning of his massages, of humanity and equality, acceptance and love. He was not just a star from the front page he was one of the greatest examples for all of us. I am lucky we had Đorđe in our lives trough all this years! We all will miss him deeply but we still have the music, and we can be the best version of our selfs daily!

[@milenam756]

I ran into this video by chance. And it was like you were talking about my own experience. I was born ('81) in and grew up in Bor, my parents weren't born there so we were all outsiders of sort. I liked exact the same music as your wife, but no matter what music you like listening to you simply LOVE Balasevic and it's very hard to explain to anybody who doesn't understand the language and soul of Yugoslavian people. Don't know if your wife and I ever met (there is strong chance that we did)... My best to Marijana and you, your relationship sound amazing and it's what Balasevic would want for everybody and what he had in his life. We are al crushed by his passing...

[@asmirdelic7763]

Balasevic unated all of us...and regards to you . Respect.

[@damircizmek1370]

Hvala

[@tihomirkostelic1793]

majstore legenda si i tvoja žena ti treba dati jedan cmok za ovo kaj si napravil...sugestija ,poslušaj jesen stže dunjo moja i priča o vasi radačkom by the way if i em a women i will wont you as my husbend ...stey cool man

[@professorskye]

Hvala!

[@yuslaven89]

@@professorskye It's hard to pick best song from Balaš, but if you put that methaforical gun on my head Drvena pesma (The Wooden Song) would be my pick.

[@jubi3137]

Thank you man.. 💖

[@bozapub84]

BRAVO!

[@professorskye]

hvala!

[@bozapub84]

@@professorskye Check this out: kzbin.info/www/bejne/r2WTnnSgqsaFr8U

[@GriffithBotH]

Great review! Just wanted to point out that you missed his first two albums - "Mojoj mami umesto maturske slike u izlogu" and "Odlazi cirkus". Some online sources don't list them in his discography 'cause they were released under his early band name - Rani Mraz - and not his "solo" stage name, but they are not to be dismissed. Odlazi cirkus, in particular, is one of his best albums ever.

[@tatjanakecman7236]

Thank you for your beautiful interest in ex-Yu music and culture in general, and most of people who haven’t grown in this country can’t grasp politics. Maybe a good idea to avoid taking it in consideration.

[@antonelasrzic3727]

Noone can sing his songs as good as he did it. But you ar an exeption! : )))

[@garycooper3066]

Thank you! You are our Brother!

[@thedavor]

This was amazing

[@christiand.7404]

Life ? Its that little thing when on your grave they put year of birth and year of death . And that little dash in between . THATS LIFE - Dzordze Balasevic RIP

[@jovanblat6033]

Vojvodina is not just north west, but all the north of the country, Rivers Danube and Sava are the border lines. You pointed on Bačka, west part of the Vojvodina. East is Banat, and south west is Srem. Greetings from Banat. Rip Đole...

[@montenegrotourguide1594]

Srem banat i backa 3 srca junacka ❤️ pozdrsv iz Crne Gore od polu - crvenchanina 😆

[@MacakPodSIjemom]

Totalno nebitno za ovu priču, nije njegova namera da priča o geografiji.

[@montenegrotourguide1594]

@@MacakPodSIjemom sorry admine nece se ponoviti e 😅

[@MacakPodSIjemom]

​@@montenegrotourguide1594 Nije se odnosilo na tebe.

[@montenegrotourguide1594]

@@MacakPodSIjemom ma salim se i ja 😊

[@tompanoname3579]

R.I.P. Djordje Balašević.

[@vesnairiskic3618]

Man who was with big,honestly heart...🙏🎶🖤

[@renatanaumoska1507]

Woow, Bravo!!!

[@123tanjad]

You are fab! And your wife has an impeccable taste in YU music!

[@PedalsFusion]

Great video, thanks! You should try with NAPOSLETKU album for example not just the early ones, because he's music and lyrics became deeper and deeper over the time. Now when he left us ... we lost one of the greatest poet of our time.

[@kartikeyaa4705]

And as for wars. The First World War was provoked by the Austro-Hungarians, first by the occupation and oppression of the Serbian people in Bosnia, and then because of their own expansionism. The break-up of Yugoslavia also provoked the West, which interfered in the problems of the former Yugoslavia out of its own interests, then recognized secessionists before any agreement was reached between the people of Yugoslavia, and after that NATO countries illegally sent weapons to secessionists. Not to mention the illegal (therefore bandit) NATO bombing of Serbia over 70 days and nights. А што се тиче ратова. Први светски рат су изазвали Аустроугари прво окупацијом и угњетавањем српског народа у Босни, а потом због властитог ексапнзионизма. Распад Југославије је такође изазвао запад који се из својих интереса умешао у проблеме у бившој југославији, потом признао сецесиоинисте пре него је постигнут било какав договор између народа Југославије, а након тога су земље НАТО пакта илегално слале оружје сецесионистима. Да и не причамо о илегалном (дакле разбојничком) НАТО бомбардовању Србијепреко 70 дана и ноћи.

[@amirabates7282]

Konacno privodim kraju moju Balasevic playlist, evo prvi dio. Pa ce drugi, treci itd... nasla sam dosta, ali, na zalost ima puno i sto ce izostati jer nije na Spotify ... elem, dijelite dalje, mozda ce i strancima uljepsati zivot nas Panonski Mornar ❤️ open.spotify.com/playlist/63qKyHY1FiB55iVvrdc64c?si=DFm7C39FSgCoYTKt44Ag7A

[@predragfilipovic7141]

Balashevic or on cirilica Балашевић. Поздрав из Србије.

[@ljiljanacvetkovic5459]

RIP DJOLE🙏🙏🙏

[@jovanajovanovic1336]

It’s total mistery to me how someone who loves Balasevic can fall in love with someone in different language, of different culture, different mindset. 😂 it’s sad how much is lost in translation. I appreciate how much you try. ♥️🌱

[@zeljkociric]

MY GRANDFATHER WAS BOŽ ZVANI PUB! The character from the famous song by ĐORĐE BALAŠEVIĆ really existed! How much money did he know how to win, how did they keep him from the police and how did he PLAY ONE PART FOR THREE DAYS ... by Slavka Krivokapić, the daughter of his son Dušan Singer-songwriter Djordje Balasevic introduced us to a gambling legend, who has lived in his song for three and a half decades. Much longer, the memory of his grandfather and great-grandfather Petar Božanić (1895-1975), whose gambling skills ended in a song, is kept by his heirs in Feketić, where he also lived until his death. Boža Pub was born in Lika, in the village of Tuževići, in the municipality of Brinje not far from Gospić, and he showed his fearlessness in Lika, crossing Albania, on the Thessaloniki front. Like many other Thessaloniki volunteers, the agrarian reform gained nine acres of land in the heart of Backa and founded Novo Selo with 20 other comrades, writes Vecernje Novosti. - Our grandmother Marta, born Tatalović, came with him to that piece of land, without a roof over his head, and together they built a house, founded a family - the Pub's granddaughter Slavka Krivokapić, the daughter of his son Dušan, remembers. - He was a real householder. He had three children, Dušan, Slavka and Koviljka, he raised bulls, horses, a vineyard, he was the first in the village, around 1930 he had a cafe and a shop. He was a gambler, a bohemian, a gentleman, always on the side of the weaker, except when they were not at the same card table. A man with a big heart and a wide hand, who always said that you can't get if you don't give. The cards took him to Srbobran, Vrbas, Novi Sad, Sombor ... - He liked to enjoy life. Part of that sweetness, but also of the customs of that time, were the parties of Blackjack on Saturdays among the merchants. He liked to challenge the wheel of fortune and win it - his granddaughter tells us. - It was a man's fire, but when he sat down at the table, he was dead cold. His hand never trembled, neither when he pawned his house on one card, nor when he took someone else's on another. Because of that, the competitors could not "read" it. When he had to decide whether to stop or draw a card, he turned his index fingers. If they merge - he invested everything he had, whatever the cards were. If he misses - there is no "fat", he stood at 15. - He knew what the card took, the card and returned, he often brought so much money that he reached the chin of the person who lied to him. Even then, he did not stop, but continued to take risks. That is why they remember him as someone who did not play cards to get rich, but already enjoyed that skill - the heiress will continue, showing us his grandfather's picture and his first "Hungarian" cards. - He couldn't stand drinking, he loved musicians, and he had such a voice that when he sang, the fuse on the candle would go out! He spoke Hungarian, Russian and German perfectly. The family never suffered because of that. When the greatest masters Kosta Gavaski from Srbobran, Sandor Tarko from Feketić and Petar Božanić played, it was known that whatever falls under the table, stays there. No one will bend down to raise theirs, because that would have to end the party. He gave 500 dinars to anyone who would go to his house to feed cattle and poultry just so he wouldn't get up from the table. And for that money you could buy the best horse then! The people of Feketi still recount how he was generous to those who kept him from cheating, the only thing he hated more than politics. It is said that once, while he was playing, he had a mirror behind his back, with which the kibbutzim followed the cards. When he was warned about it, he did not say "break the glass", but "break, here's the money". He gave that man four thousand dinars at the time, and when he said that it was a too much, he added two more. He also rewarded those who kept him from "pubs" (police), which he also did not like. As soon as they heard that he was playing somewhere, they went to take his money, but their visits were in vain. - One night while they were playing Blackjack, I climbed the electric pole to fix the fault. As soon as I saw the gendarmes approaching his tavern, I spoiled what I had repaired so that they could not catch them - his contemporary remembered. - When I told him what I had done, he pushed a chamber of steam off my desk and told me to take as much as I liked. - It was in his tavern around 1938, the party lasted from Saturday to Monday, and in it Živko Mudrinski, a landowner from Srbobran, lost everything the song says, and even a servant came. His grandfather let him sweat for two days because of the loss, and then he sent everything back to him - he remembers the grandson of only one of the legends about Boža Pub. At the beginning of the Second World War, Petar and his family experienced the fate of other colonists. They go to the Sharvar camp in Hungary, where they spend four years. However, there was no shortage of cards there either. - Hungarian soldiers quickly learned that he spoke their language and played cards, and soon they became so "addicted" to parties that no one was allowed to interrupt them. At the beginning, he intentionally lost, and when they took a bite, even though he was their prisoner, they knew how to give him everything they had - says Slavka. - He played cards for money and food. In that way, he helped his family and compatriots to make those camp days at least a little easier for them. It was rumored that he returned from the camp with "half a lotre (ladder) of forints" which he took from a Hungarian officer. However, he never confirmed that story, but it was easier for the people to believe in it, that even in those terrible times he had his hero. After the war, without electricity, water and roads, Novo Selo was shut down and Petar left everything he had gained on a piece of Thessaloniki land and came to Feketić with his family. He's going home there again. - They say that he lost that house on the cards on one occasion. That was an exception. But the next day, grandmother Marta sat down at the same table, played a game and got the house back - the granddaughter still remembers. - She was his main support, and miraculously, she did not defend him to gamble. How he got into the song and how Balašević found out about the story about his grandfather, I don't know, but stories about him were circulating everywhere. There is no Boža Pub in Prague or Vienna. He has been buried in the village cemetery in Feketić for more than four decades. Blackjack is still played, but not with such zeal. But even today everyone agrees, there are no more like Boža called Pub. Card games were a favorite pastime of that time, and a small male child meant luck and the card players treated him and give him money for luck. - Grandpa defended his brother from his aunt to go and give him money, however, he went and collected money. When they went to the fair, his grandfather told him to buy something for himself if he had money, and when Mirko took out the money, his grandfather shrugged, he had so much in his pocket to buy the whole fair - says Slavko. www.kurir.rs/vesti/srbija/3341143/moj-deda-je-bio-boza-zvani-pub-lik-iz-poznate-pesme-djordja-balasevica-je-zaista-postojao-koliko-je-umeo-novca-da-osvoji-kako-su-ga-cuvali-od-policije-i-kako-je-igrao-jednu-partiju-tri-dana

[@professorskye]

Thats quite cool. I always get your Grandfather's name stuck in my head when I see that poster. :)

[@zeljkociric]

@@professorskye Just to clarify, it is not my grandfather - I just translate text ;)

[@zeljkotomic8]

I completely agree, the best way to fully understand the culture in whole Ex Yugoslavia, is to listen everything Balasevic wrote. It's not easy though. He once said "Words are my toys", completely right. He has few books and movies also. Your channel is amazing, it really surprised me. I was offten thinking how great it would be if Balasevic sung in English, so the world can hear.

[@markoni978]

First video of yours I'm watching. Yugoslavia wasn't your tipical "behind the iron curtain" country. Western LPs were available as was exposure to western culture, far more than the eastern block culture. This is regarding your "why would he do a 50s American music homage?" Thanks :)

[@aleksandarstefanovic1350]

I am from Serbia and please listen to me... I am 5 minutes and 11 second into this video and I know that you have a good wife! I think you know it too. Just try not to forget that in hard times. Also, we dont have his favorite song. There is new one for every stage of our lives

[@vecotakisNS]

Amazing.

[@amirabates7282]

Also, can we refer to him as a singer song writer please as pop singer is sooo not what he was

[@pipica8]

Đole je najboljši !!

[@matrix_x_]

As for the rooster and the ambiguity in this song, it should be noted that the ambiguity was not made only for moral reasons but the song in the original would certainly not have passed censorship in a one-party system. We have similar ambiguities in Azra’s songs, only Johnny is a little more open which is no wonder because he has always been a rebellious rocker, open in the songs but privately very closed in his spiritual world. The chicken in this song essentially represents both an animal and a parallel human. In the village yards we have different animals, especially different poultry. It is known that a rooster jumps on a hen but it is not uncommon for it to jump on a goose or duck if it is nearby. The song talks about how while a man is young he is not so picky and often physical is more important to him than spiritual love. When a man grows old, he becomes picky and finds flaws in every woman or man and that is why he does not have that simple "love" as he used to. He says "every hair counts". which means that he is bothered by every little thing that he did not pay attention to as a young man because he is physically, ie. sexually it was more important, and besides, he became more picky. People who are married like you know that the period before marriage and later is not the same. When a man is married he often does not pay as much attention as before and more often there are disagreements and quarrels. This song is a bit nostalgic because the person thinks to himself what he missed in his youth. That’s why he says “let him fly” precisely because he wonders if a man only has a couple of girls he’s been with if he’ll later as an adult married man regret not having them anymore. As I have always listened to Balašević, who hides great depths in seemingly simple songs, this song always reminds me not only of myself but also of "American pie" films that speak about a theme similar to this one in their sequels. That's it. If a man was at a prom party with some girl and had sex for one night he would think about it when he grows old no matter how much he loved the woman he was married to. “Let it fly” may not be such a bad message when viewed with years of experience. Time passes quickly ....

[@milanbosnjakovicb7036]

jugoslavija je san, a volim da sanjam,

[@jasminas1357]

I was amused by the interpretation of the song about the rooster . It is not a song about sex, it is a song about youth, freedom and the transience of life, about the mortality of all living beings.

[@jasminas1357]

In fact, this song is very sad, a song that is cried while listening to, because we will all be in the place of that rooster who is no longer in life and used to be young and full of strength.

[@IvanaBoHe]

@@jasminas1357 and as you get older, new meanings reveal themselves. It's really amazing that he wrote all these lyrics at such a young age. An old soul, he was always wise.

[@lanataber2523]

Oh, boy... you got it all wrong, well, not all of it, but most of it, 😂 First, before I forget, the word is ROOSTER, 😂 male chicken is called a rooster... PREDLOG means an example, or a proposition. Anyhow... Thank you for making an effort to understand Balasevic, and no matter how hard you try, your wife is right, you will never get it. I was lucky enough to marry an American and, just like yourself, he is trying to understand Balasevic, and just like your wife, I told him the same thing... I think this is universal. One thing I have to say is that I played Balasevis to my husband probably a good 10 years after being together, so you got lucky😂... he likes the music, but cannot understand him and I am not even going to attempt to translate, 😂 The best thing I can say to you, and to my hubby, and to all American husbands married to Serbian women, do not feel bad, there are a tons of words that Balasevic uses in his songs that I don't even understand and even if I did, some of them simply cannot be translated (e.g. kaciperke, (pile) pirgavo, ...) He uses a lot of archaisms and borrowers from the Hungarian language (e.g Slabo Divanim Madjarski - rough translation "I don't really speak Hungarian that well"). But, it is not just the words that are hard to translate, it is also cultural. You need to understand the history in order to understand Balasevic (e.g. Aco Braco or Bluz Mutne Vode songs). When it comes to understanding Balasevic, you need to dig so much deeper and read between the lines... now I know this is going to be hard because you don't speak the language fluently, but... the more you learn, the better you'll get. It's like understanding Shakespeare, now, I know it's not the same, but "PRINCIP JE ISTI, SVE SU OSTALO NIJANSE" - ha, here it goes, Balasevic! I could go on and on about explaining this to you, but I am positive that you will get it, just give it time and do not give up. This is such a wonderful thing you are doing for your wife and I have forwarded this video to my hubby so he can listen to you and probably relate and hopefully learn something from you. I know I am watching this almost 3 years too late, but it is never too late, right? I hope you got some of Balasevic by now, and I am going to continue on watching your series about Balasevic. Good luck and thank you! Greetings to you and your wife! Ziveli

[@katexy7179]

I'm bilingual Bosnian and English, and I have some knowledge in some other languages (this will become important later on). I've always been a lover of music and poetry- and I found this- English is the worst language to translate lyrics or verses to. Of course, in many translations to other languages, stuff is lost in translation, but in English it happens to the point where it's painful to read. Unless it is the older English expressions that are not used anymore- that, in turn, alter the age of the song/poem to be translated- it is practically impossible to translate while keeping the emotion, rhyme, structure, metrics... Some part has to suffer definitely. And I'm not talking only about Bosnian/Serbian/Croatian languages. I'm fluent in Turkish and I have speaking knowledge in German and Arabic- and translation of Arabic and Turkish masterpieces of poetry and songs is... pretty much horrifying. I once also read Desanka's poem in English- and this woman is my favorite out of all poets- and it was so different and I just never wanted to see that English version again. With Arabic it's sort of expected with the difference in letters, but then I notice that Arabic translations to Bosnian are not nearly as bad. Even Turkish and German translations to Bosnian are better at keeping the emotion than the English translation. I sort of do hate that every single language I have knowledge in has a better feeling to it than English. I think English language is honestly insufficient against the rich vocabulary and beautiful complexity of the Serbian culture... It is quite difficult I guess to learn our languages. But I think if you're really passionate about Serbian poetry and singers, if you really want to see it the way it is- this means not only learning about the culture, but sadly learning the language too. Perhaps at least taking the original version of the songs of Balasevic and discussing every word and aspect of the song... It takes time- but it takes time to learn anything good really. And Serbian culture is full of things like that :)