Yugoslavia and yugo rock
Joker Out’s new song, Šta bih ja, was inspired by yugorock! Not sure what that means? JokerOutSubs has got you!
‘Yugo rock’ or ‘Yu rock’ is rock with some elements derived from traditional/ethnic/folklore music, as well as other musical genres, including blues, country, reggae, jazz rock and rockabilly. They were added to appease the public, since rock itself was considered a western influence.
Rock music in Yugoslavia became popular in the sixties. Before that, after the second world war, partisan songs were more popular. This is music associated with resistance groups that fought German occupation across Yugoslavia, Italy and other parts of Eastern Europe. However, in 1956, the Cominform (a coordinated body of communist parties across Europe, designed to keep all communist governments following Stalinist principles) was dissolved. After this point, the connection with the Soviet Union was severed and music tastes began to change accordingly.
With influences from the west, rock music started gaining popularity. At first, musicians only sang covers of foreign songs (as closely to the original as possible) but in the sixties, bands such as Indexi started making original music. In the seventies, Bijelo dugme were formed and became incredibly popular. At the same time, Parni valjak were also rising to fame. However, the ‘new wave’ of Yugo rock was said to be started by a group called Buldožer.
Some characteristics of New Wave were more political lyrics and taking inspiration from punk. The most famous New Wave bands in Yugoslavia were Azra, Idoli, Prljavo kazalište, Električni orgazam, Psihomodo pop and, in Slovenia at the time, Lačni Franz, Buldožer and Pankrti (an interview with their singer Peter Lovšin can be found at • [ENG SUB] Bojan Cvjetićanin about roc... ).
A second New Wave generation from Belgrade emerged in later years. Among their representatives were Partibrejkers (formed 1982). They combined the blues with British R and B, rockabilly and classic rock and roll.
In 1982, the groups Ekaterina Velika and Disciplina Kičme (Disciplin A Kitschme) were established, contributing to the second New Wave generation, along with Slovenian group Videosex (formed 1983) with singer Anja Rupel. One of their most famous songs, a cover of 'Zemlja pleše,' can be found at • Videosex - Zemlja Plese - The Original
The New Wave was characterised by a burst of creativity and activity in the music scene across the region, with many artists emerging and creating excellent music in a short period of time. Many have drawn parallels between the New Wave era and today, where in Slovenia many young bands are gaining recognition. This parallel is only strengthened by the fact that Joker Out, one of the most successful young bands in Slovenia today, have a song named Novi val (New Wave).
The socio-political significance
Yugoslavia (1918–1992), a federal republic, was made up of six republics (Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Macedonia, Montenegro, Serbia, and Slovenia). Despite the differences between the republics one could argue that the pop-cultural identity was so strong, having influence that went beyond government control and the ability to connect people through the region, that it could be named as the seventh republic. Besides sport, yugorock was one of the last connecting links within a country that was drifting apart in a variety of areas, including economic.
Important yugorock bands
Bijelo Dugme: Considered by many to be the biggest Yugo rock band, Bijelo Dugme were formed in 1974 in Sarajevo. They were the biggest trendsetters in rock music at the time. They had a huge influence on Joker Out since their earliest days as a band. In the 'Kofi brejk' interview Bojan shared that the first concert he ever attended was by Bijelo Dugme, and they were also mentioned several times by Joker Out as having had a big influence on the whole band. In addition, Joker Out covered two of their songs, ‘Selma’ (Radio Koper, 32 min) and ‘Djurdjevdan’ (Belgrade concert, 3.11.2023). You can check out some more of their songs on our playlist linked at the bottom of this post!
Plavi orkestar were formed in 1983 in Sarajevo and had a rich career with eight albums, releasing hits such as ‘Ako su to samo bile laži’, ‘Lovac i košuta’, ‘Odlazim’, ‘Bolje biti pijan nego star’, ‘Suada’ and many more. Some media outlets, like Jutarnji list and Mladina have compared Joker Out’s style to theirs, and Bojan also mentioned Plavi orkestar as one of the bands that influenced him.
Parni valjak are a Croatian band, formed in 1975 in Zagreb. They had many ‘evergreen’ hits, including ‘Sve još miriše na nju’, ‘Jesen u meni’ and ‘Zastave’. In the Carpe Diem series, when asked whom they would listen to forever if they could only choose one artist, Jure chose Parni valjak. At Arsenal Fest in 2023, Bojan interrupted an interview to sing along to ‘Jesen u meni’ as they were playing in the background!
Indexi were a Bosnian band, who were active from 1962 to 2001. They were extremely influential, with hits like ‘Svijet u kome živim’ and ‘Negdje u kraju, u zatišju’, and became known as the ‘pioneers of psychedelic rock and roll.’ In the Kurir interview, Bojan mentions them as one of his musical role models.
Ekatarina velika, sometimes shortened to EKV, were a Serbian band who were active between 1982 and 1994. They are considered one of the most influential artists in the yugorock scene, with popular songs like ‘Krug’, ‘Par godina na nas’ and ‘Srce’. In the Rdeče in črno interview, Bojan’s voice was compared to that of the lead singer in Ekatarina velika.
Idoli were one of the most remarkable new wave bands based in Belgrade, active during the early 80's. They are regarded as one of the most outstanding and influential representatives of the Yugoslav rock music and their album 'Odbrana i poslednji dani' ('Defense and The Last Days') was voted as the greatest Yugoslav rock album of all time. During the Kurir interview, Bojan mentioned that ‘Ona’ was inspired by Idoli and their unique sound.
Songs Joker Out have mentioned
‘Računajte na nas’ by Đorđe Balašević is a very important yugorock song in Joker Out’s history, as it inspired the lyrics of ‘Carpe Diem’. While ‘Računajte na nas’ (‘Count on Us’) is about a generation standing up and fighting for peace, Bojan switched the lyric to ‘ne računajte na nas’ (don’t count on us), meaning that you cannot count on them to join in with the ‘game of hatred’ pervasive in modern society.
‘Kreni prema meni’ is a song performed by Partibrejkers, a Serbian rock band from Belgrade, known for their rebellious energy, both in sound and spirit. The band is still active and well received all over former Yugoslav countries. The song was covered by Joker Out at the Lent festival in 2018.
‘Sanjao sam moju Ružicu’ by Leteći odred was covered by Apokalipsa, Bojan’s former band, in 2015 during Vičstock Avdicija. Bojan also sang it at the Prulček bar with Buržuzija, Kris and Jan’s former band. Leteći odred is a Croatian pop band with a prosperous and successful musical career and performances for over 30 years.
In September 2016, Joker Out posted a setlist from one of their earliest gigs on their Instagram. It included three notable yugorock song covers - ‘Frida’ by Psihomodopop, ‘Motori’ by Divlje jagode and ‘Ne Zovi Mama Doktora’ by Prljavo Kazalište.
If you’d like to listen to any of these artists or songs, check out our curated playlist on YouTube or Spotify!
Sources:
Kregar, Tone, et al. Za domovino - z rockom naprej! Jugo rock: slovensko-srbske paralele. Muzej novejše zgodovine Celje. 2020.
Perković, Ante, and Lah, Klemen. Sedma republika: pop kultura in razpad Jugoslavije. Zenit, 2018.
66 notes
·
View notes
I PRESENT TO YOU -> MY RECORD COLLECTION:
1989 (Taylor's Version) (2023) - Taylor Swift
A Day At The Races (1976) - Queen
All Systems Go (1987) - Donna Summer
Azra (1980) - Azra
Berlin (1973) - Lou Reed
Besane noći (1988) - Magazin
Bitanga i princeza (1979) - Bijelo Dugme
Blonde on Blonde (1966) - Bob Dylan
Boy (1980) - U2
Bridge Over Troubled Water (1970) - Simon and Garfunkel
Ćiribiribela (1988) - Bijelo Dugme
Eto! Baš Hoću! (1976) - Bijelo Dugme
The Freewheelin' Bob Dylan (1963) - Bob Dylan
Gore iznad oblaka (1987) - Tutti Frutti Band
Grupa Zana (1988) - Zana
Live At The Bowl '68 (1987) - The Doors
Hajde da ludujemo (1990) - Tajči
Hejira (1976) - Joni Mitchell
Magical Mystery Tour (1967) - The Beatles
Nebeske Kočije (1988) - Novi Fosili
Paket aranžman (1981) - Električni Orgazam, Idoli, Šarlo Akrobata
Pearl (1971) - Janis Joplin
Pokvarena mašta i prljave strasti (1981) - Riblja Čorba
Primitive Cool (1987) - Mick Jagger
Prodavnica tajni (1988) - Bajaga i Instruktori
Rank (1988) - The Smiths
Revolver (1966) - The Beatles
The River (1980) - Bruce Springsteen
Rubber Soul (1965) - The Beatles
Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band (1967) - The Beatles
Speaking in Tongues (1983) - Talking Heads
Street Legal (1978) - Bob Dylan
Šta bi dao da si na mom mjestu (1975) - Bijelo Dugme
Tonight (1984) - David Bowie
True Blue (1986) - Madonna
The Wall (1979) - Pink Floyd
Živo i akustično (1996) - Električni Orgazam
29 notes
·
View notes
YU 100: Najbolji albumi jugoslovenske rok i pop muzike
1. Odbrana i poslednji dani, Idoli, 1982. Srbija
2. Paket aranžman, Idoli, Šarlo akrobata, Električni orgazam, 1981. Srbija
3. Time, Time, 1972. Hrvatska
4. Korni grupa, Korni grupa, 1972. Srbija
5. Azra, Azra, 1980. Hrvatska
6. Sunčana strana ulice, Azra, 1981. Hrvatska
7. Pljuni istini u oči, Buldožer, 1975. Slovenija
8. Filigranski pločnici, Azra, 1982. Hrvatska
9. Dnevnik jedne ljubavi, Josipa Lisac, 1973. Hrvatska
10. Bitanga i princeza, Bijelo dugme, 1979. BiH
11. Bistriji ili tuplji čovek biva kad…, Šarlo akrobata, 1981. Srbija
12. Indexi, Indexi, 1974. BiH
13. Sa druge strane jastuka, Bajaga i instruktori, 1985. Srbija
14. Kad bi bio bijelo dugme, Bijelo dugme, 1974. BiH
15. Probaj me, Oliver Mandić, 1981. Srbija
16. Kost u grlu, Riblja čorba, 1979. Srbija
17. Šta bi dao da si na mom mjestu, Bijelo dugme, 1975. BiH
18. Partibrejkers, Partibrejkers, 1985. Srbija
19. Mrtva priroda, Riblja čorba, 1981. Srbija
20. Treći svijet, Haustor, 1984. Hrvatska
21. Leb i sol, Leb i sol, 1978. Makedonija
22. Još jučer samo na filmu a sada i u vašoj glavi, Film, 1981. Hrvatska
23. Pokvarena mašta i prljave strasti, Riblja čorba, 1981. Srbija
24. Distorzija, Električni orgazam, 1984. Srbija
25. Bezdan, Đorđe Balašević, 1986. Vojvodina
26. S vetrom uz lice, Ekatarina Velika, 1986. Srbija
27. Sviđa mi se da ti ne bude prijatno, Disciplina kičme, 1983. Srbija
28. Bijelo dugme, Bijelo dugme, 1984. BiH
29. Haustor, Haustor, 1981. Hrvatska
30. S vremena na vreme, S vremena na vreme, 1975. Srbija
31. Eto! Baš hoću!, Bijelo dugme, 1976. BiH
32. Zeleni Zub na Planeti dosade, Disciplina kičme, 1989. Srbija
33. Kao kakao, Leb i sol, 1987. Makedonija
34. Malinkonija, Oliver Dragojević, 1977. Hrvatska
35. Doživjeti stotu, Bijelo dugme, 1980. BiH
36. Crno bijeli svijet, Prljavo kazalište, 1980. Hrvatska
37. Pozitivna geografija, Bajaga i instruktori, 1984. Srbija
38. Ako priđeš bliže, Zdravko Čolić, 1977. BiH
39. Bolero, Haustor, 1985. Hrvatska
40. Crna dama, Smak, 1977. Srbija
41. Leb i sol II, Leb i sol, 1978. Makedonija
42. Čovjek kao ja, Arsen Dedić, 1969. Hrvatska
43. Istina, Riblja čorba, 1985. Srbija
44. Mojoj mami umesto maturske slike u izlogu, Rani mraz, 1979. Vojvodina
45. Tajni grad, Haustor, 1988. Hrvatska
46. Čokolada, Idoli, 1984. Srbija
47. Ne cvikaj, generacijo, Atomsko sklonište, 1978. Hrvatska
48. Hoćemo gusle, Rambo Amadeus, 1989. Crna Gora
49. Spavaćeš sam, Viktorija, 1988. Srbija
50. Modra rijeka, Indexi, 1978. BiH
51. Sve najbolje, Oliver Mandić, 1987. Srbija
52. Time II, Time, 1975. Hrvatska
53. Pljuni i zapjevaj, moja Jugoslavijo, Bijelo dugme, 1986. BiH
54. Pruži mi ruku ljubavi, Pro arte, 1970. BiH
55. Izlog jeftinih slatkiša, Buldožer, 1980. Slovenija
56. Ručni rad, Leb i sol, 1979. Makedonija
57. YU zlato, YU grupa, 1973. Srbija
58. Jahači magle, Bajaga i instruktori, 1986. Srbija
59. Najjači ostaju, Neca Falk, 1978. Slovenija
60. Kiselina, Pop mašina, 1973. Srbija
61. Prljavo kazalište, Prljavo kazalište, 1979. Hrvatska
62. YU grupa, YU grupa, 1973. Srbija
63. Smak, Smak, 1975. Srbija
64. Buvlja pijaca, Riblja čorba, 1982. Srbija
65. Svi za mnom!, Disciplina kičme, 1986. Srbija
66. Pub, Đorđe Balašević, 1982. Vojvodina
67. Signali u noći, Film, 1985. Hrvatska
68. Katarina II, Katarina II, 1984. Srbija
69. Sva čuda svijeta, Film, 1983. Hrvatska
70. Film u Kulušiću - Live, Film, 1981. Hrvatska
71. VIS Idoli, Idoli, 1981. Srbija
72. Na svoji strani, Lačni Franz, 1986. Slovenija
73. Kako bubanj kaže, Električni orgazam, 1984. Srbija
74. Koncert kod Hajdučke česme, Bijelo dugme, 1977. BiH
75. Prisluškivanja, Eva Braun, 1992. Vojvodina
76. Ravno do dna, Azra, 1982. Hrvatska
77. Plitka poezija, Pekinška patka, 1980. Srbija
78. Moje bube, Suncokret, 1977. Srbija
79. Prodavnica tajni, Bajaga i instruktori, 1988. Srbija
80. Večeras vas zabavljaju muzičari koji piju, Riblja čorba, 1984. Srbija
81. Adijo, pamet, Lačni Franz, 1981. Slovenija
82. Anđeli se dosađuju?, Parni valjak, 1987. Hrvatska
83. Osmi nervni slom, Riblja čorba, 1986. Srbija
84. Samo za zaljubljene, Drago Diklić, 1973. Hrvatska
85. U ime naroda, Riblja čorba, 1982. Srbija
86. LP-60993, Kamen na kamen, 1973. BiH
87. Das Ist Walter, Zabranjeno pušenje, 1984. BiH
88. Drugi način, Drugi način, 1975. Hrvatska
89. Kad nedjelja prođe, Xenia, 1983. Hrvatska
90. Od šanka do šanka, Andrej Šifrer, 1979. Slovenija
91. Mitovi i legende o kralju Elvisu, Elvis J. Kurtović & His Meteors, 1984. BiH
92. Pod sjajem zvezda, Vokalni kvartet Predraga Ivanovića, 1978. Srbija
93. Naši dani, Grupa 220, 1968. Hrvatska
94. 1941, Korni grupa, 1979. Srbija
95 Teška Industrija, Teška industrija, 1976. BiH
96 Kad fazani lete, Azra, 1983. Hrvatska
97. Napokon ploča, Poslednja igra leptira, 1982. Srbija
98. Kozmetika, Kozmetika, 1979. Srbija
99. Devet lakih komada, Čutura & Laki Band, 1988. Srbija
100. Ventilator 202: Demo Top 10, Razni izvođači, 1983.
16 notes
·
View notes