Such, you know, are sensitive people. They feel double, they hear earlier. Because exactly one step ahead of them their soul walks…
One quote by Balašević
I guess most of you haven’t heard of that person. A singer and songwriter with a wide heart, great thoughts, loved and unloved in his country, which no longer exists.
That country no longer exists, Yugoslavia.
And the singer I’m writing about also went elsewhere, two days ago. Yesterday my mom told me while we were talking over a video call, do you know who died? Đorđe Balašević.
I went to the same school as his eldest daughter, Jovana. To the same class, actually. It was the middle music and ballet school, where we were studied almost all day. We had professional classes, solfeggio, harmony, counterpoint, history of music, choir, orchestra, chamber music, piano, theory ... as well as general subjects such as languages, physics, biology, computer science ... All day work and study.
I believe that on the first day of school when we started together, we were all fascinated by the fact that we were going to the same class with the daughter of that famous singer. She was self-confident and beautiful, how else could be the daughter of a famous person? But she was very kind and communicative. I remember once I didn’t have the funds to buy one book for school, but she selflessly gave me that book to take home and use as long as I needed it. I was positively stunned. I proudly bragged to my parents that I had a book with me that came from the Balašević house.
Childish thinking ... and now memories. But there are more personal memories related to that singer. At one of his concerts, the choir of my school took part, where we sang a couple of songs as an accompaniment to the concert. It was an exceptional experience being on the stage, although in the multitude of the members of the choir, at the same stage participating in the music event with Đorđe Balašević.
Now, two days ago he died. His fans from all corners of former Yugoslavia are honouring him by quoting the lyrics of his songs. His work is considered timeless. He left behind 12 albums, various books... I have one of them, “Jedan od onih zivota” (One of Those Lives). If I had to describe his music, I would say a sad chanson style and soft rock. He has many great happy driving songs, but according to this even, I will bring here just some sad ones. For #SadSunday and in memoriam of his life.
I could not find videos with English subtitle, so just one of the songs, called D Minor will have here written lyrics below the video. Hope that you can enjoy his music despite the language.
This is the song titled D Minor. I found a traduction to English , so you can have at least an idea what he is singing
Sometimes, you wander away, and I am dreaming alone;
I admit it’s not working, but I’m trying
and he always comes, d-minor.
He comes down like a thief, on the strings,
he fills my hands with your trinkets
and it is hard to go through all of that.
One d-minor gets to me,
as you leave – he’s in the room
stupid d-minor, he always finds out when that is.
He grabs me tightly and won’t let go,
he is crazy about silence, he doesn’t miss the occasion;
He takes me to his bluish home.
One d-minor breaks me down,
some people would simply call that sorrow;
That’s not it. What is sorrow for d-minor?
Sometimes you’re not around and I’m, all alone,
finding a way to trick the day;
but he is sneaky, d-minor.
He lets all lights go soft,
waits for the last dimming stars;
He pulls my sleeve – let’s go.
He scares me; where are you?
A thousand things might have happened;
Stupid d-minor, who is he grieving for all night long.
He takes me into his dark carriage,
the sky becomes the color of your eyes
I know this road, it’s a shortcut to pain.
One d-minor breaks me down,
some people would simply call that sorrow;
That’s not it. What is sorrow for d-minor?
You left a book with a couple of unread pages,
some small things made of Herendi porcelain,
and one pullover that you wore…
And you left a record – the Best of Ry Cooder;
and a fine small powder box,
And you left me, longing for you until I live,
my dear…
This song is The story of Vasa Ladacki . The girl from the photo of this almub is Jovana, his daughter, the girl I went to the same class with.
This song is Svirajte mi, jesen stize dunjo moja. In the traduction it would be something like Play for me, autumn is coming my quince
I have chosen here just the sad ballads, the songs that can most represent him in this moment. Hope you will like it, and if you want, could be great to leave your opinion, what do you think about these songs I shared here. Here is the source of the photo