My flying reporter Robert met Zeljko Joksimovic yesterday for an interview. They talked about all his entries and his various tasks in Eurovison, the Spanish version, his fame abroad and what Eurovision means to Serbia and other Balcan countries. And will he be back again?
With the first question we go back to
2004. Did the 2nd place of Lane moje change your career
and if so, how?
My life changed a lot. After the 2nd
place in Istanbul Lane moje became a big hit all countries
surrounding Serbia and many other countries in Europe as well. Before
2004 I had a big career in ex-Yogoslavian republic, with Eurovision
it expanded of course and I had many concerts in Europe.
In which countries are you popular
then?
In every country where my population
lives. For example if I have a concert in Sweden Serbian immigrants
will come with other ex-Jugoslavians, and maybe 10-15% are other,
locals. And that's definately thanks to Eurovision.
Why you waited eight years to come back
as a performer?
I have participated as a composer in
2006 with Lejla (Hari Mata Hari)...
Why didn't you sing that song yourself?
I don't know. The national broadcaster
waited for eight years to ask me....
They asked you this year? Or did you
hint them you'd like to do it?
Yes they did. And I said them Why not? After the Eurovision 2004 and 2006, and
2008 when I was the host with my wife Jovana after Marija Serifovic
won, and I was the composer as well.... after that I thought I was finished
with Eurovision! I had been a performer, a composer, the
host... what else could I do? The director or superviser? Ha ha! I'm
joking of course but that was the reason I didn't want to be here
again. But after the invitation from the national broadcaster I
decided to try again.
Did you have the song already?
No I didn't. I knew I could write a
very good song but it's very difficult after so many songs with great
success; Lane moje, Lejla, Oro... I had to work very hard but when I
finished Nije ljubav stvar I was very happy.
And will you only be satisfied with
winning as you have already been number two?
No, I'm very happy to be here. I have a
big delegation with me. To make new contacts for my career. Everybody
dreams to win. After many successes in my career of course I want to
win, I don't want to lie but if I don't win it doesn't matter. I've
made a big success in this contest and in my life.
Do you wish to further expand your
success, to western Europe perhaps, the United States?
I'm not sure because I have my one
style, it's Balcan project music. I have big success with it in the
Balcan area. It's a bit different, I play accordeon and it's not
really pop music. It's music with Balcan and Roma music elements.
That's my next project and I hope I'm ready for it after Eurovision.
You have also recorded a Spanish
version of your song. How did that happen?
It all happened through social media
really. You know I use Facebook and Twitter and one day I was sent
this Spanish version sung by this Samuel and I was amazed. The idea
of a duet came and I don't speak any Spanish but I listened Samuel's
voice and … that's it.
Which song of these other 41 could be
part of your repertoire?
I really don't know as I have seen on
internet maybe ten songs. I didn't have time to listen to them all.
It's a difficult question but this year we have very good songs.
The Balcan countries come with very
stong competitors, big names and long careers. What do you think
about that?
It's like football. If you go to the
championships you are aiming for the gold and send your best players.
It's the same in Eurovision, the national broadcaster wants to win.
The Balcan countries are very ready to win, not only for the singer
or the broadcaster but for the whole country. Like Azerbaijan, they
are also bidding for the Olympic games, this surely helps. Also if I
win this year it will be very important for Serbia, as Serbia is a
candidate for the European Union and it will surely help with that,
too. It would be good for me, the broadcaster and Serbia. :-)
Will you write for Eurovision again?
Write yes! But this is my last
Eurovision as a singer.
Blogilkar thanks Zeljko for this interview and wishes him the best in the semifinal on Thursday. See you in the final!
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