„Е, мој друже...“: национализам и (пост)југословенски рокенрол (1991–1995)
“Hey, My Comrade…”: Nationalism and (Post)Yugoslav Rock and Roll (1991-1995)

Summary/Abstract: Nationalism was noticeable in numerous Yugoslav rock and roll songs before and especially during the breakup of Yugoslavia. Based on rock and roll lyrics, the press (news¬papers and music magazines), audio-visual material and oral history, this article reviews the manifestations of nationalism in rock music in the context of the Yugoslav wars from 1991 to 1995. More or less clearly defined cultural policies, particularly of the war regimes in Belgrade and Zagreb, are also took into a consideration. In the late 1980s some Yugoslav bands, such as Bijelo Dugme, were, on the one hand, using national motives in their songs to emphasize the unrest among Yugoslav people, mainly between Serbs and Croats. On the other hand, bands like Prljavo Kazalište and Galija em¬braced national sentiment. Đorđe Balašević was also singing about the disappointment in the Yugoslav unity and hinted at possible breakup of Yugoslavia. In the 1990s “musical war” was waged in parallel with the armed conflict in former Yugoslavia. Mainstream scene in Croatia was almost completely nationalized – pop-rock bands sang patriotic songs, famous musicians visited soldiers in the battlefields, and the national television took over the music production. In Serbia, pro-war sentiment was most noticeable in newly composed folk music, but some rock musicians, such as Bora Đorđević, openly supported the efforts of the Serbs in Croatia and Bosnia. State protectionism in popular culture went without saying, especially in Serbia (FR Yugoslavia), Croatia and Bosnia, where music of the enemy was banned.

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