“Majko Stara” kick-starts a new career

Josip LONCARIC

After analyzing a 'Galeb', and shedding tears for 'Mojoj majci', this month's feature song looks at arguably the most iconic song of the 1980's, which this year celebrates its 20th birthday....

THE SONG: MAJKO STARA (1988)

Performer - Matko Jelavic,

Music - Matko Jelavic,

Lyrics - Zvonimir Stipicic,

Arrangement - Mato Dosen.

There is a sacred relationship between a man and his mother that has rarely been explored in such a way as the last song that featured in our new series (Mojoj majci), and this month's entrant into the History of Croatian Music.

'Majko stara' is a timeless ballad that transcends genres of pop and folk and is symbolic of growing up, of maturing as a human being, but always turning to your mother for some love and care when things go wrong.

Written in late 1987 and first performed at the Split Song Festival in 1988 by an unknown Split native, at the time, 'Majko stara' is a true example of what engrosses Croatian people about their music. Passionate, touching and sung brilliantly, it is unlikely that singer Matko Jelavic will ever be associated with any other song in his extensive repertoire other than this one.

THE HISTORY

As with most great songs, Majko Stara's humble beginnings can be put down to a moment of inspiration. In the case of the song writer and performer Matko Jelavic, it can be traced back to autumn of 1987, where the song went from an idea to a completed track in two and a half months.

The inexperienced duo of Zvonimir Stipicic (lyricist) and Jelavic (who was a former drummer for little known Split band 'Metak') went about making a song, that they - at the time - had no idea that it would become a mega hit, not only for the 1980's but also of all time.

The timing of the song and the themes that it dealt with in its lyrics was also, according to Jelavic, crucial to the instant success of 'Majko stara'.

"We must remember that the song, which uses metaphors to explain the path to independence and chasing your future and dreams, came at the time when Croatia was also seeking independence as a nation. Our nation is also our mother, in a sense," said Jelavic.

"I was a young singer at the time and I was just worried that the song wouldn't be accepted in the Split Festival, which could, back in those days, make a song and an artist known throughout the entire Yugoslavia and even the world (thanks to Croatians in the diaspora)", Jelavic said.

Fortunately, legendary composer and then Split Festival director, the late Zdenko Runjic, recognized the song as a potential hit and included it in the final selection of the festival.

THE IMPACT

Within the first minute of his first major performance as a singer, Matko Jelavic became an instant star. A packed-out crowd at the Prokurative in Split, which plays host to the Split Festival each year, was soon touched by the song after hearing the first verse and chorus. The applause, at the end of the song, was deafening, much to the surprise of Jelavic and the handful of family and friends that had come to see him sing live for the first time.

Jelavic easily took out the major prize at the Festival (Prva nagrada publike) and instantly saw his song make an amazing impact on the local market. Over 600,000 copies of the single were sold in record time and Jelavic's debut album "Dobra vecer prijatelji" sales reached gold.

The song was recorded in Slovenia, Serbia and Austria by other popular artists, it became a mainstay in the repertoire of various 'klape' groups throughout Croatia and most recently, became a club/dance hit after being sung by Sandi Cenov and remixed by DJ Pucko.

In recent times, a rocked-up version of 'Majko stara' has become a major hit with Australian Croatian audiences for popular Melbourne based band, 'Major Minor'.

THE QUOTE

Today, 20 years after its initial release, 'Majko stara' remains a hit with all generations of Croatians worldwide.

''The song has become a classic, which for me is the highest honour possible as a performer and co-writer. Even though I released over 200 songs since 'Majko stara' over 16 albums, the one everyone seems to know is 'Majko', which is again an honour but sometimes frustrating because I believe I have many other great songs.

''However, thanks to that song, I have sold over one million LP records, cassettes and cd albums combined, and managed to see the world on tour performing for Croatians in the Diaspora.

''Perhaps the most pleasing thing for me about the song is that it has made millions of Croatians happy when they sing along with the song whenever they hear it. It is also great to see our younger generations singing the song emphatically, including my 18-year old son Sandro, who wasn't even born when it was released. That makes me proud as a parent and as a musician.''

Matko JELAVIC (21-01-2008)

(A special 'thank-you' to Matko Jelavic, talking exclusively to the 'Croatian Herald' for this feature)

SONGWORDS – “Majko stara”

Majko, majko stara,

slusaj pjesmu sina svog

Majko, tko mi sudi,

tko mi uze najdraze?

Suza, suza nemam

da isplacem svoju bol

Boli me, majko, boli me,

nocas dusa umire

Bila je, majko, bila je,

vrela krv zivotu mom

I ja cu za njom, ja cu za njom

Majko, noc je tiha,

more dise, miruje,

Samo tvoj jedinac

ove noci tuguje

Suza, suza nemam

da isplacem svoju bol

Boli me, majko, boli me,

nocas dusa umire...

“Dear old Mother”

(Translated by Josip LONCARIC)

Mother, my dear old Mother,

listen to your son's song

Mother, who is judging me,

who has taken what I hold most dear?

Tears, I have no tears

to cry out all of my pain

It hurts me, Mother, it hurts

Tonight my soul is dying

She was, Mother, she was

the source of blood in my life

And I will go after her,

and I will go after her

Mother, the night is silent,

the sea is breathing, it is calm,

But your only son

is mourning tonight

Tears, I have no tears

to cry out all of my pain

It hurts me, Mother, it hurts.