Željko Joksimovic was born on 20 April 1972 in Belgrade. He will sing his own “Lane Moje” (My Precious One).
                 
Music has always been part of Željko’s life. His first international success came at the age of 12, when he won the title of “First Accordion of Europe” in Paris. Today, Željko is one of few musicians who can say they can play eleven musical instruments.

His first album –- which he also wrote -- was released in 2000. It was a great success in the former Yugoslavia. Since then, Joksimovic has become one of the region’s most popular and successful singers.
 
His music has won a raft of awards at festivals in Serbia & Montenegro as well as winning two international awards at Belarus’ Mogovily Grand Prix and the Grand Prix at Vitebsk, Belarus. He has also won awards for the music he has written for various theatre productions.

The Singers
 
"Megastar" Zeljko looks like Tose from FYROM. It may the same person.
Piles of people with random instruments on the stage, all very much like Belgium last year. Tabla-like mini hand drums things are in plentiful supply. Never a bad idea, that.
Backing singers/violinist with some sort Doctor Who costume gold hand-me-downs.
Wearing a caftan, with the accessory of choice... a small spring adorning his neck. Plenty to look at, of that there's no doubt.

The Past
Rather than include the old Yugoslav results (1 win, 26 appearances...solid), I shall focus on the ethno ballad crazed breakaway Serbia & Montenegrans. Increasingly for this bunch, the Eurosong is becoming a platform for internal political shenanigans, and quite frankly the sooner the Montenegrans break away the bettter. Not only because Montenegro entrants are invariably pants, but also because it's a nightmare of a country to spell in little boxes. As for the music (if you could call it that), S&M are still young and have had one notable success in 2004, when a variety of homemade string instruments got pipped at the post by Xena the Warrior Princess. When they do enter the contest, S&M have already earned a certain cache.

The Song

It's an Ethnic song that shares a fair bit in common with Tose's effort, if slower and with more to watch on stage.
It's a Tin whistle-tastic, Violin-filled, Dry-Ice heavy, Balkan-bonanza.
The video employs an interesting backing instrument, namely a young lady plucking a large goose. Quite what sound it makes I can't tell.

Overall

Despite the little known fact that Slobodan wrote this for Mira, "My Sweetheart" is a rather engaging little ditty. If the occupancy of Kosovo were to be decided by the ESC, then the Albanians may have to withdraw sharpish once again.  

In a Nutshell
"A goose & a wedding to solve all ills"

My Sweetheart

When I think of you
I am in fear of loving you again
I sink my teeth into my blue lips
To forget the real pain
 
My sweetheart, these days
I don't even wallow in sorrow any more
I only ask if you are alone
People I can't hear
 
My sweetheart, leave tonight
It's not important, with anyone
Look for someone who reminds you of me
May he at least not love you
 
(May someone else)
(Kiss your lips)
(So I can get over you more easily)
 
My sweetheart, these days
I don't even wallow in sorrow any more
I only ask if you are alone
People I can't hear

My sweetheart, leave tonight
It's not important, with anyone
Find someone who reminds you of me
May he at least not love you
So I don't love you any more

 Lane Moje
 
Kad na te pomislim
Bojim se da te opet zavolim
U modre usne zarijem zube
Da pravu bol zaboravim
 
Lane moje, ovih dana
Više i ne tugujem
Pitam samo da l' si sama
Ljude koje ne cujem

Lane moje, nocas kreni
Nije važno, bilo s' kim
Nadi nekog nalik meni
Da te barem ne volim

(Nek' neko drugi)
(Usne ti ljubi)
(Da tebe lakše prebolim)

Lane moje, ovih dana
Više i ne tugujem
Pitam samo da l' si sama
Ljude koje ne cujem

Lane moje, nocas kreni
Nije važno, bilo s' kim
Nadi nekog nalik meni
Da te barem ne volim
Da te više ne volim
Prediction Semi Final 5th
Final 4th
Zelkjo the harmless
Ming the Merciless