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Music was a great source of unity for the Yugoslavs, with people enjoying genres from folk to disco and heavy metal performed by artists from a variety of ethnic and religious backgrounds. Serbs, Croats, Slovenes, Macedonians, Bosnians, and Montenegrins shared the stage to create beautiful music, alongside soulful Roma and Albanian artists who brought even more exotic and unique sounds.
This era is gloriously captured in these cheesy album covers, which, like most of the 70s and 80s stuff we see from any country, looks just ridiculous now. Don't believe us? Scroll down to below to check these vintage photos out for yourself, and let us know what you think in the comments!
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#1
Biljana Malesevic 6 years ago
what? She is first woman to show off her natural hair on legs. Kinda brave, imo.
Withnail 6 years ago
Never got to her legs. Still trying to figure out which direction she’s looking in.
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Adriano Sverko 6 years ago
Lots of postmodern expressionism in the 70s and 80s. Some influenced art in Germany, US, France. Bregović, Andrea Kusturica influenced Hollywood and French film. You can hear the musical influence of live Balkan bands in suburbs of Stockholm, Budapest and Brussels, where people drink, dance and get down with their local community. Many people don't know that Night at the Museum movies (with Ben Stiller) are adopted from a novel by Croatia's Milan Trenc. Today, on an international level, we have Marina Abramović and Slavoj Žižek.
E FourOFour 6 years ago
Im not sure which is more unnerving, her eyes or the prominent leg hair
Having visited most of the countries of the former Yugoslavia, I was interested and rather shocked to find that there is quite a lot of nostalgia for those times among certain members of the population, who look back fondly at a time of peace and relative prosperity under strongman leader Josip Tito.
Tito's death, followed by the eventual dissolution of the country into 6 independent states, reopened deep ethnic tensions that sparked a bloody conflict, the aftermath of which is still felt today.
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#3
Aleksa Cvetkovic 6 years ago
Bro, you are way worse than any of these people :D
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Nada Stajic 6 years ago
Mica Trofrtaljka was one cheeky, flirty and naughty girl. Her songs were all about male tool, her cave but pronounced as something that sounds similar to those. She ruled "kafana", was loved and desired by many.
Martina Nastić 6 years ago
One of her most famous songs translates to "You can still have fun when it's relaxed" and by it, she does mean.......the d
RaroaRaroa 6 years ago
The weirdest thing about this one is the tatty setting. Could they not have placed her in front of a less messy background, perhaps without the weeds?
Back in those days, it was all about the music. You could be famous without needing to look a certain way, like pop musicians seem to now.
While it's tempting to scroll through and mock these album cover artworks for their cheesy and 'ugly' looks, I urge you to at least check out the work of Šaban Bajramović.
#4
Ed Souza 6 years ago
Photoshop didn't exist in the 70s... I get a feeling you're being sarcastic.
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Ricci Esprit 6 years ago
What the heck is coming out of his pants? What’s his hand holding there?!!
#5
Sardonic Scribe 6 years ago
That's the EXACT outfit I used to wear while tending goal too! Scary! Lol.
Time Magazine voted Bajramović in the top 10 best jazz musicians ever, and his soulful voice, full of anguish and emotion, is a joy to behold.
Known as the 'King of Romani Music,' Šaban's work has been copied and stolen countless times, and you have undoubtedly heard him sing if you have seen any of Emir Kusturica's classic films Time of the Gypsies, Underground or Black Cat, White Cat.
#6
STress the Terrible 6 years ago
50 years later, he still has the same hairstyle. Actually, the same hair (not his own, hush-hush)...
#7
Kelly Grace 6 years ago
Yep, do NOT want him sliding dow the chimney at my house at Christmas to kill us at all.
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Ivana M. 6 years ago
I remember having that vinyl record at home as a child. Never could figure out why he had blue eyebrows.
Danin Larksy 6 years ago
Have you been a good girl this year? This photo clearly proves the artist had no real friends. What friend would allow you to believe this was a good photo?
Keep scrolling to check out these classic worst album covers for yourself, and be sure to check out some of the amazing music behind the cover art!
#8
Ivana Maksimova 6 years ago
Oliver Mandic is our David Bowie, here is one of his old songs https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=2mThijLXC0I
Jasenko Cicvara 6 years ago
To be honest, I always imagined that his role model was Boy George. Bowie never crossed my mind... Nevertheless, Oliver made some awesome and ageless songs.
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Danin Larksy 6 years ago
No problems with this album. Comparing it to western albums of time, this one scores a 10/10. He looks a little like Boy George cross David Bowie.
Caesar Hermas 6 years ago (edited)
Oh wow,he reminds me of David Bowie a little bit 😮 and the album cover isn't cringey among all of this list too 😁
#9
Shayne Palmer 6 years ago
I swear this is a scooby doo thing. She’s Velma holding shaggys shirt. Daphne’s signature purple is behind her along with feeds white shirt
#10
Samantha Lomb 6 years ago
Its a traditional sheepskin hat. You also see them alot in the Caucuses
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#11
John Montgomery 6 years ago
Then totally not judging you at the same time.
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#12
Vedran Radovic 6 years ago
when we used fork and spoon,you were still eating with a hands…
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Ashley Galyen 6 years ago
We have the Aviator Cape, Cowboy Gallager in a jester shirt and Hippie Fonz. It's Terrific!
#13
Biljana Malesevic 6 years ago (edited)
Pitty you can't translate these songs, titles are hilarious (I am Serbian btw), it's almost imporsible to translate it so that it stays in "spirit of language" but well I will try: 1. I'll fight those who listens to screaming 2. I am not Metalicca 3. Just withyou (no, I did not make typing mistake here) 4 Kill woman who doen't wash her hair (same, I just tried to type with spelling errors made in Serbian) 5. Drug, called madness 6. Give'er the soap, friends 7. whattadoyou need drugs, friend 8. woman, you need spelling book 9. you're wrong brother woman 10. I dunno mother why she listens to noise 11. we are just bathing
Danin Larksy 6 years ago
This reminds me of an old website of a swingers club. He is definitely the sub. Thank you so much for the translations Biljana, Song 3 has me wanting to wash my hair immediately.
#14
Pseudo Puppy 6 years ago
that is a much more linguistically witty response than the very basic "little man syndrome" that my brain came up with... ha! (your comment made me laugh harder than this image.... brilliant!!)
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Timotije Odadzic 6 years ago (edited)
"My way from Tozovac" :) Greetings from Serbia! https://youtu.be/NVAlgoPjAzE
#15
Bored Fox 6 years ago
Suggestions for the album name: 'Worst Hangover Ever', 'When you see your mom at the sex shop' or 'I just sharted'.
Sardonic Scribe 6 years ago
And the award for best impersonation of a serial killer goes to this guy.
Toujin C'Thlu 6 years ago
Looks like he's regretting everything he's done so far, including this album cover.
RaroaRaroa 6 years ago
It just goes to show how much less image conscious people were then. They took any old photo and used it. Now they'd insist on taking a hundred and spend hours photoshopping the best to make it better - and faker.
#16
DP von Icecream 6 years ago
Never knew the 90ties are considered vintage now :-/@author can you please get yourself a pair of shiny NEW glasses? (or contact lenses)
DP von Icecream 6 years ago (edited)
Bloody hell! I guess I am officially an old fart then! :-/ Well, fortunately I have aged very well. Hope this will be the same for all of you ;-) PS: ... example, just Google this person from the picture & see how the last 20 to 30 years have been for him.
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ispeak catanese 6 years ago
That nipple seems to be wearing a mustache... Can't stop staring...
Cat Mac 6 years ago
He was bald then. It's a wig. Sorry, just being silly.
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Stefanie Weil 6 years ago (edited)
This is Queer Eye Member Jonathan Van Ness in his former life
Anita Holleufer 6 years ago
He looks like he should be one of those guys on the cover of a romantic novel! I think they all look kind of strange.
#17
Skure 6 years ago
"Slavuj iz Mrčajevaca" - Even I don't listen to this kind of music, I need to say he is one of the greatest stars in Yugoslavia...
Eniko Bata 6 years ago (edited)
Couldn’t decide which photo to put on the cover. The more the better
#18
Adriano Sverko 6 years ago
For historic reference, search internet for info on how Yugoslavia sold it's space program to the US govt for a few billion dollars. It is classic!
#19
Marky Mark And The Funky Bunch 6 years ago
I wanna put you in one of these great used cars we've got!
#20
Ray Silins 6 years ago
Scores 0 out of 5. Had a chance with hair, glasses, moustache, singlet and necklace. But no...
#21
HoffLensMetalHedLovesAnimalsUK 6 years ago
I would like her to cook me a hearty meal and then i can fall asleep on her ample bosom.
Lori Savoca 6 years ago
In America we have supermodels dancing on a Jaguar XJ. I suppose this is their equivalent? lol
Anita Holleufer 6 years ago
Skinny isn’t always popular! A lot of other countries think voluptuous is pretty.
#22
Katarina Buzzy 6 years ago
And the best thing is the title on the left: "I have something but you can't get it"
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Douglas Campbell 6 years ago
That's another pic of Benny Hill in drag. set02b-5cc...a7e6c3.jpg 
Amber Cook 6 years ago
I totally get what she's doing! She's like me! Someone asked her for a lighter so she's checking her boobs to see if she's got one in her bra! I gotcha girl!
Jelena Obradović 6 years ago
Imam nesto, al' nedam - I have something, but I don't want to give it 😂
Baron Simone Von Bianco 6 years ago
Think the hand was an idea of the singer and not the photographer. Documented myself about this singer on Discogs, Google and also Youtube, where there are some recent (extra low budget) music videos (shot in her farm, probably during a single day, as she wears the same clothes and is near the same surroundings in all the ones I saw). This woman sings country-folk parody songs and seems she has stage character (hopefully) of some sort of "sexy gypsy grandma", where in a video (rich of "in your face" sexual allusions) she is even flashing her fishnet stockings under her dress. In another one, she takes measures for a pair of trousers on an old man (her husband?) and her hand always slips "there": https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4OmRRZ5-MDs. She seems still pretty popular nowadays, like some sort of queen of kitsch. Can't understand a word, so probably could be just weird comedy.
#23
Night Owl 6 years ago (edited)
He is...or rather was. Oliver Dragojević (or Oli) died last year 😢 Here's how he looked like when he was older: images-5cc...c6e249.jpg 
Milena Milka 6 years ago
True story: this guy had died recently and tens of thousands of his fans have gathered in the coastal city of Split to pay respects, while hundreds of boats followed his coffin from Split to his final resting place on Croatian island Korcula. Check out this gallery: https://www.index.hr/mobile/clanak.aspx?category=vijesti&id=2014822
Branka Zebić 6 years ago
It is a girl next to him. And he was balad singer, whole Yugoslavia loved him.
Mirjana Conway 6 years ago
Oliver - one of Croatia’s best singers and song writers, held concerts in Royal Albert’s Hall in London among others. Totally doesn’t belong with this bunch.
Stina Kolling 6 years ago
Well, the post is about album covers, not about the music. I dunno though, I really think bad album covers isn't necessarily restricted to Slavic countries. I feel like it's pretty much universal.
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Adriano Sverko 6 years ago
I miss this artist. Check out YouTube for his funeral ceremony in Split, it is beautiful. They launched like a regatta, accompanying casket to bury him on the island where he was born.
#24
Nikola Vidović 6 years ago
Times Magazine put this guy on the top ten list of best jazz musicians of all times
#25
Marija Vidaković 6 years ago
-Happens I forgot to put on a skirt coming to this photoshoot... -Doesn't matter, we'll think of a pose to make it look ok.
#26
Shelp 6 years ago
Spoiler alert: never ever drink an unlabeled peasant-made alcoholic beverage
#27
Aahzmandus Pervect 6 years ago
I'm pretty sure this guy is not a singer from former Yugoslavia.
Eric Mac Fadden 6 years ago
He has no Yugoslavian artist feeling. His clothes and hair say so.
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UnicornHuman 6 years ago
is no one gonna comment on the fact that he's holding his stomach like he has a food baby lmao
Tiny Dynamine 6 years ago
If they could, they be shor. Thank you, I'm here all week.
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Phoebe Bean 6 years ago
From Wikipedia: Children's music group PARCHIS: "Tino (Constantino Fernández Fernández). Born in Barcelona, Spain, March 25, 1967. Member from 1979 to 1983. The red p**n, lead vocal in many songs, and the leader of the group. After his time in the group was done, he tried to gain popularity as a solo artist. He released three albums, but with little success. As an adult, he worked for the company Artel. During this time, he lost his left arm in a car accident in the vicinity of Murcia. He currently resides in Barcelona, where he is a radio sports commentator. He is married with no children.
Santiago Molina 6 years ago
Spanish, Tino was part of a music child band called Parchis and here he's apparently making his solo debut in music... or in something else...
#28
Kathryn Baylis 6 years ago
And his Number 1 hit "'Scuse Me While I Scratch My Head", flip side is "I Think She Had Lice"
#29
Ashley Galyen 6 years ago
Birches tend to grow near a watering hole. She's looking for prey.
Load More Replies... Pretty Pangolin 6 years ago
You've got to watch out for all those leopards who hide in birch trees.
Biljana Malesevic 6 years ago
"Life is good when you are young" - title. I can't see song titles well but they seem normal.
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What do you think ?
Biljana Malesevic 6 years ago (edited)
I promised myself I will never ever comment again on BP because I hate these downvotes. Like people are shaming me for telling my opinion on something. Even more ridiculous they actually erase my comment if people don't like my opinion. So I have to think like everyone else. But I will make exception here as someone who lived in Ex Yugoslavia and Serbia now. Look, all of these are from '80s, it was fashion then. Some of these are made by comedians and actors and children entertainers, so they are basically ridiculous on purpose. Some are really ridiculous, but as I wrote, those were times when it was considered "edgy" and "modern". We are also laughing at them now. And most importantly, what is actually most funny on some of these are song and album titles which are in Serbian so 99% of readers won't get it. I tried to translate one of those albums (24) just to show you how funny titles are but most of it got lost in translation.
Diver Driver 6 years ago
Your comments made this article worth reading. Down voters when folk positively contribute are dorks. Watch me get down voted.
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Monika Soffronow 6 years ago
They did not have Photoshop back then and the only people who had plastic surgery were in bad need for it to get back to looking more "normal", either from deformations or from bad burns or other accidents. So, basically, they look like normal everyday people from a different decade. What absolutely ridiculous pressure young people grow up with now. Just take a look at the two Trump women in the White House: both of them have the same nose even though they are not related at all... (Future comment: "Oh, daaahling, your daughter looks JUST like you! You simply HAVE to tell me who your surgeon is!")
Rebecah Ozuna 6 years ago
OMG, this comment is gold! Yeah, plastic surgeries were to fix scarring from accidents or missing limbs, today is mostly pure banality.
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Richard Wareham 6 years ago
I came looking for the '71 Vintage Album Covers' as stated in the heading. I only see 35. What happened to the other 36?
Sanya Brandt 6 years ago
Well this was FUN! :) I didn't see it this way back then but today I think: #1 - she was a feminist before feminism :D As for #26 Shaban Bajramovic - a legend, he could take on any jazz orchestra anywhere in the world, just jammin' and ace his gig, that is how good he was, only most people do not know about the Balkan King of gypsy world music. Thanks for this, I had a good laugh and fine memories from that time :)
Biljana Malesevic 6 years ago (edited)
I promised myself I will never ever comment again on BP because I hate these downvotes. Like people are shaming me for telling my opinion on something. Even more ridiculous they actually erase my comment if people don't like my opinion. So I have to think like everyone else. But I will make exception here as someone who lived in Ex Yugoslavia and Serbia now. Look, all of these are from '80s, it was fashion then. Some of these are made by comedians and actors and children entertainers, so they are basically ridiculous on purpose. Some are really ridiculous, but as I wrote, those were times when it was considered "edgy" and "modern". We are also laughing at them now. And most importantly, what is actually most funny on some of these are song and album titles which are in Serbian so 99% of readers won't get it. I tried to translate one of those albums (24) just to show you how funny titles are but most of it got lost in translation.
Diver Driver 6 years ago
Your comments made this article worth reading. Down voters when folk positively contribute are dorks. Watch me get down voted.
Load More Replies... Monika Soffronow 6 years ago
They did not have Photoshop back then and the only people who had plastic surgery were in bad need for it to get back to looking more "normal", either from deformations or from bad burns or other accidents. So, basically, they look like normal everyday people from a different decade. What absolutely ridiculous pressure young people grow up with now. Just take a look at the two Trump women in the White House: both of them have the same nose even though they are not related at all... (Future comment: "Oh, daaahling, your daughter looks JUST like you! You simply HAVE to tell me who your surgeon is!")
Rebecah Ozuna 6 years ago
OMG, this comment is gold! Yeah, plastic surgeries were to fix scarring from accidents or missing limbs, today is mostly pure banality.
Load More Replies... Richard Wareham 6 years ago
I came looking for the '71 Vintage Album Covers' as stated in the heading. I only see 35. What happened to the other 36?
Sanya Brandt 6 years ago
Well this was FUN! :) I didn't see it this way back then but today I think: #1 - she was a feminist before feminism :D As for #26 Shaban Bajramovic - a legend, he could take on any jazz orchestra anywhere in the world, just jammin' and ace his gig, that is how good he was, only most people do not know about the Balkan King of gypsy world music. Thanks for this, I had a good laugh and fine memories from that time :)
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