Boris Novković

Boris Novković is a Croatian singer-songwriter with a career spanning from the 1980s to 2025. He became famous for his melodic pop-rock songs and emotive ballads. Boris rose to prominence in Yugoslavia, represented Croatia in Eurovision 2005, and continues to release new music. 

Early Life and Musical Background

Boris Novković was born on 25 December 1967 in Sarajevo, then part of Yugoslavia. He grew up in a musical family. His mother was a music teacher, and his father Đorđe Novković was a famous Croatian songwriter and music producer. Surrounded by music, Boris learned guitar at age 13. This supportive background sparked his passion for songwriting and performing. By his teens, he was already writing songs and dreaming of a music career.

1980s: Debut and Breakthrough Hits

Boris launched his professional career in 1986 with his rock band Noćna straža. That year he recorded his debut album “Kuda idu izgubljene djevojke” (“Where Do Lost Girls Go”), which became a huge success across Yugoslavia. The title track (also known as “Tamara”) was a radio hit, and the album sold over 120,000 copies. In 1987 Novković released his second album “Jači od sudbine” (“Stronger than Fate”), which sold 160,000 copies and remains his best-selling album.

He kept up the momentum with two more successful albums: “Dok svira radio” (1988) and “Obojeni snovi” (1989). By the end of the 1980s, Boris had become one of Yugoslavia’s top young pop-rock stars. He scored many hit singles on the charts, such as “Dok svira radio” and “Da te nisam ljubio” (“If I Hadn’t Loved You”), which made him a household name.

1990s: Continued Success and Eurovision Attempts

In 1990, Boris Novković nearly made it to the Eurovision Song Contest. He entered the Yugoslav national selection with the song “Dajana”, finishing in second place. This near-miss denied him a trip to Eurovision, but he did earn the chance to perform at an international music festival in Kuala Lumpur that year. Throughout the 1990s, Boris continued to thrive in the now-independent Croatian music scene. He released a string of albums during this decade, including “U dobru i u zlu” (1995) and  (1997). To celebrate his first decade of work, he put out a greatest hits collection in 1995. (He would release another best-of compilation in 2003.) While few later songs matched the blockbuster success of his early hits, he remained a popular singer with numerous radio favorites. Boris also shone at music festivals and award shows. For example, his duet “Daleko” with Bosnian singer Kemal Monteno won the ZagrebFest song festival in 1997. By the end of the 90s, Boris Novković had solidified his status as a leading Croatian pop-rock artist with an extensive discography of love songs and rock ballads.

Eurovision 2005 and “Vukovi umiru sami”

After many years of national fame, Boris Novković achieved international recognition in 2005 when he represented Croatia at Eurovision. Fifteen years after his earlier attempt, he won Croatia’s Dora 2005 song contest to earn his spot at Eurovision. His winning song was “Vukovi umiru sami”, which means “Wolves Die Alone” in English. The song is a powerful pop-rock ballad with folk elements. Boris performed it on the Eurovision stage in Kyiv alongside members of the Lado traditional ensemble, giving the performance a Croatian ethnic flair. At the Eurovision Song Contest 2005, Boris first competed in the semi-final (since Croatia had not pre-qualified) and successfully qualified for the grand final. In the final, “Vukovi umiru sami” finished 11th out of 24 entries with 115 points. Boris’s Eurovision appearance introduced him to a wider European audience and remains a highlight of his career.

Eurovision Songwriting and Other Projects

Boris Novković’s Eurovision journey did not end in 2005. The next year, he contributed as a songwriter to Croatia’s entry. He composed the music for “Moja štikla”, performed by pop star Severina at Eurovision 2006. This upbeat song (with its quirky folk style) became a hit in Croatia, adding to Boris’s achievements in the Eurovision world. Boris also tried multiple times to return to Eurovision himself. He participated in Croatia’s Dora national selection in other years – for instance, he entered songs in 1994, 2000, and 2002 – but those entries did not win. Beyond Eurovision, Boris kept expanding his musical projects.

He recorded music in both Croatian and English, experimenting with different styles. In the late 2000s, for example, he released an album on an indie label associated with spiritual figure Braco, showing his willingness to try new ventures. Throughout the 2000s and 2010s, Boris remained a steady presence on stage. He toured regularly across Croatia and neighboring countries, performing both old hits and new songs for loyal fans. He also appeared often on television music specials and festivals. His musical style stayed rooted in melodic pop-rock, though he occasionally blended in folk and acoustic elements. This approachable style and his heartfelt songwriting kept him in the public eye even as musical trends changed.

2000s and 2010s: Albums, Tours and Collaborations

Novković continued to release albums and music videos through the 2000s and 2010s. After Eurovision, he put out new studio albums that pleased his fan base. Notably, he released “Ostvaren san” (Realized Dream) in 2004 and “Zapisan u tebi” (Written in You) in 2008, further enriching his discography. In 2011 he came out with “Via ljubav” and in 2014 “Još sam uvijek tvoj” (“I’m Still Yours”), proving his longevity as a recording artist. Many of his albums produced popular singles and were accompanied by official music videos on Croatian music channels. Boris also collaborated with numerous fellow artists. He has performed duets with big names in the region.

In addition to the 90s duet with Kemal Monteno, he joined with Serbian pop singer Ana Stanić for a ballad called “S one strane ljubavi” (“On the Other Side of Love”) in 2023. Over the years, he has written or performed songs with other Croatian stars as well. These collaborations show Boris’s respected status in the Balkan music community. During this era, Boris frequently played live concerts and acoustic shows, maintaining a close connection with his audience. His mix of romantic ballads and upbeat rock numbers kept crowds singing along. By the 2010s, Boris Novković was considered a veteran pop-rock singer who still delivered fresh songs and energetic performances.

2020–2025: Recent Years and New Releases

Even after nearly four decades in music, Boris Novković is still active and creative in the 2020s. He has adapted well to the modern music scene. In 2021, he released a collection titled “Gori Ulica” (“The Street is Burning”), demonstrating that his rock spirit remains alive. Boris also marked his long career with a special compilation “25 Greatest Hits” in 2024, giving fans a retrospective of his most beloved songs. Most importantly, he has continued to produce brand-new music.

In June 2025, Boris released a new studio album called “Zbog nas” (“Because of Us”), featuring nine fresh tracks. Leading up to this album, he dropped several new singles and videos. For example, he released the single “Kome zvona zvone” (“For Whom the Bell Tolls”) in 2023 and a heartfelt ballad “Nesanica” (“Insomnia”) in 2024. He also premiered music videos for songs like “Ljeto je” (“It’s Summer”) and “Kad on te ostavi” (“When He Leaves You”) on YouTube, keeping his visual presence strong. In recent years Boris has performed at major Croatian music events such as the CMC Festival in Vodice, and he continues to tour, delighting both old and new fans with live renditions of his classic hits.