Šta je ljubav

Song Meaning

The lyrics of "Šta je ljubav" grapple with the profound emptiness experienced in the absence of a loved one. The narrator repeatedly poses existential questions about the meaning of fundamental aspects of life – night, dreams, morning, day, youth, joy, and life itself – only to conclude that without their beloved, these elements are reduced to "tuga" (sadness). This framing establishes a powerful emotional dependency, where the presence of the loved one is the sole determinant of value and meaning. The central tension arises from this stark dichotomy: life is either imbued with meaning through the beloved's presence or rendered meaningless and sorrowful by their absence. The repeated questioning, "Šta je ljubav, moja ljubavi?" (What is love, my love?), acts as a desperate plea for definition, but the only answer provided is the pain of separation. The lyrics suggest that love, for the narrator, is not an abstract concept but a tangible presence whose removal erases all other forms of happiness and purpose. The most striking aspect of the writing is its relentless, almost hypnotic, repetition. The questions about the meaning of time and life are asked twice in succession, mirroring the cyclical nature of the narrator's grief and obsession. This structural choice amplifies the feeling of being trapped in a loop of longing and despair, where each day and night brings only the confirmation of their loneliness. The simple, direct answers – "To je tuga, moja ljubavi" – underscore the raw, unadorned nature of this sorrow. Ultimately, the effectiveness of these lyrics lies in their unvarnished portrayal of heartbreak. By stripping away all other potential sources of joy and meaning, the song creates a potent, almost suffocating, atmosphere of longing. The narrator's inability to conceive of a meaningful existence without their beloved is both heartbreaking and deeply resonant, capturing a specific, intense form of romantic devotion where the other person becomes the entire world.