He was born in Ostrava, Czech Republic and has played guitar since he was 13. He began studies at the Technical University of Ostrava but eventually left the school. He tried various jobs and eventually ended up working as a freelance lyricist. He gained fame with his first song for Marie Rottrová, Lásko, voníš deštěm (You Smell of Rain, My Love) - it was a remake of Black Sabbath 's ballad "She's Gone". He lives in Ostrava, has a wife and two children.
In 1982 he started performing in public, a sound decision in that a number of his songs gained wide popularity. His first album, Darmoděj (Aimless), released in 1988 was an immediate sell-out. An aura of myth arose around Nohavica which survived even the crisis period of his treatment for alcoholism. His subsequent release of the lovely, slightly pessimistic Mikymauzoleum (Mickey Mousoleum), an album of mainly melancholy songs. In 1994 he live recorded an album Tři čuníci (Three Piglets), intended for children, with humoristic songs.
In 1996 Nohavica released Divné století (Strange Century). He and his producer employed new instruments and voices for the new songs on the album, and it became a huge success. Two years later Jaromír Nohavica and Kapela (ie. the Band) came out with Koncert (Concert), a record featuring Nohavica playing with a band, and this fact recognizably changed his music. The album contains mainly older material, but the new treatment gave it a new appeal. His studio album from 2000, Moje smutné srdce (My Sad Heart), contains mostly sad songs about love.
Nohavica also starred in Petr Zelenka's movie Rok Ďábla (Year of The Devil), which was awarded the main prize at the 37th Karlovy Vary International Film Festival in 2002 and several other international film festivals.
Apart from his native Czech Republic, he also enjoys some popularity in neighbouring Poland and Slovakia.
He has just released a brand new CD called Ikarus which was recorded during his January's sets of concerts in Ostrava.
Starý muž
Jaromír Nohavica Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
A mladé víno lisovat
Až budu starým mužem budu si konečně jist
Tím koho chci milovat
Koupím si pergamen a štětec a tuš
A jako čínský mudrc sednu na břeh řeky
A budu starý muž
A jedno staré rádio
Až budu starým mužem budu svoje místo mít
U okna kavárny Avion
Koupím si pergamen a štětec a tuš
A budu pozorovat lidi kam jdou asi
A budu starý muž
Až budu starým mužem budu černý oblek mít
A šedou vázanku
Až budu starým mužem budu místo vody pít
Lahodné víno ze džbánku
Koupím si pergamen a štětec a tuš
A budu mlčet jako mlčí ti kdo vědí už
Starý muž
The lyrics to Jaromír Nohavica's song Starý muž speak of the desires and plans of an aging man. He speaks of his love for literature and wine, and how he plans to spend his time enjoying both. He states that he will finally be certain of who he wants to love, and will buy parchment paper, a brush, and ink to sit by the river like a Chinese wise man. The man speaks of purchasing an old apartment, an old radio, and taking a seat by the window of the Avion café to watch the world go by. He will wear a black suit and grey tie and drink wine from a jug in place of water. The man will spend his time observing the world around him, staying quiet like those who already know the secrets of the world.
This song is a commentary on the fact that as we age, we begin to appreciate things that we may have overlooked in our youth. The old man in the song has given up his pursuit of material possessions and instead seeks the simple pleasures in life. He also speaks of the wisdom that comes with age, and how he will learn to love the right person. It is a reminder to us all to slow down and appreciate the little things in life, as we never know when we may suddenly find ourselves in old age.
Line by Line Meaning
Až budu starým mužem budu staré knihy číst
When I become an old man, I will read old books
A mladé víno lisovat
And press young wine
Až budu starým mužem budu si konečně jist
When I become an old man, I will finally be sure
Tím koho chci milovat
Of whom I want to love
Koupím si pergamen a štětec a tuš
I will buy parchment, brush, and ink
A jako čínský mudrc sednu na břeh řeky
And like a Chinese sage, I will sit on the riverbank
A budu starý muž
And I will be an old man
Až budu starým mužem pořídím si starý byt
When I become an old man, I will buy an old apartment
A jedno staré rádio
And an old radio
Až budu starým mužem budu svoje místo mít
When I become an old man, I will have my place
U okna kavárny Avion
By the window of the Avion café
Koupím si pergamen a štětec a tuš
I will buy parchment, brush, and ink
A budu pozorovat lidi kam jdou asi
And I will observe where people go
A budu starý muž
And I will be an old man
Až budu starým mužem budu černý oblek mít
When I become an old man, I will have a black suit
A šedou vázanku
And a gray tie
Až budu starým mužem budu místo vody pít
When I become an old man, I will drink delicious wine
Lahodné víno ze džbánku
From a jug
Koupím si pergamen a štětec a tuš
I will buy parchment, brush, and ink
A budu mlčet jako mlčí ti kdo vědí už
And I will be silent, like those who already know
Starý muž
An old man
Contributed by Sarah G. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Petr Titěra
Tak krásně napsaný text, že se skoro už teď těším na stáří.
Tomáš Tůma
Petr Tit mno naprosto přesně , hlavně z toho vyzařuje ta pohoda , žádné honeni se za něčím
Hana Nechanická
chacha krásná píseň ale není se na co těšit, není tam nic o nemocech nemohoucnosti, rakovině, smrti... zdraví vdova
Pavol Hlôška
Do řiti, já se snad začnu těšit na to, až budu starý muž.
Alexander JÁRAY
Už len si priznať, že aj ja som už starý muž.
Moravia šotouš
Velmi dobře vymyšlené s tou Tu47!!
Ladislav Vachutka
Top video. Společně s Nad stádem koní od Buty top videos!
renata kheková
super :*
GEorGe Hand
cas bezi jeste rychleji nez jsem si do ted MYslel
pan Nohavica predbehl cas:)I○○rym UZ