Early years
Proeski, was born in Prilep, Macedonia, to Dominika and Nikola Proeski from Kruševo, his hometown, where he spent most of his childhood. After his musical talent was discovered, at the age of 12 he was chosen to perform at the popular children's song festival "Zlatno Slavejče" in Skopje. This was his first public music performance; however, his successful career began in 1996 when he participated in the teenage music festival "Makfest" in Stip.
Following this public exposure, he was awarded for his strong vocal capabilities. This led to his rise to fame when he participated in the music festival Makfest in Štip with the song "Pusti me"("Let me go") in 1997. His fanbase quickly grew and he continued to make use of festivals, such as SkopjeFest and OhridFest, as a platform for promotion and publicity. Proeski collaborated with one of Macedonia’s acclaimed lyricists and composers, Grigor Koprov, to produce some of the greatest hits of his career such as "Usni na Usni" ("Lips on Lips") and "Sonce vo Tvoite Rusi Kosi" ("The Sun in Your Golden Hair"). In 1999, he released his debut album, Nekade vo Nokta ("Somewhere in the Night"), which contained eleven tracks. In the summer of the same year, Proeski performed his first solo concert in Skopje.
In 2000, Proeski participated in the Eurovision pre-selection for Macedonia in SkopjeFest. He sang "Solzi Pravat Zlaten Prsten" ("Tears make a golden ring"), which won the televoting from the public but he finished third overall, behind Karolina Gočeva and the winners XXL. During that period, he began recording the tracks for his second album, Sinot Božji ("The Son of God"), which was promoted by the end of June 2000. The album brought some great hits, like "Nemir" ("Restless") (a duet with Karolina Gočeva), "Vo Kosi da ti Spijam" ("Sleeping in Your Hair"), "Izlaži me Ušte Ednaš" ("Lie to Me One More Time"), as well as "Iluzija" ("Illusion") (Grand Prix at the festival Slavianski Bazaar in Vitebsk ) and "Tajno Moja" ("Secret of mine"). Two songs are composed by Kire Kostov (winning second prize at the festival Sunčane Skale, held in Herceg Novi, now Montenegro).
The Serbian production house BK Sound purchased the rights to release Proeski's latest album in the other former Yugoslavian republics, which led to his victory of the Oscar of Popularity in those former republics for the year of 2000, and his sell-out shows in Skopje and Belgrade. Proeski embarked on an Australian tour along with other Macedonian singers in 2001.
After spending his time in recording studios in Athens, Greece, Proeski released his third album "Ako me pogledneš vo oči" ("If You Look Into My Eyes") in Macedonian and Serbian. After the release, Proeski went on a tour throughout Macedonia doing intense promotion. He also went to Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Bulgaria for further promotion. Proeski won "Beovizija" in Belgrade on April 2003, with "Čija si" ("To whom do you belong?"), a song which became a huge hit in Macedonia and the other former republics.
Superstardom
To improve his singing, Proeski took classes in New York from maestro William Riley, who was also coach to famous maestro Luciano Pavarotti. When he returned, Proeski held humanitarian concerts throughout the Republic of Macedonia. He was awarded with the Mother Theresa Humanitarian Award and in 2003 he became a Regional UNICEF Ambassador.
In 2004, MKTV chose Proeski to represent Macedonia at the Eurovision Song Contest 2004 in Istanbul, Turkey, and in February, he performed eight songs, where a jury, televote, and his own opinion chose the song. The song "Angel Si Ti” ("You’re an Angel”) was chosen by all three. In April, Proeski released his album "Den Za Nas" ("A Day For Us"), which was two CDs featuring the eight songs from the Eurovision selection. In May, Proeski finished 14th with the song "Life", which was the English version of "Angel Si Ti”. Prior to the contest he was popularised by reporters due to his tremendous opera singing ability, at his press conferences.
In 2004 Proeski was named a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador, and recorded the song "This World" which became the UNICEF anthem. Proeski signed a contract with Dallas Records so his next album could be released in Croatia and Slovenia. To establish himself in these countries, Proeski recorded "Krajnje Vreme” with Slovenian singer, Anja Rupel. In 2005, Toše’s fifth album Po Tebe ("After You”) was released all over ex-Yugoslavia. Po Tebe, was one of the most successful Balkan albums ever. It topped music charts for months in the Republic of Macedonia, Serbia, Croatia, Slovenia and Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Božilak (Rainbow), was a compilation of 14 selected traditional Macedonian songs. The artist was backed up by a symphony orchestra on the album.
His latest album 'Igri bez granici' (Macedonian title)/'Igra bez granica' (Croatian title) ("Game without borders") was released all over ex-Yugoslavia in August 2007.
Apart from songs in Macedonian and the Croatian language, he also recorded one song in Slovenian, "Moja" (Mine) (2007)and one in the Italian language, "Aria" ("air"), with Italian superstar Gianna Nannini. List of artist who collaborated with Proeski include Anja Rupel, Antonija Šola, Bora Čorba, Karolina Gočeva, Esma Redžepova, Gianna Nannini, Goca Tržan, Grigor Koprov, Jeff Beck, Tony Cetinski, Željko Joksimović and other notable musicians. Prior to his death, he was a student in his final year in the solo singing department of the Skopje Music Academy.
Songwriting
Proeski also established himself as a songwriter. He wrote several hits for himself including "Ima Li Den Za Nas" (Is There A Day For Us), "Slusaš Li" (Can You Hear), "Malečka" (Little One) and "Polsko Cvekje" (Field Flower). In 2004, Proeski composed "Muza" (Muse) which was a huge hit for Martin Vučić (Macedonian Eurovision Song Contest Representative, 2005), and went on the become the title track for the young artist's second album. In interviews, Proeski stated that he has written over 100 songs but was waiting for the right moments to record them as they were still in demo form.
On October 15, Proeski gave his final interview to the Macedonian Television Station Kanal 5. He talked about his intention to finish his Musical Academy studies, his search for his soul mate, and his new album in the works.
Tose's last concert was held October 5, 2007 for the Primary Education Project for USAID. The concert raised tens of thousands of euros for the primary schools of Macedonia. The concert was attended by over 20,000 people and viewed all over the world.
Death
During the early morning of 16 October 2007, around 6:30 am, Proeski died in a car accident on the Zagreb–Lipovac highway near Nova Gradiška, Croatia. He was a passenger along with his manager Ljiljana Petrović in a Volkswagen Touareg driven by Gjorgji Gjorgjievski. The Touareg crashed into the back of a truck and then into the median barrier, killing Proeski instantly, crushing the third vertebrae of the neck, although the truck sustained no damage. Proeski was asleep in the front passenger seat at the time of the crash.[6] Of the other two passengers, only the driver suffered serious injuries (head trauma).
Proeski's body arrived at midnight in Skopje by helicopter of the Macedonian army, and was transported by car to his home town Kruševo. Grieving citizens gathered to pay their last respects at the airport and also in Skopje's city square. The Embassy of the United States of America, the USAID and the Diplomatic mission of the European Union published official statements on the death of Toše Proeski. October 17 was pronounced a national day of mourning in Macedonia. The three days following his death were pronounced days of mourning in the City of Kruševo.
After his death, the government of the Republic of Macedonia, gave him the title "Honorable citizen of Macedonia"
State funeral
The government organized an official state funeral[11] for Proeski, which was held 17 October 2007 in his home town of Kruševo, including military honour ceremonies by the Macedonian army and the National guard, such as a honor guard, a military orchestra and a honorary rifle salute. The funeral, which was broadcasted by the national Macedonian TV was attended by many domestic and foreign delegations, including the president Branko Crvenkovski, the prime minister Nikola Gruevski, members of the Macedonian Parliament and its president Ljubiša Georgievski and other high-ranking officials, the US and the EU ambassadors Gillian Milovanovic and Erwan Fouéré and other diplomats, representatives of the Red Cross, the USAID and other organizations, sport clubs etc. Also, the funeral was attended by many notable musicians from Republic of Macedonia and other countries, including: Karolina Gočeva, Kaliopi, Vlado Janevski, Lambe Alabakoski, Elena Risteska, Jovan Jovanov, Martin Vučić, Adrian Gaxha, Tijana Dapčević and her sister Tamara Todevska, Aki Rahimovski (the frontman of Parni valjak), Toni Cetinski, Ceca Ražnatović, Željko Joksimović and many others. The religious service was held by the Macedonian Orthodox Church led by the Archbishop Stephen of Ohrid, as Proeski was a declared Orthodox Christian.
Numerous websites, blogs and internet forums are filled with the last messages from his fans and friends (example). A petition is available on-line[13] for Toše Proeski to be remembered by naming educational facilities, like the local Center for Music Education in Bitola, where he had studied to carry his name. Also this petition is to promote an annual humanitarian concert, carrying his name "Tose Proeski" for the poor and disabled and those of desperate need of medical attention. Also, a page for condolences can be found at the Kruševo municipality official website.
Aria
Toše Proeski Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Another fight
That all familiar scene
You looking
At your watch again
Saying what's the time
And where the hell you've been
Even on the other side
Wondering why I even tried it all
Looking to my heart again
With your x ray eyes
Tell me what're you trying to see
Can't stand the way you look at me
I put my hands up
I put my hands up
I guess I'm guilty
Hands up
I must return whatever you accused me of
I stand up to hear your judgement
It's always guilty
But I'm gonna make a break
Before you turn the key
Baby my life would be easier
Getting out of here
And trying to make it right
There's no matter what I do
I can't get through
I wanna just get back
You forget the liveness
We just exist as nothing left inside
Should I tell you what you wanna hear
And kill it with this life
Show you what you wanna see
It seems to be that you need me
To put my hands up
I put my hands up
I guess I'm guilty
Hands up
I must return whatever you accused me of
I stand up to hear your judgement
It's always guilty
But I'm gonna make a break
Before you turn the key
And we'll become this strangers
I don't even recognise us
Cause nothing's there to justified you
Feel it the way you do
But I guess all I can do is to
Put my hands up
Put my hands up
I guess I'm guilty
Hands up
I must return whatever you accused me of
I stand up to hear your judgement
It's always guilty girl
But I'm gonna make a break
Before you turn the key
I put my hands up
I guess I'm guilty
Hands up
I must return whatever you accused me of
I stand up to hear your judgement
It's always guilty
Girl I'm gonna make a break
Before you turn the key
I guess it's just another night
Another fight
That all familiar scene
The song "Guilty" by Toše Proeski speaks about a relationship filled with constant fights and accusations. The lyrics convey a sense of frustration and hopelessness, as the singer knows that no matter what they do, they will always be found guilty in their partner's eyes. The opening lines introduce the listener to the same old story, with the couple fighting yet again. The partner is looking at their watch, wondering where the singer has been and what they have been doing. Despite being on the other side, the singer wonders why they even tried, indicating that the relationship has been challenging from the start.
The chorus is the most prominent part of the song, with the singer confessing to being guilty and putting their hands up, ready to face judgment. They state that no matter what they do, they are always found guilty. The singer acknowledges that their life would be easier if they got out of the relationship and tried to make things right. The second verse suggests that communication between the couple has broken down. The partner has become distant and unresponsive, and the singer feels that they are just existing in the relationship instead of living.
Overall, "Guilty" is a song that portrays the struggles of a relationship where communication has stopped, and both parties are unable to understand or connect with each other.
Line by Line Meaning
I guess it's just another night
The singer is resigned to this being just another night of the same problems.
Another fight
The singer knows that they will inevitably have another argument.
That all familiar scene
The situation is so common and predictable that it has become familiar to the singer.
You looking
The artist is addressing their partner, who is watching them.
At your watch again
The partner seems to have a time limit on their patience or willingness to listen.
Saying what's the time
The partner is asking what time it is, but this might also be rhetorical, meaning "how much longer can this go on?"
And where the hell you've been
The partner is accusing the singer of something, implying that they were gone or up to something suspicious.
Even on the other side
The artist suggests that the partner is unwilling to understand their perspective.
Wondering why I even tried it all
The artist is questioning why they bother to make an effort if it always ends in the same argument.
Looking to my heart again
The artist is trying to understand their own feelings, but also perhaps asking for the partner to understand them too.
With your x ray eyes
The partner is being compared to someone with the ability to see through things and discover hidden truths.
Tell me what're you trying to see
The artist is asking the partner what they are hoping to discover by looking into their heart.
Can't stand the way you look at me
The singer is uncomfortable with the accusatory or skeptical way the partner views them.
I put my hands up
The singer feels powerless and defeated.
I guess I'm guilty
The singer is admitting defeat and taking the blame, even if they don't really deserve it.
I must return whatever you accused me of
The artist knows they will be asked to account for something they may not have actually done.
I stand up to hear your judgement
The artist will listen to the partner's criticisms, even if they are unfair or untrue.
It's always guilty
The partner always finds the singer at fault, even when it's not justified.
But I'm gonna make a break
The singer is going to try to escape this cycle of blame and arguments.
Before you turn the key
The artist wants to leave before the partner has a chance to lock them in or trap them in the relationship.
Baby my life would be easier
The artist recognizes that leaving might be the best thing for them overall.
Getting out of here
The artist wants to escape the toxic relationship and the repeating arguments.
And trying to make it right
The singer wants to put things behind them and start making progress towards a happier life.
There's no matter what I do
The artist feels like they can't do anything that will satisfy the partner.
I can't get through
The singer can't seem to connect with the partner and resolve their issues.
You forget the liveness
The partner has forgotten the vitality and love that once existed in the relationship.
We just exist as nothing left inside
The relationship has become hollow and empty, with no real feelings left.
Should I tell you what you wanna hear
The artist is considering lying or giving the partner what they want to try and ease tensions.
And kill it with this life
The artist fears that the relationship may be poisonous or destructive to them.
Show you what you wanna see
The singer may put on a facade or try to behave in a way that pleases the partner, even if it's not really who they are.
It seems to be that you need me
The singer senses that the partner may be codependent or overly reliant on the relationship.
And we'll become this strangers
The artist fears that if the relationship continues down this path, they will become unrecognizable to each other.
I don't even recognise us
The artist doesn't feel like the relationship has any positive aspects or common ground anymore.
Cause nothing's there to justified you
The artist feels like the partner's accusations and criticisms aren't based in reality or reason.
Feel it the way you do
The singer recognizes that the partner may have their own hurt and pain that is driving their behavior and reactions.
But I guess all I can do is to
The artist doesn't know what else to do but try to escape and move on.
Contributed by Samantha V. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@warpthal
He tragically died in a car accident at the age of 26. Such a talent, such a great person, so young and handsome. I discovered him recently and cannot stop viewing his videos and listening to his great voice and singing! What a loss for humanity!
@isabella12300
You're always be remebered by everyone, Toše, and you live in our hearts forever ! Love from Slovenia
@orkanskivisovi
UVEK NAJBOLJI! Tose, iako sa nama nisi skoro pune dve godine, u nasim srcima ces uvek biti tu... tvoje pesme su nam samo nit koja ce nas UVEK povezivati... Tose, volimo te puno. Pocivaj u miru.
@kiki89oh
Just close the eyes and enjoy in amazing voice of our Angel Tose and Gianna. I'm glad to be Macedonian. Tose you will always be in my heart!!
@flora61
Beautiful Gianna's song and Toše's brilliant performance. Angelic voice...lives forever. R.I.P., Toše.
@CrNaLalla
..kakav poseban čovijek.. dobar, divan, pun ljubavi za ljude oko sebe.. na ljude djeluje tako smirujuće.. još taj Anđeoski glas.. ... Ovakav čovijek se više neće rodit, to je sigurno... <3 <3 počivaj u miru Anđele.. <3 <3
@quarkoni
uvijek si bio i ostaces najljepsi glas balkana..a jedan od najvecih na svijetu..hvala ti Tose (=
@feonzolo
Grandissima canzone, cantata da grandissimi cantanti!!! Se Tose fosse ancora vivo, penso che ormai sarebbe una star mondiale di altissimo livello! E' strano come i casi della vita possano stroncare talenti del genere!
@cucak79
Uno dei migliori cantanti che hanno vissuto in questo secolo!!!!!! TOSE PROESKI riposa in pace!!!!! R.I.P.
@tremolo95
Prelepa pesma... Ovo je bio pevac, nema taj zanr muzike koji on nije mogao da otpeva... Ali kao i sve sto je lepo kratko traje... Kakva steta za ovako kvalitetnog i svestranog pevaca... Iz kako malog mesta je on uspeo da se probije, svaka mu cast... R.I.P