Goran Karan (born April 2, 1964 in Belgrade) is a Croatian singer and songwriter specializing in songs inspired by Dalmatian music. He stands out for his strong and refined tenor voice, and during his career he won numerous domestic music awards. Collaboration with composer Zdenko Runjić gave him the most famous hits, and he won over a wider audience by winning first place at Dora and presenting Croatia at the Eurovision Song Contest 2000 with the song “Kad zaspu danjeli”.
Early life and origin
Goran Karan was born in 1964 in Belgrade, while his parents were on a journey through the former Yugoslavia. According to his statement, “I was conceived in Zagreb, born in Belgrade, and I live in Split”. He spent his childhood and education in his native Split, the city where he still lives and works today. He grew up in a musical family and already in elementary school he showed a preference for music, especially singing.
the beginning of a musical career
He started his career in the early 1980s in several Zagreb and Split rock bands. He performed with groups Epicenter, Ninth Hole (Devite Circle) and Zippo. In 1983, he co-founded the Hevi Metal band black widow in which he recorded an album Fate (1987). In the period 1990–1996. He was a rock group singer Big Blue. S Big Blue released an album The road to the city of paradise (1995), with the song “Priznaj mi” which was declared the rock hit of the year. At the same time, he had the main role in the musical “Sarajevo Circle” (1995), thus gaining the experience of performing on big stages throughout Croatia and Europe.
- 1995 – With Big Blue released an album The road to the city of paradise and hit-single “Acknowledge me”, who won the title of rock hit of the year.
- 1997 – Karan begins an independent career; At the end of the year, he performs in the musical “Rock It” in Vienna.
Solo career and albums
As an independent performer, Goran Karan recorded the greatest successes. The first solo album Like I don’t love you He published in 1999 in collaboration with Zdenko Runjić. That album became the best-selling in Croatia and reached a platinum edition. With Runjić’s compositions such as “Lipa si, lipa” and “Prozor kraj đardina”, Karan won the most prestigious festivals (melodies of the Croatian Adriatic) and the title of singer of the year according to the surveys of the Croatian media.
- 1999. Like I don’t love you – Debi album (collaboration with Z. Runjić), the best-selling album of the year in Croatia. Hit-singles: “You are beautiful, linden” (first prize at the Hit Summer Festival in Pula) and “Window near the garden” (Winning song Melody of the Croatian Adriatic).
- 2000. Vagabond – Second album (together with Runjić), also platinum. title song “I’m just a vagabond” She won the Golden Seagull at the Croatian Adriatic Melodies in 2000.
- 2001. Dalmatian tears – a compilation album with the biggest hits and two new songs, sold in a gold edition. The titular composition was awarded the Golden Seagull in 2001.
- 2002. Oh! – a new album whose reading of the same name won the melodies of the Croatian Adriatic in 2002.
- 2005. From heart to lips – the fifth studio album, from which the single “My rose” wins first place at the Split Festival and at the Sunčana skala festival in Herceg Novi.
- 2008. You love – sixth album; Hit-singles “Where did you grow” and “Angel” They ended up at the top of the Croatian charts.
With these albums, Karan strengthened his status as one of the most successful Croatian entertainment singers: his concerts fill the halls, and the songs have a large audience in Croatia and the region.
Eurosong, festivals and awards
Goran Karan is a regular participant in Croatian music festivals and competitions. The most famous moment was the year 2000: by winning Dora with a song “When Angels Fall Sleep” He became a representative of Croatia at the Eurovision Song Contest in Stockholm, where he took a high 9th place. In the same year, he won as many as three Porin music awards (for the best pop music album, the best male vocal performance and the best vocal collaboration – a duet with Oliver Dragojević).
He also achieved special success at regional festivals: the festival Melodies of the Croatian Adriatic, Sunčane Skale, Split Festival, Zadar Fest, CMC Festival, etc. At all these competitions, he won the main prizes with songs such as “Window near the garden”, “You are beautiful, linden”, “When Angels Fall Sleep”, “My rose” and Dr.
In addition to the competition, Karan also participated in major music projects. After the tragic fire accident in Kornati in 2007, he is the author of a humanitarian song “This is not the end” which he sang with a group of famous performers at a charity concert in Split’s Poljud. He continued to spread his reputation outside Croatia: he held tours in the USA, Canada, Australia and Europe, and in December 2024 he held a concert in the Belgrade MTS Arena, thus confirming his lasting popularity in the region.
personal life
Goran Karan was married to Suzana Karan (b. 1969), with whom he has sons Roka and Ivan. She is currently in a relationship with the singer Meri Reić (known from the music show) and has twins with her Quiet and Ivor. Despite his dynamic career, the family and friends of the music star have always been important to him, and he spends most of his time in his native Split.
Conclusion
Goran Karan still performs regularly today and remains one of the most favorite figures of Croatian pop music. His career in more than three decades includes a number of hits, concerts and prestigious awards, and still brings new songs and projects to the audience. For more information and the latest news about Goran Karan, follow official website Or his profiles on social networks and listen to his songs on digital platforms. Goran Karan proves that quality music does not know age – his voice still fills the halls and wins the hearts of fans.
Sources: Data on the life and career of Goran Karan are taken from reliable musical encyclopedias, newspaper articles and his official profiles. For additional information, we recommend the official website of the artists and archives of the festival where he performed.
Cover photo: Robert F., CC BY-SA 3.0, Via Wikimedia Commons
