Napolju
Riblja Corba
A Portrait of Despair: The Inner Turmoil in 'Napolju'
Riblja Corba's song 'Napolju' paints a vivid picture of a person grappling with intense inner turmoil and despair. The lyrics describe a state of physical and emotional exhaustion, with the protagonist feeling 'umoran, bolestan i mnogo ranjiv' (tired, sick, and very vulnerable). This sense of vulnerability is further emphasized by the imagery of birds falling if they were to see him, symbolizing how deeply his condition affects his perception of the world around him.
The song continues to delve into the protagonist's deteriorating state, mentioning symptoms like fever and a trembling voice. The external world, represented by passing trams and rising waters, seems indifferent to his suffering, highlighting a sense of isolation and helplessness. This imagery of being overwhelmed by external forces can be seen as a metaphor for the protagonist's internal struggles, where he feels submerged and unable to escape his own despair.
In the chorus, the protagonist confronts his misery directly, admitting to self-justification and a pervasive hatred for everything around him. The mention of love stories being annoying and the silence that 'grize me cir' (gnaws at my ulcer) suggests a deep-seated bitterness and disillusionment with life. Despite the external world continuing as usual, with summer rain and rustling leaves, the protagonist's internal world is in stark contrast, filled with pain and desolation. This juxtaposition between the external and internal worlds underscores the theme of isolation and the profound impact of personal suffering.