Željko firstly appeared on the stage of the contest for the first time in İstanbul 2004, representing Serbia & Montenegro with the song Lane Moje. In the semi-final, he managed to receive the 1st placing but afterwards he finished the contest just behind Ukrainian Ruslana’s Wild Dances. Later in 2005, he composed the song, Jutro, for the Serbian national selection but its performer Jelena Tomasevic just missed the ticket for Kiev.
In the year 2006, Željko was the composer of the Bosnia & Herzegovina entry performed by Hari Mata Hari. Željko gave his best to the song and Bosnia & Herzegovina received its best placing to date, Lejla succeeded to get the third placing in Athens.
Željko made a big return to the stage in his homeland in 2008, but as a host this time. He, with his partner Jovana Jonkovic, successfully presented both semi-final and final of Eurovision Song Contest in Belgrade. At the same time, Željko was also the composer of the Serbian song, Oro, which was performed by Jelena Tomasevic that year.
With all these participations on multi-talented areas, Željko Joksimović became a national hero in Serbia.
