The song is a quintessential example of "starogradska muzika" (old town music) or traditional folk from Southern Serbia. Nikolić's version, notably featured on his 2008 album Zapisano u vremenu (Recorded in Time), is celebrated for its preservation of authentic Balkan melodies.
: Jordan Nikolić was known for his lyrical tenor and emotional delivery, which avoided the excessive ornamentation often found in modern turbo-folk, staying true to the traditional roots of the region . jordan_nikolic_smilj_smiljana_pokraj_vode_brala
: The song follows a traditional melodic pattern common in the Balkans. It often features acoustic arrangements with instruments like the accordion, violin, or tamburica. The song is a quintessential example of "starogradska