Soldatski bal (translation: The Soldiers' Ball) is the debut studio album by Yugoslav band Plavi orkestar, released on 28 March 1985 through Jugoton. With over 500,000 copies sold, it is the best-selling debut album in Yugoslavia and its successor states.
Recorded during January 1985 and released a few months later, the album was a huge commercial success, spawning numerous hits. It catapulted a band of 21-year-olds to nationwide fame, making them instant teen idols.
The album's lyrics are mostly inspired by Saà ¡a Loà ¡iÃÂ's compulsory military service, which he served in Bitola from September 1983 until September 1984. The album features numerous guest appearances, including Nada ObriÃÂ, Aki Rahimovski of Parni valjak, Jura Stubliàof Film, PeÃÂa D'Boy of Dü Boys, Ivan "Firchie" Fece of EKV, Marina PeraziÃÂ, Dragoà ¡ KalajiÃÂ, and Jovan ÃÂirilov.
The album sleeve was designed by Bojan Hadà ¾ihaliloviÃÂ. In a replica of the Beatles' Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band, it shows the four band members flanked by the seven Yugoslav Youth Communist League (SKOJ) secretaries, in addition to 49 individuals from Yugoslav history and public life such as Petar II PetroviÃÂ-Njegoà ¡, Ivo Lola Ribar, Bata à ½ivojinoviÃÂ, Lepa Brena, Vuk Karadà ¾iÃÂ, Slavko à  timac, Miroslav Krleà ¾a, Oliver MandiÃÂ, Mirza Delibaà ¡iÃÂ, etc. In 2015 the album cover was ranked 58th on the list of 100 Greatest Album Covers of Yugoslavian Rock published by web magazine Balkanrock.
Song "Bolje biti pijan nego star" use melody as in "Dok palme nijà ¡u grane" by DubrovaÃÂki trubaduri.