A zase zkusíš ráno vstát (2026)

This Czech-language book of poems and song lyrics by Jan Velíšek (*1951) presents a selection of 75 original texts, most of them set to music and performed by Czech singer-songwriters and bands. Written as a retrospective for a significant birthday, it looks back on Velíšek’s productive career as a lyricist. The book includes personal dedications from notable Czech musicians such as Jan Spálený, Václav Kopta and Jiří Suchý, who also created an original drawing for the author. It is illustrated by the Beroun artist Kameel Machart, who also created the large illustrated poster included with the book as a bonus. In his foreword, Velíšek explains that he has written around 400–500 texts, which he stubbornly refuses to call poems, and that approximately 60–65 have been set to music and performed, especially by Tři dny na břiše, Irena Zlámalová, ASPM led by Honza Spálený, Gábi Vermelho and her band GaRe, and the singer-songwriter Vláďa Čáp. He describes the collection as containing more sour, reflective and slightly melancholy texts than sweet ones, while also following Jiří Suchý’s repeated advice to add more humour. In the afterword, Václav Kopta praises Velíšek’s lyrics for their playful Czech language, humour, memorable slogans and substance. Velíšek is also the recipient of the 2025 Beroun City Award for his lifelong contribution to literature.