During the 1960s, Josipa Lisac was the vocalist of the group Zlatni Akordi. Her first solo album, Dnevnik jedne ljubavi (The Diary of a Love), recorded in 1973, was a huge success and remains today one of the most legendary albums in Croatia. Journalist and producer Peca Popović noted that The Diary of a Love was also only the fourth rock record and the first female-fronted record released in Yugoslavia.
Gubec-Beg was the first Croatian rock opera where Josipa had the demanding role of Jana. The opera premiered in 1975, and the aria "Ave Maria" was a standout song that Josipa still performs in concert today. The rock opera was created by Karlo Metikoš, Ivica Krajač and Miljenko Prohaska.
The show was performed around Yugoslavia, as well as in Budapest, Trieste, Rome, and Saint Petersburg. It was seen by approximately one million people.The same year, she recorded a jazz album in collaboration with Ernie Wilkins, Clark Terry, Albert Mangelsdorff, and Johnny Basso, produced by Boško Petrović and Karlo Metikoš.
During 1987, Josipa Lisac served as a contestant in the preselection competition, Jugovizija, with hopes to represent Yugoslavia in the 1987 Eurovision Song Contest. She sang her hit, Gdje Dunav ljubi nebo (Where Danube Kisses the Sky) and finished in 9th place out of 24. Soon after releasing her album Boginja (Goddess), she became an acclaimed pop artist throughout Yugoslavia.
She had numerous big rock hits, and also sang Bosnian sevdalinka songs (Omer beže), as well as Croatian Christmas songs.
Beside being a top act within the world of Croatian popular music, she was also highly acclaimed in the former Yugoslav rock scene. She is known for her strong voice, which she describes as contralto, as well as her unique sense of fashion.
On 5 March 2015, the 40th anniversary of Gubec-Beg was celebrated.
Magla englis versija Your body disperses like the sand your face fades away in the air like smoke I'm tired, I was crushed by enduring hunger for your love You are on the other side of the river slowly, I'm reconciling with that.
Fog everywhere, fog around us from afar hardly audible comes your voice Fog everywhere, fog around us it's too late, in vain, the gap is getting deeper.
Your lips from paper already, I don't feel them your hands escape like night in front of day Sometimes, though, I'd scream some curse or a crude word Still I'm silent, choking heart must keep on, further to go.
Your words I don't recall Don't remember your voice Your caresses are now just a part of a dream All that we both desired is long ago behind us In that sea of grey faces with no hope, I'm searching for yours.