Saturday, November 04, 2006

Turk-O-Pop

I have been meaning to write about Turkish pop. But every time I start thinking of what to write I reach a road block. Hmmm, Turkish pop – it is good. What more is there to add? When it comes to music that’s all that matters. As long as it sounds good, I will listen to it.

Other than that, well I might as well admit it; I started following Turkish pop because of Tarkan. Omfg, he is totally not my type but he is so pretty, it’s a crime. And duh, I’m not the only one who thinks so. Roswitha once blogged “Ooof. This man reminds me of how heterosexual I am.” Not to mention Panacea who is prone to making declarations like “Once Tarkan figures out his sexuality, I'll be his slave for life regardless of what he decides.”

Of course it helps that he can actually sing. Yes I like his Simarik number (do not gag!!) and no, that is not his best song. (I am partial to Sikidim and Kuzu Kuzu - don’t ask). And don’t even get me started on that absolutely god awful Holly Valence Kiss Kiss version of Simarik, the song is so, so, so much better in Turkish.

Oh, and did I mention the man can dance belly dance? I kid you not. I think it’s the video of Hüp where at one point he lifts up his tank top and does a dance that would shame even the best belly dancer in the Middle East. There went all doubt about him being straight. I think I was sitting with my jaw on the floor and wondering how to react; it was hilarious. In any case, in my book Tarkan wins over Justin Timberlake any day. No contest. Tarkan’s latest album Bounce is in English and I was amazed by how fluently he sings in what is actually his third language. And though I think his Turkish songs are much better I am quite taken with his Start the Fire track. Tarkan is mind numbingly good dance pop. No two ways about it.

As good as Tarkan is, my two favourite Turkish songs haven't been sung by him. The first -Isyankar by Mustafa Sandal. I don’t think it would be an exaggeration to say that it would rank as one of my favourite songs in any language. The beats, rhythms and I love the flute in the background. It’s fabulous. Oh, and it says something about the song that I like it even after TPF trashed Mustafa Sandal on one of my comments page. Not to mention, ruined the experience of listening to another Sandal song I like, Araba. Now every time it comes on on my iPod all I can imagine is Mustafa Sandal singing “Car, Car, Automobile!!” (Because Araba means car in Turkish and the song is about how Mustafa's rival has a great car but not a great heart and how Mustafa will get the girl in the end because he' has a good soul even if he’s not rich). Well Isyankar doesn’t have inane lyrics. I checked, they are quite nice.

The other Turkish song I really adore is Aman Aman by the Turkish rock band Duman. It’s very grunge and Kaan Tangöze’s raspy voice adds great texture to the song. The funny thing is both songs (Isyankar & Aman Aman) have a very Indipop feel to them. In a way they remind me of what Indian pop could be but rarely is. No thanks to the remix cum semi porn brigade. And I don’t have anything against Himesh Reshammiya, but there is only so much nasal singing one can take.
Oh, and before I end. Çakkıdı by Kenan Doğulu. Because that is catchy music.

20 comments:

Tabula Rasa said...

en iyisi, valla :-)

Panacea said...

Great post! As I always love to tell people, Turkish pop is the best pop in the world. My favourite Tarkan song is Ask and Skidim, which I happen to like more than Simarik.

Have you heard Gemiler by Teoman? I recently downloaded it and listen to it at least once a day lately.

TPF ruined Araba for me too! All I can think about is cars when I hear it now.

Panacea said...

PS: OMG, just watched the Kuzu Kuzu video.

I am speechless. I am also drooling. My life is never going to be the same again.

Szerelem said...

TR: the post or the music?
(ummm I am out on a limb here...my understanding of Turkish is terribly elementary)

Panacea: Will try to download Gemiler. Ah, what would life be without illegal mp3s.
As for Kuzu Kuzu...muahahahaz....ya my reaction exactly.
Tarkan needs to grow his hair back and start singing in Turkish...he is better than Timberlake, he need not go out of his way to prove it.

The Poodle's Friend said...

Spread the love of turkopop, szerelem! Spread it!

I shall now go watch the Kuzu Kuzu video, because I haven't seen it since it came out in Turkey and, well, the way you and Pan are raving about it, it's clearly worth revisiting!

twip said...

You know, I actually *dug* his little belly dance in Hup.

We need more male belly dancers. Really.

Ahem.

Tabula Rasa said...

it's in the eye of the beholder, isn't it? (my turkish is largely restricted to things that wouldn't be found on nice blogs like this. blame the teacher.)

MockTurtle said...

"Tarkan wins over Justin Timberlake any day" - Are we talking talent, looks or gayness here?

Szerelem said...

TPF: =D So, was the video worth revisiting?

Punkster: hear, hear!! I thought Hup was a bit much, but more male belly dancers...that is a good thing =D

TR: hmmm, but what did you have in mind? and what do you mean nice blogs like this??*raised eyebrows*

MT: All three :D
I dont think Timberlake looks nice at all....yucks...

Anonymous said...

he's gay!?!
no way.
o well.

um since you lie turkish music so much. i don't know if you've seen ocean's twelve? at the end of the movie when the frenchie (now what was hsi name, i even had a crush on him!) is capoiera'ing his way through the museum's laser security grid, there's an elctropop turkish song playing in the backdrop. it wasn't on the cd. and i need that song. i need it. can you help? please. i'll pay you in karma coins. :)

Szerelem said...

well there is just a lot of confusion about his sexuality...no one knows for sure =P
Oh and the Oceans Twelve tracks is not Turkish. Its by a French band! See its all the Rai influence...
Thé à la menthe is the song.

Tabula Rasa said...

but what did you have in mind?
which would you prefer? ;-)

and what do you mean nice blogs like this??*raised eyebrows*
it's nice, isn't it? probably isn't even pg-13 :-D

GhostOfTomJoad said...

Before I read your post, I'd just about heard about this Tarkan blighter. I don't care about his sexuality or preferences - he can be as gay as he wants to be, or not - but this metrosexual business just gets to me :-)

Anyway, since you mentioned so much about Turkish music...know of a place where people can download some? Not such a fan of those electro-pop type...something regular would be nice.

Anonymous said...

I love you. You have brought immense peace to my mind. My soul can rest now, I have The A La Menthe song. Today I start capoiera lessons. Bless you! Thank you!

The Poodle's Friend said...

Oh yes. Definitely. In fact, I shall re-revisit now.

Szerelem said...

TR: Oh it is ok either way...your second comment shall be ignored =P

ghost: Its nice to have you back =D
I agree with you about metrosexuals...they just leave everyone confused. About downloading, there is no website I know of, but you can just use your downloading software...thats what I do anyway.

hobo: you are most welcome =P I need all the good karma possible as of now...exams are dawning =(

TPF: *grin*

The Black Mamba said...

szerelem! mustafa sandal's isyankar is one of my favs too. heard him first on a putumayo album and have been a fan since. :) In the days before youtube had to depend on his website's streaming audio..

www.msandal.de

Szerelem said...

Another Isyankar fan! It's such a great song isn't it? have you heard the new version featuring gentleman? I love that.
And youtube makes life so much easier =D

Anonymous said...

hey if you want to listen to the real version of araba check faudel's LaMainDansLaMain check coolgoose if you wanna get it. I think faudel's version is good although I am not sure who got from whom

Anonymous said...

here is the youtube link for La main dans la main

http://youtube.com/watch?v=a4JP2suwAdI