10 Songs with "Istanbul" in the Title: A Musical Journey Through the City of Two Continents
Comprehensive article about 10 songs with "Istanbul" in their titles. The article covers a diverse range of musical styles and periods.
Where East meets West and music tells the tale of a timeless metropolis
Istanbul, the mesmerizing city straddling two continents, has inspired countless artists to capture its essence in song. From swing jazz to alternative rock, from trip-hop to Turkish pop, the city's name has graced the titles of diverse musical compositions that reflect its multifaceted character. Here's a journey through 10 memorable songs that carry Istanbul in their hearts—and their titles.
1. Istanbul (Not Constantinople) - The Four Lads / They Might Be Giants
Genre: Novelty/Alternative Rock
Perhaps the most internationally recognized song about Istanbul, this playful tune was originally written by Jimmy Kennedy and Nat Simon in 1953 to commemorate the 500th anniversary of Constantinople's fall to the Ottomans. The song humorously addresses the city's official renaming, with its catchy refrain "That's nobody's business but the Turks!"
The Canadian quartet The Four Lads first brought it to gold record status, but They Might Be Giants' 1990 version at a faster tempo became equally iconic, introducing the song to a new generation through MTV and various TV shows including The Umbrella Academy and The Simpsons.
2. Istanbul - Morrissey
Genre: Alternative Rock
From his 2014 album World Peace Is None of Your Business, Morrissey's "Istanbul" tells a darker tale. Producer Joe Chiccarelli explained that "Morrissey wanted to evoke the feeling of the hectic and chaotic streets of the city of Istanbul," using cigar-box guitar, lap steel guitar, and actual field recordings from Istanbul's streets. The song explores themes of loss and searching, with Morrissey's characteristic melancholy painting the city as a backdrop for personal tragedy.
3. Istanbul - Dario Moreno
Genre: French Chanson/World Music
French-Turkish singer Dario Moreno created this romantic chanson that blends French sophistication with Turkish flavor. The song tells the story of a romantic encounter in Istanbul, playfully noting "Istanbul c'est Constantinople" while celebrating the city as a place where European and Asian mysteries intertwine. The song became a classic in both French and Turkish music circles, representing the cosmopolitan nature of Istanbul itself.
4. She Took My Soul in Istanbul - Marc Almond
Genre: Synth-pop/Dark Cabaret
Former Soft Cell frontman Marc Almond's haunting 1989 track captures the city's mysterious, seductive side. Almond actually came to Istanbul to photograph the Blue Mosque for his album cover, but found the city wasn't what he imagined, inspiring this atmospheric song. The track features Turkish oils, harsh tobacco, and hashish in its lyrical imagery, painting Istanbul as a place of forbidden pleasures and transformative experiences. Almond later created "The Blue Mosque Remix" in 1995, extending the song to 10 minutes.
5. Telephone Call from Istanbul - Tom Waits
Genre: Experimental/Alternative Rock
From his 1987 album Frank's Wild Years, Tom Waits uses Istanbul as a symbol of distant hope and reunion. The song features Waits' signature gravelly voice over chaotic instrumentation, with the titular telephone call representing a lifeline and chance for redemption. The track's surreal lyrics and carnival-like atmosphere create a dreamlike quality that perfectly captures Waits' theatrical style.
6. Istanbul - The Breeders
Genre: Alternative Rock
Kim Deal's band The Breeders included "Istanbul" on their 2008 album Mountain Battles. Deal explained she was inspired by reading about the Crusades, learning that Istanbul means "To The City," creating a chant she couldn't get out of her head. The song features keyboard flourishes and cheerleader-like chants, creating an unexpectedly upbeat and quirky take on the city's name.
7. Istanbul - Levent Yüksel
Genre: Turkish Pop
Written by Sezen Aksu and released in 1993, this song became a sensation in Turkey, describing Istanbul as a beautiful woman with attractive features mentioned one by one. The poetic lyrics and melodic composition helped establish Yüksel as one of Turkey's most popular singers and remains a cornerstone of modern Turkish pop music.
8. Istanbul Istanbul Olalı - Sezen Aksu
Genre: Turkish Pop
The "Queen of Turkish Pop" herself, Sezen Aksu, created this melancholic song where she shares her broken heart with the people of Istanbul. As one of Turkey's most influential artists, Aksu's personal connection to the city shines through in this emotional tribute that resonates with anyone who's experienced heartbreak in the bustling metropolis.
9. Bu Sabah Yağmur Var İstanbul'da - MFÖ
Genre: Turkish Rock/Pop
While technically translating to "This Morning There is Rain in Istanbul," this 1984 hit by Turkish band MFÖ deserves mention for its iconic status. The song describes painful longing for a lover with Istanbul as the atmospheric backdrop, and is regarded as one of the most impressive songs in Turkish music history. The rainy Istanbul morning becomes a metaphor for melancholy and lost love.
10. Istanbul - Oriental Wind / Istanbul Oriental Ensemble
Genre: World Music/Jazz Fusion
Various instrumental compositions bearing the name "Istanbul" have emerged from world music ensembles. The Istanbul Oriental Ensemble, led by Burhan Öçal since 1991, dedicates itself to preserving 18th and 19th-century Gypsy music from Istanbul and Thrace. Similarly, jazz musicians like Okay Temiz with his Oriental Wind band have created instrumental tributes that capture the city's musical heritage through traditional instruments like the darbuka, kanun, and ud.
The City as Musical Muse
What makes Istanbul such a compelling subject for songwriters across cultures and genres? Perhaps it's the city's unique position as a bridge between continents, religions, and civilizations. Each of these songs captures a different facet of Istanbul's character—its humor and history, its mystery and melancholy, its romance and chaos.
From The Four Lads' lighthearted wordplay about the city's name change to Morrissey's dark tale of loss, from Turkish pop celebrations to Tom Waits' surreal narratives, these songs collectively create a musical portrait of one of the world's most fascinating cities. They remind us that Istanbul isn't just a place on the map—it's a state of mind, a crossroads of human experience that continues to inspire artists to translate its essence into melody and verse.
Whether you're drawn to the city's Byzantine past, its Ottoman grandeur, or its modern vibrancy, there's a song with "Istanbul" in its title that captures that particular magic. These ten tracks offer just a glimpse into the vast musical landscape inspired by this eternal city, where every street corner might inspire the next great song.
What's your favorite song about Istanbul? The city's musical legacy continues to grow, with artists from around the world adding their voices to this ongoing symphony of cultural celebration.
Love this idea of city as a musical muse. So true and significant in its own way.
Love this list, and never seen that Tom Waits version before. Reminds me that I’ve loved that song (& album) for 30+ years but I always mishear the line as ‘Got a telephone call from Miss Tambo’. A ludicrous mistake as it’s only the title of the bloody song!
That said, in my (partial) defence, getting a call from someone with that name sounds exactly like something that would happen to Waits.
Thanks again for the article x