Tarkan is not a name that is well-known in the United States, but he should be. He is a Turkish singing star with Elvis-proportions in Europe and the Middle East. His music ranges from killer dance-floor tunes to soft and lyrical ballads. His songs are easy to love, and that’s before you even get a look at this guy.
Once you’ve seen Tarkan, it’s over. Wow. Green eyes. Dancing. Flirtacious smile. I’m drooling. I’m melting…what a world what a world. Forget Justin Timberlake. Where has Europe been hiding this guy?
Anyway, for those unfortunate souls who have yet to experience Tarkan, here’s my top 10 beginner’s list of songs to look for.
10. Just Like That
Starting Tarkan off with American audiences might be a little intimidating when listening to Turkish music for the first time. That’s why the first song on my list is from his one and only album he recorded in English and released in 2006. It has the benefit of a strong, driving beat and smooth vocals, and it’s amazing how well he sings in English as well as Turkish.
9. Ay
This was the song that got me started listening to Tarkan in the first place. I was hooked from the very first riff of acoustic gypsy guitar. This is the first track from his “Karma” album. The album’s entirely in Turkish, as are most of his albums, but I consider that a good thing. His voice becomes less of a voice and more of an instrument by itself, joining pop with Middle Eastern music in a way that’s just seamless and beautiful. By the time the last lyrics finish reverberating through your head, you won’t mind that Tarkan’s songs aren’t in English anymore.
8. Kuzu Kuzu
This song is also from the Karma album, and marks the first time I saw a Tarkan video with him actually singing and dancing alone in the desert. It’s one of the earliest and best videos he’s ever made, and the song is just as good. His vocals just fly over the rai violins beneath. Be prepared for a bit of a culture shock here if you watch the video. He does sort of a male version of belly dancing, which can look a bit strange to Western eyes. Speculation has gone wild in recent years on whether or not he is gay. His own answer from his own mouth is “no”. So just relax and enjoy the music and if the dancing looks weird, chalk it up to cultural differences.
7. Bu Gece (Kir Zincerlerini)
This song was released twice, the original on his 1997 “Olurum Sana” album and again in a slightly tightened version on his self-titled “Tarkan” album. Both versions are good, so choosing between one or the other is simply a matter of preference. The beat is driving, and his slow lyrics over the fast beat builds a lot of tension and drama.
6. Olurum Sana
This song is another recycled tune, found on the “Olurum Sana” album as well as “Tarkan”. The tone of this song is dark and dangerous, with Tarkan biting and growling out his vocals over the guitar and violin line.
A warning to parents on the video for this one – Tarkan’s videos contain many elements of sensuality that might end up sparking uncomfortable conversations with young children, and this one is particularly salacious. Be sure to screen all of Tarkan’s videos before you let children watch to determine if they’re appropriate.
5. Yandim
Lest you think that Tarkan is all dance songs and no slow songs, here’s a great moody song from the “Karma” album. He trained in Turkish music before becoming a pop singer, and you get a feel for that in the Mediterranean sound of the opening chord of this song. Tarkan’s slow songs tend to be dark and spread out into a sort of landscape, full of yearning and beauty. This one is my favorite of his Turkish recordings. Another great ballad comes right after this song on the album, called “O’Na Sor”.
4. Dudu
Yes, you got that right. It’s pronounced “doo-doo”. In Turkish, it means something like “pleasing” or “pleasant” (I think). This unfortunate cultural difference aside, this song from the album also called “Dudu” is a really great song, full of tabla music and flute over an infectious pop beat.
3. Dilli Duduk
This is the opening track from Tarkan’s latest work, called “Metamorfoz”. This album shows Tarkan as the seasoned performer, and the themes deal with fame and its consequences, as well as his typical love and romance themes. You can hear a lot of that angst of fame on this track. The music is fast and breathless, and Tarkan does a lot of talking instead of singing. It could be a Turkish kind of rap, but it absolutely works for the song.
2. Arada Bir
This is my favorite track, also from his latest album, “Metamorfoz”. It’s a highly techno-pop song, with Tarkan’s trademark Middle Eastern touches throughout that make his music so distinctive. All through the hard beating of the music, Tarkan’s voice is ever-so-slightly syncopated to the beat, heightening the drama and tension
1. Simarik (Kiss Kiss)
Here’s the “kiss heard around the world” that began Tarkan’s meteoric rise to popularity in Europe, and the song he’s most well-known for, from the album “Tarkan”. It actually begins with Tarkan making a smoochy sound, and then the violins and the drums take over, and you’re just swept away through the song. Additional kisses pepper the rest of the song, clear through to the punctuated end. The song is full of flirtation and promise of fun that only Tarkan can deliver with such flair.
If you’re feeling in the mood for something more exotic than your typical American pop songs, then grab your tabla and veil, and check out these songs by Tarkan. You’ll enjoy this gem of an artist from the Middle East.
