Ortaçgil released his first single, titled Anlamsız (Meaningless) while he was studying chemical engineering at the Istanbul University. In 1974, he released his first album, titled Benimle Oynar Misin (Would You Play with Me?). He married after releasing this album and concentrated on his family for the next ten years while working as a chemical engineer.
Afterwards, he began collaborating with another prominent Turkish singer-songwriter Fikret Kızılok. This collaboration resulted in the album Pencere Önü Çiçeği (The Flower in Front of the Window) released in 1986. Four years later he released his first solo work after sixteen years: 2. Perde (Second Act), which was followed by Oyuna Devam (Keep On Playing) a year later. In 2000, a tribute album; Bülent Ortaçgil İçin Söylenmiş Bülent Ortaçgil Şarkıları (Bulent Ortacgil Songs, Sung for Bulent Ortacgil) was released with the collaboration of various popular artists. This album remains the first and only tribute album in Turkey made for an artist who is still alive.
Olmalı Mı Olmamalı Mı
Bülent Ortaçgil Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Yoksa hiç değişmemeli mi
Ama ben değişmezsem,
Ben olamam ki
Görmeli mi görmemeli mi
Yoksa hiç bakınmamalı mı
Ama ben bakınmazsam,
Sevmeli mi sevmemeli mi
Yoksa hiç beğenmemeli mi
Ama ben beğenmezsem,
Hiç konuşmam ki
Bilmeli mi bilmemeli mi
Yoksa hiç öğrenmemeli mi
Ama ben öğrenmezsem,
Hiç olamam ki
Bülent Ortaçgil's song "Olmalı Mı Olmamalı Mı" is a contemplative piece that questions the value of change and decision-making. The singer is grappling with whether they should change their behavior or remain the same, whether they should observe their surroundings or remain oblivious, whether they should love or not love, and whether they should learn and be knowledgeable or remain ignorant. The refrain "Ama ben değişmezsem, ben olamam ki" ("But if I don't change, I can't be") is a poignant reminder that personal growth and self-discovery require a willingness to break from the status quo and embrace change.
The song highlights the tension between personal agency and the fear of the unknown. The decision to change or not to change is a poignant one, and both options come with risks and rewards. On the one hand, change can be liberating, bringing new opportunities for growth and self-discovery. On the other hand, the familiar provides a sense of comfort and security, and taking risks can be daunting. Ortaçgil's reflective lyrics suggest that there are no easy answers and that the decision to change or remain the same requires careful consideration.
Line by Line Meaning
Olmalı mı olmamalı mı
Should it happen or not
Yoksa hiç değişmemeli mi
Or should it remain the same
Ama ben değişmezsem,
But if I don't change,
Ben olamam ki
I can't be
Görmeli mi görmemeli mi
Should I see it or not
Yoksa hiç bakınmamalı mı
Or should I not even look
Ama ben bakınmazsam,
But if I don't look,
Hiç göremem ki
I can't see at all
Sevmeli mi sevmemeli mi
Should I love it or not
Yoksa hiç beğenmemeli mi
Or should I not like it at all
Ama ben beğenmezsem,
But if I don't like it,
Hiç konuşmam ki
I can't talk about it
Bilmeli mi bilmemeli mi
Should I know it or not
Yoksa hiç öğrenmemeli mi
Or should I never learn it
Ama ben öğrenmezsem,
But if I don't learn it,
Hiç olamam ki
I can't exist
Contributed by Penelope V. Suggest a correction in the comments below.