Istanbul
Bing Crosby & Ella Fitzgerald Lyrics
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Now it's Istanbul, not Constantinople
Been a long time gone, Constantinople
Now it's Turkish delight on a moonlit night
Every gal in Constantinople
Lives in Istanbul, not Constantinople
So if you've a date in Constantinople
Even old New York was once New Amsterdam
Why they changed it I can't say
People just liked it better that way
So, take me back to Constantinople
No, you can't go back to Constantinople
Been a long time gone, Constantinople
Why did Constantinople get the works?
That's nobody's business but the Turks
Istanbul
Istanbul
Even old New York was once New Amsterdam
Why they changed it I can't say
People just liked it better that way
Istanbul was Constantinople
Now it's Istanbul, not Constantinople
Been a long time gone, Constantinople
Why did Constantinople get the works?
That's nobody's business but the Turks
So, take me back to Constantinople
No, you can't go back to Constantinople
Been a long time gone, Constantinople
Why did Constantinople get the works?
That's nobody's business but the Turks
Istanbul
The opening lines of Bing Crosby and Ella Fitzgerald's song "Istanbul" serve as a reflection on the ever-changing nature of cities and cultures. The song points out that the city we now know as Istanbul was once called Constantinople, representing the shift in power and cultural influence in the region throughout history. The second verse notes that although the name may have changed, the city's allure remains, as Turkish delight is enjoyed on a moonlit night. The refrain repeats the sentiment that Constantinople is now Istanbul, and that the Turks hold the key to the city's evolution.
The song then makes an analogy to New York City, which was once New Amsterdam, highlighting the idea that cities and cultures are always shifting and evolving. The final verse repeats the idea that even though the name has changed, the allure and magic of the city remains, and that Constantinople getting the works (i.e., being renamed Istanbul) was the business of the Turks and no one else. The song is a fun and catchy way to look at the shifting nature of cultures and power centers, and a reminder that history is always in flux.
Line by Line Meaning
Istanbul was Constantinople
The city that was once called Constantinople is now known as Istanbul
Now it's Istanbul, not Constantinople
The city's name was changed from Constantinople to Istanbul
Been a long time gone, Constantinople
It has been a while since Constantinople existed
Now it's Turkish delight on a moonlit night
Currently, Istanbul is a city filled with enjoyment and beauty
Every gal in Constantinople
All the women in the city of Constantinople
Lives in Istanbul, not Constantinople
Now all these women live in Istanbul instead of Constantinople
So if you've a date in Constantinople
If you have a scheduled meeting in Constantinople
She'll be waiting in Istanbul
The meeting will now take place in Istanbul, not Constantinople
Even old New York was once New Amsterdam
New York was once known as New Amsterdam
Why they changed it I can't say
The reason for the name change is not clear
People just liked it better that way
Perhaps people simply preferred the new name
So, take me back to Constantinople
The artist wants to return to the old city of Constantinople
No, you can't go back to Constantinople
The singer is informed that they can't return to the old city
Why did Constantinople get the works?
The singer wonders what happened to cause Constantinople to change so drastically
That's nobody's business but the Turks
It's not anyone else's concern but that of the people of Turkey
Istanbul
Repeating the name of the city for emphasis
Lyrics © Cloud9
Written by: PAUL WEBSTER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@IBRAHIMTABAKOGLU
.."Istanbul was Constantinople
Now it' s Istanbul, not Constantinople
Been a long time gone, Constantinople
Now it' s Turkish delight on a moonlit night
Every girl in Constantinople
Lives in Istanbul, not Constantinople
So if you' ve a date in Constantinople
She' ll be waiting in Istanbul
Even old New York was once New Amsterdam
Why they changed it I can' t say
People just liked it better that way
So take me back to Constantinople
No, you can' t go back to Constantinople
Been a long time gone, Constantinople
Why did Constantinople get the works?
That's nobody' s business but the Turks
Istanbul (Istanbul)
Istanbul (Istanbul)
Even old New York was once New Amsterdam
Why they changed it I can' t say
People just liked it better that way
Istanbul was Constantinople
Now it' s Istanbul, not Constantinople
Been a long time gone, Constantinople
Why did Constantinople get the works?
That's nobody' s business but the Turks
So take me back to Constantinople
No, you can' t go back to Constantinople
Been a long time gone, Constantinople
Why did Constantinople get the works?
That' s nobody' s business but the Turks"..
@monoceros1222
Bing Crosby's voice was truly amazing!!
@butternutsquashpie
Geez this is simply amazing. I've had it in my head for the LONGEST time and now Bing's version is out. It's gonna be a long time befor ei get this outta my head now :D
@squirrelmanyt6069
People: You do realize that Copyright Laws were not as tight back then as they are now? It was an environment where people played off each other's beats and swing lines. Jazz influenced so much of the music of that era that to say someone copied someone is tantamount to The Muppets copying Fraggle Rock...
@jonathanrochkind9360
Nobody else is going to comment on the wild klezmer break-down coming out of nowhere at around 1:00?
@stepheneinbinder2604
This recording is in the key of D minor but the sheet music in the still video is in G minor.
@DinsRune
Bing plays it straight at first, then he and Ella seem to start to play with it in verse 2 😊
@butternutsquashpie
Still in my head :)
@DoubleIIVids
Patrolling the Mojave Almost Makes You Wish For a Nuclear Winter
@sextuspompeius1266
What this has nothing to do with the Mojave
@DeadYorick
@@sextuspompeius1266 He's referencing a popular mod for Fallout New Vegas that includes this song called "RACE". It's a radio station mod.