Mor ve Ötesi (literally Purple and its beyond; a play on the word "morötesi… Read Full Bio ↴Mor ve Ötesi (literally Purple and its beyond; a play on the word "morötesi", meaning "ultraviolet") is a Turkish alternative rock band from Istanbul, Turkiye. Its four current members are Harun Tekin (vocals and rhythm guitar), Kerem Kabadayı (drums), Burak Güven (bass) and Kerem Özyeğen (lead guitar). Former members include Alper Tekin (no relation to Harun) and Derin Esmer. The band achieved mainstream success with the release of the album Dünya Yalan Söylüyor. In 2008, the band represented Turkiye in the Eurovision Song Contest in Belgrade with the song "Deli" (Crazy).

Mor ve Ötesi was formed in 1995 with the line-up of Kerem Kabadayı (drums), Harun Tekin (vocals & guitar), Derin Esmer (vocals & guitar) and Alper Tekin (bass), who were then students at the Deutsche Schule Istanbul. They released their first album Şehir ("The City") in September 1996 and played their first live concert in Ankara. That year, Burak Güven replaced Alper Tekin on bass.

Bırak Zaman Aksın ("Let Time Flow"), their second album was released in January 1999 to massive success. Just after its release, Derin Esmer moved to the USA and was replaced by prominent guitarist Kerem Özyeğen. After the devastating 1999 Kocaeli earthquake, Mor ve Ötesi started playing more on social and political themes. They were also very active in the opposition against the use of nuclear energy in Turkiye.

In August 2001, they released their third album, Gül Kendine ("Smile at Yourself"). With Kerem Özyeğen, there was a noticeable change in the music, and after 17 August there was a noticeable change in lyrics. In October 2002, Mor ve Ötesi's released the Yaz EP, which included a cover of the Ajda Pekkan song Yaz Yaz Yaz.

Their fourth album Dünya Yalan Söylüyor ("The World is Lying") was released in March 2004. The album became their most popular album in Turkiye, reaching 250.000 sales. Since their previous work was not as well known, many new fans were not aware that they weren't a new band. Although this album has been their best selling album, it is not admired by their old fans as much as their previous work, and some have even seen it as "sell-out". The album contained considerable political criticism against the activities of the USA both in Iraq and the rest of the world. In the same year they received a Golden Orange Award for their single "Bir Derdim Var".

Their fifth album Büyük Düşler ("Great Hopes") was released on May 9, 2006. This is an album mainly dealing with the political problems of Turkiye and the personal problems of the group members, including loss of family members and their relationships. It has a darker sound compared to their previous albums. This album is regarded as a homage to their old fan base and a return to a style closer to their earlier albums. Three singles were released from the album: "Şirket", "Küçük Sevgilim", and "Ayıp Olmaz Mı?". Büyük Düşler was named Best Album of the Year by Rolling Stone Turkiye and Best Rock Album of the Year by Blue Jean magazine.

On December 10 2007 TRT's general manager İbrahim Şahin announced that Mor ve Ötesi were to represent Turkiye in Eurovision Song Contest 2008 with the song 'Deli'. Mor ve Ötesi finished 7th in contest, which was held in Belgrade on 22 May 2008. During the contest, BBC commentator Sir Terry Wogan described the lead singer as "a sinister James Bond".

The band's sixth album, Başıbozuk, was released in late 2008, and included three studio and four live tracks, including their Eurovision entry, as well as remixes.

Their seventh album "Masumiyetin Ziyan Olmaz" ("Your Innocence Won't Go To Waste") came out in 12 May 2010. The first video clip was "Yorma Kendini"

durma öyle
Mor ve Ötesi Lyrics

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Durmadan sürer gider oyun
Kalbin dursa bile
Çarpıp çıksa bile
Bir çocuk hayallerin gidiyor
Binmiş bir sandala
Sonra
Başka bir uyuma dönüyor
Her şey

İnsan kaybettiğini buluyor

Sil baştan gözyaşım, tuzum
İçindeki nefse baktı
Eşyalarını topladı
Başka bir yerde kavuşmalı
Çok uzakta değil
Açıkta buluşmalı
Başka bir uyuma dönüyor
Her şey
İnsan kaybettiğini buluyor

Durma öyle
Ah, durma öyle

Başka bir uyuma dönüyor
Her şey
İnsan kaybettiğini buluyor

Durma öyle
Ah, durma öyle

Ah, durma öyle
Ah, durma öyle

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Mor ve Ötesi's song "Durma Öyle" convey a message of growth and change despite pain and loss. The song describes a constant cycle of life, where the game continues even if your heart is still. The idea of a child's dreams riding on a sailboat implies hope, but it also symbolizes the uncertainty of life's journey. The lyrics suggest that even if we think we have lost something, we can always find it again if we are willing to start over.

The phrase "her şey insan kaybettiğini buluyor" translates to "everything finds what it has lost." This idea is intensified by the description of the singer packing up and leaving, symbolizing the loss of something significant in their life. However, the singer still hopes for a reunion, "çok uzakta değil," emphasizing that they are still willing to search for what they have lost.

The chorus of "Durma Öyle" repeats the line "durma öyle," meaning "don't stop like that." This repetitive phrase signifies the urgency of continuing and not giving up, even if it's hard. The lyrics suggest that life will continue, and if we don't move forward, we will be left behind.

Overall, "Durma Öyle" is a powerful song about the constant cycle of life, and how we must keep pushing forward, even amid hard times.

Line by Line Meaning

Durmadan sürer gider oyun
The game goes on without stopping

Kalbin dursa bile
Even if your heart stops

Çarpıp çıksa bile
Even if it beats and skips

Bir çocuk hayallerin gidiyor
A child's dreams are going away

Binmiş bir sandala
Riding on a boat

Sonra
Then

Başka bir uyuma dönüyor
Turning into another sleep

Her şey
Everything

İnsan kaybettiğini buluyor
Finds what humans lose

Sil baştan gözyaşım, tuzum
My tears and salt start anew