Istanbul (Not Constantinople)

"Constantinople (song)" redirects here. For the Decemberists song, see Picaresqueties.

"Istanbul (Not Constantinople)" is a 1953 swing-style song, with lyrics by Jimmy Kennedy and music by Nat Simon. Written on the 500th year anniversary of the fall of Constantinople to the Ottomans, the lyrics humorously refer to the official 1930 renaming of the city of Constantinople to Istanbul. The song's original release certified as a gold record.

Musical influences

It is said to be a response to "C-O-N-S-T-A-N-T-I-N-O-P-L-E" recorded in 1928 by Paul Whiteman and his Orchestra.[1]

The Four Lads original version

"Istanbul (Not Constantinople)" was originally recorded by the Canadian vocal quartet, The Four Lads on August 12, 1953. This recording was released by Columbia Records as catalog number 40082. It first reached the Billboard magazine charts on October 24, 1953, and it peaked at #10. It was the group's first gold record.[2][3]

Cover versions

They Might Be Giants

"Istanbul (Not Constantinople)"
Single by They Might Be Giants
from the album Flood
B-side "James K. Polk"
Released May 14, 1990
Format CD single, 7", 12"
Genre Alternative rock
Length 2:34
Label Elektra (US)
Elektra / WEA (EU)
Producer(s) Clive Langer & Alan Winstanley
They Might Be Giants singles chronology
"Birdhouse in Your Soul"
(1989)		 "Istanbul (Not Constantinople)"
(1990)		 "Twisting"
(1990)

One of the better-known versions of "Istanbul (Not Constantinople)" is the cover by the alternative rock band They Might Be Giants (TMBG), who released it on their album Flood in 1990. It was released as the second single from that album in the same year. TMBG's version is at a faster tempo than the original.

Track listing

American release
  1. "Istanbul (Not Constantinople)" – 2:34
  2. "James K. Polk" – 3:16
  3. "Stormy Pinkness" – 1:08
  4. "Ant" – 1:53
  5. "Istanbul (Not Constantinople)" (Brownsville mix) – 5:13
European single
  1. "Istanbul (Not Constantinople)" – 2:34
  2. "James K. Polk" – 3:16
  3. "Stormy Pinkness" – 1:08
  4. "Istanbul (Not Constantinople) (Brownsville Mix)" – 5:13
European 7" release
  1. "Istanbul (Not Constantinople)" – 2:34
  2. "James K. Polk" – 3:16

Sales chart history

Chart (1990) Peak
position
UK Singles Chart 61

Other recordings

Recording artists and groups known to have covered this song include:

Live performance cover versions

The Duke's Men of Yale, an all-male a cappella group at Yale University, perform the song at the end of most of their concerts. The song has been in the repertoire of the Duke's Men since 1953.

During the 2000s, the song was performed live by Australian Klezmer/Gypsy Jazz band Monsieur Camembert.

References

  1. ↑ ""Roll Your Own" Radio Show". bestweb.net. Retrieved 11 August 2015.
  2. ↑ "Gold & Platinum certification of albums at RIAA". www.riaa.com. Archived from the original on June 8, 2007. Retrieved November 26, 2006.
  3. ↑ Whitburn, Joel (1973). Top Pop Records 1940–1955. Record Research. (Source gives 10/17/1953 as the date that it reached the Billboard charts, see p. 23)
  4. ↑ Archived July 12, 2011, at the Wayback Machine.
  5. ↑ "Craig Ferguson – Istanbul". Youtube.com. Retrieved November 5, 2011.
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