I heard this song 8 years back, on my grandfathers record player. Just found it here when it popped into my head. Showed it to my grandpa and it blew his mind.
OMG how much my father liked that song! When he was listening to it he couldn't help singing and beating time with his foot. :))
That's a lovely song - probably the lyrics are not that meaningful but the molody is just great! The song doesn't sound already but I am still murmuring "Istanbul, not Konstantinopol".. :))
This is literally the earliest piece of music in my memory.I remember trying to jump and dance to the tune of this song as a toddler back in Istanbul where I grew up .Thanks for posting it.TMBG cover is great too, but it is this version that really stirs up very fond memories.
fun song. CarlDuke, i was sad to see your comments; i recommend reading a bit of history and a touristic visit to turkey as a panacea to your above comments. but as john1948Five states, let's enjoy the music...
I remember getting a 45 record player the one shown on some of these videos for Christmas, 1953 with 6 records. The first one I played was Istanbul. Have always loved this song. Still have 3 78s of it. Remember it in the Tiny Toons music video? It's also on YouTube.
THE FOUR LADS ROCK! I want a poster of them in my room. they are awesome, I can't take it! Yeah, yeah No bodie's bisness but the Turks! oh Yeah!!!!!!!
One of my favorite songs by a group with a great sound. Though meant to be an interesting novelty tune from years ago, it in a way explains the rise of Arab extremism.
Carl: In what way does it explain the rise of Arab extremism? I don't see it, even if Turkish people were Arabs (which they aren't) I still couldn't see it...
Constantinople got its name from the Emperor Constantine of the Roman empire. Years later when the name was changed to Istanbul it was seen as being being symbolic of a return to local control and a rejection of western culture. Though the Turks are not Arabs, they are part of the Islamic world and the Islamic extremists have as one of their main goals the barring of all western influences from what they consider their part of the world.
Fine with me John, I only made that statement to answer Bazz. This is one of my favorites, and thank you so much for posting it and so many other wonderful tunes, especially those from the 50s.
TMBG's cover was better
TheGrungeGamer2 2 days ago
I heard this song 8 years back, on my grandfathers record player. Just found it here when it popped into my head. Showed it to my grandpa and it blew his mind.
Kershaw717 1 week ago
Greeks hate this song for some reason???
luviananna 1 week ago
Having heard the version from They Might Be Giants first, I'm a little biased, but... this one seems to go so slow. lol
LegionDCX 2 weeks ago
Emperor Constantine thumbed this down 6 times.
slitor 4 months ago 14
@JMFabiano Raising Hope :D
alexguisado 4 months ago
It's simply 'Puttin On The Ritz' with new words. Great song.
Quex01 6 months ago
@Quex01 Oh Pleez! That is quite a stretch! LOL
John1948Five 6 months ago 5
@Quex01 agree with both statements
MortenBondePedersen 4 months ago
@Quex01 Didn't Paul Whiteman record this tune in 1928, one year before Irving Berlin came up with the "Ritz"?
xandervk 1 month ago
5 people want to go to constintanople
misterfreehugs 7 months ago 6
Thanks, John1948! love, John1990.
OnlySeanJohn 8 months ago
hard to find harmony like that thies days
shaylawolf12 8 months ago 3
Listen to Trevorn Horn Orchestra version, is pretty nice.
So is this one.
gre1990 9 months ago
4 people still think it's Constantinople
Killjoy2297 9 months ago 18
This song is in my fav Cold Case episode :)
NoYouLoser 11 months ago 8
nice
myowngenesis 11 months ago
great song .. istanbul..sounds good..
TheLastGreyGhost 1 year ago
the hell did i end up here?
Thesenseoftouchc 1 year ago 3
Great 1953 hit and nice to hear it again
Marjohn41 1 year ago
@Marjohn41 1953 um... constantinople was taken from greeks at 1453 is that a coinsidence
homie009 10 months ago
The episode was on again tonight in Raising Hope! Great, Great song!
jojonono4u 1 year ago 4
I have no clue why, but this was stuck in my head for awhile, and I don't know even know where I heard it from. Lol. Interesting tune.
hdb999 1 year ago 3
This very cool 50's song was played on KTXR Remember When by Mr. Glen
I didn't hear that the group was The 4 Lads. Was listening to "Standing On The Corner" found this.
trailboyus66 1 year ago
OMG!! I Love Diz Song Just Cuz I Heard It From Raising Hope LMAO!!!
xxxStrawberrydreamxx 1 year ago
Before They Might Be Giants, there were the Four Lads...and I think their record was the better one.
librarybob1958 1 year ago 2
OMG how much my father liked that song! When he was listening to it he couldn't help singing and beating time with his foot. :))
That's a lovely song - probably the lyrics are not that meaningful but the molody is just great! The song doesn't sound already but I am still murmuring "Istanbul, not Konstantinopol".. :))
Nata34Moscow 1 year ago 2
i've listened to this song for a long time and never said anything so i'm saying something now i love it.
andyelephant1999 1 year ago
This is literally the earliest piece of music in my memory.I remember trying to jump and dance to the tune of this song as a toddler back in Istanbul where I grew up .Thanks for posting it.TMBG cover is great too, but it is this version that really stirs up very fond memories.
capemoda 1 year ago
fun song. CarlDuke, i was sad to see your comments; i recommend reading a bit of history and a touristic visit to turkey as a panacea to your above comments. but as john1948Five states, let's enjoy the music...
jepson775 2 years ago
I remember getting a 45 record player the one shown on some of these videos for Christmas, 1953 with 6 records. The first one I played was Istanbul. Have always loved this song. Still have 3 78s of it. Remember it in the Tiny Toons music video? It's also on YouTube.
JbrickM100A 2 years ago
THE FOUR LADS ROCK! I want a poster of them in my room. they are awesome, I can't take it! Yeah, yeah No bodie's bisness but the Turks! oh Yeah!!!!!!!
AtZ1t3 2 years ago
This song rocks!
567890op 2 years ago
One of my favorite songs by a group with a great sound. Though meant to be an interesting novelty tune from years ago, it in a way explains the rise of Arab extremism.
CarlDuke 2 years ago
Carl: In what way does it explain the rise of Arab extremism? I don't see it, even if Turkish people were Arabs (which they aren't) I still couldn't see it...
Bazz0 2 years ago 3
Constantinople got its name from the Emperor Constantine of the Roman empire. Years later when the name was changed to Istanbul it was seen as being being symbolic of a return to local control and a rejection of western culture. Though the Turks are not Arabs, they are part of the Islamic world and the Islamic extremists have as one of their main goals the barring of all western influences from what they consider their part of the world.
CarlDuke 2 years ago 3
Thanks Carl. Now let's drop the political stuff and get back to enjoying the music.
John1948Five 2 years ago 22
Fine with me John, I only made that statement to answer Bazz. This is one of my favorites, and thank you so much for posting it and so many other wonderful tunes, especially those from the 50s.
CarlDuke 2 years ago
i could hear the song 5 hundred times!
ohmygod600 2 years ago 39
Love this song.
eshejh 2 years ago
Great harmonizing by the popular group from Toronto on this 1953 classic. Always good to hear this one again.
vandywilliam 2 years ago