“Pare Pare” (My Joys Are Bittersweet) – Tarkan (2008): The Megastar’s Soul Laid Bare and a Thrilling Visual Experience

When an artist decides to shed every mask and reveal their most intimate truth, a masterpiece like “Pare Pare” (My Joys Are Bittersweet) is born. This single, released on April 17, 2008, from the album Metamorfoz, is not merely a musical track; it’s a profound and moving confession from Tarkan, an exploration of his most authentic self that resonates with the experiences and fragments of life within each of us.

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The album title itself, Metamorfoz (Metamorphosis, Transformation, or Change), is a manifesto. The cover, depicting Tarkan with unusually short hair and a glossy gray suit—an unfamiliar image to his fans—symbolizes this radical musical and personal evolution. Even the choice to include the title in Braille, despite an error in the first printing (Tarkaf instead of Tarkan, promptly corrected), underscores a desire for accessibility and a deep attentiveness to the individual.

In an interview for Yeni Aktüel, Tarkan offered a poignant insight into “Pare Pare”: “In this song, I wanted to open my heart and manifest its deepest, purest nature. I wanted to reveal what I am truly like inside. To those who know me from the outside, I may seem different, but in reality, I am torn by storms. Certainly, each of us has our own story. There should be no prejudice towards anyone. I just wanted to remind people that what others see from the outside is completely different from what I truly am.” This statement perfectly aligns with the true meaning of “My joys are bittersweet,” revealing a soul that has experienced contrasts and melancholies.

“Pare Pare” is an invitation to look beyond appearances, to recognize the complexity hidden behind every facade, and to understand that everyone carries storms and fragilities within themselves. The lyrics themselves are a poem that captures this duality: “I still remember every moment as if it were yesterday, I feel uneasy. That’s why I’m a bit moody, there’s always a sad part of me. Every one of my wounds still hurts inside. That’s why my sea is rough and my shores are always lonely. I burn and fade, I cry and then I laugh. My joys are always bittersweet. Like a mountain, like an ocean, I witness pain in songs. Every time I wink at life with hope, every time flowers bloom, autumn knocks on my door. I met you very early and immediately learned the irony of fate. I grew up fast and the days of my childhood are lost.” It’s a powerful message against prejudice, an anthem to authenticity that mirrors the journey of many, including your deep personal connection to this melody.

The music video for “Pare Pare,” directed by Altan Dönmez (also the director of hits like “Gülümse Kaderine” and “Sorma Kalbim”), amplifies the song’s emotion with extraordinary simplicity and effectiveness. Filmed in just one day at Ata Studios in Istanbul, it creates an almost dreamlike atmosphere. Similar to “Vay Anam Vay,” the video is profoundly emotional, with Tarkan singing his slow and poignant song on an almost alchemical stage, enveloped in evocative smoke that fills the set, lending an aura of mystery and nostalgia. The visual impact, combined with sweet, very sweet music, and a chorus that rises almost like a cry (with Tarkan raising his voice by a tone or a semitone), creates an experience that almost gives you chills. It’s a simple yet highly effective video that enhances its intensity and mystery. Ozan Çolakoğlu’s arrangements complete this work of art, dressing the words and music with a sound that magnifies every emotional nuance.