“Hüp” – Tarkan (2001): A Cry of Love That Conquered Hearts

“Hüp” is the eighth track from the Karma album, released in 2001, and quickly established itself as a flagship single in the discography of the Turkish pop king, Tarkan. This track is not only an anthem to love and devotion but also carries a story of controversy and rebirth that cemented its legendary status.

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The lyrics and music for “Hüp” are the work of the talented Nazan Öncel, while the arrangements were handled by Tarkan’s loyal collaborator, Ozan Çolakoğlu. The song is an intertwining of captivating melodies and profound lyricism, which made it instantly recognizable and loved.

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However, “Hüp”‘s journey was not without obstacles. The first music video for the song, released in October 2001, sparked heated discussion due to certain kissing scenes considered too explicit for the time and the Turkish cultural context. This led to a broadcasting ban by major national music channels, creating a veritable “press scandal” that, paradoxically, heightened curiosity around the track. Despite this initial situation, the single sold approximately 350,000 copies, testifying to its undeniable appeal. Faced with the ban, Tarkan and his team responded with determination: in early 2002, a second music video was filmed, this time as a remix version of the song, which finally received approval for broadcast. Both videos were directed by the renowned Italian-Turkish director Ferzan Özpetek, whose artistic sensibility skillfully interpreted the song’s intensity visually.

“Hüp” is a striking example of Tarkan’s artistic versatility and depth, capable of tackling complex themes and overcoming challenges, while always maintaining a deep connection with his audience.

The song “Hüp” expresses a profound unconditional love and devotion, using rich metaphors. The lyrics convey the idea of being irresistibly attracted to someone, with total dedication.

The lyrics are enriched with Turkish idiomatic expressions that add layers of meaning:

• The phrase “I will feed you with bird’s milk” (a literal translation of “kuş sütüyle”) indicates something extremely rare, precious, or almost nonexistent, emphasizing the exceptional nature and extreme care the singer wishes to dedicate to the beloved person.
• The expression “swallow me like a scream” is a poetic phrase that evokes a strong, intense, and potentially transformative experience, linked to the emotional impact of a deep exclamation. It’s a desire for total fusion and absorption into the essence of the other.
• The proverb “There is no wall made only of stone, write it somewhere” (literally, “There is no wall of stone alone”) not only emphasizes the necessity of cooperation and solidarity, but in this romantic context, it also highlights the impossibility of building barriers in the solitude of love and the need to unite, to act together to overcome any obstacle.

The lyrics are a true declaration of love: “If there’s a way from heart to heart, this is obviously love. Your wind was enough to cause the end of the world. Open the door, I’m coming. I’m wearing a shirt made of fire. I will feed you with bird’s milk. I smell your scent instead of musk. The palaces of my heart are yours. You make me cry, I love you. I will hold you in high esteem, I will hold you on my knees, the palaces of my heart are yours, I will make you feel alive. Take my arm and take me away, swallow me like a scream. There is no wall made only of stone, write it somewhere. If I don’t hug you and don’t sleep, I can’t see the world, I’ve become a moth for you.” “Hüp” is therefore an anthem to all-encompassing passion, mutual surrender, and the strength of emotional unity.

• Released: 2001 (October for the first video, early 2002 for the remix video)
• Album: Karma
• Genre: Pop
• Lyrics and Music: Nazan Öncel
• Arrangements: Ozan Çolakoğlu (original version and Ozinga Disco Mix)
• Video Director: Ferzan Özpetek
• Single Sales: Approximately 350,000 copies

Versions on the Album/Single:

1. Hüp (Ozinga Disco Mix)
   • Arranged, Programmed By: Ozan Çolakoğlu
   • Bass Guitar: Murat Ejder
   • Electric Guitar: Bilgehan Tuncer
   • Mixed By: Murat Matthew Erdem, Ozan Çolakoğlu, Ulaş Ağce
   • Duration: 4:28
2. Hüp (Özgür Buldum Club Mix)
   • Arranged By: Özgür Buldum
   • Mixed By: Murat Matthew Erdem, Ulaş Ağce
   • Duration: 5:59
3. Hüp (Alaturka)
   • Acoustic Guitar: Erdinç Şenyaylar
   • Arranged By: Hamit Ündaş, Nazan Öncel
   • Bass Guitar: Gürol Ağırbaş
   • Clarinet: Selim Sesler
   • Finger Cymbals, Tambourine: Hamit Ündaş
   • Goblet Drum: Cengiz Ercümer, Yaşar Akpençe
   • Mixed By: Hamit Ündaş, Murat Matthew Erdem
   • Mix Assistant: Başar Yakupoğlu
   • Oud, Oud [Ritm]: Altuğ Öncü
   • Spoons: Nazan Öncel
   • Tambourine [Def]: Seyfi Ayta
   • Violin: Özcan Şenyaylar
   • Duration: 4:03
4. Hüp (Orient Dub Mix)
   • Arranged By: Can Hatipoğlu, Murat Tunalı
   • Mixed By: Can Hatipoğlu
   • Duration: 5:27
5. Hüp (İlterocktive Mix)
   • Arranged By, Mixed By: İlter Kalkancı
   • Duration: 3:35
6. Hüp (Kıvanch K Mix)
   • Arranged By, Mixed By: Kıvanch K
   • Duration: 7:24
7. Hüp (Orjinal Versiyon)
   • Clarinet: Kirpi Bülent
   • Guitar: Erdem Sökmen
   • Oud: Yıldıran Güz
   • Percussion: Cengiz Ercümer, Seyfi Ayta
   • Recorded By, Mixed By: Murat Matthew Erdem, Ulaş Ağce
   • Strings: Şenyaylar Yaylı Grubu
   • Duration: 3:37
8. Hüp (Ozan Doğulu Mix)
   • Arranged By, Mixed By: Ozan Doğulu
   • Duration: 4:49

Video Hüp (Orjinal Versiyon)

• Clarinet: Kirpi Bülent
• Film Director: Ferzan Özpetek
• Guitar: Erdem Sökmen
• Oud: Yıldıran Güz
• Percussion: Cengiz Ercümer, Seyfi Ayta
• Recorded By, Mixed By: Murat Matthew Erdem, Ulaş Ağce
• Strings: Şenyaylar Yaylı Grubu
• Written-By: Nazan Öncel