Tarkan’s artistry radiates not only through his solo hits but also through the collaborations that have graced the albums of other artists. This section is dedicated precisely to the tracks where the Megastar has lent his vocal talent or compositional mastery, significantly contributing to other artists’ discographic works. Discover these unique synergies, where Tarkan pen and voice merge with those of other great names in music, creating memorable moments that enrich the musical landscape.

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For more information about Tarkan’s career and upcoming projects, visit his official website.

Duet Tarkan with Müzeyyen Senar (1998)

In his article titled “No One Is Like Her,” Turkish Megastar Tarkan expressed his deep feelings for Müzeyyen Senar, wanting to remember her with these words released to the press. This iconic duet with Müzeyyen Senar, the queen of Turkish classical music and a true lady of class, holds profound significance, transcending a simple collaboration to become an “eternal memory.”

Tarkan stated: “Müzeyyen Senar is a rare star of Turkish classical music who will never die, both by virtue of her voice, different from any other tone and color, and for the mastery and sincerity she expressed in every interpretation. It was an honor for me to duet with her, and this work will be an eternal memory… After I came to know her in the depths of my heart, she inevitably became a queen. Despite her great renown, I was struck by her humility and purity. If people forget who they truly are and give voice to their arrogance, fame changes them negatively and distances them from their true selves. My dear Müzeyyen was a symbol of success, and great fame didn’t change her; on the contrary, it brought her closer to her essence. She is a rare phenomenon and a great example.”

He added: “I LOVE MY MUSICIAN SISTER. We share the same feelings and thoughts regarding success, and I think she perceived that too. Perhaps that’s why, in a very short time, a true heart-to-heart bond was established between us. I got to know her better, and I listened to her memories. I would have liked to learn much more from her about life experiences and people like her. Unfortunately, in recent years, this couldn’t happen due to her illness. Yet, when I went to visit her, she conveyed a great sense of love and affection through her gaze and smile. Her eyes told me everything. I love my sister, Müzeyyen, and I will never forget her. Her soul will continue to live through her songs, and I know that no one will be like her.”

Müzeyyen Senar (July 16, 1918 – February 8, 2015) was also known as “Cumhuriyetin Divası” (The Diva of the Republic). Her studies and performances made her an exceptional artist from a young age, capable of interpreting a wide range of works with an original style and profound feeling.

No one is like you. No one appears like you. My love, in every beauty and splendor, No one is like you. No one appears like you.

I searched for you in the roses, I searched for you in the narcissus. My tears mingled with my soul, And my heart plunged into blood. I searched for you in the roses, I searched for you in the narcissus.

Your face is as beautiful as the full moon. Your black eyes shine like two stars. And your smile drives me crazy. No one is like you. No one appears like you.

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Tarkan participated in the album “The Best of Kayahan 1,” a tribute record that featured numerous Turkish artists. The album achieved excellent sales, topping D&R’s “Best Seller” list for 12 weeks, with over 200,000 copies sold. As a double CD, it reached 1 million sales on digital music platforms. The “Megastar” Tarkan, who sings Kayahan’s song “Yemin Ettim” on the album, personally prepared its music video.

Tarkan’s video was created using footage from the concert he held at the Harbiye Open Air Theatre in the summer of 2014. The album was released on November 13, 2014. A 30-string orchestra accompanied the Turkish Megastar during the recordings at Iskender Paydaş’s studio, and Kayahan himself greatly appreciated Tarkan’s performance. The album’s producer, Murat Yıldırım, sent a message to the singer, stating: “You made a great oath!”

Kayahan A Turkish singer, composer, and songwriter, Kayahan (born March 29, 1949, died April 3, 2015) began his professional music career in 1978 with the track “Neden Olmasın & İstanbul Hatırası.” In 1991, he broke sales records with the album “Yemin Ettim,” released that same year. In the 90s, he made his mark with albums such as “Odalarda Işıksızım,” “Son Şarkılarım,” “Benim Penceremden,” “Canımın Yaprakları,” “Emrin Olur,” and “Beni Azad Et.” He represented Turkey at the Eurovision Song Contest with the song “Gözlerinin Hapsindeyim.” In 2003, he received the Golden Butterfly honorary award and the Müyap award for the high sales volume of his album “Ne Oldu Can.” In 2004, he released the album “Kelebeğin Chanasi,” and in 2007, “Biriciğim.”

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English Translation of the Song Yemin Ettim (I Swore)

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I’ve been alone for centuries, I regret my destiny. We condemned everything to rage. I made an oath that I cannot break. I withered in the tunnels of sadness, in its sorrows. May this tongue of mine burn in hell. I made an oath that I cannot break.

Let them give you to others, and let them strike me. To you, the paths of love, to me, the bullets. Let them give you to others, and let them strike me. To you, the paths of love, to me, the bullets.

The apocalypse is breaking out in my poor heart. I’m broken, broken, broken now. Didn’t you miss me at all? Don’t I have any right? Ask me, just once… for God’s sake.

On December 10, 2010, the album “Kalbim”, prepared by the ENBE Orchestra under the direction of Behzat Gerçeker, was released. The album, initially pressed with 50,000 copies, quickly went for a reprint of another 15,000 due to the intense public interest. Tarkan, who participated in this project, introduced the song “HerŞeye Rağmen” (In Spite of Everything – duration: 4:58) with a video. In the video published on WEB TV söz tarkan.com, the Megastar promoted the song with the following words: “Hello, there’s a song I sang on the new Enbe Orchestra album, which will meet the public very soon.” The album, which featured collaborations with famous names, managed to top the charts. Regarding the album’s success, Gerçeker stated: “The success of the first album was a coincidence; it won’t happen again.”

Enbe Orkestrası ‎– Kalbim

• Label: Doğan Music Company ‎
• Format: CD, Album
• Country: Turkey
• Released: December 10, 2010
• Genre: Jazz, Latin, Funk / Soul, Blues, Pop
• Style: Disco, Ballad, Easy Listening

Lyrics English Translation HerŞeye Rağmen (In Spite of Everything)

Blood… pain… tears and hope.
In spite of everything,
I stubbornly don’t give up on living,
While I feel broken.
How many thousands of years of massacres have there been?
How can a human still resist?
Is there truly hope?
Oh… so many guilty feelings.
Don’t leave my hands,
at least don’t do it.
Now, more than ever, we must embrace love.
The world is burning, our end is near.
Come and hold my heart tight with all your strength.
The world is crying… our situation is sad.
We must love each other, if there’s no love… I miss you and you are not present.

Link video HerŞeye Rağmen

The music industry, somewhat inactive for a while, had launched an offensive for the new season. Among the new summer songs, one track was strongly emerging: Tarkan’s “Hop De,” first released in August 2014. Tarkan, known for his subtle and profound lyrics, overturned expectations with this debut track from İskender Paydaş’s album “Zamansız Şarkılar II” (Timeless Songs II). The song was born from the harmony of “one-shot” phrases like “Hop de,” “hele durum çak” (get the situation), “kop gel” (come break away). If it hadn’t been for Tarkan, and someone else had debuted with this track, we probably would have turned off the screen long ago, saying, “It can’t be that simple.” However, Tarkan’s merit in pop music is inexhaustible. We have before us a Tarkan who has endured through musical ups and downs since 1992 and who, especially in recent years, has continued to thrill us.

“If you can’t overcome yourself / Let me bring you back to your senses” is a phrase that fuels the song’s core, and rhyme is part of pop music’s glory. Tarkan sings the entire song with his famous “chamber voice,” just like the “flying seagulls” in documentary dubbings. Just like his incredible courage in the song “Seviş Benimle” (Make Love With Me) from his album “Aacayipsin” (You’re So Weird)… That voice again! But honestly, it suits him. From the day of its debut onwards, when listening to “Hop De,” it seems clear and obvious to turn up the volume. The song’s lyrics and music belong to Tarkan, while the arrangement was handled by İskender Paydaş. For the music video, directed by Murad Küçük, a dedicated area was set up inside the Adile Sultan Palace. Preliminary preparations for the video were completed in one week, and filming lasted only one day. Tarkan was accompanied by part of his orchestra during the shoot, which took place in various locations within the historic Adile Sultan Palace.

English Translation of the Song Hop De

Break free from those demons, keep them far from your mind. Your brilliant ideas will eventually make you fall into the trap. Run, run, come on, get it, you shouldn’t miss this last train. You won’t find anyone as unconventional as me. You’ll feel afflicted! Lower that stubborn head of yours a bit, beauty! Open the door, I’m about to enter. Shatter this blind pride and come. With you, I’ll lay everything bare. If you can’t overcome yourself, let me bring you back to your senses.

You say “hop” to yourself, you say “hop” for a moment. Break away, come on, break away from your stubbornness. Break away, come on, break away from your stubbornness. Come and feel, feel what I feel, and let’s see what happens. Turn towards me – turn right now. Take me before I take another. Come on, let’s unite, unite our arms and see what happens.

Turn towards me – turn right now. Take me before I take another. Come on, take me to the room with you, and let’s see what happens next. Let me burn, let me burn, and every now and then sprinkle water on my feverish passion. Mountain met mountain, but we couldn’t. I’m going crazy. Run, run, but where are you going? Too much flirtation tires love. Come to your senses and come, the years fly by and leave one by one. Lower that stubborn head of yours a bit, beauty! Open the door, I’m about to enter. Shatter this blind pride and come. With you, I’ll lay everything bare. If you can’t overcome yourself, let me bring you back to your senses.

You say “hop” to yourself, you say “hop” for a moment. Break away, come on, break away from your stubbornness. Break away, come on, break away from your stubbornness. Come and feel, feel what I feel, and let’s see what happens. Turn towards me – turn right now. Take me before I take another. Come on, let’s unite, unite our arms and see what happens. Take my path, take it now. Take me before I take someone else.

Come on, take me to the room with you, and let’s see what happens next. You say “hop” to yourself, you say “hop” for a moment. Break away, come on, break away from your stubbornness. Break away, come on, break away from your stubbornness. Come and feel, feel what I feel, and let’s see what happens.

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Pop music, though rarely, sometimes transcends its purpose… A song arrives that surprises you; it feels as though another musical genre has been grafted onto it. What determines this peculiar situation is sometimes the lyrics, sometimes the composition, sometimes the singer’s vocal tone, and sometimes the interpretation. Naturally, a “total” emerges in the end, and that makes all the difference. Tarkan’s song “Aşk Gitti Bizden” from Ozan Çolakoğlu’s album “01” is just like that. This is a track that seems to have transcended the classic pop music audience. Such a song (that is, one that has transcended the boundaries of its own field) gains greater depth and can be more meaningful.

Tarkan, with his vocal interpretation, managed to create profound emotion without shouting or raising his voice, almost singing and keeping his voice “behind” his delivery; he found the voice of love, the pain of separation, and sadness in this song. Combining the sadness of separation with dance and movement created a different emphasis in pop music; almost a “unity of opposites.” Tarkan has a different interpretation of “Aşk Gitti Bizden” than usual. When asked about this presumed difference, Tarkan replied: “Yes, listeners say so. I believe the difference comes from the fact that ‘Aşk Gitti Bizden,’ while essentially a dance track, is also an emotional song about a relationship breakup. It’s an interesting contrast, in my opinion. That’s why I tried many different interpretations for this track; in the end, the interpretation present on the album felt closer to me.”

The lyrics and music of “Aşk Gitti Bizden” belong to Tarkan, and the arrangement was handled by the album’s owner, Ozan Çolakoğlu. “Aşk Gitti Bizden” is currently breaking hit records in the online environment and seems to attract the attention of people of all ages, even those unfamiliar with pop music, thanks to its emotional and moving structure.

While pop music in Turkey is experiencing an era of escapism, especially in the summer months, which has led to its own degeneration, “Aşk Gitti Bizden” is proof that songs following different paths can also exist.

English Translation of the Song Aşk Gitti Bizden (Love Left Us)

Let me go, goodbye. From now on, consider us a past story. Don’t think my heart isn’t sad. For whom is this separation easy?

Where are those butterflies that used to fly inside me now? No trace of those feelings remains within me.

One is you, one is me, two drops of tears fell from my eyes. We couldn’t make it work, and love left us. First you, then I, we fell like stars from the sky. We couldn’t make it work, and love left us.

It’s a story we already know, we sacrificed love for pride. There’s no turning back from this end, we fell into separate worlds.

Once in these gardens, colorful flowers used to bloom, but unfortunately, they withered. How did it happen that, in a single instant, we became strangers? What a pity that our paths diverged.

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The track “Hadi Bakalım,” featured on Ozan Çolakoğlu’s “01” album with Tarkan, addresses how to face challenges and competition in life. It underlines the importance of self-awareness, staying focused, and being cautious to avoid negative consequences. The lyrics use metaphors like racing and self-control to convey a message of self-awareness and resilience in difficult situations. The song speaks of fierce competition and people trying to appear superior to others, creating a chaotic and ambiguous atmosphere.

Regarding the track, Megastar Tarkan stated: “Come on, I love it so much, it has been my dream for a long time.”

The song “Hadi Bakalım” is considered the inception of Turkish pop and is known for kickstarting the pop music boom of the 1990s. It was subsequently reinterpreted by numerous artists both in Turkey and Europe. The lyrics were written by Aysel Gürel, and the song was composed and arranged by Onno Tunç. This track initiated the explosion of pop music in the 90s, and similar tracks, with comparable infrastructures, began to appear in the projects of many artists who released their debut albums during that period. “Hadi Bakalım,” one of the most important songs in the rise of pop music, reached its peak and became one of the most popular tracks of the era.

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Track Credits:

• Vocals: Tarkan
• Lyricist: Aysel Gürel
• Guitar: Caner Güneysu
• Mix: Ozgur Yurtoglu
• Percussion: Mehmet Akatay
• Strings: Golden Doubles, Agenda String Group
• Backing Vocals: Cihan Okan, Gaye Bicer, Sibel Gursoy
• Design Concept: Emre Erdem
• Design: Ceyda Balaban
• Mastering: Levent Demirbas
• Recording: Emre Kıral, Osman Çetin
• Production: DMC

English Translation of the Song “Hadi Bakalım” – feat. Tarkan

Is our space limited or is our new work limited? What’s the problem? All those who made mistakes, who are they? Who are you? Who are they? Who’s the greatest? Come on, let’s see, good luck! It’s a very tough race. What do I care? I don’t understand. It’s such a calculated and precise job.

You know, you know that if you keep your mouth shut and have control of your life, then the boogeymen will eat you? You know, you know that if you keep your mouth shut and have control of your life, then the boogeymen will eat you? Be careful! Ah! What insatiable desires are within us? In the midst of the Hicaz, sometimes you breathe a bit of jazz. A part of us adapts to everything, and the more it adapts, the more it desires.

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Note on Hicaz: It is a maqam, an Arabic term indicating a modal scale with specific characteristics in traditional Turkish and Arabic music. Each maqam has its own characteristic melody and rules for its performance.

Link video Hadi Bakalim

The song “Firuze,” sung by Tarkan, is a nostalgic reflection on the fleeting nature of beauty and youth. It uses the metaphor of ‘Firuze,’ a turquoise gem, to represent the subject’s captivating allure and the inevitable passage of time. “Firuze” was written by Aysel Gürel and Sezen Aksu, while the original music and arrangement belong to Atilla Özdemiroğlu. Aysel Gürel had written the song for her daughter, Müjde Ar. In 2013, Tarkan reinterpreted the track on the album “Aysel’s” with an arrangement by Mustafa Ceceli.

“Aysel’s” is a tribute album created in memory of the legendary Turkish songwriter Aysel Gürel. It was released by Doğan Music Company on June 25, 2013, and included, among others, Gülşen’s song “Beni Durdursan mı?” (“Should You Stop Me?”). It became the best-selling album of the year in Turkey.

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English Lyrics for “Firuze” – feat. Tarkan

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One day, when you look back and realize your years have drunk your dreams drop by drop You’ll cry, Firuze, you’ll cry You’ll remember how irresistibly beautiful you once were…

The trees envy your color in spring. You are like a love spell, Firuze. You are like a delicate flower, a forest corner. You are like the mist of the vineyard, Firuze.

The trees envy your color in spring. You are like a love spell, Firuze. You are like a delicate flower, a forest corner. You are like the mist of the vineyard, Firuze.

Sometimes crystalline like water, sometimes a volcano. Sometimes you are like a strong wind. There’s an adrenaline rush in your eyes; you think the years pass slowly for you. What’s your hurry? Wait, Firuze.

One day, when you look back and realize your years have drunk your dreams drop by drop You’ll cry, Firuze, you’ll cry.

In August 2008, musician Fahir Atakoğlu released the album “Iz” to celebrate his 25th year in the music industry. The album features reinterpreted and re-arranged versions of his previous compositions. Within this work, the track titled “Alaturka” is sung by Tarkan and is one of Atakoğlu’s favorite pieces. He constantly repeats the same phrase: “What a magnificent singer Tarkan is.” The original song dates back to 1995 and was written by Sezen Aksu.

English Lyrics for “Alaturka” – feat. Tarkan

When evening starts to fall, The color of sunset Slowly grows dim. And it’s precisely at that moment that the firmament begins to shine. I cried while I smiled… As the moonlight awakens, the stars continue their joyful journey… and burn in the darkness. Inside me, I count chapters of bitterness. Ahhhh! How much cruelty!

Make the instruments play, Let them play tonight… Maestro, begin, “Alaturka” And pluck the strings of the Tanbur… So that the Hanendeler may sing out loud…

Make the instruments play, Let them play tonight… Maestro, begin, “Alaturka” And pluck the strings of the Tanbur… So that the Hanendeler may sing out loud…

From my window, I see the boats of fickle hearts passing by, And all around, the wonderful melody of love is heard. As the moonlight awakens, the stars continue their joyful journey… and burn in the darkness. Inside me, I count chapters of bitterness. Ahhhh! How much cruelty!

Make the instruments play, Let them play tonight… Maestro, begin, “Alaturka” And pluck the strings of the Tanbur… So that the Hanendeler may sing out loud…

Make the instruments play, Let them play tonight… Maestro, begin, “Alaturka” And pluck the strings of the Tanbur… So that the Hanendeler may sing out loud… This is my destiny….

Link video Alaturka

“Ve Nazan Öncel Şarkıları” is a highly esteemed tribute album, released by Doğan Music in 2014 to celebrate the acclaimed Turkish singer-songwriter Nazan Öncel. The album gathers fourteen iconic tracks by Öncel, reinterpreted by an equal number of prominent artists from the Turkish music scene.

Among these fourteen talents, Tarkan’s name once again stands out. He lends his unmistakable voice to the track “Yalnızlar Treni.” Tarkan’s interpretation of “Yalnızlar Treni” reflects the pain of unrequited love and the struggle to let go, using the metaphor of a “train of loneliness” to convey the endless and isolating journey of heartache. This participation not only enriches the tribute album but also offers a powerful new interpretation of an already beloved piece, highlighting Tarkan’s ability to infuse emotion and depth even into songs that aren’t his own, making them unique.

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English Lyrics for “Yalnızlar Treni” – feat. Tarkan

The truth is, I can’t be the lover who waits their turn. Isn’t one world enough for both of us? I belong to myself, and you’re carefree with yourself too – you don’t right a wrong with three wrongs. (This is an idiom, emphasizing that one mistake cannot be corrected by a series of subsequent mistakes. In other words, doing three wrong things doesn’t make the initial situation right.) This train of lonely people, what an unending symphony.

Go, but go and forget me, me, me. It’s easy for me to forget and walk away. My heart won’t forgive you.

Oh, never mind, let this love be impossible. Let it give up where it lost its strength. Your face no longer smiles, and I don’t feel happy either, it doesn’t work this way. Loneliness fell to my lot, fate was always drawn to darkness upon me – it didn’t smile on my face – it didn’t smile.

Have you ever given up your dreams for love? Have you ever turned against your own heart? Come on, imagine I’ve forgiven everything. Come on, imagine I’ve forgotten everything. How can I make myself forgiven?

This train of lonely people, what an unending symphony. Go, but go and forget me, me, me. It’s easy for me to forget and walk away. My heart won’t forgive you.

Nazan Öncel’s track “Nereye Böyle?” reflects on emotional turmoil and the struggle to communicate one’s feelings. It uses metaphors like ‘eyes full of tears’ and ‘broken into a thousand pieces’ to convey deep emotional pain and the difficulty in expressing it.

On September 24, 2003, Nazan Öncel released the album “Yan Yana Fotoğraf Çektirelim,” which became one of her best-selling albums. With hit songs like “Hay Hay,” “Nereye Böyle?” captivated both the general public and Tarkan’s many fans. These two great artists kicked off the trend of successful duets that year, and this collaboration between Nazan Öncel and Tarkan achieved immense success.

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English Lyrics for “Nereye Böyle?” – Duet Tarkan and Nazan Öncel

Tears welled up in my eyes, I’m crying inside. I look distressed. We need to talk, to talk. My eyes filled and emptied once, I’m like a weaned child.

Are you asking me how I am? You know what, maybe I’m not well tonight. Without understanding (Without understanding) Without listening (Without listening) Without saying my last word (my last word) Where are you going?

Maybe I’m in bed, My feelings are in pieces. I live each day and each night for two. They asked how I was, and I told someone. I wonder, maybe I shouldn’t have told you.

Without understanding (Without understanding) Without listening (Without listening) Without saying my last word (my last word) Where are you going?

“Hatasız Kul Olmaz” is a legendary track in Turkish music, originally composed and written by the iconic figure Orhan Gencebay in 1976. This song was reinterpreted by Tarkan and included in the tribute album “Orhan Gencebay ile Bir Ömür, Vol.2” (A Life with Orhan Gencebay, Vol.2), released in 2012. The album celebrates Gencebay’s extraordinary career, featuring his compositions performed by various prominent artists.

Tarkan’s interpretation adds new depth to this classic, making it accessible to a new generation of listeners while retaining the emotional essence of the original. The song underscores the universal need for love and acceptance. The person longs to be accepted and loved for their flaws, even if too vulnerable to cry out their pain, yet ardently desires love to understand them.

Tarkan, who years prior had already lent his voice to Orhan Gencebay’s unforgettable melody, also showed particular interest in the educational theatrical play “Kazasız Kul Olmaz” (No One Is Without Accidents). As a testament to his support, the megastar donated the red jacket he wore during his 2019 European tour to the theater team to promote the work.

English Lyrics for “Hatasız Kul Olmaz” – feat. Tarkan

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No servant is without flaws; love me with my flaws. There’s a cure for every pain; let me heal myself. I’ve lost my way; please find me. I’m tired and unwilling; come take me. I have no voice to scream; listen to me in silence without making me shout. For the sake of those who love, please love me… love me. This crying, this longing, love is killing me. Even if we don’t see each other, it’s okay, just love me… love me.

One cannot live without hope; is it possible to live without love? You are the meaning of my life; come see if I possess it? Is there reproach in my words? Is it in my heart or on my tongue? Tell me now, is that heart in your hands?

I have no voice to scream; listen to me in silence without making me shout. For the sake of those who love, please love me… love me.