A common way to kick off an intense and romantic relationship in Turkey is for a guy to call a girl and just… breathe. No words, just the sound of his breath lingering awkwardly on the line. Weird? Absolutely. But hey, that’s how we roll. And honestly, who’s judging?
The Unspoken Art of Turkish Romance
The more I think about it, though, it’s not just a Turkish thing. Love has its quirks everywhere, and this little oddity found its way into Turkish pop culture back in the 70s, courtesy of Işıl German. Her song “Biliyorum O Sensin” (“I Know It’s You”) beautifully captures the vibe of that unspoken, nerve-wracking tension that lingers in those early stages of love.
Who Was Işıl German?
Işıl German (1953–2016) wasn’t just any artist—she was a trailblazer of Turkish pop music in the 70s. Born in Ankara, she graduated from the ballet department of Ankara University’s State Conservatory before stepping into the music world. Her career took off in 1972, and she later moved to Istanbul to release several iconic singles, including:
- “Aşkın Kederi” (“The Sorrow of Love”),
- “Baksana Bana” (“Look at Me”),
- “Gelsin Aklın Başına” (“Come to Your Senses”), and
- “Ağlıyorsam Sen Aldırma” (“If I’m Crying, Don’t Mind Me”).
She even participated in the Turkish finals for Eurovision in 1979 and dabbled in film, composing a score and acting in 1981. She left a mark not just with her music but with her artistry and versatility before her untimely passing in Kuşadası in 2016.
A Random Tune and an Unexpected Quest
How did I stumble upon her nostalgic gem of a song? Pure chance. It all started as we walked past a pizza joint in Istanbul the other day. A familiar, hypnotic tune caught my ear, and I instinctively reached for Shazam. But even Shazam threw in the towel, leaving me with no answers. That’s when curiosity got the better of me.
Cracking the Mystery
I walked into the pizza place and struck up a lively chat with the staff, singing, “Alo, konuş, konuş benimle…” They confidently threw out a name… and got it totally wrong. Thanks for nothing, guys. Still, I wasn’t about to give up. Fueled by stubborn determination and caffeine, I embarked on a deep dive to uncover the mystery. After some investigative digging, I finally cracked the case and celebrated in proper Istanbul fashion: a cold beer in hand, the song playing on repeat, and the vibrant city buzzing all around me.
Why Istanbul is Pure Magic
And this is exactly why Istanbul feels like pure magic. It’s not just a city—it’s a living, breathing treasure chest of surprises. Whether it’s uncovering forgotten musical gems or soaking in the vibrant street culture, this place never stops giving. Moments like these remind me why I’m in love with it all.
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