Istanbul (Not Constantinople): A Musical and Historical Journey

They Might Be Giants’ catchy cover of “Istanbul (Not Constantinople)” is a song that sticks in many people’s heads. But the song’s history extends far beyond the alternative rock band, rooted in a historical shift and a 1953 novelty hit. The song marks the transition of a city’s identity and serves as a memorable, if simplified, lesson in history.

The Historical Context: From Constantinople to Istanbul

The song directly references the official renaming of Constantinople to Istanbul. Constantinople, founded in 330 AD by Roman Emperor Constantine the Great, served as the capital of the Eastern Roman (Byzantine) Empire for over a thousand years. In 1453, the city fell to the Ottoman Turks, led by Sultan Mehmed II. While the Ottomans referred to the city as Istanbul, a name derived from the Greek phrase “eis tēn polin” meaning “to the city,” Constantinople remained the common name in Western countries for centuries. [1]

The official renaming to Istanbul by the Turkish Republic wasn’t formalized until 1930, prompting the creation of the song in 1953 to commemorate the 500th anniversary of the Ottoman conquest. [1]

The Original Hit: The Four Lads’ “Istanbul”

The original version of the song, simply titled “Istanbul,” was released in 1953 by The Four Lads. Written by Jimmy Kennedy with music by Nat Simon, it quickly became a gold record, reaching No. 10 on the Billboard charts. [1] The song humorously highlighted the name change, making it a memorable earworm for audiences.

They Might Be Giants’ Cover and Continued Popularity

They Might Be Giants (TMBG) released their version of “Istanbul (Not Constantinople)” in 1990 on their album Flood. [3] The TMBG rendition is notably faster-paced than the original. [1] It became one of their most well-known songs, introducing a new generation to the song’s catchy melody and historical context. A music video for the song was released and is available on YouTube. [1]

Other Notable Versions

Throughout the years, several artists have covered “Istanbul (Not Constantinople).” Frankie Vaughan released a version in 1954 that reached No. 11 in the UK charts. [1] Col Joye’s Joy Boys recorded an instrumental version in 1960, and Bing Crosby also performed the song on his radio show. [1]

The song’s enduring appeal lies in its catchy tune and its ability to subtly educate listeners about a significant historical event.