The musical divide between east and west can be difficult to transcend. Some do it with aplomb, others just… well let’s not go there. One lady who proved well capable of the crossover was Turkey’s 2009 Eurovision star, Hadise. The Belgian born singer melded western pop sensibilities with eastern beats and rhythms to give us “Dum Tek Tek”, a master class in ethnic euro-pop.
Alas, if her newest track is anything to go by, she’s let her standards slip… big time! “Nerdesin Askim”, whilst not innately bad, comes across as derivative. Strip away the traditional influences, and you’re left with a standard floor filler, lacking both personality and oomph. After three minutes the only lasting impression I have is – MEH! Obviously the language barrier is somewhat of a problem, but even so we’re not missing much. Our two Turkish correspondents – Egeman and Gokhan – reliably inform me that it’s a muddle of clichés. Check out the chorus:
I gave you a chocolate, you are full,
Is that poisoned arrow of love magic
You come to me again, sweeter than honey,
You give love, oh!
And that’s just the song. The actual video is like a magpie’s nest of concepts pilfered from other big-name divas – she wears one of Madonna’s old power suits, throws some sass-infused dance moves a lá Beyoncé, and out writhes Shakira in the sand. If Hadise wasn’t so stony-faced throughout you’d almost mistake this for a parody clip.
Nevertheless, the track is already proving to be a hit – I’d surmise that’s 100% due to brand Hadise. It’s even managed to cause a little controversy in Turkey with LGBT groups claiming she’s nicked their Pride slogan – “where are you my love”, and asking that she perform at next year’s Pride to make up for it. Well, if I may add to the accusations and requests for recompense – Hadise you’ve wasted three minutes of my life with “Nerdesin Askim”, you owe me a proper belter next time.
On a side note, I must add that despite the lacklustre single, Hadise is as fierce as ever. And why wouldn’t she be? If she could survive the out of sync khaki clad klutz in Moscow, she’ll recover from this too.
Hadise – “Nerdesin Askim” Lyrics
Bu gece geliyosun! Mazeretin yok!
Marsla yürüyorsun! Bahanen çok.
Bana yine baldan tatli geliyosun
Aski veriyorsun of!
Bu gece geliyosun! Mazeretin yok!
Marsla yürüyorsun! Bahanen çok.
Bana yine baldan tatli geliyosun
Aski veriyorsun!
O güzel gözlerini, doktora götürüyosun,
Yakinini göremiyosun, niye beni kesemiyosun,
Ay aman! Zillerimi çalip nereye kaçiyosun,
Körebe mi oynuyosun, dolaba mi sakliyosun.
Nerdesin askim? Burdayim askim
Nerdesin askim? Burdayim askim
Kara kara gecelere perde çekiyosun
Aska geliyorum of!
Nerdesin askim? Burdayim askim
Nerdesin askim? Burdayim askim
Kara kara gecelere perde çekiyosun
Aska geliyorum of!
Çikolata verdim karnin tok,
Ask büyüsü mü bu zehirli ok,
Bana yine baldan tatli geliyorsun,
Aski veriyorsun oh!
Çikolata verdim karnin tok,
Ask büyüsü mü bu zehirli ok,
Bana yine baldan tatli geliyorsun,
Aski veriyorsun oh!
