Released 1997 Recorded 1997 | Format CD single, LP Genre Turkish pop, dance-pop | |
Length 3:10 ("Şımarık" radio edit only)
3:57 (original version) Label Urban/Polygram/Universal | ||
"Şımarık" ([ʃɯmaˈɾɯk], "Naughty" in Turkish) is a 1997 song by Turkish singer Tarkan. It was written by Sezen Aksu, with music credited as composed by Tarkan. However, Tarkan later admitted in a 2006 interview that this had been done without Aksu's consent, who was the true copyright owner. It formed part of Tarkan's album Ölürüm Sana (I'd Die for You) Şımarık was released in France in 1998 and the rest of the world in 1999, from the compilation album Tarkan, which was released in Europe. It has sold two million copies all across Europe.
Contents
The song
As Tarkan's first major single, the song is generally considered his debut single. He had released three albums before this, but never released a song in single format due to the album-orientated nature of the Turkish music industry. The song has also appeared in soundtracks of various movies, including French film Beau travail and the American film XX/XY. It is generally considered Tarkan's signature song in Europe. Its chorus ends with two characteristic kiss sounds.
There are many other language versions, including a version sung by Hong Kong group E02 in Cantonese and an Egyptian cover version sung by Samy Mansour.
Music video
The music video is shot in France Marseille with narrow streets and cobbled roads, with Tarkan singing and jaywalking. Several females on the streets see him and start following him to try to kiss him, but he tries to avoid them by first changing direction and then later by walking faster. More and more women begin to follow him as the song proceeds, but Tarkan eventually starts running in order to avoid them. A big group of women then run after him and as the song finishes, Tarkan takes cover in a street corner. A young girl is there as well and Tarkan kisses her forehead.
Track listings
- Şımarık Malagutti (4:46)
- Şımarık Malagutti edit remix (3:17)
- Şımarık Malagutti extended remix (7:00)
- Şımarık Ned Divine edit remix (3:13)
- Şımarık Ned Divine extended remix (5:56)
- Şımarık radio edit(3:12)
- Şımarık long (original) version (3:55)
- Şımarık Orıental (4:05)
- Şımarık Zıo dub extended remix (6:11)
- Şımarık Zıo dub edit remix
- Şımarık Şınan soulful (6:14)
- Şımarık Şınan dub
Track lists to this CD single change depending on the country of release, e.g. America and Germany.
There were four promotional LP versions released. A promotional CD single was released in France, with an orange cover. This was the first ever release and included one track. This is now a collector's item. There was also a limited edition (fan-edition) single released in Germany, which came with a poster of Tarkan. - courtesy of Ali Yildirim.
Commercial performance
When the single was released in Europe, it reached No. 1 in Belgium, No. 2 in Norway, plus No. 3 in Switzerland, France, Germany and the Netherlands. Sales went gold in Europe, where Tarkan was presented with his gold disc at Cannes Midem and in Germany by Universal and platinum in Latin America where it knocked Enrique Iglesias off the top slot.
Stella Soleil version
"Kiss Kiss" is the debut single by American recording artist Stella Soleil. The single is a cover/remake of the Turkish song "Şımarık" by Tarkan. The English version was written by Juliette Jaimes, Sezen Aksu, Tarkan, and Steve Welton-Jaimes. The single was released to mainstream radio in April 2001. The single was also released in regions of Europe, excluding the UK.
Music video
The music video is set on the beach during the late night. The video (directed by Hype Williams) shows Soleil dancing on the sand, while scenes go back and forth from birds eye views of landscape around the beach.
Track listing
- "Kiss Kiss" (Radio Version)
- "Kiss Kiss" (main version)
- "Kiss Kiss" (instrumental)
- "Kiss Kiss" (main version)
- "Kiss Kiss" (a cappella)
Holly Valance version
"Kiss Kiss" is the debut single by Australian singer Holly Valance. Her version is a remake of the 2001 version by Stella Soleil. Soleil's version is the original English version, however it is a remake of the popular Turkish pop song "Şımarık" by Tarkan. The single was released in April 2002 in Australia and United Kingdom, and shot straight to number one in both countries.
Commercial performance
The single also debuted at number-one in the UK on 5 May 2002, selling 143,408 copies in its first week. The song made its debut on the Australian ARIA Charts, UK Singles Chart and Turkish Singles Chart at number one, it was Valance's first number one single. It went to spend nine weeks in the ARIA Charts top ten, thirteen weeks in the top twenty and a total of seventeen weeks in the top fifty. In countries like Ireland, Italy, Taiwan and Finland the song went to peak in the top ten. It also reached the Top 20 in Austria, Greece, Sweden, Germany, Japan, New Zealand, Switzerland and Denmark. It was certified Platinum by the ARIA and Gold by the BPI.
Music video
"Kiss Kiss" was nominated for four ARIA Awards at the 16th ARIA Awards in 2002.
Track listing
- "Kiss Kiss" (Wise Buddha mix) — 3:25
- "Kiss Kiss" (Jah Wobble remix) — 5:15
- "Kiss Kiss" (Agent Sumo 2) — 7:41
- "Kiss Kiss" (Stargate R&B mix) — 3:02
- "Kiss Kiss" (Wise Buddha mix) — 3:25
- "Kiss Kiss" (Jah Wobble remix) — 5:15
- "Kiss Kiss" (Agent Sumo 2) — 7:41
- "Kiss Kiss" (Stargate R&B mix) — 3:02
- "Kiss Kiss" (music video)
- "Kiss Kiss" (Wise Buddha mix) — 3:25
- "Kiss Kiss" (Stargate R&B mix) — 3:02
Other cover versions
Besides the very famous English language versions by Greek-American singer Stella Soleil in 2001 and cover of same by Australian singer Holly Valance in 2002 both under the title "Kiss Kiss" (refer to separate sections above), there were many other covers of the song in English and various languages.