Song/band info c/o Wikipedia and copy/paste. # The Four Lads - Istanbul (Not Constantinople) "Istanbul (Not Constantinople)" is a 1953 novelty song, with lyrics by Jimmy Kennedy and music by Nat Simon. It was written on the 500th anniversary of the fall of Constantinople to the Ottomans. The lyrics humorously refer to the official renaming of the city of Constantinople to Istanbul. The song's original release, performed by The Four Lads, was certified as a gold record. Numerous cover versions have been recorded over the years, most famously a 1990 rock version by They Might Be Giants. [They Might Be Giants - Istanbul (Not Constantinople) (Official Music Video):](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0XlO39kCQ-8) # Musical influences The song is said to be a response to "C-O-N-S-T-A-N-T-I-N-O-P-L-E" recorded in 1928 by Paul Whiteman and His Orchestra. # The Four Lads original version "Istanbul (Not Constantinople)" was originally recorded by the Canadian vocal quartet The Four Lads on August 12, 1953. This recording was released by Columbia Records as catalog number 40082. It first reached the Billboard magazine charts on October 24, 1953, and it peaked at #10. It was the group's first gold record. Wiki page link: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Istanbul_(Not_Constantinople)#They_Might_Be_Giants