The Jet-Black Eyes That Cast Me Into Flames (Song)

The song “Beni Ateşlere Salan O Kapkara Siyah Gözler,” part of the Turkish Art Music repertoire, features lyrics written by Necati Tokyay and music composed by Zeki Arif Ataergin. Created in the form of a song, this work has earned a place in music history due to its technical and formal characteristics as well as the background story behind its creation. Composed in accordance with classical music conventions, the piece has been performed in various interpretations and recorded on shellac records following its composition.

Technical and Musical Characteristics

The work is cataloged under number 1389 in musical archives and the Turkish Art Music repertoire. Structured as a song, it is composed in the makam of Şehnaz and the usul of Curcuna. During the notation and publication process, the name of Emin Ongan Üsküdar Müsiki Cemiyeti Neşriyatı appeared. The musical notation was arranged by Dr. Semra Özgün in February 2008.

Beni Ateşlere Salan O Kapkara Siyah Gözler infographic (created with Yz)

Composition Process and Background

It is reported that the emergence of the song was influenced by the one-sided feelings of composer Zeki Arif Ataergin toward the renowned performer of the time, Müzeyyen Senar.^【1】

According to Alaeddin Yavaşça’s account, Zeki Arif Ataergin’s feelings for Müzeyyen Senar were platonic and noble, and Senar was unaware of them. The lyricist Necati Tokyay, who closely knew of these hidden emotions, composed the lyrics to give concrete form to his friend’s feelings. Zeki Arif Ataergin set these lyrics to music and delivered the completed composition, along with its notation, to Müzeyyen Senar a week later. Upon presenting the work, the composer stated that he had written it specifically for her and that it was the greatest gift he could offer her.^【2】

Performance, Recording, and Shellac Process

After the notation was delivered to Müzeyyen Senar, the performer and composer jointly rehearsed the piece at her request. Following approximately one hour of collaborative work, Senar sang the song from beginning to end. It is noted that at the conclusion of the rehearsal, Zeki Arif Ataergin took out his handkerchief and wiped his face, though Senar could not determine at that moment whether it was due to sweat or tears. Senar accepted the piece, expressed her gratitude, and recorded it in shellac format. This shellac recording is said to have broken sales records during its time. Müzeyyen Senar only learned the true story behind the song’s composition and the platonic emotions embedded in it many years later, from the lyricist Necati Tokyay.^【3】

Lyric Structure

In the lyrics penned by Necati Tokyay, deep emotions toward the beloved’s eyes, face, and words are conveyed, with the theme that if union with this person is impossible, life and the world lose all meaning. The main body of the song consists of four lines, describing the profound impact of the beloved’s jet-black eyes and words, and asserting that if reunion cannot occur, the world holds no value whatsoever.

Lyrics

Those jet-black eyes that set me ablaze

Those sweet words, that smiling face that burn me like madness

If fate denies me the chance to bleed for you

Let the curtain fall, let the world vanish, worthless without you^【4】.