Page type: lyric reference
Artist: They Might Be Giants
Canonical path: /they-might-be-giants-musicas/istanbul-not-constantinople
Related lyric paths: 6
Video embedded: yes
Lyric guide
Istanbul (Not Constantinople)
Read Istanbul (Not Constantinople) lyrics by They Might Be Giants on LyroVerse, with linked artist context and related song paths.
person
Curated by Ethan Walker
LyroVerse team
Reference snapshot
The page facts to cite before the commentary
Use this page for the lyric text, linked artist context, and any LyroVerse editor's note attached to the song. Listener comments remain user-generated and should not be treated as the primary source.
Lyrics
Istanbul (Not Constantinople)
The lyric stays readable and compact here; the note and related paths sit nearby so you do not lose the song while looking for context.
Istanbul was Constantinople
Now it's Istanbul, not Constantinople
Been a long time gone, Constantinople
Now it's Turkish delight on a moonlit night
Every gal in Constantinople
Lives in Istanbul, not Constantinople
So if you've a date in Constantinople
She'll be waiting in Istanbul
Even old New York was once New Amsterdam
Why they changed it I can't say
People just liked it better that way
So take me back to Constantinople
No, you can't go back to Constantinople
Been a long time gone, Constantinople
Why did Constantinople get the works?
That's nobody's business but the Turks
Istanbul (Istanbul)
Istanbul (Istanbul)
Even old New York was once New Amsterdam
Why they changed it I can't say
People just liked it better that way
Istanbul was Constantinople
Now it's Istanbul, not Constantinople
Been a long time gone, Constantinople
Why did Constantinople get the works?
That's nobody's business but the Turks
So take me back to Constantinople
No, you can't go back to Constantinople
Been a long time gone, Constantinople
Why did Constantinople get the works?
That's nobody's business but the Turks
Istanbul
Quick answers
What this page can answer fast
Who performs "Istanbul (Not Constantinople)"?
They Might Be Giants performs "Istanbul (Not Constantinople)", and this lyric page sits inside the They Might Be Giants catalog on LyroVerse.
Are there related songs to explore after "Istanbul (Not Constantinople)"?
Yes. The related section below points to '85 Radio Special Thank You and 2082 with a short reason for opening each page next.
Where can I find more songs by They Might Be Giants?
Use the artist link near the top of the page or the related paths section below to keep moving through They Might Be Giants's lyric pages.
Song Room
Open Song Room
Interpretations, questions, and corrections for this song
Interpretations, questions, memories, and correction notes live together here. The room stays noindex while the best insights are reviewed.
Listener comments
What people are saying
No listener comments on Istanbul (Not Constantinople) yet.
A strong comment here is specific: the phrase you keep hearing, the mood you come back for, or the reason this song stays in rotation.
Sign in to post the first listener note. Reporting stays open to everyone.