In the sixties and early seventies in Turkey, the term "arajman" (derived from the word arrangement) was used to describe pop music. Pop songs of that time were mostly Turkish cover versions of English, Italian, Spanish and French radio tunes. The first episode of "The Background Music of Our Life", deals with popular artists like diva Ajda Pekkan, lyricist Fikret Şeneş, singers like Alpay, Seyyal Taner, Nükhet Duru, Erol Evgin and İlham Gencer who were the representatives of "arajman" music in Turkey.

Read more … Many Came Along Many Passed By

In the early seventies popular Turkish music was categorised under two main streams, "arajman" and "Anatolian pop" which at its best was a hybrid of Turkish folk and psychedelic pop. Things changed when singer-songwriter Bülent Ortaçgil put out his debut album "Benimle Oynar Mısın?" / "Will You Play With Me?". According to producer Ali Kocatepe, who is a singer and composer himself, Ortaçgil's "Will You Play With Me?" was Turkey's first and best ever "concept album.

Read more … Will You Play With Me?

The Black Train is a metamorphosis for migration, separation and being far away from home for the rural population of Turkey. "The Black Train" is also an "uzun hava", a traditional song chanted in the slow blues style from a small train station called Cürek in the province of Sivas, in deepest Anatolia. "Kara Tren" / "The Black Train" is one of the songs which brought national and international popularity and stardom to folk singer Sabahat Akkiraz. Officially, her album "İnsana Muhabbet" which was released in 1984 and which included this track, was sold over 2 million times!

Read more … The Black Train

"May Be One Day in Life" is a line from "Resimdeki Göyaşları" / "The Tears on the Picture" which is probably the most covered rock song in Turkey. It was first interpreted by the late Cem Karaca and can be compared to Rolling Stone's "Satisfaction" in Turkish popular culture. This episode of "Background Music of Our Life" also features current rock groups and performers like Mor ve Ötesi, Aylin Aslım and many others.

Read more … Maybe One Day in Life

"I'm in Trouble" features the songs of artists who suffered political oppression in Turkey by means of censorship, imprisonment and exile, songs of whom nevertheless are still recited by millions today and have become a part of Turkish cultural heritage. The last episode of "The Background Music of Our Lives" has been given its title after a song which the deceased Ahmet Kaya recorded in 1990 and chronologically reflects the experiences and psychology of artists like Ruhi Su, who was literally "in trouble" throughout his life.

Read more … I'm in Trouble