Uska Dara

Eartha Kitt

About Uska Dara

Uska Dara (A Turkish Tale) is a 1953 song made famous by Eartha Kitt, also recorded by Eydie Gormé. It is based on the Turkish folk song Kâtibim about a woman and her secretary traveling to Üsküdar. On early recordings, this adaptation is credited to Stella Lee. Eartha Kitt recorded it with Henri René and his orchestra at Manhattan Center, New York City, on March 13, 1953. The song was released by RCA Victor Records as catalog number 20-5284 (in USA) and by EMI on the His Master's Voice label as catalog number B 10573. Kitt's recording sold 120,000 copies when it was first released by RCA Victor in 1953. Kitt later performed the song in the 1954 film New Faces and included the song in her cabaret act, where she culminated the number with a belly dance. The song appears on her albums RCA Victor Presents Eartha Kitt (1953) and That Bad Eartha (1955). The 1978 disco song "Rasputin" by Boney M uses part of the melody of "Kâtibim", and mimics the line "Oh! those Turks" (as "Oh! those Russians") at the end of the song. 


Year:
1999
3:40
1,285 
#3

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Üsküdar'a gider iken aldi da bir yagmur 2x
Kâtibimin setresi uzun, etegi çamur 2x
Kâtip uykudan uyanmis, gözleri mahmur 2x
Kâtip benim, ben kâtibin, ele karisir?
Kâtibime siter eter faltu ne güzel yarasir 

Uskadara is a little town in Turkey
And in the old days, many women had male secretaries
Oh, well, that's Turkey!

Üsküdar'a gider iken bir mendil buldum 2x
Mendilimin içine lokum doldurdum 2x

They take a trip from Uskudara in the rain
And on the way they fall in love
He's wearing a stiff collar
In a full dress suit
She looks at him longingly through her veil
And casually feeds him candy
Oh, those Turks !

Kâtibimi arar iken yanimda buldum 2x
Kâtip benim, ben kâtibin, el ne karisir? 
Kâtibime kolali da gömlek ne güzel yarasir 

Kâtibimi arar iken yanimda buldum 2x
Kâtip benim, ben kâtibin, el ne karisir? 
Kâtibime kolali da gömlek ne güzel yarasir 2x

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Eartha Kitt

Eartha Mae Kitt (January 17, 1927 – December 25, 2008) was an American singer, actress, and cabaret star. She was perhaps best known for her highly distinctive singing style and her 1953 hit recordings of "C'est Si Bon" and the enduring Christmas novelty smash "Santa Baby". Orson Welles once called her the "most exciting woman in the world." She took over the role of Catwoman for the third and final season of the 1960s Batman television series, replacing Julie Newmar, who was unavailable due to other commitments. She also voiced Yzma on Disney's The Emperor's New Groove. more »

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Written by: STELLA LEE

Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind


22 facts about this song

Historical Context
"Uska Dara" is an old Turkish song, originally titled "Kâtibim," also known as "Üsküdar'a Gider İken." Eartha Kitt popularized the song for the Western audiences.
Artist Recognition
Eartha Kitt, known as a music, film, and broadway actress, gained substantial acclaim because of her version of "Uska Dara," which showcased her versatility and multilingual capabilities.
Lyrics Language
Sung primarily in Turkish, "Uska Dara" stood out among Eartha Kitt's discography, marking her as a musician proficient in other languages besides English.
Chart Success
Upon its release, "Uska Dara" quickly gained popularity, soaring to number 7 on the Billboard Pop charts in 1953.
Subject Matter
In its original and Eartha Kitt's adapted version, "Uska Dara" narrates a love story set in Üsküdar, Istanbul.
Musical Style
The song "Uska Dara" is characterized by a Turkish rhythm mixed with jazz influences, marking it as a distinctive piece in Kitt's repertoire.
Cultural Impact
Eartha Kitt's rendition of "Uska Dara" played a significant part in popularizing Turkish music in the West during the mid-20th century.
Live Performances
Kitt often included "Uska Dara" in her live performances, captivating audiences with her incandescent stage presence and diverse musical skill.
Career Significance
With "Uska Dara," Eartha Kitt established herself as a unique and diverse talent in the music industry, paving the way for a successful career in music, film, and television.
Legacy
Even decades after its release, "Uska Dara" remains one of Kitt's most acclaimed tracks, contributing to her enduring legacy as a groundbreaking and versatile artist.
Song Origin
"Uska Dara" is a song performed by Eartha Kitt, but it's also known as "Şeker Oğlan" originally from Turkey.
Language Variation
The song is sung primarily in Turkish but has versions with English verses. Eartha Kitt's rendition includes both Turkish and English lyrics.
Success in Charts
Despite being in a foreign language, "Uska Dara" became a hit for Eartha Kitt in the United States when it reached number 22 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1953.
Cultural Impact
Eartha Kitt's performance of "Uska Dara" helped popularize the trend of American musicians performing songs from foreign cultures during the 1950s.
Live Performances
Kitt often performed "Uska Dara" in her live shows and it became one of her signature songs.
Song Meaning
The song "Uska Dara" or "Şeker Oğlan" tells the story of a man who is irresistible to women, with 'Uska Dara' translating to ‘a place across’.
Learning Language
Eartha Kitt learned to sing this song phonetically since she did not speak Turkish.
Career Impact
The song "Uska Dara" helped Eartha Kitt gain more notoriety and establish her as a unique and international artist.
Musical Style
The song features strong and dynamic rhythms that align with Eartha Kitt's persona and performance style, blending Western popular music with Middle Eastern musical traditions.
Longevity
Despite being released in 1953, "Uska Dara" remains popular today and continues to be recognized as one of Eartha Kitt's most memorable songs.
Re-recordings
Eartha Kitt re-recorded this song in 1978, it's also been covered by numerous artists in different languages, displaying its everlasting popularity and influence.
Preservation
Eartha Kitt's performances of "Uska Dara" have been preserved in numerous formats over the years, including vinyl records, CDs, digital downloads, and streaming platforms.

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