Old New York was once New Amsterdam...

justjake73 · November 8, 2003, 14:25

The intro of the Byzantines has got this great old song by They Might Be Giants going through my head, and makes me wonder - if the Byzantines and Ottomans are together in a game, does Theodora tell Osman to get out of her capital? Because....

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

Falconius · November 8, 2003, 14:50

Funny, another game feature got that song going through MY head. In the Age of Sail scenario, playing as the Dutch, the first city you found has the default name of none other than......

Yes, that's right: New Amsterdam!

Nikolai · November 8, 2003, 15:10

Is this really so important for you?

This is a GAME, and not the most historical correct either.

I for one can enjoy a game even with such "faults".

WarpStorm · November 8, 2003, 16:08

Of course, this song is just a cover.

"Istanbul (not Constantinople)" 1953

Words by Jimmy Kennedy
Music by Nat Simon

Artists: The Four Lads

peak Billboard position # 10 in 1953

justjake73 · November 8, 2003, 17:23

Quote:

Is this really so important for you?

Do ya see the smilies under my post?

Do ya?

joncnunn · November 8, 2003, 17:52

On a C3C note for Age of Discovery, if you don't protect your colonies, the same thing can happen to you as the Dutch historically.

Emperor Iaius I · November 9, 2003, 04:48

A splendid song. I think I'll go play it...

Jethro83 · November 9, 2003, 07:36

An easter egg I saw once reminded me of this song as well.

When the Ottomons make it all the way through their city list and establis what was going to be "New Istanbul", it was instead named "Not Constantinople".

Of course, this is old news. But is still worth a mention.

statusperfect · November 9, 2003, 08:29

Quote:

Originally posted by WarpStorm
Of course, this song is just a cover.

"Istanbul (not Constantinople)" 1953

Words by Jimmy Kennedy
Music by Nat Simon

Artists: The Four Lads

peak Billboard position # 10 in 1953

How old are you warpstorm?? 80??

vmxa1 · November 9, 2003, 15:50

I don't know how WarpStrom is, but I heard the song all the time as a kid. I was 7 in 1953.

Gobi Bear · November 9, 2003, 18:52

If you have an MP3 version of "Istanbul", you can even mod your Age of Discovery (or Middle Ages) game to play it in the background!

Just look for the MUSIC.TXT file in the Age of Discovery\Text folder....

And once you get that done, I know the B-52s have a fun little song called "Mesopotamia"

Stuie · November 10, 2003, 09:20

I thought it was funny that the Romans had Byzantium, I had Constantinople, and the Ottomans had Istanbul in my first game.

If I'm playing the Byzantines, why are the Romans naming a city in my honor??

Brundlefly · November 10, 2003, 10:35

Quote:

Originally posted by justjake73
The intro of the Byzantines has got this great old song by They Might Be Giants going through my head, and makes me wonder -

Thanks for posting this! I never knew who did this song. I saw the video for it once a long time ago. It was an interesting animated video. The song pops into my head once in a while.