So the classes that I teach are discussing the lyrics “Istanbul (Not Constantinople)”. The song was written years and has been covered by numerous people, but most recently by They Might Be Giants. Questions given to the class are: why the many name changes? Where do the names come from? What do the lyrics mean? Why would the group cover the song? Is the song a serious social commentary?
Its a catchy tune and the Looney Tunes even had it on their show. There is the Looney Tunes version: