“Şımarık” (pronounced [ʃɯmaˈɾɯk], “Spoilt”), also known as “Kiss Kiss“, is a 1997 song by Turkish singer Tarkan. It was written by Sezen Aksu, with music credited as composed by Tarkan. However, Tarkan later admitted in a 2006 interview that this had been done without Aksu’s consent, who was the true copyright owner.^[1]It formed part of Tarkan’s albumÖlürüm Sana. “Şımarık” was released inFrancein 1998 and the rest of the world in 1999, from the compilation albumTarkan, which was released in Europe. It has sold two million copies all across Europe. Many versions of the song were recorded in different languages, most notably the English-language cover, titled “Kiss Kiss”, by Greek-Americansinger Stella Soleil in 2001 which was itself covered by Australian actress Holly Valance in 2002.

As Tarkan’s first major single, the song is generally considered his debut single. He had released three albums before this, but never released a song in single format due to the album-orientated nature of the Turkish music industry. The song has also appeared in soundtracks of various movies, including French filmBeau travailand the American filmXX/XY. It is generally considered Tarkan’s signature song in Europe. Its chorus ends with two characteristic kiss sounds.

Themusic videois shot in Marseille, France with narrow streets and cobbled roads, with Tarkansingingand jaywalking. Several females on the streets see him and start following him to try to kiss him, but he tries to avoid them by first changing direction and then later by walking faster. More and more women begin to follow him as the song proceeds, but Tarkan eventually starts running in order to avoid them. A big group of women then run after him and as the song finishes, Tarkan takes cover in a street corner. A young girl is there as well and Tarkan kisses her forehead.

Track lists to this CD single change depending on the country of release, e.g.Americaand Germany.

There were four promotional LP versions released. A promotional CD single was released in France, with an orange cover. This was the first ever release and included one track. This is now a collector’s item. There was also a limited edition (fan-edition) single released in Germany, which came with a poster of Tarkan.

When the single was released in Europe, it reached No. 1 in Belgium, No. 2 in Norway, plus No. 3 in Switzerland,^[2]France, Germany and the Netherlands.^[3]Sales went gold in Europe, where Tarkan was presented with his gold disc at Cannes Midem and in Germany by Universal^[4]and platinum inLatin Americawhere it knocked Enrique Iglesias off the top slot.

“Şımarık” was featured in films and soap opera includingBeau travail,RomanéandXX/XY.

“Şımarık” was using with sound effect of Tarkan kiss sounds including in several Chilean television program including:Calle 7,Yingo,En portada,Buenos Días a Todos,Muy buenos días,Mucho gusto,Gente como tú,La mañana de Chilevisiónand others.

“Kiss Kiss” is the debut single by American recording artist Stella Soleil. The single is a cover/remake of the Turkish song “Şımarık” by Tarkan. The English version was written by Juliette Jaimes, Sezen Aksu, Tarkan, and Steve Welton-Jaimes. The single was released to mainstream radio in April 2001. The single was also released in regions of Europe, excluding the UK.

The music video is set on the beach during the late night. The video (directed by Hype Williams) shows Soleil dancing on the sand, while scenes go back and forth from birds eye views of landscape around the beach.

“Kiss Kiss” is the debut recording by Australian actress Holly Valance. Her version is a remake of the 2001 song of the same name by Stella Soleil, itself a remake of “Şımarık” by Tarkan. The single was released in April 2002 in Australia and United Kingdom,^[18]and shot straight to number one in both countries.

The single also debuted at number-one in the United Kingdom on 5 May 2002, selling 143,408 copies in its first week.^[18][19]The song made its debut on the Australian ARIA Charts,UK Singles Chartand Turkish Singles Chart at number one, it was Valance’s first number one single. It went on to spend nine weeks in the ARIA Charts top ten, thirteen weeks in the top twenty and a total of seventeen weeks in the top fifty. In countries like Ireland, Finland,Italyand Taiwan the song went to peak in the top ten. It also reached the Top 20 in Austria, Greece, Sweden,Germany,Japan,New Zealand, Switzerland and Denmark. It was certified Platinum by the ARIA and Gold by the BPI.

“Kiss Kiss” was nominated for four ARIA Awards at the 16th ARIA Awards in 2002.

Aside from “Kiss Kiss”, there were many other covers of “Şımarık” in English and various languages, like a version sung byHong Konggroup E02 inCantoneseand anEgyptiancover version sung by Samy Mansour. Notable covers include:

Other samplings