To evaluate the effects of the second wave of the Covid-19 pandemic, which is effective worldwide, a study conducted nationwide by the Üsküdar Üniversitesi Department of Sociology attracted attention with its interesting results. The song that best reflected our mood regarding the pandemic was Mümin Sarıkaya’s “Ben Yoruldum Hayat” (I'm Tired, Life). Founding Rector of Üsküdar Üniversitesi, Psychiatrist Prof. Dr. Nevzat Tarhan, pointed out that the arabesque sentiment is a comforting emotion but one that reduces motivation. Prof. Dr. Nevzat Tarhan warned, “This arabesque sentiment is actually a method of relief for us, but it reduces one's self-confidence and creates feelings of inadequacy and helplessness.”
The ‘Turkey Research After the 2nd Wave’ conducted by Dr. Tuğba Aydın Öztürk, Faculty Member at Üsküdar Üniversitesi Department of Sociology, Method Research Company Project Director Hale Aslı Kılıç, and Marketing Specialist Şeyda Aydın, has been concluded.
“Ben Yoruldum Hayat” Became Turkey’s Song
In the research, participants were also asked an open-ended question: ‘When you think of yourself during the pandemic, which song best reflects you?’ It was observed that a vast majority of the songs were of the arabesque music genre, representing negative emotions. However, songs reflecting feelings such as hope, patience, and solace also found their place on the list. Accordingly, the song that best reflected our general mood in Turkey was Mümin Sarıkaya's song titled ‘Ben Yoruldum Hayat’ (I'm Tired, Life). Women most frequently said Göksel's song ‘Depresyondayım’ (I'm Depressed) reflected them best, while men stated it was Müslüm Gürses's song ‘İtirazım Var’ (I Object).
Our Pandemic Song List
Looking at the general average, the ranking of the songs that best describe Turkey's feelings and thoughts regarding the pandemic was as follows:
1. Mümin Sarıkaya - Ben Yoruldum Hayat (I'm Tired, Life)
2. Göksel - Depresyondayım (I'm Depressed)
3. Edip Akbayram - Güzel Günler Göreceğiz (We Will See Beautiful Days)
4. Sezen Aksu - Geçer (It Will Pass)
5. Müslüm Gürses - İtirazım Var (I Object)
6. Pinhani - Dünyadan Uzak (Far From The World)
Prof. Dr. Nevzat Tarhan: “Arabesque Sentiment is Depressive Sentiment”
Founding Rector of Üsküdar Üniversitesi, Psychiatrist Prof. Dr. Nevzat Tarhan, said, “The preference for 'Ben Yoruldum Hayat' and 'Depresyondayım' in music choices shows that there is a feeling of taking refuge in arabesque sentiment during this period. Arabesque sentiment is a depressive sentiment.”
Prof. Dr. Nevzat Tarhan: “Arabesque Sentiment Relieves but Reduces Productivity”
Prof. Dr. Nevzat Tarhan stated that arabesque sentiment is an approach that leads people into depression and makes them enjoy being depressed:
“This provides temporary relief, but it breaks one's motivation to work and reduces productivity. We have a culture that glorifies crying. When someone who goes to the cinema is asked 'how was the movie,' they reply 'it wasn't good, it didn't make me cry.' This arabesque sentiment is actually a method of relief for us, but it reduces one's self-confidence and creates feelings of inadequacy and helplessness.”
Conducted with 3,500 People in 56 Cities
The research, conducted with 3,500 participants aged 18 and over living in 56 cities across Turkey throughout January 2021, aimed to understand the effects of the pandemic, particularly after the second wave. Under the consultancy of Üsküdar Üniversitesi Rector's Advisor and Dean of the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, Prof. Dr. Deniz Ülke Arıboğan, numerous topics were examined, including anxiety levels, trust in individuals, institutions, and media organizations, thoughts on measures taken within the scope of Covid-19, positive and negative expectations for the future, vaccine studies, distance education, and consumption habits. Furthermore, the data obtained is significant for providing comparisons with the results of the ‘Life During Coronavirus Days Research’ conducted in April 2020.