Milyon Kere Ayten
Ahmet Selçuk İlkan
The All-Consuming Love of 'Milyon Kere Ayten'
Ahmet Selçuk İlkan's song 'Milyon Kere Ayten' is a poetic and passionate ode to an all-encompassing love. The lyrics paint a vivid picture of a man who is utterly consumed by his feelings for a woman named Ayten. Every aspect of his life is intertwined with thoughts of her, from the drinks he consumes to the songs he sings and the poems he writes. The repetition of Ayten's name throughout the song emphasizes her omnipresence in his mind and heart, making it clear that she is the center of his universe.
The song uses rich metaphors to convey the depth of the protagonist's emotions. For instance, he describes how even the color of the sea becomes more beautiful when he thinks of Ayten, and how her presence transforms his perception of time. The lines 'Saatim her zaman Ayten'e beş var / Ya da Ayten'i beş geçiyor' suggest that his entire sense of time is dictated by his thoughts of her. This metaphorical language elevates Ayten to a near-mythical status, making her seem almost otherworldly in her significance.
Culturally, the song taps into the universal theme of love's power to transcend material concerns. The protagonist declares that he would give up his possessions and endure any hardship as long as he can think of Ayten. This sentiment is encapsulated in the lines 'Parasızlık da bir şey mi / Ölüm bile kötü değil / Aytensizlik kadar,' which highlight the idea that love is more important than wealth or even life itself. The song's closing lines, 'Bundan böyle dünyada / Aşkın adı Ayten olsun,' suggest that Ayten has become synonymous with love itself, further underscoring her profound impact on the protagonist's life.