Chalga is a Bulgarian music genre, often referred to as pop-folk, short for "popular folk". Chalga or pop-folk is essentially a folk-inspired dance music genre, with a blend of Bulgarian music (Bulgarian ethno-pop genre) and also primary influences from Greek, Turkish, Arabic, Rom, Serbian and Russian music.
The name Chalga is derived from the Turkish word Çalgı, meaning "musical instrument". A Chalgadzhiya (in Turkish Çalgıcı) was a performer who could play virtually any type of music, adding his or her own distinctive beat or rhythm to the song. Often a Chalgadzhiya would not be able to read music, but instead play from memory on his or her Kaval (an end-blown Flute). Playing in groups at festivals or weddings, these performers initiated the popularization of chalga.
Throughout the Balkans, folk traditions have seen a process of modernization. In Greece, there are similarities with Skiladiko and Laiko Greek music. The eastern music of Byzantine tradition in history, became very close to early Bulgarian chalga music.
Hey Mr. Rock, Mr. Rock
Awake at noon and you finally get up
Watch the TV, talk on the phone
Behind your curtains it's a twilight zone
You hit the streets when night comes down
Drinkin', smokin', gettin' around
You try a lot, a star you're not
You're playing a part that you almost got
You tell your friends that you're on top
The truth must hurt because you know you're not
Out on the streets when night comes down
You and your dreams keep hanging around
Say that you're worth a fortune
Everybody knows your name
(You're fooling nobody here)
You're up 'til five o'clock every morning
It's driving you insane
Hey Mr. Rock, Mr. Rock
You got the moves, yeah, you got the talk
You got it down on the microphone
But behind your curtains it's a twilight zone
They've seen your act all over the town
Drinkin', smokin', gettin' around
Say that you're worth a fortune
Everybody knows your name
(You're fooling nobody here)
You're up 'til five o'clock every morning
It's driving you insane
You had a shot, a star you're not
You spent your money and you lied a lot
So tell your friends that you're on top
The truth will hurt because you know you're not
Oh no, you're not, a star you're not
No you're not, no, no, no you're not
Hey Mr. Rock, hey Mr. Rock
Hey Mr. Rock, hey Mr. Rock