Cleopatra (song)

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Cleopatra
Efendi
publication March 10, 2020
length 3:00
Genre (s) pop
Author (s) Luuk van Beers, Alan Roy Scott, Sarah Lake
Producer (s) Luuk van Beers, Tony Cornelissen
Label BMF Records

Cleopatra ( English for Cleopatra ) is an English-language pop song written by the team of writers Luuk van Beers, Alan Roy Scott and Sarah Lake. In the version by Samira Efendi , the title would have been the Azerbaijani contribution to the Eurovision Song Contest 2020 in Rotterdam . Previously, the track was recorded by Senhit .

Background and production

At the end of February 2020, the Azerbaijani radio İctimai announced that the singer Efendi would represent her country at the upcoming Eurovision Song Contest. They have been chosen from five different artists. Her contribution Cleopatra was presented to the public for the first time on March 10, 2020 .

The title was written by Luuk van Beers, Alan Roy Scott and Sarah Lake. Van Beers mixed the title and produced it with Tony Cornelissen.

Music and lyrics

According to the singer, the song is about trusting your basic instincts and advocating for yourself, even when hard times come and especially when you are betrayed by other people.

“It is truly a song about freedom, a celebration of all cultures and all sexualities and it's a song that is meant to inspire people to be who they are and to be proud of themselves - just as Cleopatra was. She was a queen who went through love, heartbreak, and betrayal, but she stood up for herself and is now remembered as an icon of strength and femininity. "

“The song is about freedom, the celebration of all cultures and sexual identities. It's supposed to inspire people to be proud of themselves - just like Cleopatra was. She was a queen who lived through love, lovesickness and betrayal, but stood up for herself and is remembered today as an icon of strength and femininity. "

- Samira Efendi

A special feature of the song is the Japanese mantra Namu Myōhō Renge Kyō , repeated several times in the chorus . The word Cleopatra in the chorus does not correspond to the usual pronunciation in English, but takes place with a friction sound at the "r" . Instruments used in the song include the oud , the balaban and the tar .

At the Eurovision Song Contest

Azerbaijan should have performed this song in the first semifinals of the Eurovision Song Contest 2020. However, due to the advancing COVID-19 pandemic , the competition was canceled.

reception

According to the taz , the song line “Straight or gay or in between” ( German “Hetero, homo or in between”) is a “clear statement for the LGBTQ community” and for Azerbaijan “everything else goes without saying”. Eurasianet's Joshua Kucera believes Cleopatra is a turning point in Azerbaijani history at the Song Contest. If the country was able to score points with western-oriented pop, that title breaks the mold. He cites the reference to the Egyptian queen, the Japanese mantra and the Azerbaijani instruments as reasons.

The fan blog ESCXtra praised the song and is of the opinion that Cleopatra is the “ethno hit” of the year. Eurovisionary said it was difficult to get the chorus out of your head. The German blog ESC Kompakt rated more critically. Cleopatra is overambitious, "starting with the stupid text to the annoying way she pronounces 'Cleopatra'". It speaks volumes that Azerbaijan is sending a song into the race that "got blown in San Marino". The already mentioned song line is described as "lying and ingratiating".

publication

The title and music video were released on March 10th. The video was shot by Alex Lamakh in Qobustan National Park . He also directed. Isa Melikov was the producer.

Web links

Individual evidence

  1. ^ Christian Petersen: Azerbaijan: Samira Efendi to Eurovision 2020. In: Eurovisionworld. February 28, 2020, accessed on August 21, 2020 .
  2. ↑ a b c Azerbaijan releases Efendi's Eurovision 2020 song 'Cleopatra'. March 8, 2020, accessed on August 21, 2020 .
  3. ↑ credits. In: Tidal . Accessed August 21, 2020 .
  4. ↑ Which country performs in which Eurovision 2020 Semi-Final? In: eurovision.tv. January 28, 2020, accessed March 26, 2020 .
  5. ↑ Eurovision 2020 in Rotterdam is canceled. In: eurovision.tv. March 18, 2020, accessed on March 26, 2020 .
  6. ↑ Barbara Oertel: Hetero, Homo, Bi ... In: Die Tageszeitung . May 16, 2020, accessed on August 21, 2020 .
  7. ^ Joshua Kucera: Eurovision shines a light into Caucasus identity politics. In: Eurasianet. May 14, 2020, accessed on August 21, 2020 .
  8. ↑ Rigmo Kannike: Xtra Insider 2020: We Review Azerbaijan! In: ESCXtra. May 14, 2020, accessed on August 21, 2020 .
  9. ↑ Gunec Gulun Yazıcıtunc: Eurovision 2020 entries: Azerbaijan - we are discussing Efendi's Cleopatra. In: Eurovisionary. May 21, 2020, accessed on August 21, 2020 .
  10. ↑ ESC-Songcheck compact (9) - Azerbaijan: "Cleopatra" by Efendi. In: ESC compact. March 29, 2020, accessed August 21, 2020 .
  11. ↑ Azerbaijan unveils its Eurovision 2020 song ( Memento of March 11, 2020 in the Internet Archive )