Introducing the 2009 entries: Azerbaijan

All entries in the 2009 Eurovision Song Contest are known, but the actual contest is still about a month away. As a warm-up, we introduce one of the entries every day in random order. Part thirty-one is dedicated to the entry from Azerbaijan.

Basic information

The song

Always is an ethnic up-tempo pop song. The lyrics are a declaration of a love that is so big that it is almost an addiction:

I believe I'm addicted to you
In your eyes I see dreams coming true
Finally I have found you and now
I will never let you go – no

You are
Always on my mind
Always in my heart
And I can hear you call my name
On a mountain's high

The duo

Aysel, who will celebrate her 20th birthday next Saturday, is a newcomer to the music business, although she has started singing at the age of only four. She took part in various singing contests and won the Pohre award in 2001. She then entered a music school in Baku taking lessons in the piano and vocals department. In 2004, she continued her studies in the United States, where she successfully took part in various singing competitions. Back in Azerbaijan, she now concentrates on her carreer as a singer and on her studies.

Arash was born in Iran, but his family moved to Sweden when he was still a child. He became famous in 2005with the song Boro boro, which was a number one hit in Sweden and also reached the charts inGermany, Austria, Switzerland, Finlandand Poland. Other successful recordings followed, among them the song Arash, which was a number one hit in Poland. So far, he has released three albums and he also works as a songwriter and producer for other artists.

AySel and Arash joined forces to represent Azerbaijan in the Eurovision Song Contest 2009. Originally, AySelwas announced to compete as a soloist but songwriter Arash was chosen to join her on stage due to his popularity. In two participations, AySel and Arash are the second duo already to represent the countryin the contest.

The national selection

Ther Azerbaijan entry for the 2009 Eurovision Song Contest was selected internally and information about it was given out in small portions. First the singer was announced, thenArash was announced as composer followed by the song title and Arash's own participationbefore a first snippet of the song could be heard. It took some more time until the whole song could be heard.

Azerbaijan in the Eurovision Song Contest

Azerbaijan took part in the Eurovision Song Contest for the first time last year and had a strong debut: Elnur & Samir finished sixth in the first semi final and eighth in the final with their song Day after day.

Biz küsÉ�nmÉ�k AzÉ�rbaycan da Aysel TeymurzadÉ� vÉ� Arash yaxÅ�ı nÉ�ticÉ�yÉ� nail olmaq içÉ�ri Moskva!

Videos

AySel & Arash performing the song in the Slovak national final:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eGrjeC2NuNw&ap=%2526fmt%3D18&rel=0

The preview video:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MC122eetp3I&ap=%2526fmt%3D18&rel=0

Arash with Boro boro:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nz3Y9cyPT0M&ap=%2526fmt%3D18&rel=0

Other parts of this series

1. France
2. Portugal
3. Romania
4. Denmark
5. Netherlands
6. Cyprus
7. Latvia
8. Ireland
9. Malta
10. Armenia
11. Germany
12. Serbia
13. Belgium
14. Greece
15. Croatia
16. Poland
17. Czech Republic
18. Iceland
19. Moldova
20. Switzerland
21. Slovenia
22. Andorra
23. Ukraine
24. Spain
25. Sweden
26. Montenegro
27. Finland
28. Lithuania
29. Russia
30. Turkey

Tomorrow, we will take a look at the Bulgarian entry.

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