If you’re a Eurovision fan, and if you follow the movements of Sweden’s Måns Zelmerlöw and Azerbaijan’s Elnur Huseynov, you may be seeing double. So far today we have seen this side-by-side comparison of the covers of their respective Eurovision songs on Pinterest and Twitter, and in the popular Eurovision Café Facebook Group. The similarities are obvious: shadow effects, double exposure, handsome men (with good voices to boot).

mans zelmerlow elnur huseynov cover photo

But rather than dwelling on whose cover came first, let’s take this opportunity to decide which overall act we prefer.

Måns Zelmerlöw — “Heroes”

Måns slayed at Melodifestivalen and emerged as the runaway winner of Europe’s most competitive and hyped national selection contest. He won our #melfest poll and our #melfest Wiwi Jury, with members of our panel writing that it “starts off with a moody southern sound, but builds and builds until it’s a big ol’ banger.” After winning he immediately shot to the top of the bookies’ rankings. BAM! He may be in the process of changing his animated projection screen, but SVT sees this as an opportunity to make the act even stronger. Given Sweden’s knack for staging, we have no doubt that he’ll be fine. (Hey Molly!)

 

Elnur Huseynov — “Hour of the Wolf”

Azerbaijan, the Land of Fire and Eurovision awesomeness, opted for an internal selection this year. I was lucky enough to listen to and rate Azerbaijan’s shortlisted songs this year — and “Hour of the Wolf” was my overwhelming favourite on first listen. What I said then still applies today: This could be a radio hit right now. Elnur’s smokey, sexy vocals are the perfect fit for this. There’s atmosphere and emotion, and this builds to a choral climax that gives me the chills. Never count out Baku.

Our first reactions

Poll: Which song do you prefer?

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Per
Per
8 years ago

Måns is the best singer this year. Sweden 2016

BlahBlahBlah
BlahBlahBlah
8 years ago

I’m not a fan of any of them, but Elnur is much better!!

Janny, Germany
Janny, Germany
8 years ago

Elnur very beautiful singer! Super voice and song

Lola
Lola
8 years ago

Elnur you are the BEST, you are the champion of our hearts <3

Ulya
Ulya
8 years ago

Elnur deserves to win this year.His song the most beatiful this time.Good luck Azerbaijan – Elnur Huseynov.

Jack
Jack
8 years ago

Elnur! Amazing…. Great…..

Mark
8 years ago

Dandy_eurovision! You are a big JERK. Azerbadjzjan cant buy some point anymore. So they can not winn enymore.

Stef
Stef
8 years ago

My favorite Azerbaijan, Elnur. Great voice….

elgun
8 years ago

ELNUR The best voice in the world

elgun
8 years ago

elnur best of the world

erik
8 years ago

My top 3 AZERBAIJAN,IZRAIL and GRUZIYA

el
el
8 years ago

Vsem udaci.moy topAzerbaijan,Gruziya i Greeciya

Novruz
Novruz
8 years ago

Hope we’ll in the top three because Elnur deserve it.This year Sweden isn’t my favourite.It doesn’t mean that I don’t like Sweden,it’s my opinion.Best of luck to all countries from BAKU with love.

Lola
Lola
8 years ago

ELNUR IS THE BEST!!!

al fayyed
al fayyed
8 years ago

from the beginning i love elnur great song and his adorable voice.really amazing and full of emotion. if its fair vote of course elnur huseynov deserve to be the winner of eurovision 2015.viva elnur and azerbaijan .

Ulya
Ulya
8 years ago

Elnur the best

mark
8 years ago

Elnur=BOOOOORING
Mans= the best

Mixa
Mixa
8 years ago

Sweden and Norway is my best!
From Serbia.:)

Linda C.
Linda C.
8 years ago

I prefer Elnur..his song makes me feel so good..I’m not tired of listening to this amazing voice?

Ulya
Ulya
8 years ago

Elnur

Alex
Alex
8 years ago

Azerbaijan, Elnur #1 the best

George from Spain
George from Spain
8 years ago

none of them are in my top 10 but if i have to choose between the two i’d go with måns. although i really don’t want Sweden to win yet again. this country has won multiple time. enough!

Arianator
Arianator
8 years ago

Davved: Hahaha sweden top?? Just no, Azerbaijan will be in top

davved
davved
8 years ago

Sweden will be on top of the scoreboard in the final. Im not so sure Azerbaijan will….

alba2015
alba2015
8 years ago

Azerbaijan sounds much better

Raoul
Raoul
8 years ago

Måns absolutely 100% better

David
8 years ago

Konstigt att rösterna på Måns inte registreras ?

Cathy
Cathy
8 years ago

I really adore this amazing song and perfect voice..to be honest I’m in love with Elnur’s voice..he is so handsome & cool..my favourite singer & favourite song indeed..

Ego
Ego
8 years ago

Sweden my 2nd and Azerbaijan my 5th <3

Arianator
Arianator
8 years ago

Azerbaijan at top 🙂 make us proud!!

Adams
Adams
8 years ago

Mans, of course. 😀

Bakuboy
8 years ago

hey armenians guys stop write anti azerbaijan please both if them great

David
8 years ago

Marie, jag röstar inte heller på dom som fuskar, Azerbajdzjan får INTE min röst i år heller

ESCaddict
ESCaddict
8 years ago

Both songs are in my Top 10. Azerbaijan at #1. Sweden at #10. For me, Hour of the Wolf is a very emotional & moving song with a climax that sends shivers up my spine every time I listen to it (and I have listened to it many times). Elnur’s performance is a large part of this. His voice is amazing; so delicate at times, then strong, then desperate. Sweden’s song is catchy & fun but I can see it for what it is; generic euro-pop. It sounds like it was written to win Eurovision. Mans vocals are competent but… Read more »

durhamboy
durhamboy
8 years ago

Azerbaijan is always exciting.

Racal
Racal
8 years ago

If I have to choose between the two, it’s Sweden. However, I think Sweden’s entry is good (as always in the recent years) but it’s AGAIN another Swedish-Europop-Dance song, and that concept is really starting to get used. Not to mention that with so many countries asking the Swedes to write/compose/arrange their songs, we have tons of that in this year’s ESC. Azerbaijan’s song does absolutely nothing on me. I think it’s a cold and empty music. I’m not sure if they can qualify to the grand final, but if they do, I think they’ll be at the bottom of… Read more »

Noah
Noah
8 years ago

I dunno how you can praise another soulless Swedish ballad coming from Azerbaijan. Funny.

Dandy_Eurovision
Dandy_Eurovision
8 years ago

NO TO HOMOPHOBIA! NO TO PLAGIARISM! NO TO MANS ZELMERLOW!!!

ct
ct
8 years ago

@ eugene Last year, Azerbaijan only just passed to the final thanks to some (bought?) juries who condemned poor Portugal with a much worthier entry. In the final they came almost last because, under the new system, jury scores can’t save you if the public’s score is zero (and vice-versa). You are right, I expect the same will happen this year. Except they probably won’t even make it to the final. There are so many other ballads in the second semi for the juries to vote for (Ireland, Montenegro, Norway, Czech Republic, Latvia, Cyprus and Poland). And there are no… Read more »

nigar
nigar
8 years ago

both but Fisrt Azerbaijan because it is great powerfull voice and wonderfull song but Sweden also great lovely song but i think Italy will be winner love from Azerbaijan

bavarson
bavarson
8 years ago

Loreen and The Common Linnets were shown similar to Mans Zelmerlow, but they had not such disastrous choruses.

Ozan
Ozan
8 years ago

Both of the songs are powerful and amazing but I prefer Hour of the Wolf because its meaning is more powerful.

Paraoxonase
Paraoxonase
8 years ago

Both songs are in my top 5 but Elnur gets my vote. He presents something different, emotional and soulful !

Caro
Caro
8 years ago

Måns. Definitely. Even though Heroes the “weakest” of his three Melodifestivalen songs, it’s still the best of the year by far. However, I must say that even though Sweden has the best song (much like last year), I would be happier if Slovenia or Georgia won, since they’ve never won and Sweden won a few years ago. Or possibly Italy or Spain, since these countries’ last wins were ages ago. But I’d be very happy for Sweden nevertheless.

Sal
Sal
8 years ago

Azerbaijan is my favourite along with the beautiful Norway! Sweden? Sorry, still don’t get it…

Huh
Huh
8 years ago

The similar art cover of their songs made me cringe a bit. However, Elnur do have an uplifting, soulful song and Mans has the “stand out” factor and modern/trendy kind of song. But seeing the comments of the people about the two aforementioned countries, it is really the status quo that they have a problem with, in which I think is their comfort zone in the contest. Why don’t they get flexible next year and try different genres and styles soon?

Mark Dowd
Mark Dowd
8 years ago

The more I hear “Heroes” the more dislike it…..it is not subtle, not charming…it is too “in your face.” Azerbaijan easily wins this one.

bavarson
bavarson
8 years ago

Eric Saade had much stronger and more original entry than Mans Zelmerlow. ESC 2015 will have many similar craps.

David
8 years ago

Swedwn is the best song this year. Azesbadjzjan is awfull

Iberian
Iberian
8 years ago

Sweden! Mans and his leather pants…