He’s the Ukraine pop star who dramatically withdraw his Ukraine national final bid in and is now taking a chance with neighbouring Belarus. And Alekseev is showing he’s serious, with the release of his national final entry, “Forever”.

“Forever” is an English version of Alekseev’s recent single “Navsegda” — which also means ‘forever’. The original is also 3:45 long, but the Eurovision edit has been thoughtfully done and doesn’t feel like anything is missing.

The song is a dark ballad, in which Alekseev professes his love for the person who makes his life complete. He tells her, “It’s our happiest story and there’s no one around/We will go for it and I know you’ll be mine, forever”.

The Ukraine star got his big break on The Voice of Ukraine in 2014, where he was coached by Ani Lorak. He has since gone on to establish himself as a major pop performer in Ukraine, with success in Russia and neighbouring countries.

Last month Alekseev revealed he was planning to enter the Ukraine national selection. It was all looking like he’d be one of several high profile acts competing in Vidbir, when suddenly news broke that he was out.

In late December, reports emerged that Alekseev would instead submit a song to the national final of neighbouring Belarus. While no explanation was given for this move, at the same time Alekseev ended his longstanding professional relationship with music producer Ruslan Kvinta  — also the producer of Bidvir.

And while it may seem like a risk entering a national final of another country, Alekseev may stand out among the colourful entries that often make up the Belarus selection.

Alekseev – “Forever”

“Forever” – Alekseev (lyrics)

It must be something that we call love
Wherever I go, I’m coming back
And time cannot knock me off my track
This resolution is final

It must be something that we call love
It’s when you’re craving to say her name
And my reality seems to break
apart with her arrival

No need to worry, rain falling down
It’s our happiest story and there’s no one around
We will go for it and I know you’ll be mine forever

Windows wide open, flying so high
Both of us roaming through magnificent sky
Rain keeps on falling and I’ll know you’ll be mine forever

It must be something that we call dream
When all you told me I know by heart
The type of beauty I call supreme
And how it’s driving me crazy

No need to worry, rain falling down
It’s our happiest story and there’s no one around
We will go for it and I know you’ll be mine forever

Windows wide open, flying so high
Both of us roaming through magnificent sky
Rain keeps on falling and I’ll know you’ll be mine forever

You’ll always sing me something new
I will always follow
When I first saw you here I knew
That I was blind before you

No need to worry, rain falling down
It’s our happiest story and there’s no one around
We will go for it and I know you’ll be mine forever

Windows wide open, flying so high
Both of us roaming through magnificent sky
Rain keeps on falling and I’ll know you’ll be mine forever

What do you think of “Forever”? Should Belarus send it to Lisbon? Share your thoughts below!

READ ALL OF OUR ALEKSEEV EUROVISION NEWS

37 Comments
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Marty Mc
Marty Mc
6 years ago

I have a different opinion here to everyone. The English version is so much better. If this is selected, watch this space it will be in the top 10 at the ESC. Not a winner but a very good song from Belarus. I like this very much!

vrunishka
vrunishka
6 years ago

Russian version is way better.

sea
sea
6 years ago

nah, Belarus can better

Natalia
Natalia
6 years ago

First I listened to an English version and it was OK.
Then I played the Russian version and I must say it’s much, much better. He should stick with his native language.

Jo
Jo
6 years ago

Is he doing a Demy part II? The song is bland and this would never win Eurovision, barely a qualifier.

Alex
Alex
6 years ago

This is bad…

Matt
Matt
6 years ago

The song is okay, it might get a revamp, but in that recording his vocals weren’t very strong, is he any good live?

Rich
Rich
6 years ago

It’s good to have an alternative version to listen to, to understand what he is singing about, although i agree the Russian version is so much better. The melody and tone to his voice is better suited in Russian than in English in my opinion.

Choose Russian i guess to have a bigger impact in Europe i say.

Maclaren
Maclaren
6 years ago

Looks like Alekseev is investing into technology for his shows. This is a video from music awards with another song, full of cool visual effects. I’m in the camp of people who want good songs AND entertainment on the show , so please some of it for Eurovision too

Maclaren
Maclaren
6 years ago
Reply to  Maclaren
NickC
NickC
6 years ago

I like it. Sounds like earlier work by Sergey Lazarev and Dima Bilan. But will Belarussians choose an Ukranian to represent them? I smell a massive surprise Rybak/Milki (2015) style.

Dew
Dew
6 years ago

His voice in this song is annoying and the song is so just average.

jj1991
jj1991
6 years ago

the song is nothing special and he is nothing special

Kris
Kris
6 years ago

This is not good at all!! Belarussian selection has much stronger entries.

Jake
Jake
6 years ago

Sounds like this will be one of many Kristov copies. I’m sure that the ex soviet countries will support this…or actually will support him. I prefer the Russian version which sounds more mystical. The English version doesn’t even sound like lyrics. It’s just random sentence fragments. I’m sure that his record label will ensure the staging is exceptional. Not sure Belarus on its own can pull it off. But clearly many ex-Soviet countries have Bulgaria envy after the last 2 years.

natasha
natasha
6 years ago
Reply to  Jake

This is completely Alekseev’s style which he has develop since 2014, he is not a Kristov copy – they’re just very similar

Polegend Godgarina
Polegend Godgarina
6 years ago
Reply to  Jake

What they don’t understand is that copying Kostov is useless because his success was mostly due to his image–that’s why Beautiful Mess was outside of every iTunes and Spotify top 200 chart ten days after the contest. If they try to go for his sound, they’ll definitely fail, because they don’t have the same charm.

Briekimchi
Briekimchi
6 years ago

I like it but I think Russian would be the way to go. Belarus have to pick this, right?

ninasublatti
ninasublatti
6 years ago

In english it is awful, in russian it is magical

Melania Trump
Melania Trump
6 years ago

original is 10x better

Porsteinn
Porsteinn
6 years ago

In English I like it, in Russian I love it.

jhgjjgy
jhgjjgy
6 years ago

Please change it to russian!

Kirk
Kirk
6 years ago
Maclaren
Maclaren
6 years ago

I decided to listen to the Russian version and even though the meaning of the lyrics are obscure to me it seems he sounds better in the native tongue. He has a unique tone of the voice with some cool overtones which for some reason are almost lost in the English version. He should be singing in Russian in my opinion especially since his support is coming from the Russian speaking world. I liked the Russian version of the song and do believe he would be hoovering up voices from adjacent countries

Lilo
Lilo
6 years ago

I love the song! Shame they translated it in English. But the song went straight to my Spotify, which doesn’t happen too often. I want to see how this song will come to life on the big stage and will further judge it from there.

AzeriChico
AzeriChico
6 years ago

It’s very contemporary and all that. I listened to it and I had nothing to say. I mean, it’s just there. It’s neither bad nor good. lol

irish esc
irish esc
6 years ago

lets just say this underwhelmed me a lot i was hoping he would choose a better song and sing it in his native language : (

Jordan
Jordan
6 years ago

I quiet like the song 🙂

D
D
6 years ago

This is so bad…don’t like it at all.

EscAU
EscAU
6 years ago

In keeping with Belarus the English lyrics are awkward 😛 second Kostov copy after MIHAI for this years selections?

Vlad
Vlad
6 years ago
Reply to  EscAU

I’d say third Lazarev copy xD

doliep
doliep
6 years ago

Already listened thousand times this kind of song…… the version in english make lost of emotions, and if they choose him it’s only to get more than usual points from ukraine and russia

Polegend Godgarina
Polegend Godgarina
6 years ago

He’s definitely winning the selection thanks to his fame in ex-URSS countries, but this isn’t getting any points from the rest of Europe where he’s unknown… it’s so bland and basic, with those clichéd, uninspired lyrics, and the production is awful (vocals–which are super nasal–too loud for the music).

VlaD
VlaD
6 years ago

First time that I agree 100% on what you say.
A good start for the year 😉

ImFromRomania
ImFromRomania
6 years ago

For Belarus this is the best option 🙂 , and sure with WOW-SHOW , top 10 in Lisbon can be possible.

coca_cola
coca_cola
6 years ago

I like the melody & his voice but the lyrics are so BAD.
I have listened 3 times to the song and I don’t remember a word.

VlaD
VlaD
6 years ago

I really don’t understand why he didn’t choose another song for something so important as Eurovision?
This song was released in November and was never a big hit in neither Russia or Ukraine.He had much better songs than this one.