Self-aware artists know that one’s first effort isn’t always the most magical one. And smart artists know that it’s better to nip and tuck while you can, even after you’ve already made your grand reveal.
And today it’s clear that Aisel is all of these things, as she and her team have amped up her song “X My Heart” with more electronically-charged production that takes the song to another level. They’re dancing into 2018 and we love them for it.
The new, revamped version, which was uploaded on Tuesday morning, comes following Aisel and her team started their rehearsals for their planned stage show.
Producer Tim Bran, who worked with Blanche on “City Lights” and with acts like Birdy and London Grammar, made the suggestion, which makes the song more interesting and unique while retaining its original melody.
The video official video clip, directed by Roula Koutroubeli, remains the same and has the new version layered over the existing visuals.
Roula, a dance theater performer and director, has built up a solid reputation in Greece over the past two decades for her work in the National Theater of Greece and Epidaurus. You may remember her work from 2004, when she was the assistant choreographer at the Olympic Games in Athens.
The video showcases Aisel’s natural beauty in a series of outdoor settings. Wearing an all-white outfit and a pair of black ankle booties, she looks fresh and pristine. Luna would be silly not to moon her up!
In a statement sent to wiwibloggs, Roula said: “When I first heard the song I felt optimism, happiness, innocence and a tingling feeling of excitement. It was immediately clear to me that I had to use a child in this video clip. The child symbolizes the inner child of Aisel and helped me depict all the above feelings that I originally had when I heard the song.”
“When in contact with our inner child we feel that everything is possible — we can ‘cross our heart and tear down firewalls’… as the song says. I was really happy to work with the multi-talented musician and singer Aisel and I wish the best of luck to her in the Eurovision Song Contest.”
This was our reaction to the original version of the song. We’ll release a new version soon.
The song is written by Sandra Bjurman of “Running Scared” (Azerbaijan, 2011) and Dimitris Kontopoulous of “You Are The Only One” (Russia, 2016). It was recorded in London and arranged by Tim Bran of “City Lights” (Belgium, 2017), and the stage design will be looked after by Fokas Evangelinos of “This Is Love” (Greece, 2017). So yes: You can expect great things.
“X My Heart” was decided upon by Aisel herself, as well as the team behind Aisel conducting a focus group including 300 people from 31 countries that didn’t know the purpose of the song and what it was being used for. It was met with an 87% approval rating, and there’s no doubt that the Azerbaijan delegation will be seeking a similar approval rating from the juries and voters come May.
What do you think of “X My Heart”? Are you loving the revamp? Sound off in the comments below!
The chorus of this reminds me of ‘Wrecking Ball’ by Miley Cyrus
It’s weird how non-eurovision fans love this song, while esc fans don’t like it. But they’ll do well I’m sure.
Oooo..I’m not sure about this revamp at all!! I really liked how it was.
I had my boyfriend listen to all 43 entries and Israel & Azerbaijan were the only two song he added on his Spotify list.
I’m calling now, this will stay in the semis.
Are we listening to a different song? This will be definitely top 10 with top 5 potential.
It’s the most catchy and current uptempo song of the year
Top 10. Yeah,right! In your dreams maybe.
Seriously, as generic as it comes, it is CATCHY, just ignore the silly lyrics (hello, you have a chicken song coming and it’s currently the bookies’ favourite).
To me, I like the positive vibes the song gives.
The whole package is rather good – a catchy song, a competent singer and a beautiful video.
I want this to go into the finals and hopefully it will, because this year’s competition is weak.
Her voice is too good for this song
In Eurovision cycles there are two terms that have been over used : “generic” and “dated”. And it’s clear that these terms come from people that have no idea what is happening in the music industry and then they will be shocked when they will see Azerbaijan in top 10! “Generic pop” is the absolute trend in music. Pink, Rita Ora , Kylie they all released “generic pop songs”. Even Sia released a “generic pop song”. For me Azerbaijan has one of the best entries this year: it’s current, it’s catchy, it’s contemporary and this is why it will do… Read more »
Out of all the “generic” pop entries (Israel is another league) that has been chosen (Azerbaijan, Cyprus, Finland, Sweden, Belarus, Malta) I have to say this is the one that I like the most and the revamp made it even better. It felt weird being in the minority when this came out, since the reaction was mostly negative. Not in my Top 10, but really close there.
It was already nice and now it got slightly better…
People can freak out cause Azerba’s going to qualify and do better again ;-)))
This is what Greece did last year, kept adding layers of things to something that was already finished, and the song became overworked, it was fine before. Now it’s become too stiff like a dough that’s been kneaded too much
It’s an improved arrangement but it’s still quite a generic entry, made much worse by the lyrics; who the hell thought “Misty moon, I’m your loon, Let’s rock the nation” was a good idea? “Skeletons” had some dodgy lyrics too but at least the tune was good enough to compensate, plus weird lyrics suited a weird performance like “Skeletons” whereas it just seems cheap and lazy in a generic song like this. And what also sucks is that Aisel clearly has a great voice, looking at her other videos on Youtube. If she was given a smooth, smokey, jazzy number… Read more »
Exactly. Too generic and forgetable. Not something I care to hear again.
Ugh… it still sounds cheap and generic. Azerbaijan would most probably qualify since it’s Azerbaijan, but this is getting a bottom in the Grand Final.
You should download an application called “Spotify” > browse > charts > global
Listen to the top 50 and you will find 40 “generic” songs.
This is music in 2018
Her voice sounds quite like Lady Gaga, which is probably not a good thing when people realise “hey, this sounds like Lady Gaga, only Lady Gaga’s songs are much better”.
Lady’s Gaga latest singles where much worst than this
All my friends that are not “fans” have this song in their top3
Portuguese song reaction please
I think the song needed a revamp. I like the instrumentation and that they made it more up-beat and dance. Good job Azerbaijan!
*Sigh* — another country tries to “modernize” a production criticized for being “old-fashioned” by adding “modern” electro-pop beats — when the song’s relative SIMPLICITY was probably the thing that made it stand out MOST– you can’t even hear her vocal over the beats now…
Better, but doesn’t help the boring vocals or bad lyrics.
Her voice reminds Katy Perry. And Saara Alto reminds me Britney in the intro of her song.
Also, anything that has to do with either “City Lights” (one of my favorite ESC songs) or London Grammar (one of my favorite bands) is solid to me.
Nothing special …too fogetble …but she has very good voice…
It’s still generic, but might qualify if Luna moons her up XD
…and good Lord is it necessary…
It still has “Luna Moon Me Up”, which is the biggest killer of this song (besides the genericness of it). But sounds better.
Great song from Azerbaijan. They can expect a Top 15 in ESC which will be a good rank for this song !
I didn’t know they revamped it! It sounds a lot better! Surie is shooketh.
Y’know what? I like this a lot better! I though the first version was a perfectly catchy if unremarkable entry in the same vein as a lot of Azeri entries, but somehow these little tweaks are just enough for it to grab my attention more.
The strange thing with this song is that all my non Eurovision fans ADORE it.
This is why I can see it doing very well.
Exactly. If Aisel told all those people surveyed that Azerbaijan are looking for a Eurovision song for Lisbon, it might’ve been a completely different story.
One of the few songs on my Spotify. Such positive vibes.
You can put lipstick on a pig. The pig will still be there.
I am disappointed for Aisel, mostly. Azerbaijan sent way worse singers than her (including and especially the female part of their winning duo), she could probably give really good performances with a song that has some merit.
Agreed with the last part, Aisel has a beautiful smoky voice and looks stunning.
An Amy Winehouse/Germany 2015 type song would have suited her much better than this lame effort.
Yep. They failed her and now she has to cushion the blow.
It may teach them to stop looking to Sweden for a Eurovision entry and try comeback up with something actually from Azerbaijan. An NQ might just be what they need.
I agree! I want them to stay in the semis. Unfortunately, it would hit the wrong singer, but what can you do… I just hope they won’t keep talking about the “dream team”. It’s not like there was further prove needed, but at this point, it should be obvious that it ain’t a dream at all. It so ain’t. Kirkorov’s songs are as fresh as an egg salad after a day in the sun.
Or was it that Greek guys’s doing… whatever, they’re two peas in a pod.
It’s ironic that they call it the “Dream Team”. They really aren’t.
Perhaps about 10 years ago they would have been, but not now and their outdated approach is really starting to look old.
I totally agree with you!!! It could be a golden lesson once and for all
They are the “dream team” because they have in a decade 7 top 7 placing with some of the most iconic Eurovision entries.
And “x my heart” is going to fly in the top 10 because it’s a great song
Poor Nikki, although what you said is definitely true. Her winning performance in Dusseldorf was way less than stellar.
It’s going to do very well with televoting since the song is very catchy and she is very good looking.
The new version will help the song score well with the juries as well.
I think the previous verson was better. Because of this:
1. Russia
2. Azerbaijan
3. Australia
4. Germany
5. Greece
I prefer the old version but the song is still good !
Now I get why they’ve reuploaded the video this morning… I honestly didn’t even notice any change…
Wasn’t a fan of this originally and still not over-enthused, however this is definitely an improvement.
There is room for a danceable song in this semi-final to qualify and this could sneak through.
No top 10 in the final though!
It’s much better, and much more contemporary so I’ll feel a little bit better about it scoring high.
I cannot accept “Luna Moon Me Up” it’s atrocious English.
But it’s an improvement I suppose.
Top 10 song and with good staging top 5
I loved the song from first listening: very catchy and current.
The new version makes it more interesting and unique but it remains a “hit song”
Slight improvement, but I’m afraid not enough. In the tough SF1 Azerbaijan is really a borderline qualifier.
“Borderline qualifier”? It’s RUNNING into top 10
Azerbaijan will never be borderline, even when it’s bad. A Semi final with Azerbaijan in it only had 9 genuine qualification spots.
It gets messy if you end up in a semi with Azerbaijan, Armenia, Australia, Russia, Ukraine, Romania, Sweden, …only 3 qualifying spots.
I wouldn’t be so sure – remember 2015 when Azerbaijan barely scraped through to the final? Or that time when Greece missed the final because they sent a horrible song (Utopian Land)? I have a feeling this year we’ll see Azerbaijan and Romania both fail to reach the final for the first time.
Well that would make Eurovision far more realistic in my opinion.
It’s easy to assume that some participants get more attention than others just because of the flag that they represent
And had the new rules apply in 2015, Azerbaijan would have missed the final.
Yeah I don’t believe that anyone qualifies solely because it’s this or that country. Having said that, Azerbaijan has an ability to put on great stage shows. If the staging is good they may end up high in the list, but just judging from the studio cut they are a borderline qualifier. Competition is just so hard in SF1 some of the ‘obvious’ qualifiers will fail.
@Darren – okay you’re exaggerating. Eurovision has become highly unpredictable in many ways. Azerbaijan literally finished 10th in 2015 and barely made it to the final. Last year they finished 8th I think in their semi – so no, they’re not a certain qualifier. If Sweden and Greece can miss the final, so can Azerbaijan.
With that said – semi 1 is going to be a bloodbath. I’ve counted at least 13 songs that have a real chance of making it to the final so we’re going to see a lot of surprises.
Sweden’s non-qualification happened once, over 8 years ago. It’s hardly relevant to the example you gave.
Greece, yeah okay, they failed to qualify in 2016. I’ll accept that one.
But I stand by my point that certain countries are favoured for WHO they are, rather than WHAT they send. With maybe one or two small shocks and upsets, Eurovision is actually incredibly predictable.
Had any other countries sent any of the Swedish songs from the past 7 years they would have qualified too. It’s predictable because some countries have consistently sent good entries.
Ah I wouldn’t fully agree with that. Some of those countries have sent tosh year after year and still qualified.
Russia is a prime example here.
@Darren – Ever since Sweden’s 2010 non-qualification, Sweden has sent some of the most competitive entries (they’ve won twice and every other entry with the exception of 2013 has finished in the top 5). Greece failed in 2016 and came very close last year (they finished 10th in their semi. As for Russia – looking at their last 5-6 entries, only 2014 (and this year) are misfires. The rest of their entries deserves the spot they got. Eurovision has improved drastically since mid 2000’s when countries like Turkey and Greece could send three minutes of silence and finish in the… Read more »
Azerbaijan still always get some very questionable votes in the final, so I think they still cheat. That always helps.
It sure does jonas 😀
Azeri results can be baffling yet nobody really raises an eyebrow even the EBU.
@Darren – that’s probably because the EBU is in it too. Azerbaijan is known for its “caviar diplomacy”. We all know that the only reason they stayed in the contest after their 2009 fiasco was because of their caviar diplomacy with the EBU.
Sure, you might be right. But that’s a different issue then, and then we shouldn’t put Azerbaijan in the same group as the likes of Sweden, Greece and Romania.
You go on YouTube and you read 90% positive comments.
You come here and you see the same IPs writing one negative comment over the other.
The song is GREAT and it will bring Azerbaijan back to top 10
Yeah, because this opinion doesn’t match yours, all of our comments must be fake and from the sami IP adress. Sure. I don’t know who these People are, but I agree with them. People are getting more ridiculous everyday.
Still a bland generic song, nothing special.
Don’t fix it when it ain’t broken!
It was a very nice song I would listen to everyday and it had flow… But with these out-of-place sound effects? I guess Azerbaijan will have its first DNQ in its Eurovision record.
It’s much better than “Start a Fire” which is the worst Azeri entry to date and that managed to qualify. So I think they are safe enough.
Well, you’re clearly forgetting the fact that this year’s Semi 1 is the strongest Semifinal ESC ever had. Given the level of other entries, it will be very difficult for AZE.
Not to mention that Azerbaijan is nearly alone in this semi because most of Ex-Soviet countries are in Semi 2. I see it VERY hard for Azerbaijan. Sorry.
Don’t apologise to me, in my opinion, Azerbaijan is long over due a non-qualification. They’ve been getting away with it for years.
Especially with this lazy attempt, with excruciatingly cringe lyrics.
Pity though. I didn’t even pay attention to the lyrics in the first version. I just liked the music and the flow. But now that even that is gone, little is left to see AZE as an attractive song.
I agree! I will say that Aisel has a great voice and looks amazing but this is sooooooooo not the type of song she should be singing.
Georgia song is out https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TuCZMdfBqm4 Safe to say this isn’t going to the final.
WAITING FOR SAARA ALTO coverage from the wiwi blog team. THE new PERFORMANCE IS out
The original version was fine. I feel the late revamp was their team realising it was not strong enough to match the competition but I don’t feel the electro vibes go with the song. I honestly think Azerbaijan could lose their 100% record this year.
I can’t help it, but the lyric about tearing down the firewalls always makes me think about computer safety and anti-virus programmes. So cringy
“Luna Moon Me Up” makes me shudder completely
Well, it is written by the same guy who came up with ‘this is love, rain falls from above’, so…
He’s a lyrical genius! Totally worth the money #SaidNobodyEver
spain is winner
1. ISRAEL
2. F.Y.R. MACEDONIA
3. AZERBAIJAN
Just this!
I have a problem with her voice.
Her voice is actually very good but this song is not a good fit for her voice. In fact it’s far from being fit.
Still not buying into those, lyrics, but at least now it might deserve to make the final for a reason other that it being “being Azerbaijan”