Salam Baku. And hello Nadir Rustamli! Azerbaijan’s Eurovision 2022 singer Nadir Rusamli has revealed his song “Fade to Black”, and it’s giving us so many feels.
The Voice of Azerbaijan winner is singing a contemporary ballad which shows off the full range of his emotion.
The song comes to you from some real musical heavyweights: Andreas Stone, Anderz Wrethov, Sebastian Schub and Thomas Stengaard.
You’ll recognise their names from countless Melodifestivalen and Eurovision hits. Among other songs, at least one of them has contributed to numbers like Elena Tsagrinou’s “El Diablo”, Margaret’s “Cool Me Down” and Emmelie de Forest’s “Only Teardrops”.
The dramatic song discusses the death of a relationship — one that “fades to black” as the title makes clear. The grieving process come through loud and clear. There’s denial (“Do you really want no part of this?”), bargaining (“I need some time to fix this, can’t you wait?”) and plenty of anger, which, somewhat ironically, comes through the repetition of the word “numb.”
“It hurts so fast when love goes bad, until at least we fade to black,” he sings. “The present is the price I pay,” perhaps for all the love that came before.
Nadir Rüstəmli to represent Azerbaijan at Eurovision 2022
Azerbaijan’s man in Turin will be Nadir Rüstəmli. He’s a familiar face to fans of Azeri talent shows. He was recently crowned the champion of The Voice of Azerbaijan.
During his appearance on Sabahın xeyir, Azərbaycan recently, Nadir was asked a Who Wants to Be a Millionaire? style question of “Who will represent Azerbaijan in the Eurovision Song Contest this year?”. The last of the four answers posed to Nadir just happened to be his own name.
After choosing himself, it was revealed that this was the correct answer. Nadir’s initial expression was one of surprise, but later jubilation.
Azerbaijan’s Head of Delegation Isa Malikov, who was also present at Sabahın xeyir, Azərbaycan, confirmed that more than 300 songs were submitted to the broadcaster. He said, “As always, we try to look for a beautiful and professional song, regardless of genre. We will pay attention to the degree to which it will match the voice and style of the singer.”
It was ultimately “Fade to Black” that came out on top.
This is so boring …
This is a quality entry. lovve his voice, love the lyrics, love its dark and foreboding vibe in the instrumentation, love the instrumentation itself, love its build, it is super genuine to me and the video is just the icing on the cake. It gives me vibes of a song from a Bond film which is a good thing for me. Good luck to Azerbaijan from Australia.
I love his beard
It seems like he doesn’t really know what he’s singing. Like they gave him the song five minutes before recording and said ‘good luck’. It doesn’t feel genuine at all. That’s never a good sign.
This reminds me of Azerbaijan’s entry in 2014, the lyrics were really well written, but due to Dilara’s bad English skills, most people wouldn’t understand what she was singing at all
Wow, I completely forgot about that performance. Her English was very horrible indeed, couldn’t understand a word she was singing
Why is this so much like River though? The “no-o-o-o-ow” part makes it sound familiar, and the video has the same theme…Even the two men look kind of similar lol. Unluckily for Azerbaijan, they are both in the semifinal and although both lyrics are kind of mediocre, Ochman’s voice agrees more with this kind of song.
For some reason it doesn’t feel genuine, it feels somehow forced, like the singer himself isn’t connecting with the song, but is trying to make it work with impressive vocals.
But it really leaves me cold, i am usually big fan of Azerbaijan entries, but not this year.
IctimaiTV has to get a whole lot more Sim cards for this to go through..
And pay to juries haha
I love the song is one of the best this year. The singer has great vocal power. There will be a big place in the final. Azerbaijan is always amazing. It is one of the best countries in eurovision.
I think he’s singing in English because Ictimai told him he had to do so xd
This year is kinda boring! I think Ukraine has high chances to be the winner
Ps
Ukraine is not my winner this year
No
We really waited this long for a song so… subpar
Its his pronunciation of the words in English which is the problem, which in turn makes us feel he doesn’t connect with the song. Phonetically singing a song in any language without being able to understand what you’re saying doesn’t allow anyone to connect. It’s a good song mind you, but something is missing. Still a qualifier, but not a winner.
I don’t think it’s a good song either, it’s so subpar and Azerbuyjan has shown us it’s capable of at least buying better entries. I think they were conned this year XD
I’m not enjoying the singer’s voice (ironic), the song is flat and doesn’t have any connection to him at all; since it’s just a song they bought, so why vote for this? It would be refreshing to have some other countries in the final this year.
When music can’t elevate to higher levels… except in elevators!
Sometimes I think that an Azerbaijani non-qualification would teach them a lesson. Did they wait this long to reveal their entry just for this…???
Thing is, at first I thought that they will advance for certain but after doing a top 18 prediction of both the jury and the public overall, I am not so sure anymore.
They are not likely to qualify with the public and with the jury I can’t see them getting top 5 when Australia, Sweden, Poland, Malta and Montenegro are all there. Yes both Montenegro and Malta are weak but so is Azeri’s song. If this was Georgia for example most people would put this as an NQ in their predictions without second thought.
Three Scandinavians and Sebastian Schub. The latter BASED IN LONDON. I know you can add up words together in the order you wish for in poetry. But the lines are just so roughly connected.
Every new line is just separated from the rest of the song.
Yes, normally I do enjoy Azerbaijan’s entries. I guess these lyricists that individually has written songs like “El Diablo”, “Voices”, “Too late for love” etc. (they surely know their grammar) just had hungover that day when they had a job they just needed to complete and the result came out like this.
Why sing in English when you’re unable to pronounce any words? I doubt this will be in the final, there is a reason why this song didn’t compete in Melodifestivalen, MGP or DMGP.
Since making their debut in 2008, Azerbaijan has sent only one (1) song made by Azeris themselves and it was their debut entry.
As of this song it feels underwhelming and we’ve heard these type of songs so many times that they’re not interesting anymore. Azerbaijan lacks authenticity in all the possible ways.
Well I think I know why. Bulgaria is for the first time since before Poli Genova not using Swedish song writers. And I don’t think they will quality.
You’re delusional if you think Bulgaria’s entry is the worst of this year. Their only mistake was to release their entry too soon, it’s a decent tune and might have a chance to squeak in to the final.
whether you think Bulgaria Has the worst song of the year is up to you, but you can’t deny that it’s a letdown compared to the previous entries.
Of course it’s a letdown if we consider their recent track record, but it’s not this year’s worst song. People are exaggerating by putting it dead last
Wouldn’t define it as the worst of the year, but it’s far from a good song. A rock song without power just leaves you with a feeling similar to eating a rice dish made of nothing but rice. Where’s the spice at?
I mean, I don’t like Bulgaria’s song either, but people both here and in YT seem to be overreacting and putting it dead last. That’s my point.
Might be true, but looking at Bulgaria’s recent results many people were expecting something as good as the previous entries – sadly the song is middle road material that you neither love or hate; which makes it a lot harder to stand out at Eurovision.
So it’s not that it’s bad, it’s like a filler track, you’ll listen to it but it’s not something you’d have on a replay.
I agree that this entry is pretty mediocre, but you seem to suggest that Azerbaijan’s entries has always lacked authenticity because of the songwriters, which I definitely can’t agree with. “When the music dies” and “Start a fire”, for example, felt both authentic and modern, but they were simply much well written songs. Since about 2016 though it does feel like Azerbaijan started sending mainly lazy, predictable, and uninspired entries…
I just don’t find credibility in the songs, when it’s just made for any singer and all the songwriters need is someone to buy it. Also some of the Azeri representatives haven’t spoken english almost at all, so do they understand what they’re singing is a big question.
I expected more kitsch, so I’m actually relieved. But yeah, I agree … at no point it manages to really grab one’s attention. I’d call it a perfectly average entry in what appears to be a weak year.
Ugh, not another Melfest reject. I’ve lost all hope that Azerbaijan will send a true Azerbaijani entry. Seriously they need to change their delegation or find some way to choose Azeri songwriters. This will obviously get lost in the sea of ballads this year. I was hoping that Azerbaijan would have chosen a traditional banger or something like that, which would have made them stand out this year. Armenia is way more better.
It all feels rather underwhelming, especially when you’re naming your entry after such an iconic Metallica track… I don’t necessarily dislike it, but I agree with the general sentiment that they should really look towards changing up their usual approach to the contest. Dihaj’s Skeletons is easily their best ever entry and one half of the team behind that one was homegrown, it’s not impossible.
Y’all really made me wait until 22 March for mediocrity smfh
It’s not bad, but there are many strong ballads this year, and this really doesn’t grab me like some of the others.
Disappointment….but so is the competition overall this year.
Their entry in Junior Eurovision 2021 (“One of Those Days”) feels more genuine and more memorable than this entry.
And Sona Azizova has a much better English enunciation than Nadir despite her young age.
I wonder how this is going to play out. We have 3 male soloists with similar sounding powerful ballads and vocal abilities in Poland Australia and now Azerbaijan all in semi final 2. Along with them Sweden powerhouse ballad two of the most upbeats in Israel and Romania best pop rock in Finland and viral sensation Serbia. I think for me that only leaves 3 spaces left. Can’t wait.
Poland is light years ahead of Oz and Az..will fight Sweden for semi win
Alright, I get that people think that this entry goes over the top and it’s too melodramatic but hey… at least it cannot reach Australia in these terms, lol.
I personally like it very much and it’s in my personal top 15 but, seeing the people’s overall opinion on the song and supposing the juries won’t be enough to push the song through the semi, I can see Azerbaijan achieving a result similar to North Macedonia, last year. Won’t probably qualify.
I’m not surprised he’s numb, because this leaves me completely cold.
The song begins with a delicate piano which clearly signals the listener to pay attention because something special is coming…blame it on the weather! Ahem, possibly the worst lyrics ever at Eurovision. Personally, I blame the songwriters. Please Azerbaijan, sing this in your own language since there’s no time to rewrite terrible lyrics. This is you best chance to do well…listen up! Since others have already done so.
What a way to close this year’s line up, how anticlimactic! It’s not even the best song of this type this year, I liked Australia and Poland way more.
this is a mere vocal showoff with nothing genuine about it. i hope azerbaijan doesn’t qualify as a wake up call to stop buying songs from sweden and assigning them to singers who have a completely different music style (and who barely speak english).
if 2018 wasn’t a wake up call for them, I don’t see how NQing now would be a proper wake up call to be honest
That’s what I was gonna say earlier.
Maybe the third time’s the charm, and for that to happen they should NQ again at least twice
I had low expectations and they were met. Sounds NQish.
The most overatted and OVERhyped country ever with Italy and Sweden … do not see this even in top 10 – Its like Spanish song from 2021 …. People love it only bc Its Azerbaijan …. Same hype like with Elnur in 2015 … Georgia is even better than this – sorry 🙁
You forgot to mention Ukraine on your list, but I agree. I didn’t expect much from them anyways…
Yes but Ukraine, Sweden or Italy serving – Russia, Turkey or Azer were always overatted …
Yeah, Ukraine 2009-2011 and 2014 were high quality songs
Have you ever read any comments before stating something like “people love it only because it’s Azerbaijan”? If not, let me help – not many people like the song.
Yes i read on You tube girl …
Thanks for dislike 🙂
You’re welcome, although I didn’t dislike anything. I don’t mind having conflicting opinions.
Me neither 🙂
What is the mijwiz/mugham style instrument that always appears in Azerbaijan’s songs?
I wonder if this is genuine, or if it also comes from these Swedish and Danish songwriters. The song isn’t Azerbaijani, so why is it there?
that instrument is duduk.
Thank you, I couldn’t remember what it was called.
Over the top melodrama. Probably love it or hate it. Not my cup of tea.
Hmmm I am a big fan of ballads, and I find this one quite pretty, very epic and musical-like but still, there is something missing. Perhaps it’s the English (?) I don’t know, maybe they should have given it a shot in their very own language, adapting the lyrics to the artist to show more sincerity or make him feel more comfortable… it would have been special, in my opinion, or just different from other slow songs this year.
I thought it took too long to get going.
this, and i feel like the buildup is too short ngl
but still, this is safe in my top 5 (currently my 2nd but it might move around a bit)
Compared to other soft bop ballads like De Diepte and Brividi, I honestly don’t find it as shiver inducing or invigorating…
So bland. It has no soul, just like Poland’s entry 🙂
Gosh… What to say about this? It’s solid, it’s nicely produced, it’s well sung. And it totally lacks any soul. This feels empty, especially when you compare it with ballads like Poland or Australia.
he is hot though……..
Its song Contest not ABS Contest or Miss Universe 🙂 Twiins from Slovakia or Kasey from Ireland 2014 were also hot but stayed in semi – U need to listen Serbian song from 2015 i guess haha
The vocals are impressive. The song is dark, dramatic and depressingly slow. The slow video doesn’t help this; in fact, I feel the music more than I do the video.
Azerbaijan is perhaps in a bit of trouble here, especially when put against other solo male emotiveness this year, like Australia, Poland, Switzerland, Estonia, maybe Belgium… yeah, that niche is a bit crowded ever since Duncan Lawrence won. 🙂
I could never sell a song to the Azerbaijani broadcaster.
The only reason they are in the contest is to use it for propaganda. My conscience would not want me to help with that. Some things are more important than money.
yeah, they’re only there to show the world how rich, modern and powerful they are because they can afford to buy songs from sweden. but no one talks/cares about azerbaijan in real life so i have no idea what they’re trying to prove…
They’re trying to get people to care. That’s the point. They do this with athletics championships, boxing, Formula One, the Olympics – anything they can get their hands on. They’re jealous of all the attention Dubai gets.
I should say that “they” means the Aliyevs. Azerbaijan is their private property.
They have the confidence to think that won’t matter, nobody will care.
Everything about them is bought out. Eurovision aside, if you look at sports, 50% of the time their athletes are not even Azerbaijani. They pay foreign athletes to come and do the work for them. (Just look at their 2020 Olympic team lineup). It’s embarrassing…
Bitter, bitter… everywhere ?
That and also that it’s a lousy version of Dubai
A nice, middle of the road song that had no business making us wait this long.
It might be because English is not my first language but I honestly couldn’t understand about 60% of what he was saying/singing.
If the song was released earlier I’d probably like it better. Right now I’m indifferent.
oh don’t worry, he probably doesn’t understand about 60% of what he’s singing about either. typical for azerbaijani singers who are forced to sing whatever demo in english they get.
It’d be hard to understand him even as a native English speaker. Many English L2 speakers tend to speak the language based on their mother tongue, using terms and structures that natives would deem “unusual” and hard to understand
I love it! This is a powerful ballad with an incredible end. Azerbaijan is in my top 3 now, only behind Spain and Italy.
Is he trying to battle with Poland’s falsettos? So many runs…
What a beautiful song, I love it !!
This is a really good song. This issue is, in semi final 2, this won’t so much as get hidden as swallowed around other songs.
Well, it seems to me Azerbaijan loses the battle of dramatic male ballads. Australia is better. And if we put Poland in the sack, it would also be better. I imagine that they will coat it with a great staging as they always do though. It also feels a bit pretentious to me and maybe they were working with “Arcade” in mind cause they definitely have tried to replicate the vibe. Both Armenia and Azerbaijan tried to hard to be interesting and relevant, waiting to be the last to released their entries just to end up being completely irrelevant. Any… Read more »
Lmaooo I find it funny listening to this song because I literally have no idea what he’s singing about. You can obviously tell he had no say in the song production and they just threw a song at him and told him to sing it. The English pronunciation is the biggest cringe out of all of this. They literally hyped this up like it was the next big thing after euphoria and it turns out to be their most bland entry to date. Great job.
Another ballad, more falsettos… Snore.