Salam Azerbaycan! Yesterday the Wiwi Jury – our in-house panel of music unprofessionals – arrived in Baku. We chowed down on baklava, made a quick trip to Baku Crystal Hall and after walking all day, took in the views of the Caspian sea from the Flame Towers. With a cocktail in hand, we turned our attentions to Dihaj and her song “Skeletons”. Was it love at first listen or did it leave us running scared? Read on to find out!
Dihaj – “Skeletons”
About Dihaj
Dihaj is an electronic music collective fronted by Diana Hajiyeva, a singer-songwriter from Azerbaijan. She previously competed in Azerbaijan’s Eurovision 2011 selection, but placed only fourth in heat six. Dihaj was internally selected by broadcaster ITV. “Skeletons” was written by some of the team behind Azerbaijan’s 2011 winning song “Running Scared”.
“Skeletons” reviews
Antranig: “Skeletons” won’t have the widest appeal at Eurovision but it’s exactly my cup of tea. This is the only song of the contest that is absolutely perfect. This is the Margaret Berger of 2017 in the sense that it’s the best song and will do really well but is a bit too alternative to actually win. Azerbaijan will likely stage this superbly and should return to the top ten with ease. Dihaj is light years ahead of the competition and this is easily the best song of 2017.
Score: 10/10
Chris: “Skeletons” perhaps isn’t the most immediate song in the contest: it took a good couple of listens before I fell for it. That’s a potential flaw, but one that the song should push through. The layered vocals in the chorus works a treat in the studio — if Dihaj pulls this off live, then Azerbaijan could well be back in the game. This could be the dark horse of the year.
Score: 8.5/10
Deban: “Skeletons” is a metaphorical left-field poptune at its most accessible. Dihaj, an emerging artist who packs in a ton of urban swag, is the epitome of cool. This Rihanna-esque belter of a chorus makes up for its lack of immediacy with authenticity. Azerbaijan won’t be fighting for a spot in the final this year. They’re sailing right through.
Score: 8/10
William: Dihaj draws the listener into her world of dark pop with intoxicating sounds and on-point production. Her sexy voice oozes mystery and fits well with the song’s theme of secrets revealed in the name of love. The breathy sections could be tough to pull off live, but it seems Dihaj has the ambition and resolve to make it work. A great addition to the contest.
Score: 7/10
Robyn: I like skeletons and I like altpop so this is my dream song. Dihaj is the cool girl and gives a confident performance. She totally sells those weird lyrics (“Fuss and fight won’t get you tons, bad boy!”) If Azerbaijan’s track record is anything to go by, they’ll give good staging and “Skeletons” will be a total highlight of ESC 2017. Possibly a bit too alt to secure Azerbaijan its second victory, but it’ll be a grand performance, nonetheless.
Score: 10/10
Anthony: Dark and current-sounding whilst sticking to Dihaj’s experimental style, “Skeletons” is an entry worth ending the country’s top-ten drought. Putting Azerbaijan back into title contention might be a tall order, but stranger things have happened at Eurovision.
Score: 8.5/10
Mikhail: This track is fuelled with atmosphere. Dihaj perfectly manipulates her voice showing off every emotion. You can feel fear, then you can feel her embracing that fear, empowering it and transforming it into power. Maybe I would have added a little bit more drama to the chorus, but I am just nitpicking. This is modern, this is interesting, this is captivating. Thank you Azerbaijan!
Score: 9/10
Josh: “Skeletons” is moody and dark, but still a memorable and catchy pop song. It wasn’t quite what I was expecting from Dihaj, as I got the sense she was a little more experimental with the style of music she makes, but this is the furthest thing from a disappointment. I love how edgy the entire feel of the song is. Dihaj’s voice is angelic and gritty at the same time. It’s quite different from what Azerbaijan has sent in the past, but I’m a big fan of this.
Score: 8/10
In the Wiwi Jury we have 38 jurors but only have room for 8 reviews. The remaining 30 scores are below:
Anastas: 7.5/10
Andy: 10/10
Angus: 8/10
Antony: 2/10
Bernardo: 7.5/10
Bogdan: 9/10
Dayana: 7/10
Edd: 7/10
Erdi: 9/10
Forrest: 9/10
George: 5.5/10
Jacob: 7/10
Jason: 8.5/10
Jordi: 7.5/10
Jovana: 8/10
Kristin: 7/10
Luis: 9/10
Marek: 9/10
Matt: 5/10
Natalie: 7/10
Padraig: 9.5/10
Patrick: 10/10
Renske: 8.5/10
Rezo: 8/10
Sami: 9/10
Sinan: 8/10
Stanislav: 9/10
Steinunn: 7/10
Tobias: 2/10
Zakaria: 4.5/10
The highest and lowest scores are We have removed the highest and lowest scores prior to calculating the average. This is to remove outliers and potential bias. We have removed a low of 2 and a high of 10.
Wiwi Jury verdict: 7.83/10
What do you think of this song? Share your own score and review below!
See our current Eurovision 2017 reviews and rankings
* BUY THE SKELETONS T-SHIRT IN BLACK
* BUY THE SKELETONS T-SHIRT IN WHITE
Will this song bring Azerbaijan back to the top 10? Yeah.
I want to like it but it’s just okay for me. It’s a 6.5 at best.
I love the song. Azerbaijan always has good entries imo. Good luck. 8.5/10
One of the best this year
9.5/10
aww, a song this good doesn’t even reach 8 in wiwijury? i love it so much i use it as my alarm.
Ha, I would never get up if it was my alarm. I’d just keep listening in my sleep until it shut off! 😀 <3
I love that song and how edgy DiHaj is. It is modern, stylish, odd and incredibly amazing.
I am gonna vote for Azerbaijan this year for the first time!
Potential winner alert 😉
The song alone would qualify 7th on my 1st semi scorecard, but the video sells it quite poorly; enough that, if they don’t sell it right on stage, it could be a surprise miss.
This is odd, because while I think this song is better than oneor two in my top 10, it isn’t up there. It is still high enough though. I love the song, I love it when it’s on, I think it’s Azerbaijan’s strongest song to date and finally thank you for giving us something so off-kilter (yet so ESC, smart move to pair both Dihaj’s art and ESC’s pop-song appeal) and composed by an Azeri at last. But I get the main issue. This song is hard to remember once it’s wrapped up. I feel it’s the distinctive hook (bad… Read more »
Oh!!
You must be that name stealing ‘got nothing better to do’ person.
“Chorus makes up for its lack of immediacy with authenticity.” You wot
In what way does the chorus lack immediacy. Its in your face with massive group vocals. She’s demanding that you have the skeletons. Some of these reviews were written on toilet paper. Idiot
Can’t wait to see this live. Hope she knocks it out of the park. You already know Belge will Flop live, but this could song will be huge. Sad
I don t think that Azerbaijan can be dark horse this year, thank to juries in some countries and televote in some countries and diaspora from ex Soviet Union with this song they wili be in TOP 12 from 8 to 12 place in final(only if they try what they did before 2013 , they can be in TOP 5 or win )
And song is dark copy of Azerbaijan song from 2010 , now we have drum drum and in 2010 we had drip drop
Now this song gets me complaining. The first verse got me all excited, and then the chorus dropped, and I went whaaaaat? That was it? The lyrics there is stupid and cringe worthy. The melody sounds more of a build-up than a chorus. For me they completely failed to put it away and it is such a shame. Verses 9.5/10, the chorus 1/10. 01 | 02 Norway | 03 | 04 United Kingdom | 05 Austria 06 Albania | 07 | 08 Bulgaria | 09 | 10 11 Serbia | 12 Sweden | 13 | 14 Denmark | 15 Moldova… Read more »
Your OCD list making also completely failed
This is one of my top 5 this year. I like its rich and dark mood and the performer seems to make it justice. The production is flawless and has a very contemporary and tasteful feel. It doesn’t strike me as a winner but is I see it in top 5. 8,5/10
This is how you meld artistic credibility with commercial pop well. It’s a song with personality that was written with Diana clearly in mind to sing it. This should get Azerbaijan back into the top 10, unless she pulls a Samra and disappoints live.
Seems like Aminata and Loïc Nottet’s performances in 2015 started an alternative/darker/edgy trend, with entries like Iveta Mukuchyan, Justs, Triana Park or Dihaj desperately trying to replicate the two. To me, the problem is that all the imitators fail to achieve the same impact as the originals. I also don’t feel like there’s anything “alt” or “dark” in Dihaj’s entry: it’s a pop song just as sugary as your standard Eurovision song, she’s just wearing pale make up and not smiling. Maybe a child could find it slightly dark, but that’s it. Not a bad song, but nothing original and… Read more »
Totally agree in everything!
Such a desperate attempt at hate. At least you didnt resort to calling it dated. Go back to drooling over Aminata shouting
“An attempt at hate”? What’s “an attempt at hate”?
But thanks for your contribution: I’ll go back to “drooling over Aminata” (whatever that means). In any case, I have tickets for Loïc Nottet’s show next Thursday in London: there’ll definitely be drooling and I can’t wait! 😉
Good God, this did get higher than I expected. It’s not a bad song by any means, but it’s quite poorly written and translated and doesn’t really mean or represent anything. Dihaj is a really good singer with a nice androgynous aesthetic and this song suits her well. I’m not sure as to how this will do in the final to be completely honest.
Translated?
Ah yes, so poorly written by ESC winning song writer. What a bad talent
So “ESC winning song writer” means good song? I assume you like San Marino’s entry then, written by ESC-winning songwriter Ralph Siegel. Such talent, such a great song, right? 😉
Idk why, but for me, it seems like this sonh is ‘forgotten’ and underrated.
Azerbaijan is, without doubts, one of the best Eurovision countries, and they sticked to that status.
I love Diana’s unique style, I love her voice. I like the fact that Azerbaijan is going for something different, after all those recent years with Swedish production, and this year they really DESERVE to be in TOP 10.
If she delivers a good live performance, maybe even TOP 5!!
Don’t really get, how Armenia is higher than this, in the odds.
This is also a Swedish production. Sandra Bjurman as usual.
Sandra Bjurman wrote lyrics. Composer is Azerbaijani.
https://eurovision.tv/participant/dihaj/info
Sandra Bjurman also wrote the music far as I know.
As far as I put a link to official Eurovision site for proper information which is clearly stated in the left part of the page.
One of my favourite entries this year. I expect a great performance by Dihaj. Good luck to lovely Azerbaijan and Dihaj. <3
1. Portugal 10/10
2. Italy 9/10
3. Finland 9/10
4. Bulgaria 8.5/10
5. Azerbaijan 8/10
Deserved score, this song is my jam ! It’s modern, catchy, the choir style back singers that ‘respond’ to her are very original and don’t get enough credit.
Excellent song ! 9/10
The best song of this year
My winner(10/10)
This is perfection. I don’t mind this winning over Italy.
Or Bulgaria.
Now we’re getting to the good ones! Dihaj’s one of the only true artists competiting this year; and the song ‘Skeletons’ is just another feather in her cap. The entry’s dark and alternative pop atmosphere already make it standout among the others, but even beyond that it reaches greater levels of depth; there’s frankly nothing quite like it this year. The only flaw I’d like to nitpick is the monotonous chorus; it hits my ears out of nowhere, and the chorus is quite frankly an important part of a song; so it loses tremendous amounts of points for that. Overall;… Read more »
Dihaj so epic, quirky yet so cool, her song is lovely unique as well
Azerbaijan is so qualifying yet again 9.0/10
When they brought up Dihaj and I discovered some of their songs, I was amazed and looked forward for some authenticity from Azerbaijan, for once. How dared I? I don’t know whether this song was easily accepted by Dihaj band or they still wanted to make it by themselves, but for me it’s looks like a crime. As expected from Isa Melikov, I got nothing of originality, also not oriental material, but just stamped song, pretending to be trendy, with same beat line as for Samra last year. Breakdown with choir refrains is the only thing I admit that song… Read more »
The song deserves a high score, but nowhere near that high. She was disappointing live, let’s see if she improves in time for her semi.
OT: I didn’t know Dihaj was a group.
This song stands out, in a very good way. The key is F-sharp minor: quite unusual (in fact, certain classical composers like Mozart went out of their way to AVOID writing in this key). The key requires a voice with an unusual range to sing in, and Diana’s voice is perfect for this key. The Verses provide the context for the story quite well and the Bridges are fantastic, while the Choruses are very interesting indeed. Diana holds an instructive melody line in the Choruses, while the backing singers sing a tormenting counter-melody underneath. As a result, there are two… Read more »
Are your reviews collected somewhere, so I don’t have to wade through the comments on wiwibloggs? They are quite enjoyable.
Can you suggest a blog/site with quality reviews?
@Mattias Sollerman: Thank you so much. 🙂
I wish I could say “yes,” but right now I have nothing. I’m working on a website for later this year; If it has music reviews, the first full ESC year will be 2018.
I happen to be a big fan of Wiwibloggs, that’s why my reviews are posted here at the moment; to help prop up interest for them. It’s all I can do for the moment.
OK good luck with the website. 🙂
And keep writing these reviews. They are greatly appreciated.
Isa Malikov mostly composes his songs “the key requires a voice with an unusual range to sing in (!!!)”. And in live this song will lose its mystery, I am afraid. (imo)
Can I just say I’m really impressed with your reviews Purple Mask, get that website blog up for next year, nobody else is doing what you’re doing, and you do it really well-matching the musical structures to emotions in your reviews, great work! I’d suggest Wiwiblogs snap you up. After reading your Ireland comment I scrolled down here just to find yours.
The studio version is pretty good but after seeing the live performance, I don’t think she can have that impact on the stage.
Waaaaaay too high this score.
Would rate it somewhere between 6 and 7, not bad at all but its simply not good enough to win.
5/10
I don’t know why but I don’t like this :/ There’s nothing original and new. It’s like a simple pop song that we listen every day on radio :/ Also her live was not good. With a good staging maybe deserves top 5.
For once its a great entry. Hopefully it is not punished by those who believe Azerbaijan were buying votes in past years,
Deserves the score 🙂
Europe lets make #Baku2018 come true!
Dihaj the real winner.
This is very good song, nice voice, respectable entry, for me the best Azerbaijani entry so far. From the first seconds of the song, she drags me into her world and also ”selling” well her attitude. Take it or leave it, she doesn’t try to impress 🙂 Real refreshment in the contest. Again, much depends from performance, so we’ll see how it will be in Kyiv.
8.5/10
This song is so good. It’s everything I wanted from Halsey, one of my favorite singers, too bad her comeback single Now or Never is flat and disappointing… but Dihaj came through and gave me what I wanted. She’s currently 3rd in my top, behind Estonia and Italy (2nd not including Italy). Only the New Azerbaijana! <3
So tiring with your italy and estonia in each articles of wiwibloggs , get a life.
Awww. That was unnecessarily rude. 🙁
I guess you should start appreciating talent as well, otherwise you can stay pressed, suckman.
Italy has by far the best song this year, there is no doubt, but what’s this hype over Verona? Lmao.
It sounds cheap, their live performance wasn’t the best. Wonder, how they won over Kerli!!
Because Polegend lives near Verona! 😀
Polegend: Is there really a #MafiaDiVerona? :S
Yeah, I’ve been there too. A wonderful city, and Italy is one my favourite European countries too, but that doesn’t change the fact that the song is bad.
Otherwise, we would have to like Malta’s entry as well? 😉
Verona is in the north so I guess the only #MafiaDiVerona is the fan club. And woo @ KESC being a spirit rat, lemme sip on my Kerli’s tears cocktail while bopping to the winning song of Eesti Laul 2017 <3
Wasn’t excited by Now Or Never either, but the chorus in Skeletons is just as flat in my opinion.
Hello there. I am also grateful about this score for my winner. She is really deserving it and even more. I’m sure she will do very well at stage. Let’s just wait for it. #TeamDiHaj
OMG, thank you for giving my winner such a high score! This is absolutely amazing. Dark and kinda spooky verses build to a powerful chorus. I love the technique with the backing vocals. This is the most well-produced song of the year and Dihaj slays it live. #Baku2018
10/10
Yess!Justice for Azerbaijan! First so far…She totally worth it
#teamDiHaj
Song is song – but if live performance will be like in Amsterdam – I dont believe she will reach top-10 …. Currently I gave this song 50% to 50% for top-10…… everybody watching for studio version – but today we should focus on live version – thats why we watched pre-parties – I am expecting the best live performance – currently I dont know what will be in Kiyv for this song……
An average Swedish song. It’s not even catchy and hooking.
As usual with Azerbaijan, they are going manufacture and it’ll depend on staging cause this is not memorale for the televote.
It’s a basic Swedish sound so juries will overrated I guess.
She’s too flat on stage. No connection to her.
I wonder how an accomplished singer like Diana wants to participate in a contest where mediocre singers (half of them are new to music industry or have no their own styles ) represent Azerbaijan .
Professional artists in Aze do not want to participate in that boring pop contest. Dihaj should have done the same.
The chorus part sounds similar one of the songs of Isa Malikov. I don’t know which one though. Maybe, I am wrong.
Good luck to Dihaj. I hope you don’t regret to be a part of this popcontest.
It’s going to do wonders to her career, she ain’t stupid.
I agree with you up to a point. But Diana is not an accomplished singer, she is a respected musician though. Do not forget that she found her own style in recent two years. Before that, she was wandering around between jazz and pop to seek her “true self”. Elnur still cannot find his own style. It is normal for artists. It takes some time. It took six years for Eldar to produce one normal song.Maybe Dihaj want to get much more attention from Europe by participating there:D This year there are several interesting styles from Portugal and Finland. Ukraine… Read more »
Different opinions my dear Ay. I think she should not participate.
5.5/10
This deserves at least top 10.
This is very good! I love it, it’s edgy, cool and fierce, in fact not only that the song is amazing, the singer slays as well. For me it’s a 9/10! In my second place right now!
This song is really amazing! It is more original and interesting than any Azeri entry since ‘When the Music Dies’. The lyrics are also great, even though they seam to be easily misheard. The live was just ‘okay’, though. I really hope Dihaj manages to slay in Kiev, as this deserves a high position. 10 – FIN 9 – UK, AUT, POL, MOL, IRE, NOR, BLR 8 – CRO, MAL, AZE, LAT 7 – POR, ROM, DEN, BUL, NET, ICE, SWE 6 – GRE, AUS, ALB, GEO, RUS, SLO 5 – CYP, ISR, CZE, SER 4 – SM, GER, ARM… Read more »
I agree. Except, you use the word “seam” in English; that is incorrect. It should be “seem.” These words have different meanings in English, so I thought I should let you know to save embarrassment in the future. (“Seam” is to do with clothing articles. But then again in this song, “thorn jeans” might actually be “torn jeans,” haha!)
You are absolutely right and in theory, I know it. But, seems like, in practice, I automatically spell it incorrectly. It is definitely different for a native English speaker and for me, whose native language, Croatian, is mostly like Italian or Spanish: one vowel – one sound. All the ‘ea’, ‘ee’, ‘ou’, ‘ie’, ‘eu’, ect. combinations in English need to be memorized (along with s/z alternations in words like ‘hypnotized’, ‘based’, and ‘memorized’) because they sound similar/same without particular grammatical explanation. For example, what is the reasoning why ‘red’ is pronounced the same way as ‘head’, while the first one… Read more »
Trouble in your Paradise??Lol
Although I don’t understand if you are really a couple why you two comment separately??
LOL. We’re not a couple. In fact our entire interaction only takes place on Wiwibloggs (for the moment).
I would be open to sharing contact details with Colin at some point though. 🙂
Oh there was some Public display of affection going on , so I thought.
That explains why that other guy was poking his head into your convo!!
Apparently “that other guy” is stealing other people’s identities and is deliberately trying to bring Wiwibloggs down. He might even work for a rival blog. I doubt that he/she cares about our public conversations, to be honest.
Yeah, I wouldn’t mind actually contacting Purple Mask one day, but out communication is 100% online. We don’t even know each other’s real names or looks. 😉 It’s just nice to have someone to interact with on fansites.
Oh!! Hopefully I didn’t make it too awkward for you guys then!!Sorry!
Here’s hoping you guys have a successful and happy future 🙂
Also maybe this is a good time to know each other better 😉
Yeah I feel the same here. I appreciate discussing the music, and reading your views on it. I’m actually quite happy with that.
It would be practically difficult for me to safely reveal any contact details when there isn’t a “delete” option on the blog comments, but in the future I may be able to provide a link to a website.
You could get the Wiwiteam to provide your mail id to each other.
Or you guys could take help of YouTube.It has a delete option.
Whoa. This score is far too high.
The lyrics to this song are just brutal. The song has some positives but is this better than what they struggled to qualify with last year? I am not so sure.
If you mean samra, She finished sixth in the sf
How can someone give this art a 2 like Tobias and Antony i mean i am not the biggest fan of this song but i respect its artisty so i gave it a 7,5 because 2 is nothing she has a great voice,amazing stage presents,very well product song this do not deserves 2 this is art its one of the best songs of this year and i wont be suprised if it be BAKU 2018
I agree, the song is great (8/10 for me so far) and moreover, only two songs this year deserve a score as low as 2/10. That practically means that almost nothing works.
People who give 10/10 for a song are so pathetics, nothing can be perfect, nothing deserves 10/10
Oh stop being so negative.
This is the best song Azerbaijan has ever sent to the contest. Usually I don’t like Azeri ESC entries as I think they tend to be really soulless, overproduced and cynically designed to be marketable. With “Skeletons” they’ve sent a song that’s still accessible but also has an edge and an authenticity to it that their previous entries have not had. Looking up Dihaj’s other work on Youtube proves that she’s a proper artist, not just a singer. I really hope Azerbaijan continues to send entries like this in future, and maybe one year we may even get to hear… Read more »
6.5/10