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!
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!
Russian version is way better.
nah, Belarus can better
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.
Is he doing a Demy part II? The song is bland and this would never win Eurovision, barely a qualifier.
This is bad…
The song is okay, it might get a revamp, but in that recording his vocals weren’t very strong, is he any good live?
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.
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
Silly me forgot the link
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=USdSirpxZlo
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.
His voice in this song is annoying and the song is so just average.
the song is nothing special and he is nothing special
This is not good at all!! Belarussian selection has much stronger entries.
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.
This is completely Alekseev’s style which he has develop since 2014, he is not a Kristov copy – they’re just very similar
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.
I like it but I think Russian would be the way to go. Belarus have to pick this, right?
In english it is awful, in russian it is magical
original is 10x better
In English I like it, in Russian I love it.
Please change it to russian!
Sounds like this song:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dwF_kQwc5Ck
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
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.
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
lets just say this underwhelmed me a lot i was hoping he would choose a better song and sing it in his native language : (
I quiet like the song 🙂
This is so bad…don’t like it at all.
In keeping with Belarus the English lyrics are awkward 😛 second Kostov copy after MIHAI for this years selections?
I’d say third Lazarev copy xD
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
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).
First time that I agree 100% on what you say.
A good start for the year 😉
For Belarus this is the best option 🙂 , and sure with WOW-SHOW , top 10 in Lisbon can be possible.
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.
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.