Efendi Azerbaijan Eurovision 2020 Cleopatra

Efendi was due to represent Azerbaijan at Eurovision 2020 with “Cleopatra”. It’s an uptempo pop number which borrows influences from many cultures.

Scroll down for the “Cleopatra” lyrics

Azerbaijan in Eurovision 2020: Efendi “Cleopatra”

For the sixth consecutive year, Azerbaijan opted to choose both its song and singer through an internal selection. And out of the process emerged Efendi with “Cleopatra”.

Efendi has been determined to represent Azerbaijan at Eurovision for a number of years now. In addition to competing in the 2014 national selection Böyük Səhnə, the star has regularly been involved in the country’s internal selection processes since 2015. Last year, Samira was confirmed as one of the final four acts being considered to wave the Azerbaijani flag at Eurovision 2019. The 2020 selection was the fifth time Efendi had put her name forward, and thankfully the fifth time was the charm.

In an interview on late-night talk show Fatehin divanı (Fateh’s couch) after the release of her Eurovision 2020 entry “Cleopatra”, the star said she initially didn’t believe the delegation when they told her the good news. But, she says she never gave up on her dream to eventually perform on the Eurovision stage and has been putting in the hard work over the last five years to make it a reality.

What do the “Cleopatra” lyrics mean?

“Cleopatra is a song about trusting your gut instinct, standing up for yourself and being a “queen” – even when things get tough and especially if someone betrays or hurts you”, says Efendi.

“It is truly a song about freedom, a celebration of all cultures and all sexualities and it’s a song that is meant to inspire people to be who they are and to be proud of themselves – just as Cleopatra was. She was a queen who went through love, heartbreak, and betrayal, but she stood up for herself and is now remembered as an icon of strength and femininity.”

And don’t just take Efendi’s word. The message is clear from the opening lines alone — “Cleopatra was a queen like me / Just like me / Yeah just like me / Straight or gay or in between”.

However, not all the lyrics are so explicit. There are numerous biographical references throughout that can be taken on a grander symbolism scale

For instance, Cleopatra had an affair with Mark Antony. And, as Efendi sings, she’s not referring to Jennifer Lopez’s ex. The Roman Mark Anthony was on the cusp of consolidating power and becoming emperor. However, despite his apparent strength, Cleopatra was a driving force, funding much of his campaigns.

But he also betrayed Cleopatra. And the song reflects this — it’s about rising above the struggles and finding your inner voice and strength.

The Buddhist mantra is also steeped in symbolism. The songwriters explain: “(it’s) about being open to all good things coming your way, because that’s what happens when you listen to your instinct”. Like the ancient silk road, “Cleopatra” touches on many cultures.

“Cleopatra” lyrics — Efendi (Azerbaijan ESC 2020)

Written and composed by: Luuk van Beers, Alan Roy Scott and Sarah Lake.

Text

Cleopatra was a queen like me,
Just like me,
Yeah just like me,
Straight or gay or in between,
In between,
Yeah in between,
Betrayed by,
A lover,
So hard to,
Recover,
Couldn’t see the forest for the trees,
Just like me,
Oh, in too deep

There was no intervention,
I was lost, falling out with myself,
I was so filled with tension,
Getting mad was my cry for help,
Now I’m back with a vengeance,
I’ve found my inner voice again,
And it speaks to my soul loud and clear,
And it sounds like this,

Nam-myoho-renge-kyo,
Nam-myoho-renge-kyo,

Like Cleopatra,
La la la la
La la la la
La la la la la
Like Cleopatra
La la la la
La la la la
La la la la la
Like Cleopatra

Cleopatra had Mark Antony,
You know who I mean,
Not the Latin king,
The one from Rome who lived long ago,
After Caesar died,
Cleo’s gigolo,
Part Goddess,
Part temptress,
The way he left her,
It was shameless,
She was her own worst enemy,
Just like me,
Yeah just like me but,

Now I’m back with a vengeance,
I’ve found my inner voice again,
And it speaks to my soul loud and clear,
And it sounds like this,

Nam-myoho-renge-kyo,
Nam-myoho-renge-kyo,

Like Cleopatra,
La la la la
La la la la
La la la la la
Like Cleopatra
La la la la
La la la la
La la la la la
Like Cleopatra

I can feel,
Her spirit run through me,
I can see it in my mind like a movie,
Egyptian and Latin, the voices run through me,
Come to me,

La la la la
La la la la
La la la la la
Like Cleopatra
La la la la
La la la la
La la la la la
Like Cleopatra
La la la la
La la la la
La la la la la
Like Cleopatra
La la la la
La la la la
La la la la la
Like Cleopatra

What do you think of the “Cleopatra” lyrics? Do they make you feel like a queen? Let us know in the comments.

Read more Eurovision 2020 lyrics

13 Comments
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Charli Cheer Up
Charli Cheer Up
3 years ago

Sad that we won’t get a chance to see this on the big stage. That Persian-European flair behind the song would’ve looked like pure gold live!

zelenovi
zelenovi
3 years ago

Question – I heard on a podcast another artist (possibly not Azeri?) was originally meant to sing this, someone who is actually an LGBT person. The podcast just made a vague reference but I’m curious. Does anyone know?

KESC
KESC
3 years ago
Reply to  zelenovi

You mean Senhit?

Anita
Anita
3 years ago

If we are all queens who is than the queen. Too many queens around make the concept of beeing queen obsolete?

Kevin
Kevin
3 years ago
Reply to  Anita

well in fact she is a Queen as she brought something special and unique in 2020, when it is extremely difficult to surprize? I adore her since day 1 they announced, also she was brave enough to sing LGBT friendly lyrics for the coutry which is not open about homosexuality 😉

Milan
Milan
3 years ago

Efendi’s “Cleopatra” lyrics are about uncreative shopping for LGBT vote by shameless cultural appropriation, and filling the rest (and I quote) with: “Like Cleopatra / La la la la / La la la la / La la la la la / Like Cleopatra / La la la la / La la la la / La la la la la / Like Cleopatra”. Writing a positive article on this topic really demands extraordinary skills.

Briekimchi
Briekimchi
3 years ago

It’s safe to say that the lyrics are the weakest part of this entry.

Puff
Puff
3 years ago

The only song from this year that I haven’t listened to fully. I’ve only heard the chorus from top lists. It just hasn’t grabbed my interest.

Richard
Richard
3 years ago

It’s glorious chaos, three minutes of undiluted sass and fun and completely bonkers. Love it, and can only fantasize about the stage spectacular that would have been.

Kosey
Kosey
3 years ago

I love the sass and attitude in these lyrics, I think they complement the song really well. Ok, they are not works of art or anything, but in terms of creating a mood, I think they do a great job.

alon
alon
3 years ago

one of the worst lyrics of the year..very repetitive and cringy.
if next year they will bring another song with good music and bad lyrics,maybe it will be better to sing in azeri.

Constanca
Constanca
3 years ago
Reply to  alon

you don’t notice anything about Eurovision at all.

Colin
Colin
3 years ago

These lyrics are just a … perfect mess! It’s an unappologetic pure camp and doesn’t use the same phrases other “guilty pleasure” songs do. I really appreciate that Azerbaijan decided to go outside of their comfort zone. It’s a funny bop, but bop nonetheless. 😉