Which Efendi Eurovision entry is your favourite?

Last year was a dark year for Eurovision fans. Following the cancellation of the 2020 contest, 41 songs never made it to the Rotterdam stage. Luckily, many artists from the class of 2020 are returning to compete at Eurovision 2021.

A record-breaking 26 artists received the comeback ticket. And with that, comparisons to their previous entries are inevitable. So, we want to hear from our readers. Do you prefer the returning artists’ 2020 or 2021 songs?

Today, we’re heading to the land of fire and taking a look at Azerbaijan. In 2020, Efendi was set to sing “Cleopatra”. This year, she’s singing the track’s spiritual successor “Mata Hari”. Two tracks, two years. But which is your favourite? Vote in our poll now!

Scroll down to vote in our poll. 

“Cleopatra” (Azerbaijan 2020)

“Cleopatra” was a tribute to Cleopatra VII, the last ruler of Ptolemaic Egypt. The track itself is an eclectic blend of sounds combining modern dance-pop and more traditional instrumentations. With the Wiwi Jury — our in-house panel of music unprofessionals — Efendi scored an average of 7.28 out of 10.

“This song is jaw-droppingly fantastic”, wrote juror Oliver R. “There is so much to process in Azerbaijan’s entry to the contest right from the word go. The ethnic trills coupled with the spiritual chant crossed with the infectious chorus makes for a song perfect for the Eurovision stage — not just as an audio spectacle, but as a visual one too.”

“Mata Hari” (Azerbaijan 2021)

Efendi’s 2021 song “Mata Hari” is somewhat of a spiritual successor to “Cleopatra”. The song gets its title from the Dutch exotic dancer Mata Hari, who was executed after being convicted of spying for Germany in World War I.

The track contains musical and lyrical references to Efendi’s previous entry. The pre-chorus chanting is in the Azeri language, marking the first time a Eurovision entry from Azerbaijan has been sung (at least partly) in the local language.

Poll battle — Azerbaijan: Which Efendi song is your favourite?

In this poll, there are only two songs to choose from, so you can only vote for one song. And as always, you can only vote once, so make it count. Europe, start voting now!

[polldaddy poll=10774364]

 

Which song did you vote for? How does “Mata Hari” compare to “Cleopatra”? Sound off in the comments below. 

Vote in more Eurovision polls here

39 Comments
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PP77
PP77
2 years ago

2020

Lolek
Lolek
2 years ago

I love both songs, but I think I prefer Mata Hari slightly. The arabesque instrumentals appeal to me more and I find the build at the end less ‘messy’ than Cleopatra.

Polegend Godgarina
Polegend Godgarina
2 years ago

i actually very much prefer mata hari. its production sounds somehow experimental, while cleopatra sounded rather empty. both very dated, though.

Iván el Conquistador
Iván el Conquistador
2 years ago

I vote for Mata Hari because I find “La Cleopa-TRA!” part cringe as ****.

Tul
Tul
2 years ago

Cleopatra could have gotten into final, but I don’t see Mata Hari getting a ticket to there. It’s repeating the title too much.

Tanis
Tanis
2 years ago

I really can’t like either one, the weird robotic man voice singing is awful. Should have gotten rid of it.

Inception
Inception
2 years ago

Neither. She needs to be cancelled

lol
lol
2 years ago
Reply to  Inception

why

Paul
Paul
2 years ago
Reply to  Inception

Can you explain “cancelling” someone as my understanding is that it’s bullying someone en masse because you disagree with their opinion… is that right?

Ende
Ende
2 years ago
Reply to  Paul

Chill man … not everything needs to be over-analysed. You ain’t a Knight or theMessiah.

KYLLITO
KYLLITO
2 years ago

I’ll take the original CLEOPATRA anyday over the poor copy MATA HARI. Same goes with Serbia’s HASTA LA VISTA over the poor copy LOCO LOCO.

KYLLITO
KYLLITO
2 years ago
Reply to  KYLLITO

Neither AZE or SRB tried to do something different.

MYY
MYY
2 years ago
Reply to  KYLLITO

Now the question is, if they have to do something different?

KYLLITO
KYLLITO
2 years ago
Reply to  MYY

They don’t have to do anything different. But you would think that if returning artists had an entire year to come up with a song that was even better than year’s that they could achieve what Switzerland has done and have a great shot at winning the 2021 contest. If they want to send a mediocre song and just use the contest to increase their fan base, that’s their perogative. But why wouldn’t you want to send a song that slays?!?!

esc_fl
esc_fl
2 years ago

I’d go with Cleopatra; Mata Hari still sounds like a watered-down version of the previous song. At any rate looks like another top 10 for Azerbaijan!

Colin
Colin
2 years ago

Both are guilty pleasures. Instrumentally interesting, lyrically silly, and full of sex appeal. Definitely made more for fan-service than for pleasing the juries.

Dawid
Dawid
2 years ago

Cleopatra at least have something to do with song Cleopatra. Mata Hari is so random that they could have changed words in the chorus to Angela Merkel and there would be no difference

esc_fl
esc_fl
2 years ago
Reply to  Dawid

lol!

Rubii
Rubii
2 years ago
Reply to  Dawid

That’s not true, because in Mata Hari sample lyrics like ‘I’m a spy, I uncover’ and ‘All of your secrets, I want them’ tells that Mata Hari was found to be a spy for Germany in World War I.

Ende
Ende
2 years ago
Reply to  Dawid

Well if you have sexual attraction forAngela Merkel, this is your problem 😉

Stephanie
Stephanie
2 years ago

That’s easy… NEITHER!!!

raylee
raylee
2 years ago
Reply to  Stephanie

if those songs were from Armenia , probably you would worship them. Silly two-faced hater , you can’t stop her

Last edited 2 years ago by raylee
esc_fl
esc_fl
2 years ago
Reply to  raylee

? What does Armenia have to do with it?

Stephanie
Stephanie
2 years ago
Reply to  raylee

Because I have an another opinion, am I hater. Are you for real?! And for your information, if these entries would have been made for Armenia or any other country, my reaction wil still be the same. And further, I do hope that she has the permission to use the sample of Crucified by The Army of Lovers, or she might face a lawsuit.

Glenn
Glenn
2 years ago

Verse and chorus of mata hari is better… bridge of cleopatra is better

ESCalator
ESCalator
2 years ago
Reply to  Glenn

Yeah. IMO, the best part of Cleopatra is “Now I’m back with a vengeance…..and it sounds like this.” Otherwise, Mata Hari…especially the chorus.

Eurovisionary
Eurovisionary
2 years ago

Lol there is Cleopatra in mata hari as well..both dated euro pops we heard many times just because dana international won eurovision back in 1998 for israel doesn’t mean 2020s can bring success for same style…sorry dated

Kosey
Kosey
2 years ago

I am really enjoying both of these entries. They are similar, which is fine in imo as I like them both! This means that I didn’t end up voting though lol!

Colin
Colin
2 years ago
Reply to  Kosey

I really think these polls should have “both” and “neither” options, as a lot of artists brought two songs of a similar quality.

Richard
2 years ago

A difficult choice, I love them both and was thrilled when Mata Hari came along, it’s fabulous, but if forced to choose I have to admit my heart belongs to Queen Cleo. But she’ll still have her little moment on stage so all good, top marks to Efendi.

Khazar
2 years ago

Both of them are beautiful. I can’t decide

Purple Mask
Purple Mask
2 years ago

Despite neither being entirely serious, “Cleopatra” has the edge especially in relating the song to the listener. “Cleopatra” was “just like me” and all the stuff in the Bridge really works well, and it sounds… like… this…
As for “Mata Hari,” it’s a nice follow-up with a very memorable hook, but it doesn’t sound as well-developed as “Cleopatra” was. But “Mata Hari” is a lot more fun though; if they do it live, I wonder how that will work. 🙂

Paul
Paul
2 years ago

Its like choosing between sex and chocolate – I’m obsessed with both

Paul
Paul
2 years ago
Reply to  Paul

There’s rarely the chance for me to put anything else in my mouth!

Ashton Schier
Ashton Schier
2 years ago

Cleopatra never fully clicked with me, but Mata Hari has. especially in the bridge before the final chorus with the rising reverbed vocals in the background, I could loop that part for ages.

Ashton Schier
Ashton Schier
2 years ago
Reply to  Ashton Schier

I truly cant understand how I’m downvoted for a literal compliment but sure whatever

Fast Food Music Lover
Fast Food Music Lover
2 years ago

Mata Hari is far superior especially on the chorus’ part, I think.

Davo
Davo
2 years ago

There’s really no comparison. Cleopatra was Top 10 material, Mata Hari will be lucky to make the final.

Robert
Robert
2 years ago

Both mainly because they’re so similar