It’s been exactly two weeks since Dilara Kazimova won Azerbaijan’s national selection show Böyük Sehne. Today, after a 14-day wait, she has finally revealed her song. As she hails from the Land of Fire that is Azerbaijan, it’s quite fitting that she’ll be singing “Start a Fire”. Astonishingly, this is now Azerbaijan’s fifth ballad in a row at the Eurovision Song Contest!
The entry is co-written by Stefan Örn, Alessandra Günthardt and Johan Kronlund. Stefan has worked wonders for Azerbaijan in recent years, having helped Safura reach fifth in 2010 and Sabina Babayeva place fourth in 2012. And you can’t forget “Running Scared”, the song that Ell & Nikki sang to win it all in 2011. He was also part of the jury panel at the final of Böyük Sehne, so he probably had a strong sense of which artist would do the best job singing his song.
Dilara is bringing a modern song with a traditional soul. In that respect it reminds us of Sabina Babayeva’s stunning number from Baku. Azerbaijan always stages its entries incredibly well, so we know they will bring beauty and drama to Copenhagen. And as we know from Böyük Sehne, Dilara can sing really well. This woman does not need backing!
What do you think of the entry? Can Azerbaijan win in Copenhagen this year?
Start a Fire lyrics — Dilara Kazimova
Someone’s selling garden roses down the square
People gathering by to breathe the morning air
But no one sees the bitter cold and shivering empty hands
A school girl running by and trying to beat the bell
People dropping, tossing coins in wishing wells
But no one cares for dreams that don’t fit into our world
Maybe nightfall darkens skies
And maybe teardrops stain our eyes
But may the slightest light start a fire
A soldier in the hands of a forgotten mess
Digging out the burning bullets in his chest
So eager, bold and noble – printing footsteps on this earth
Maybe nightfall darkens skies
Maybe teardrops stain our eyes
But may the slightest light start a fire
Start a fire
But may the slightest light start a fire
Anthony Ko contributed this report from the U.K. Follow him on Twitter at @bjorneo. You can also keep up-to-date with the latest Eurovision news and gossip by liking our Facebook page.
Photo: ITV
Stunning! Beautiful! My 12 points are going to Azerbaijan. Touching lyrics, beautiful voice and great sound – amazing music with the instruments in the background. A great piece of really really good music.
//Emelie from Sweden
Thank you! Now I finally know what she sings! Her pronounciation isn’t that good. But hey, who cares. She sings GREAT and it’s a GREAT song!
u?urlar..!!
ESC is a songcontest and this is great song whoever wrote is. Great lyrics and music and a top performer. It deserves a high ranking and I have no problems in returnig to Baku next year. I we start talking politics…..then we better end the ESC immediatly……
Professional vocals are the below contestants with idyllic performance and music
1. Azerbaijan
2. San Marino
3. Sweden
Azeri soul is brilliant. Thanks a lot!
Great voice, tediously dull song
@Leon, I can understand you and Jasmine’s frustrations, but the national composer policy would be like banning all foreign football players on top-flight leagues. Can you imagine Barcelona without Lionel Messi?
I’m not suggesting that Azerbaijan should carry on doing it, but San Marino would find it impossible if the EBU were to introduce the policy.
@Jasmin I totally agree. I think EBU needs to pass the national composer policy. It totally shifts the balance of the competition. What upsets me most is in every Azeri thread you find them talk about their amazing culture and music and etc….well, where is it?
I don’t really understand this entry. This song from Azerbaijan will let Europe falling in sleep!
A
Z
E
R
B
A
I
J
A
N
Very well-written lyrics. And the notes in the melody are well chosen. But – the whole song, at least the studio version, falls flat. I have a huge problem with the dynamics (loud/soft) – too often the song seems louder than necessary with no gradual crescendos and diminuendos when appropriate. When you’re going to make a song of this style, do it right! This is partially the singer’s fault for not taking proper notice of this, but it’s more the fault of whoever did the mixing and the music arrangement. This could sound a lot better, and hopefully the live… Read more »
This is one of my most favourite songs of ESC ever. Especially the lyrics can touch me. I must compare it with songs as “Un jour, un enfant”. I am afraid it is too thoughtful and too elegant for a simple competition where everything depends on effects.
I think this is a really beautiful song. A twist and departure from all the “yelling schlager” this year will have from most of the female-balladists. She has a great voice and the songs takes me to a warm yet melancholic place.
I think as usual Azerbaijan will have a great presentation and it’s likely they will be in the top10 again.
@Anthony Ko “You’ve also got to take into consideration that almost every other country competing at the Eurovision Song Contest have used Swedish composers at least once” – I’m well aware. The year of 2012 following entries had swedish songwriters involved: Norway (Tooji – Stay), Ireland (Jedward – Waterline), Malta (Kurt Calleja – This is the Night), Cyprus (Ivi Adamou – La la love), Spain (Pastora Soler – Quédate Conmigo), Greece (Eleftheria Eleftheriou – Aphrodisiac), Italy (Nina Zilli – Out of Love) and the UK (Engelbert Humperdinck – Love Will Set You Free) Yes, they all had swedish songwriters involved.… Read more »
It is unfortunate that some people have come here to vent their negativity. Azerbaijan live the same people, as everywhere else. They, too, cry and laugh. Love their families, their friends. They are the same as all of you. And I assure you that in this country a lot of wonderful talented people. Just wants to represent Azerbaijan in Eurovision that will be interesting for everyone, so appeals to foreign authors. It is foolish to blame for it. Maybe it’s just jealousy? We see here the video clip of Azerbaijan. And do not expect that it will appeal to all.… Read more »
@Jasmine
They did, on their Eurovision debut back in 2008. And a Greek, not Swedish composer was used on Farid’s entry last year.
You’ve also got to take into consideration that almost every other country competing at the Eurovision Song Contest have used Swedish composers at least once, not just Azerbaijan.
My god, Azerbaijan .. would you please write your own songs?! 2010 – swedish songwriters (5th) 2011 – swedish songwriters, swedish back-up singers, swedish choreographer (1st) 2012 – swedish songwriters (4th) 2013 – swedish songwriter (2nd) 2014 – swedish songwriters As a swede, I’ve got to say that I’m very offended that you won’t send something of your own instead of practically hiring Sweden to do it for you. My interpretation of this is that the azerbaijani people doesn’t have a creative bone in their body. If you think I’m being hard on you, by all means, prove me wrong… Read more »
WOW SO COOL SONG!
@Pixy, hey, I usually don’t ask people how much to talk. It is in the limits of my freedom of expression.
You’re spreading hatred, I guess that’s an enough reason to get banned.
I’m serious, lack of sexual activity makes you angry. At least, if you had an active sex life, you would not spend every single day of your life trolling under every Azerbaijan-related article. Believe me, I’m speaking in your favor. 😉
It’s not a bad entry, in fact it’s a pretty good song, but compared to other Azeri entries it falls short. I guess it will finish in top 10 possibly 7-11 positions
armenian and azerbaijani entries this year both confuse me a lot because they don’t have they common intro-chorus-bridge-chorus structure (i don’t know what it’s called but i hope you get what i mean.). but i like them both very much! one is a ballad with a modern twist, while the other with a traditional one. excited to see what the rest of europe thinks of both entries. 🙂
I like it! My TOP 3
1. Hungary
2. Great Britain
3. Azerbaijan
No, no, no! Very bad song!
This girl has a very good voice. I will support her in the Final. Good luck!
I like this song veeeeeeeeeery much! It’s so sensitive and a lot of emotions. 12 point from Belarus!!!
Her pronunciation is close enough, and serves the song nicely.
Only “tossing” really needs to be corrected: oi –> o
So, the lyricists, composers, directors, technicians, musicians and singer really know their art, resulting in some kind of perfection. It is undeniably beautiful, but is too calculated? And should it matter? All Art is contrived; such is the irony. Welcome to Aesthetics 101 😉
Of course Azerbaijan will qualify, but more importantly, they have sent something worthy of the honour.
@Rashad hey, you talk to much, just let it go would you?
Ban me? Really? Did i insult someone? I’m not trolling here.. and my private life and or preferences are none of your business. Ok?
And please ffs don’t blame others in falsifying history goddamit, to hear this from azeris is really wrong and unnatural lol. Anyway. I’m not going to answer you anymore. Bye.
Azerbaijan, it is really nice, when you’re listening it feels like you’re flying in the open space, without any rocket
@Thiago
Azerbaijan is the land of fire. Obssession with fire? Running Scared, Drip Drop or When The Music Dies doesn’t even mentioned the theme “fire”, not even in their performances at the stage.
For the past 4 years I thought Azerbaijan should have won every year. But is anyone else tired of their obsession with fire?
Great song, amazing voice! Azerbaycan on top five, at least! Greetings from Deutcshland! 😀
Boring song! Also too many ballads in same semi such better than this Armenia, Sweden Belgium, Netherlands etc so not a good choice of Azerbaijan this sleepy entry!
Great song! Best ballad of the year
This is really beautiful song.. Glad to hear national instrument of Azerbaijan there.. Her voice is also AMAZING!! Good luck! 😀
So far Norway, Azerbaijan, Armenia, UK and Hungary got the best entries IMO! Waiting for Austrian and Russian songs…
Well, I have a feeling that it doesn’t go anywhere. It begins, ends and has throughout the same rhythm. It remains a well produced ballad with a nice singer, but it doesn’t have a wow factor. In a year full of ballads, only the great ones will succeed. I cannot compare this one to ”When the music dies” of Sabina. That one was amazing. This one’s good.
bala is orginal turkish word that which is using by all east Countries
Ian Davis
Belarus will give 12 points to Russia, Armenia wili give 12 points to Russia, Moldova wili gave 12 points to Romania. Georgia wili give 12 points to Armenia. And i think Lithuania and Latvia wili give maybe 12 points to Estonia.
@Pixy, oh, holly cow! I still don’t get why they don’t ban you from here. Just get a life. I mean, get a girlfriend, or a boyfriend (I don’t know either your gender or sexual orientation). Believe me, things will get easier. You are just bringing a shame to your country. First, this is a song contest, you can’t discuss politics or falsified history here. Second, stop trolling, and being provocative. You’re spreading hatred, and killing the musical spirit of the contest.
Pixy stop say your dirt lies my all comments have wiped but there were who are you hayes
@Rashad ‘here is another troll! I’m not going to argue with you who Balaban belongs to, or if Azeris existed three thousands years ago..’ Well of course you’re not going to argue.., the adequate ones wouldn’t. Azeri’s just can’t claim duduk as their own, nor 3 thousands years of their existence. That would be ridiculously stupid. Oh, and troll is that Azer creature, who seems to be entirely and irrevocably brainwashed.
Have a nice day. Peace.
There is a huge disconnect between the lyrics and the emotional turmoil that they should have injected into the song. For a subdued atmosphere ballad, it should have worked like magic with the amazing orchestration and arrangement if you ignore the ‘SILENT DEATH STORM’ , but even then it manages to fall over the kitsch cliff… If the song is meant to describe an aftermath of a battlefield, a violent death, an invasion or the heroism of a ‘forgotten people’, then the people who created and executed this production are literally SHOOTING IN THE DARK and are making the song… Read more »
What a bunch of lunatics …
Somebody clean this germ out of here.
My top 3 now
1- UK
2- Armenia
3- Azerbaijan
Thanks Azerbaijan for give high level to ESC,
If Armenia is the winner, please don’t leave the competition. I know your problems, but is just a concert… for Europe.
@AZER, I don’t even think you’re an Azeri. You’re probably one of those teenagers trolling around and pretending like an Azeri. Az?rbaycan dilind? dan??a bil?rs?n? @Pixy, here is another troll! I’m not going to argue with you who Balaban belongs to, or if Azeris existed three thousands years ago. This is just ridiculous. All ethnic groups have experienced periods through history. Why can’t you just enjoy the music? We have lived together for thousands of years, there is nothing normal than sharing similar cultures. You call it Duduk, we call it Balaban. I’m just shocked by the level of hatred.… Read more »
Wow !!! when countries are arguing over musical instruments they must have very few national achievements …
2014 will be worst Eurovision since 2004.
TOP 5 FAVORITES:
1. Russia – Anastasia and Maria Tolmachevy Twins
2. Ukraine – Maria Yaremchuk
3. Ireland – Kasey Smith
4. Finland – Softengine
5. Estonia – Tanja Mihhailova
Rest is very bad and boring. Norway, Sweden, Armenia, Hungary and UK are jokes. Absolutely no chance. They are ugly and modest.
@Anthony yes, true and i hate that. Really. Buying songs and stuff abroad isn’t right thing. But Azerbaijan is an exception, because they ‘shop’ every year and as i already said- all Inclusive. @Azer forgive me but in encyclopedias such as Britannica etc. they say about dudok being a 3 thousand year Armenian instrument. No turks or azeris existed at that time. Bala- is an indoeuropean word.. Duduk too .. in Russia and slavic languages they have the duda/dudit/dudka words. Anyway, Iranian Balaban, which is popular in your country too, just like Georgian duduki, turkish tutek or mey (or whatever)… Read more »
It is a good song, but it’s not the greatest. Being the best of all the ex-soviets (Russia still to come) it will be getting 12 points from all those countries, and a 12 from Malta. This will be in top 5, which always has a spot reserved form Azerbaijan these days and I hope it doesn’t happen again, but the last time there wasn’t a runaway winner, Azerbaijan won.