Released 2009 Genre Pop Country Azerbaijan | Recorded 2009 Label Warner Music Sweden | |
Format Digital single, CD single | ||
"Always" is a song by Azerbaijani singer Aysel Teymurzadeh (performing as AySel) and Swedish-Iranian singersongwriter Arash. It was the Azerbaijani entry to the Eurovision Song Contest 2009. The song was selected by Ictimai TV (İTV), the Azerbaijani broadcaster, among the 30 songs submitted to the broadcaster in an open call. The song was composed by a group of songwriters including Arash.
The video clip for the song was directed by Swedish director Fredrik Boklund and premiered on Ictimai TV on 24 April 2009. Boklund described the video as "visual rendition of the performers' emotions and feelings." It notably featured tar, a traditional Azeri musical instrument. Likewise the instrument briefly appeared on stage in Arash's hands during the live performance of "Always" at Eurovision.
AySel & Arash performed 12th in the second Eurovision semi-final on 14 May, following Hungary's Zoli Ádok with "Dance with Me" and preceding Greece's Sakis Rouvas with "This Is Our Night". The duo received 180 points, placing second behind Norway's Alexander Rybak, and proceeding to the final.
At the final the duo performed 11th in the draw, following Russia's Anastasiya Prikhodko with "Mamo" and preceding Bosnia and Herzegovina's Regina with "Bistra voda". They received 207 points, placing 3rd behind Norway's Alexander Rybak and Iceland's Yohanna.
"Always" is Azerbaijan's first top 3 placing.
By July 21, 2013, the preview videoclip for "Always" had been played on YouTube over 18 million times.
In January 2010, Tophit.ru reported that "Always" had become the second most selling ringtone in Ukraine and Belarus.
Track listing
- "Always" (Single Version) – 3:03
- "Always" (Ali Payami Remix) – 4:09