Azerbaijan - Efendi - Mata Hari

20 - 65 pts / 8 - 138 in semi 1

Samira Efendi (Samirə Əfəndiyeva) was to represent Azerbaijan in the 2020 Contest and she's one of the artists continuing her Eurovision adventure in 2021.

The song for 2021 is titled Mata Hari and is released on March 15. 2020's Cleopatra gets a mention and  a musical nod (tiny sample) as well. And there's even a mention of The Army Of Lovers. (plus a tiny sample of Crucified)

Here's the official video.

The song is in English but has a small part in Azerbaijani in the backings "Yalan da mən,  yanan da mən,  yaman da mən" translating as "I am a liar, I am on fire, I am evil".

The song is written by Luuk van Beers and Tony Cornelissen, who were also behind 2020's Cleopatra, and Amy van der Wel.

We also know Tony Cornelissen from Cascada's Glorious (Germany 2013)

Half of Mata Hari sort of leaked (apple music) before the official reveal. The single was released on March 16 through several digital sources.

A promo cds is issued. it includes

1. Mata Hari

2. Mata Hari - karaoke

3. Cleopatra (the 2020 song)

The slow version of Mata Hari was presented on April 14 (here's the video) and the release is on April 25.

Here's the 2020 post about Cleopatra, Efendi's 2020 song.

Mata Hari

Greta Garbo portrayed her in 1931, Anne-Karine introduced her to the Eurovision community in 1976, We all know Hari Mata Hari and now the ill fated dancer turned spy is back.

We don't get enough songs named after historical (i.e. long dead) persons and this is Mata Hari's second appearance. (equalling Socrates, Casanova and Maria Magdalena)

Coincidentally the first Mata Hari was also in a contest in the Netherlands, so that's fitting as she was Dutch (Frisian). 

Mata Hari (Malay for Sun) was framed! and they still haven't found her head. Legend has it that she  had the outfit she wore on her execution (in 1917) especially made for the occasion. Now if that isn't classy. But you can study your wiki's for that and more yourself.

Versions

Mata Hari

- digital 16-3, Rotterdam 2CD

Mata Hari - slow version

- digital release 25-4

Mata Hari - karaoke

- karaoke on the official karaoke album (digital)

Coverversion

Efendi performed Mata Hari with Greek singer Josephine at the MADTV awards show with Josephine singing in Greek.

Josephine released her own Greek version as a digital single. (Panik records) (see comments)

Charts

Netherlands singles top 100: 44, 76, -

Sweden top 100 (Topplistan): 47, 93, -

Norway top 40 (VG lista): 21, 31, -

Links and sources

Samira Efendi FB, Instagram 2020

Cleopatra 2020