Swiss broadcaster SRF have now revealed the song that will be representing the nation in Rotterdam, and it will be Gjon’s Tears with the song Répondez-moi.
The entry was selected internally, with a 100-member audience panel and international jury at the centre of the decision making. The panel and jury held 50% of the voting each. The 21 year old musician was selected with his song Répondez-moi.
Gjon’s Tears, born Gjon Muharremaj, has Albanian roots, and has previously competed in Albania’s Got Talent back in 2011, where he finished 3rd in the contest. A year later, he competed in a Switzerland’s Got Talent equivalent, where he reached the semi-finals. He also competed in the Voice France, where he also finished in the semi-finals.
Gjon commented on his upcoming performance, saying, ‘The ESC is the biggest music event and it is huge for an artist to be a part of it. True to this year’s slogan – ‘Open up’ – I am totally open to this unique adventure and I’m looking forward to everything that comes with it! ”He continues: “I want to give my everything at the Eurovision Song Contest and I want to be proud of who I am, where I come from and what I have achieved. I want to inspire people to follow their own path with ‘Répondez-moi’.
The subject of the song is very personal for Gjon, as he says, ‘Everyone asks themselves why exactly are we here, where do we come from and where are we going. These are key questions, particularly for people from a migrant background. My parents are from Albania and Kosovo. I grew up in Switzerland and it’s my home, these are questions that I think about a lot.’
He co-wrote the song with Xavier Michel, Alizé Oswald and the song’s producer, Jeroen Swinnen. Watch the music video below: