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About Switzerland...
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2004 Result
Points in Semi Final: 0
Position in Semi Final: 22nd
Points in Final: Failed to qualify
Position in Final: Failed to qualify
2005 Contest: Must compete in Semi Final
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History (1956 to 2003)
Switzerland's previous appearances: 44 year(s) out of 48
Years participated: 1956-1994; 1996-1998; 2000; 2002
Best result: 1st (1956, 1988)
Ah, Switzerland! The Swiss got off to a good start by winning the first ever contest in 1956, though with only 7 countries taking part it was a bit easier in those days. They then had to wait another 32 years, before the French Canadian Celine Dion, inexplicably singing for Switzerland, won it again in 1988 with 'Ne partez pas sans moi'. Celine's Eurovision performance, wearing a startlingly frilly white dress, is one of those moments that gets repeated on the various 'look at those ridiculous Eurovision outfits' programmes, though I doubt Celine minds too much - after all, she is probably the biggest international star to emerge from Eurovision since ABBA. Unhappily for Switzerland, subsequent success has eluded them, the best attempt being Annie Cotton's 3rd place in 1993. In the last decade, Switzerland's record has been nearly as bad as Finland's, participating in 94, 96, 97, 98 (nul points), 00 and 02, but missing 95, 99, 01 and 03 through relegation. Can 2004 be Switzerland's year?
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This year's entry
Position in Semi Final draw: 3
Position in Final draw: Failed to qualify
What I said prior to the Semi Final:
"Taking advantage of the present free language rule for the first time, Switzerland are singing 'Celebrate' in English, despite having four languages of their own to choose from. Performed by Piero Esteriore & the MusicStars, I can't help thinking that Piero looks rather like the Canadian songstress k d lang - perhaps it's just that k d lang looks like Piero? Or, recalling Celine Dion, maybe Switzerland are playing up the Canadian connection again? Who knows. The song, for what it's worth, is horrible. Think of Lou's 'Let's Get Happy' from 2003 - that was bad, right? Well, this is worse, with the lyrics plumbing new depths of cheesiness. "Clap your hands!", Piero and his posse urge. "Clap your hands, oh clap your hands, everybody just clap your hands, clap your hands, oh clap your hands, have a wonderful time". The only place my hands will be clapping is over my ears. Admittedly, the song is annoyingly catchy, but that doesn't mean it's any good. Surely the good televoters of Europe aren't going to phone up for this?"
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What I predicted...
My prediction for Semi Final: 13th to 16th
My prediction for Final: Possible qualifier; 15th to 19th if it does
What I predicted prior to the Semi Final:
"Well, they might, actually. Scary though it is, the song bears a strong resemblance to Estonia's 2001 entry, 'Everybody' - and that, you will remember, caused a surprise by winning the contest. I think this is the worst of the 2004 entries, but don't discount it qualifying for the Final. In fact, I think it could easily qualify for the final, much as it pains me to say it. While it's surely just too old-fashioned to win the whole contest, Switzerland could be heading for a top ten finish with this one; if Europe's collective taste prevails, as hopefully it will, expect this to end up in the mid to low teens instead."
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What you thought...
Final Poll Ranking: out of 36 ()
(Updated 15 May 2004; change refers to movement over final week)
In the run up to the Contest, over 5,000 visitors to this site voted for their favourite song in the Soult.com Eurovision Poll.
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What actually happened
Oh. My. God. Perhaps Piero thought that if he and his alleged 'Musicstars' all wore bright shirts it would distract viewers' attention from the song. If only! The Swiss managed to give possibly the scariest Eurovision performance of 2004, amplified by one of the girls at the back singing in a different key to everyone else. The DVD text commentary helpfully notes that Piero was working as a hairdresser before he 'shot to fame' on the Musicstar show. Following his Eurovision performance let's hope that Piero decides to return to his clippers and hairspray. Overall, a dire song and a dreadful performance - 0 points was more than it deserved.
As far as my prediction is concerned, I feared that this would do well, despite it being complete rubbish. For once, I am very happy indeed to have been proved wrong.
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What the bookies thought...
 | Switzerland to win: | 15/05/04 (prior to Final) | - |
| | 13/05/04 (after Semi Final) | - |
| | 11/05/04 | 150-1 |
| | 08/05/04 | 66-1 |
| | 06/05/04 | 100-1 |
| | 04/05/04 | 50-1 |
| | 31/04/04 | 50-1 |
| | 24/04/04 | 50-1 |
| | 17/04/04 | 50-1 |
| | 07/04/04 | 20-1 |
| | 24/03/04 | 20-1 |
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Switzerland opened the betting at a scary 20-1, before falling back to 150-1. Few punters tipped this song for victory, and as it turned out they were right.
(Odds quoted here were those offered by Coral.co.uk. 'F' indicates favourite, 'JF' joint favourite.)
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Links
 http://www.pieroesteriore.com/
 http://www.sfdrs.ch/
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Notes (see 'History' above)
- The 1956 Contest (where each country had two songs) is counted as a single appearance;
- Countries eliminated in the 1993 preliminary heat (EE, HU, RO, SK) ARE NOT counted as making an appearance in that year's Contest;
- Countries eliminated in the 1996 preliminary heat (DE, DK, HU, IL, MK, RO, RU) ARE NOT counted as making an appearance in that year's Contest;
- Countries eliminated in the 2004, 2005 and 2006 Semi Finals ARE counted as making an appearance in that year's Contest.
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Your comments (24)
From Damian, United Kingdom
Added 19:39:10 2006-01-17
I only just got the DVD of the 2004 contest for Christmas and saw this for the first time. My God! I have to say though I absolutely love it because it's so sidesplittingly, hilariously awful in every possible way. By the way Graham, did you spot the bit when Piero hit himself in the mouth the mic?
REPLY FROM GRAHAM: I missed that! I'll have to play the Swiss performance again, if I can bear to put myself through it.
From Melisa, ALBANIA
Added 17:14:45 2004-5-16
It actually sounded very good! The boys were cute as well. What a shame that eurovision is political!
From Stefano Casellini, SWITZERLAND
Added 15:6:15 2004-5-16
Viste le votazioni per l'accesso in finale valide per l'Eurosong 2004 a Istambul e la partecipazione della Svizzera per conto di Piero Esteriore, sono indignato dalla scarsa solidarietà che specialmente alcuni paesi dell'est europeo hanno dimostrato dimenticando la Svizzera nel televoto. Mi complimento però con l'Ucraina per la vittoria e con lo staff turco che ha saputo deliziarci con lo spendido gioco di luci e di colori nelle serate di MercoledÌ e di Sabato.
Sperando una Europa un po' più unita e solidale con se stessa, a tutti voi un'augurio di buona fortuna per l'edizione Eurosong 2005 che si svolgerà in Ucraina.
From krista, LITHUANIA
Added 7:31:1 2004-5-13
the song was not bad, just eurovision is so political, and countries vote only for they neighbors. Stange coincidence that countries from north Europe did not qualify.
From NIKOS GREECE, GREECE
Added 23:48:4 2004-5-12
GUYS DONT BE SO BAD WITH THIS SONG.DONT FORGET THAT EUROPEAN PEOPLE IS STRANGE PEOPLE.LAST YEAR THE AUSTRIAN SONG TOOK THE 5 PLACE(AND WAS THE WORST I HAVE EVER HEARD).SWITZERLANTS I HOPE NEXT YEAR U SEND A BETTER ONE.SEE U IN OLYMPICS
From Mike Collins, IRELAND
Added 19:6:18 2004-5-11
Its bloody awful. I hope I'm alone in the house when Switz performs, its just plain embarrassing
From Ran Rahamim, ISRAEL
Added 16:43:35 2004-5-11
I like this song very much...
I vote for Switzerland...
From Jakie, AUSTRALIA
Added 12:52:4 2004-5-10
the scariest song for the evening is Switzerlands entry. at first I thought it was Agadoo back to haunt the world, then I realised that Piero & The MusicStars had just used the same drugs that black lace did
From Timothy, BELGIUM
Added 0:4:58 2004-5-8
Ok, Graham.
you can take me with u then please! ; )
But as i trust in Europe, we will have another winning team, so i´m looking forward for your 2005 predictions!
From Paul, MALTA
Added 17:4:54 2004-5-7
This song is a load of drivel: repetitive, stupid, unoriginal ... sounds like S Club 7, only worse!
But it's catchy enough to get a few points I guess. So I agree with you on this, Graham.
From Melisa, ALBANIA
Added 22:23:9 2004-5-6
Funny but this is why it might stand out and get some points...to me its kinda good...either way the song is special in its own way and one has to be able to undestand it properly....(my opinion)...Good luck....Cheers from Tirana
From Graham Soult, UNITED KINGDOM
Added 22:5:16 2004-5-6
Don't worry Timothy - I was only comparing looks, not sound!
If Piero sang like k d lang it would make this load of old tripe sound a bit better.
Sorry to be rude, but this is the only song this year about which I can find NO redeeming features. It is just too terrifying for words. Even Austria and Ireland are better than this, which is saying something.
Horrible, horrible - if it wins, I might as well not bother with Soult.com Eurovision in 2005!!! I will lost all will to live :)
From Nikolas, SWITZERLAND
Added 21:13:50 2004-5-5
Switzerland, what have you done to me!
From Timothy, BELGIUM
Added 17:10:18 2004-5-5
How could you dare to compare the goddess kdlang with such an idiot nobody?
; )
this entry is just not serious?!
something between teletubbies and miniplayback-show. it will score lots of points in eastern countries i fear.
From Martin de Roo, NETHERLANDS
Added 23:45:12 2004-5-1
This is really horrible, and certainly the worst in 2004. This is so annoying, the sickening happiness makes me throw up. I actually liked "Let's get happy", "Everybody" was weak. This song could qualify though, but I'm praying it won't.
From Charlie, SWEDEN
Added 21:55:44 2004-4-29
Oh no, God, no, please, no, NO.
I will have to buy earplugs.
From howie, UNITED KINGDOM
Added 11:59:41 2004-4-29
This song achieves the impossible - it makes 'Everybody' sound classy and sophisticated. Nul points. But i have a terrible feeling it might do quite well. please don't let it win!!!
From Hanna, NORWAY
Added 20:43:3 2004-4-27
Haha this is why I love the eurovision!! I can't stop laughing, man this is hilarious! I've never seen or heard anything more corny than this man, really, this is good unbelivable! that dancing, that vioce, and that puberty-moustache! This is just great, I just can't figure out if it's ironic or not? wow.. I must see it again, this is just overwelmingly FUNNY!!
From Mark, GERMANY
Added 12:55:13 2004-4-27
Oh yes, this world would be a beautiful place, if "songs" like that would send to the moon.
The music might be ok, simple, straight forward humping style. But the lyricist must have been on ecstasy when writing the words to that. This is even more silly than Lou last year.
From Vedat Sulimani, MACEDONIA, THE FORMER YUGOSLAV REPUBLIC
Added 15/04/2004 14:14
I think that is great song. I like it.5 points from me. Its enough i think
From George, GREECE
Added 14/04/2004 19:55
Oh, please don't let this piece of aural garbage go to hte finals. It's so painful to hear songs like this. Please, cease to exist!
From T.G.Beck, ICELAND
Added 07/04/2004 12:55
this song immediately reminded me of Eternal Wind's 'one heart' ;) simple lyrics, but nothing great. nice and lively, very happy happy joy joy. a song to sing along to.
From Sérgio Rego, PORTUGAL
Added 06/04/2004 17:35
Wow, it's been a long time since Switzerland last sent an uptempo song for ESC. The last time was in 1987, if I'm not wrong. And this is the 2nd time they sing in English. The first time was in 1976, with "Djambo Djambo" performed by Peter, Sue & Marc, reaching the 4th position. As for this song, it clearly reminds me of "Everybody", the Estonian song in 2001. This song is extremely simple. I think it's okay and I also think that it might qualify. Nice to see Switzerland changing style.
From Sérgio Rego, PORTUGAL
Added 06/04/2004 17:35
Wow, it's been a long time since Switzerland last sent an uptempo song for ESC. The last time was in 1987, if I'm not wrong. And this is the 2nd time they sing in English. The first time was in 1976, with "Djambo Djambo" performed by Peter, Sue & Marc, reaching the 4th position. As for this song, it clearly reminds me of "Everybody", the Estonian song in 2001. This song is extremely simple. I think it's okay and I also think that it might qualify. Nice to Switzerland changing style.
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Switzerland
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