Switzerland at Eurovision: A History of Highs and Lows

Switzerland holds a unique place in Eurovision history, being one of the seven nations to participate in the very first contest in 1956. That inaugural year also saw them claim victory with Lys Assia’s “Refrain,” a moment forever etched in Eurovision lore. Despite this early success, Switzerland’s journey through the competition has been a rollercoaster of fortunes.

The country’s Eurovision participation is managed by SRG SSR, Switzerland’s public broadcasting association, which selects the entry via a variety of methods over the years. Internal selections, national finals, and even combinations of both have been used to determine who represents Switzerland on the Eurovision stage. Language rules haven’t always been a barrier; Switzerland has submitted songs in French, German, Italian, Romansh, and even English, reflecting its multilingual culture.

While Switzerland hasn’t consistently replicated their 1956 win, they have enjoyed several other notable successes. Céline Dion, representing Switzerland in 1988, secured a narrow victory with “Ne partez pas sans moi,” launching her international career. This marked Switzerland’s second, and to date, final win. The ’80s and early ’90s were generally a fruitful period for the Swiss, with several entries achieving respectable placings.

However, the late ’90s and early 2000s saw a significant decline in Switzerland’s Eurovision performance. The introduction of televoting, coupled with changing musical tastes, seemed to work against them. They frequently finished near the bottom of the leaderboard, often failing to qualify for the grand final. This led to periods of reflection and experimentation with different genres and approaches.

In recent years, Switzerland has experienced a resurgence in its Eurovision fortunes. Luca Hänni’s “She Got Me” in 2019 brought them back into the top five, ending a long drought of strong results. Gjon’s Tears continued this upward trajectory in 2021 with “Tout l’univers,” achieving third place, Switzerland’s best result in decades. This success has been attributed to selecting contemporary, well-produced songs that resonate with a wider European audience.

Looking ahead, Switzerland aims to build on these recent successes and solidify its position as a serious contender in the Eurovision Song Contest. The selection process remains a key focus, with SRG SSR constantly seeking out talented artists and compelling songs that can capture the hearts of viewers across Europe. Switzerland’s rich musical heritage and commitment to innovation make them a country to watch in the Eurovision arena.