Following Apollo means following your heart. And that’s exactly what Timebelle did after winning Switzerland’s Die Entscheidungsshow 2017 back in February. Speaking to wiwibloggs moments after their win, the group asked for your input about their Eurovision 2017 song “Apollo”. You spoke. They listened. And today they’ve unveiled their thoughtful revamp, which polishes the edges of their song and pulls it firmly into 2017.
This second coming of “Apollo” builds on its electronic foundations, turning up the electricity with some new digital sounds that sound incredibly current. Yet the song’s classical flair remains and overall this brings Miruna’s smooth vocals into sharper focus. The song also seems to have more shape thanks to added sass and power. Switzerland is not messing about and we’re pleased to see it.
TIMEBELLE — “APOLLO”
There is no need to call the fashion police either. Serving that Romanian-Swiss realness, Miruna’s sense of style is also on point as she turns a mansion into a runway all her own.
During the video we see Miruna werking a number of sizzling looks, from Greek goddess in a toga-inspired dress to sophisticated glamour-puss in a sparkling gold dress with asymmetrical neckline.
At one point Miruna vogues against a piano as leaves fall — perhaps conjuring up the autumn of our lives and the passing of time, appropriate for a song about love and devotion. We also see a series of older couples keeping their intimacy alive and sharing tender moments as Miruna, the belle of the ball, sings it out with non-stop emotion. It’s all very classy and ultimately touching.
CAN TIMEBELLE MAKE THE FINAL IN 2017?
SRF will be hoping so. Over the past two years Switzerland has placed dead last in its semi-final. Rykka placed 18th in Stockholm, earning just 3 points from Albania in the televoting and a total of 25 points from the international juries in Georgia, Slovenia, Ireland, Denmark, Australia, Belgium, Germany and Israel.
Melanie René fared even worse in 2015, amassing just 4 points in Vienna. We loved her staging at the time and our jaws hit the floor.
Timebelle is already off to a running start, owing to the Romanian heritage of lead singer Miruna. This year Romania is also singing in and voting in the second semi-final, and the Romanian diaspora will likely get behind their girl. Having a good song also helps and a perfect storm for qualification seems to be brewing.
What do you think about the new version of “Apollo”? Do you think that it’s going to improve Timebelle’s chances in Kyiv? Shout out all of your thoughts on the wiwibloggs app — available on iOS and Android — or in the comments section below.
It’s really sad they had to copy 2 other songs, they used to be a good band. What a shame
The question shouldn’t be whether Switzerland will qualify or not for the GF. This is clearly one of the best songs this year and deserve a spot in the top10. But from there, the rest is politics. Switzerland is relatively a small country and is not in the middle of any political conflict (like ukraine and russia last year). Who will definitely vote for this entry? I do hope that the juries will strongly support Timebelle, and that the audience won’t forget this masterpiece.
Best breasts in the contest 🙂
I was rooting for you, Switzerland, we were all rooting for you.
How dare you?
The strenght of this entry is her. It doesn’t matter which version, both are forgettable.
I think juries might save Switzerland this time and send Timbelle to the final.
My top 39:
https://youtu.be/WqQ60h_77c8
I actually like the original better, but perhaps it’s because she performed live. She’s a great performer. Her live performance is in my top 5, but this version is 12-14 at most. Let’s hope she SLAYS! Hoping for Switzerland, Moldova, Macedonia, and Montenegro returns to finals this year!
i think we have different definitions of voguing lol
The revamp is good, but a revamp can’t turn a bland song into a good one… Timebelle is in the weakest of the two semis, I wouldn’t say they can’t qualify but if they do, it’ll be a borderline qualifier and probably bottom 5 in the final.
@Kylie – Thank you for asking. It’s been on my mind, too!
@Robin – Thanks for the quick answer!
@Sam ESC – According to the Wiwi Calendar, today!
http://wiwibloggs.com/eurovision-calendar-events-dates-times-links/
This feels a lot more modern. It was starting to falter on my Top 10, but it has now definitely cemented a spot there. I see this easily qualifying for the final and ending up on the left hand side of the scoreboard. Even if the remaining countries somehow made it into my Top 10, this will still be up there.
With the revamp on the French song, it has actually jumped a step above for the time being. (I contend the French revamp is horribly mixed, the music drowning her out, and will probably be better live.)
I’ve read an interview with Miruna in Romanian media, she said that she likes Euphoria and Heroes, and she was asked why Romania never won Eurovision and she said that Romania is too serious and not daring enough.
(Nobody ever accused Romania of being too serious, but now, seriously speaking, she is right that you can’t win Eurovision playing safe).
https://esconpoint.wordpress.com/2017/01/11/mirunatimebellesuntem-favoriti-in-acest-an-dar-si-acum-2-ani-am-fost/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jsoHKI5ZqHg That azerbaijani compose is amazing
THIS is a masterpiece! I wasn’t sure about that after the swiss NF… but now?
This is absolutely worth going to Final Top 10!
Final? Of course! Winner? Let’s find out! 😀
Well… I prefer the previous version. Now I’m not sure if Switzerland can qualify…
I think Switzerland is this year’s Bulgaria! Going for a top 10 for sure after years of bad results x
What hooked me was the way her voice and the voices of the background singers harmonized while singing the chorus (especially with that male background singer). This revamp is fine, but if they stick with not having the background singers when they perform in May, then I can’t imagine this doing any good. Which sucks, because this has been in my top 5 since the very beginning.
what a masterpiece, so glad switzerland finally decided to send something esc final worthy
This is good. I like this.
I still want to see some form of “Apollo” on the live stage though. (Haha, maybe I’m just too literal with concepts. This is why I’m not a choreographer!)
Definitely one of the best songs of the year. This is how you ‘re-vamp’ a song. UK and Switzerland did it the right way – minimalistic. It sounds very, very similar to the first version. Statistically speaking, no translated or majorly rebooted song didn’t win or was close to winning ESC recently. Imagine why. Best luck to Switzerland!
@samesc albania reveal the revamped song of bote ( world ) tonight at 8 cet.
I <3 this
Anyone know when Albania Revamp is coming?
Live version is way better than this. Her voice sounds weak in this version.
They improved in the revamping. But I fear the live capacities of the singer, as on studio she sounds great, but live it lacks energy and pepper.
I still think Switzerland will be top5 come May!
”””Timebelle is already off to a running start, owing to the Romanian heritage of lead singer Miruna. This year Romania is also singing in and voting in the second semi-final, and the Romanian diaspora will likely get behind their girl.”””
Why only Romanian diaspora, what about Romania itself?
Who the hell suggested these changes?
It actually makes it sound kinda sterile and like someone already said, a little bit of magic is lost here.
Weirdly enough, pulling something into 2017 apparently means sucking the personality out of it.
I like both versions! I do hope the Swiss get to the final this year.
The chorus sounds like a currenr pop song which i’m forgetting now. It’s not necessarily bad, but it might suffer the same fate as that pop song: something people might easily forget amidst the other good songs
The revamp is awesome!
Perfect revamps this year…Hope Albania do a nice one too
For me, this year, Switzerland is like Finland, meaning that we don’t hear about them in every comment section (like we hear about Sweden, Italy and France), they are quiet, but we will see them doing well (maybe winning).
Yay, it’s still amazing! <3
Switzerland was my favourite so far. I hope they still are (I haven’t listened to the revamped version).
@Maria @Bring Back Denise – Everything song needs a hook, something to attract the listener’s “attention”. 😉
Fun fact: The song was written by 3 people: Swedish songwriter Elias Näslin, and the Swiss siblings Alexandra and Nicolas Günthardt. They are Heinz Günthardt’s children, he is a former tennis player and won 4 doubles grand slam titles, among others Wimbledon with Martina Navratilova, and he was Steffi Graf’s coach.
Just shows what a small world we live in 🙂
I love the melody of this song but it sounds much cheaper now. 🙁
Nooo I prefer the old version.
I fear no final for the Swiss… again.
Love it! It’s more temporary and modern, great arrangement! But I hope they won’t go too “electronic” on her voice at Eurovision itself. Looking forward to the staging…
I just stare at her rack and it makes the song better
Didn’t move me at all. They should stick with the basics as her stage presence is amazing.
YAAAAS SLAY QUEEN!
STRAIGHT INTO MY TOP 10
Best revamp so far! Love it!
Would have worked for Azerbaijan, Switzerland needs something different
Her boobs are up to the ceiling! This is not what a dress should do, guys :’) anyway, I feel like the bit of magic in Apollo is lost. However, I can’t wait to see them perform at Eurovision in Concert.
cHEEP Beyonse wannabe.
When are the wiwijury reviews of all the songs this year?