Switzerland, Timebelle’s Miruna, 1

Switzerland’s Timebelle have said that “Apollo” is all about following your heart. And on Monday it became clear the band wants you to follow your heart to the dance floor with the release of the 7th Heaven Club Mix of their Eurovision 2017 entry.

Recast for when the sun goes down, this toe-tapping version of the song comes replete with electro-sounds, an infectious beat and digital flourishes, making the blood flow and the heart pound.

We totally approve. As Miruna follows Apollo, she’s probably bobbing her head…

“Apollo” Seventh Heaven Club Mix

“Apollo” and its Swiss songwriters

The original version of “Apollo” was written by Swede Elias Näslin and Swiss-Swedish brother and sister Nicolas Günthardt and Alessandra Günthardt.

Born in Monaco, but raised in Sweden, the siblings are the children of Heinz Günthardt, the famous Swiss tennis player who reached #22 in the world before going on to coach tennis greats Steffi Graf and Jennifer Capriati.

In a recent interview with Switzerland’s Schweizer Illustrierte, the pair discussed their father and told the backstory of “Apollo”, describing it as “a success by detours”.

“We wrote the first version over three years ago and offered it to the ESC organiser in Azerbaijan,” Alessandra says. “They wanted it but did not find a suitable interpreter.”

But Alessandra was undeterred. She ended up submitting her ballad “If I Was Brave” to Sweden’s Denniz Pop Awards, one of the most important Swedish music prizes. Her song won from the pool of 3,000 submissions.

“It was a shock I won,” she told the paper. “Because in Sweden the competition is huge. Suddenly, someone from Swiss television called and said, ‘We love your voice.’ They wanted me to join the ESC as an artist. But I’d rather go as a songwriter. So I sent a few songs in and Timebelle listened to the song ‘Apollo'”.

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And thank goodness they did! As I’ve mentioned before, I was among those rating songs for Azerbaijan in 2015 and evaluated the demo of “Apollo”, which was performed by an Azerbaijani female artist. Her voice didn’t quite work with the track, nor did she give the song life like Miruna does today. To quote Levina from Germany, “sometimes it’s wrong before it’s right.”

In any case, are you loving the 7th Heaven Dance Remix? Are you dying to hear more music from the Günthardt siblings? Let us know in the comments box below.

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Nolan
7 years ago

Have you ever thought about publishing an e-book or gust writing on other sites? I have a blog based upon on the same information you discuss and would love to have you share some stories/information. I know my audience would value your work. If you are even remotely interested, feel free to send me an email.

AngieP
AngieP
7 years ago

It’s brilliant!! Not only will we enjoy them live in May but also we’ll have a remix to dance to!!
Love it!

aurora
aurora
7 years ago

We don’t know who will win. A year without Russia and it’s neighbor voting = the most unpredictable year ever.

Jeana
Jeana
7 years ago

I love Timebelle, the song is cute and the singer (Miruna) is enchanting! I hope they’ll qualify, they totally deserve it and the act is so underrated, comparing to some others, like Itally for example. Yes, Francesco will win, we are all aware of it, it’s the 1st in the polls, in the betting odds…has no competition (Bulgaria is too young and inexperienced)… But I like to see articles about all the artists. That’s why I was so glad to read about Timebelle…. Go “Apollo”!

Leanne
Leanne
7 years ago

What does Italy even have to do with this article?

This is becoming dumb now.

aurora
aurora
7 years ago

@ Charles
I really don’t understand what you are talking about, guess I have only one choice, to make sure that my message is clear :
I DON’T LIKE ITALIAN SONG.
I DON’T LIKE IT this is what I’ve said in my message.

Charles
Charles
7 years ago

@aurora: Francesco could have sung the entire Bible or the American constitution in his song for as long as I care … what you have to understand, even though it pains you the same way it pains American Republicans to understand that we no longer liver in the 1900s, is that … there is no law or obligation for the entire universe to like the Italian entry from a mere musical point of view regardless the smart and deep content the guy and his monkey buddy are singing about … like everything in life – we’re meant to not like… Read more »

Charles
Charles
7 years ago

This obsessive praise remixing every single ballad or pop mid tempo in Eurovision being remixed for the clubs is just … arhghh … What is our issue with music not being uptempo? Do we suffer some sort of hyperactive syndrome or something? Jesus …

Marco
Marco
7 years ago

If you’re used to the original song this remix might sound somewhat disturbing at first, but after some time it is really good! Let’s dance! 🙂

aurora
aurora
7 years ago

I’m interested only in what they bring to Kyiv. But is good article, I’m tired of Italy. Internet is full of arrogance : if you don’t like Italian song it means your are under 10 years old. Really? This has gone too far. I understand the Italian song, and is crap pretentious ”Panta Rhey Singing In The Rain” = Francesco Gabbani is making fun of you pretending he is smart because he knows quotes.

Ay Jo
Ay Jo
7 years ago

I wish there were posts about Finland. The latest post about Norma John was on January 29.
Switzerland`s song is okay. But Anna Rossinelli`s song is still the best one from this country.

Ida
Ida
7 years ago

I’M LOVING IT!! ready to hit the dance floor right now bye ????