Switzerland is due to announce its act for Eurovision 2020 this Wednesday, 4 March. Broadcaster SRF has given clues about the artist and their song, but now Eurovision fans have done some digging and may have a name of both the artist and the song: Gjon’s Tears with “Repondez-moi”.
Eagle-eyed fans have discovered a newly added song in the database that registers compositions by Swiss songwriters. The track is titled “Repondez-moi” (Answer me) and the performer is listed as Gjon’s Tears.
Gjon’s Tears is the stage name of Gjon Muharremaj. He also performs in a group of the same name. Gjon is Swiss-born with a Kosovar father and Albanian mother. He is known both in Albania for his appearance on Albania’s Got Talent in 2010, and more recently he made a name in France last year appearing on The Voice.
Among the credited songwriters are Alizé Oswald and Xavier Michel — better known as the folk-pop duo Aliose. They were finalists in the Swiss national final in 2011.
Another songwriter is the Belgian musician Jeroen Swinnen, best known for co-writing Tom Dice’s “Me and My Guitar” for Eurovision 2010. Gjon has also contributed to the songwriting himself.
As well as the stellar Eurovision-adjacent team, the song itself has a duration of three minutes — exactly the maximum length for a potential Eurovision entry.
However, neither organising broadcaster SRF nor Gjon himself has made any comment about the Swiss act for Eurovision 2020.
What language will the song be in?
Gjon’s song title is the French phrase “Repondez-moi” or “answer me”. This suggests that the song will contain at least some French lyrics.
But things get interesting when considering one of the comments made about the song by the Swiss public. One listener explained, “I heard this language before but I can’t say what it is.”
As it is extremely unlikely that a Swiss person would not be familiar with the French language, this suggests the song will include another language. English is a possibility, but it is also unlikely that an average Swiss person would not be familiar with English.
Another possibility is that Gjon has included some Albanian lyrics in the song. While the language would be a lot less familiar to Swiss listeners, the Albanian language reflects the heritage of Gjon.
With Arilena Ara taking an English version of “Shaj” to Rotterdam, this could be the only chance Eurovision fans might have to hear Albanian at Eurovision 2020.
Who is Gjon’s Tears?
Gjon’s Tears is the stage name of the Swiss singer Gjon Muharremaj. It is also the name of a five-piece indie-rock group fronted by Gjon.
Gjon Muharremaj was born in Switzerland to a Kosovar father and Albanian mother. His stage name comes from a moment when he performed the Elvis Presley classic “Can’t Help Falling in Love” for his grandfather. The performance moved the elder, and made Gjon realise how his music could touch others.
He competed on the first series of Albania’s Got Talent in 2010, as a child. He made it to the grand final and impressed both the judges and viewers with his ability to tackle sophisticated French chansons.
Last year, at the age of 20, he auditioned for The Voice: la plus belle voix — the French edition of The Voice talent show. Performing as Gjon’s Tears and coached by the pop star Mika, Gjon made it as far as the semi-final of the show.
While Gjon auditioned with a French song by Christine and the Queens, over the series he performed a number of English pop classics, from artists such as Elton John, David Bowie and Queen.
Last year, Gjon’s Tears released his debut single, “Babi”. The piano-driven song has English verses and an Albanian chorus. It mixes an indie-pop sound with a unique Albanian style.
What do you think? Do you hope Switzerland is sending Gjon’s Tears to Eurovision 2020? What language should he sing in? Tell us your thoughts below!
So both France and Albania will sing in english while Switzerland will sing in french and albanian ?
This guy’s voice is out of this world omg
I dont know if anyone heard : ESC maybe Will get cancelled because of the Corona virus. Newspapers have been reported that. So you all are prepared that it can happen.
What newspaper????
Your comment reminded me of an audition in “The Voice Ukraine” in which a participant sang “Nentori”, an older hit by Arilena Ara. Jamala, who was in the jury panel, thought that it was in French and she was surprised when the participant told her that the language is in fact Albanian. Link here: https://youtu.be/7tSzajUl2cU
Simonneau this isn’t the song that is sung for this competition”Eurovision”,this is a song since one year.
No offense : but do Germany and Switzerland think they Will get a higher placing if they send a Balkan Guy? I know that Switzerlands soccer team is 90% from Albania and Kosovo so i guess Switzerland is little Albania now.
I think the German juries just liked the act. Regardless of nationality.
Oh gosh hyping the entry before it’s released, this means it’s going to be as bad as France. Or because it’s Switzer-fanwank-land it’s going to be as good as Germany I presume.
How do you explain then that Switzerlands last top 10 was in 1993? Before last year. You are just negative
2005…
And another little specification, it’s not “Repondez-moi” but “Répondez-moi”
This would be such a welcome wink after the english albanian revamp and our french hopefull with so called “french” lyrics. If information is true, I would say Merci la Suisse!!
Fingers crossed this song won’t have a slow tempo. I can’t take anymore of those this year, we already have enough.
It doesn’t matter if it’s a great ballad!
If it is somewhat like “Babi”, it will be magical!
So true. I love his voice, and “Babi” is a fantastic song. Looking forward to hearing more from him.
It will certainly be the best french song this year.
That’s a very low bar though I gotta say.
Go listen to BTS comeback ON
Indie-rock band for Switzerland? Perfect.
Hopefully it won’t be another borint ballad. I hate this trend: if a ballad wins, next year is full of ballads….
Is there evidence? Are there statistics? Or is it just a feeling? I’m quite curious.
2018 wasn’t full of ballads after 2017’s win
If the song is good and in French / Albanian combo, this might be one of the most unique ones of the year! However, want to keep my expectations in realistic levels. I’m just keeping my fingers crossed, since this year needs one or two more ”WOW” songs.
I think so too
This year is quite weak so far in my opinion
While I’m still quite trying to figure out my favourite song for Israel, Feker Libi has lyrics in Amharic, Hebrew, Arabic and English (and I’ve heard that also a made up language for some reason?)
So that’s also unique :3
Hopefully the song will be good. I worry it might be a boring ballad.
Maybe it is a cool, touching ballad?