Eurovision 2020 will go down in history as the “lost” contest. Instead of remembering mindblowing stage shows and epic vocals, fans will forever wonder what could have been. This will be particularly the case for internally selected acts, many of whom have never performed their songs live.
However, Switzerland’s Gjon’s Tears has released a clip which gives us some idea of just what we’re missing, at least when it comes to his own performance of “Répondez-moi”.
Gjon’s Tears “Répondez-moi” Unplugged — Switzerland Eurovision 2020
The “unplugged” live version is recorded on an empty stage with just Gjon, his piano and a spotlight. As such, it gives us no indication of what the Sacha Jean-Baptiste commissioned staging could have been.
But that’s not the point of an unplugged session. The emphasis is on showcasing Gjon’s vocals and emotion. And if social media reaction is anything to go by, Gjon is not the only one with tears to shed.
“So much better live, he really could of won huh”, tweets @Gecko_MickPerso. “Another “moment” we’ve been robbed of!”, says Neilis2cool.
Gjon’s Tears remains humble, while also sending out love to his many followers. An Instagram update reads:
“Hi everyone ! I hope you are good ! I wanted to share with you this live that I shooted in Zurich.
For people who knows me, this is definitely not my best high notes performance ever but I wanted to make this video as fast as I could in those hard times and I just wanted to thank you for your support ! Love you🖤 continue to take care of yourself.💙”
Gjon’s Tears at Eurovision 2021
Gjon was third with the bookmakers to win Eurovision 2020 at the time the contest was cancelled. But it’s not all sad news. On 20 March, Gjon announced on his Instagram that he will be representing Switzerland at the 2021 edition of Eurovision. He wrote:
“SO HAPPY THAT I WILL BE BACK FOR 2021! See you soon! And all of your support and love made this possible! I have no word! Just thank you and see you soon! 💙 (continue taking care of you) Thank you to my delegation who believes in me and give me energy at every step of this crazy experience 💙”
What do you think of Gjon’s Tears unplugged? Would it have created a moment at Eurovision 2020? Let us know in the comments.
Follow all of our Switzerland Eurovision 2020 news.
He would have won
Hey WIWI, will you rank the songs of 2020?
Amazing performance!
I enjoyed every second of it and so did my non-Eurovision-fans friends
That was an amazing performance right there!!!
Really wanted to have it performed in AHOY
But ***ahem*** got booted for [obvious reasons].
Hope he can deliver an impressive performance next year…
Hi all. This performance proves many things on what we have lost this year. This would have stole the show. Atmospheric. I still think the facial resemblance to Celine Dion is incredible. Are we sure he is not her long lost son!! I have a feeling this was not lost on the selection board. Also Deban your review on the quality of this song was and has now been proved wrong. The best ballad this year by a mile. I think on final night it would have been a three way race between Switzerland Lithuania and Russia.
I said that too incredible how much he looks like her. I think he has film star looks too I can see him doing that some time soon. He is amazing.
Doesn’t Deban look silly now 😀
The moral winner of Eurovision 2020.
Honestly my favourite song this year. Can’t stop listening to it.
What a voice! Absolutely magical, such emotion and feeling, my winner.
Now I am more annoyed that Eurovision was cancelled, as Switzerland would have won after 32 years! The resurgence of the Swiss at Eurovision these past two years is pretty darn astounding. From being one of the most overlooked countries for the majority of the past decade, to now being one of the major front-runners in back-to-back years. Keep sending quality like this Switzerland, and your 3rd win will come very soon.
Just brilliant. It will be hard for his 2021 song to match the magic of this entry but glad we will one day see his amazing vocals on the Eurovision stage.
Amazing vocals but a meh song to me.
Amazing singer and great song. But seeing him on stage with a piano does really force a comparison with Arcade. I think he will actually really benefit from performing in 2021 – if Arcade is less fresh in people’s memory, there will be less comparisons. And this guy is so good he deserves to be judged on his own merits! I hope his next song is as good or better, Switzerland will do very well 🙂
Wow. Wonder how it would’ve sounded if he had hit the hit notes as well as he wanted to.
After watching this, the idea that Bulgaria, Lithuania, Russia or Iceland had similar (or better) odds seems a bit silly. This was the real favourite. Stunning performance.
This song is so beautiful !! I hope that his ESC 2021 song will be as great.
Damn, that’s a powerful performance even stripped back to its basics. It’s a shame Respondez-moi can’t be sung next year, but I hope Gjon can have another song of equally great stature for 2021.
I dont get the hype for this song at all.incredible vocals but nothing else strikes me tbh
At least he chose a song that no amateurs should attempt to cover. It is so hard to sing technically and he does it admirably. Not many people can hit those high notes.
Holy cr*p, this would have won this sh*t EASILY!!! Amaaaaaazing!!!!
This was my winner. So sad… great songs were lost this year.
J’adore la version accoustique. Il a une belle voix.
If that wasn’t his “best”, the I can’t imagine what his 100% would be.
We say NO to the Copycat of Arcade
you have no idea about music. probably deaf?
Don’t insult deaf people. They will appreciate any music more than anyone.
Wow, this is an incredibly hard song to sing and he makes it seem so effortless. He was a little bit screechy on the very top note, but overall boy can this boy sing.
This would have done very well in the competition.
he is so cute, i wanna have his babies.
Omg same his face is just……
Wow, this is so beautiful!!
Once again, AMAZING!! The song is so emotional like his performance. It made me cry from the first seconds. Praying he’ll win the contest in 2021 because he deserves it more than anyone.
omg this is absolutely amazing. admire his work.
This would’ve been a moment, and in SF2 against Victoria and Bulgaria this could’ve challenged for the win. If he brings something of this caliber in 2021, we could have Zurich 2022.
I think it’s safe to say he would’ve qualified and likely ended-up in top 10, if not won. This is flawless. Of course that I have high hopes for him for the next year. 🙂
Winner vibes
Oh he’s really hot tho
Wow. He really would’ve won.
My winner for 2020.
Hope his next year’s song will be as great as this one!!