Yes, you read that right. The first performance of Switzerland’s Eurovision 2021 entry “Tout l’univers” happened on Telecinco, a Spanish TV channel.
Gjon’s Tears flew to Madrid and performed on a private broadcaster that been using “Tout l’univers” as the soundtrack for a documentary about the tumultuous life of Rocío Carrasco, the daughter of copla legend Rocío Jurado. Confused? So is everyone!
Gjon’s Tears – “Tout l’univers” (Switzerland Eurovision 2021 live on Telecinco)
Click here to watch Gjon’s Tears perform “Tout l’univers” on Spanish television.
Short story: “Tout l’univers” is being used as the theme song of the television documentary series Rocío Carrasco, Contar la verdad para seguir viva, that premiered on Sunday on Telecinco. The song has been everywhere on Spanish television during the week. Its popularity wave should live on, as the documentary has several parts, to be aired in the next few weeks.
On Sunday, Gjon performed his Eurovision entry live for the first time. He kept it simple, wearing a slick dark costume and playing the piano while images of the Rocío’s appeared on the background. Serving his trademark falsetto, Gjon proved why he’s a favourite to win Eurovision 2021.
Eurodrama is back
However, we’re talking about Spain, and of course the story had to incorporate some Eurodrama. To begin with, Spain’s Eurovision broadcaster TVE faced some backlash: there were fans who considered that a private broadcaster was paying more attention to Eurovision than they are.
? Laisse le vent qui frôle
Sa main sur mon épaule
Le vide dans ma tête ?Hoy, en directo, Gjon's Tears interpretará 'Tout l'univers' en 'Rocío. Contar la verdad para seguir viva'
— Mediaset España (@mediasetcom) March 21, 2021
Others also criticised the public broadcaster, as they believed the Swiss participant was stealing the spot of Spain’s entrant, Blas Cantó. Blas himself was to blame for other fans:
Gjon's Tears has just sung Tout L'Univers on Telecinco (#rocioverdad1), RTVE with Blas Cantó meanwhile: pic.twitter.com/5la7uMDo4S
— G??r????? (@itsgebher) March 21, 2021
Ojalá TVE haciendo por Blas lo que Telecinco está haciendo por la candidatura de Gjon's Tears (y de paso por el festival en sí) https://t.co/vf2XbXJOWh
— Lidia (@lideando) March 21, 2021
“Gjon’s Tears rubbing hands with the Spanish televoting.”
“Hopefully TVE doing for Blas what Telecinco is doing for the candidacy of Gjon’s Tears (and for the contest itself)”
Blas Cantó viendo que han llevado a Gjon’s Tears al programa #RocioVerdad1 pic.twitter.com/XKtLtzmzvw
— david (@daviiidcarrillo) March 21, 2021
“Blas Canto seeing that they have taken Gjon’s Tears to the #RocioVerdad1 program”
la canción de gjon ya ha sonado más en la televisión de españa que la de blas pic.twitter.com/FeQ6HBfsGM
— average dramatic ?? (@AverageViewer) March 16, 2021
“Gjon’s song has already played more on Spanish television than Blas’.”
Did you like Gjon’s performance? Did he live up to the expectations? Is he a contender to win it all? Share your thoughts in the comment section below!
Out of the all the ballads I think Victoria’s Bulgarian entry is far stronger than both France and Switzerland.
This will sound TOTALLY different in Rotterdam. He will have orchestration for those amazing surges in the later part of the song, backing singers to supplement his voice. He DOES need to be careful to integrate his voice more into the song and express the notes….it’s not just vocal athletics. Rightly fancied as a major contender to win.
Oh, the goose bumps!
Not a great performance, this song really strains his voice. Made me more confident that this is (finally) Malta’s year.
Sorry, I don’t like this song.
me too
me too
Me too
Do we really have to categorize songs? Eurofans came up with ‘Fuego 2.0’ and now we have ‘Arcade 2.0’. What’s next? Gjon has a song that just suits him. I don’t see any copying or imitation in it. I would also not take his performance for Spanish tv as a confirmation that his staging in May will look like this. Would he really like to reveal everything now? ‘Is he a contender to win it all?’ Well, I’m rooting for Gjon but I think this year it’s an up tempo’s song turn. I had this premonition even before any song… Read more »
“Hard Rock Hallelujah 2.0”?
Totally agree with you. We don’t know if his staging will be like that and we don’t know who will be his stage director. Maybe there will be some changes in his performance in Rotterdam. I think we just need to wait for May or any other news and then everything will be found out
Boring and trying to be arcade, also he went to the Lucie Jones facial expressions school clearly.
Oh c’mon! Lucie Jones is a musical theatre actress, she is very expressive when singing 🙂
So right , wake me up when his finished
“Video unavailable” ;__;
I`m not some fan of this song. I´ll probably go to the bathroom then. Sorry.
But, Spain is not allowed to vote for Blas Cantó… What’s the point of all this drama?!!
The point is not that! What people are complaining about is the difference of treatment towards ESC between the national broadcaster and other channels 🙂 Just the sound system difference between Telecinco and RTVE (where we could not even hear Blas) has been worthy of debate within the community because just this performance to present a TV series has been miles better than what we have been seeing for the past years coming from the national broadcaster ._.
Almost 4.000.000 millions watched him.
The show was #1 in spanish audience with 33,3% share.
WOW! What a voice and what a talent. I also think his haircut is really cute!
Unfortunately, Spanish private broadcasters paying more attention to Eurovision than TVE is nothing new. One of Telecinco’s sister channels, Divinity, has been using Eurovision songs in adverts of their content for years (Euphoria, Only Teardrops, Toy, this year Voices before it even won Melfest…). Antena 3 had Alfred and Amaia as guests on not one but two of their programs back in 2018, and Antena 3’s sister channel laSexta also saw its morning show set its usual highlights clip at the end to El Diablo just last week. I’m starting to wonder if we would have a better shot at… Read more »
I would not put my money on Switzerland (weak) or Bulgaria (bland lullabay). This is such a strange year. Fans favorite will not qualify, be careful where you place your money.
Meanwhile, people are underrating San Marino and Cyprus so badly… these are the bops of the year, with the right live performance they can skyrocket their way up
You are right.
If you think that is underrating, I can’t know what overrating can be. Cyprus has brought the same in 2018,2019 and now in 2021, a diva singing a song and suddenly saying a few random words in Spanish that make me feel angry, because I don’t go to the street shouting “Fotiá” or “O diávolos” nor “Mamakíta”!!
San Marino by its side has brought finally a decent song, other than one wrote in 5 minutes in the streets of a German city or two poor kids saying a chain of farts
They are third and fourth in the community top in my Eurovision scoreboard app. Since when is being in the top 3 and top 5 being underrated?
I don’t understand the hate he gets. I think the song is amazing and his voice is amazing too. And if you don’t like either of those then you can like his personality because he seems to be a humble and sweet guy with a genuine passion for what he does. This will not be his staging in esc but if he does play the piano there too then so what. Duncan wasn’t the first person who had a piano on stage.
As a Duncan Laurence fan, I totally agree. Raphael Gualazzi also had a piano and quite a lot of 20th century acts had pianos even though I don’t remember which acts.
The burning piano!
Melovin !
The Makemakes also had a burning piano in 2015. Mélovin went one step further with a burning piano/vampire coffin.
Who is hating? Not thinking the song will not win is not the same as hating.
I don’t mean just critical comments. I mean the ones calling him “budget Duncan” etc. And I’m not talking about just this comment section. But I understand why you would take offense for what I said because the saltiness towards Gjon kind of shows through in some of your many comments you have written here…
Indeed! I guess we should see the jealousy and saltiness towards Gjon as a compliment. Anyway, I hope he wins! That voice is a gift for the French language and he’s the best candidate since Loïc Nottet. Plus, he’s such a humble, sweet person who signs with such passion.
Loïc Nottet sang in English and for Belgium.
2019 – Duncan at the piano
2021 – Gjon at the piano
How…original! Hope this won’t be his Eurovision staging, though. It will be such a disappointment!
I agree that they should definitely leave the piano aside in order to do well. But this was just a simple accoustic performance. This is not what they will do for the actual staging in Rotterdam I‘m sure
Raphael Gualazzi and many others had pianos had a piano. What’s your point? It is all about the music.
Lord, it won’t be his staging. This doesn’t look like a Sasha Jean Baptiste staging at all. He will use the full instrumental backing track!!!! This is just a performance on Spanish national tv.!
You know that Duncan Laurence didn’t invent singing with a piano, right?
What next? if someone wears a white skirt and top they are copying Celine Dion?
if someone sings a verse followed by a chorus its not original?
Just a basic love song : you break my heart, i’m alone in the whole universe, cry for me !! and he needend many authors for that !! can’t wrote it by himself ? Yes he can sing, but esc is not about hight notes your voice can reach, where is the emotion ? just a mechanical performence, So easy to understand why France will be soon before him in the odds. Barbara wrote her song, you feel the song when she is singing.
The song loved in Spain..lol, the country with the worst tastes in term of esc song.
Let me guess you are French ?
That is not even what the song tells…
You can have an opinion, but there is no need to be rude about it 🙂
Thank you as a spaniard !!! (Insert ironic face). Describe things where we have the worst taste (leaving aside obviously the fraud by Du I Fo yo lova”
Before leaving such rude comments, you should at least double check your information. It is true that Gjon isn’t the only composer of the song, but neither is Barbara. She wrote Voilà with two other musicians. And why should be the quality of a song related to the amount of people that wrote it?
Before an artist is actually singing in the Grand Final on Saturday they will have had to perform their song in rehearsals, jury shows and live shows about 20 times. This song seems to ask a lot of Gjons vocal abilities so I hope his voice won’t crack on the 22nd.
Exactly that cost Israel the victory in 2010….
It is a very fine line between exquisite and excruciating. I have confidence that Gjon will stay the right side of the line. I wish him all the best as the song brings all the feels!
I think this song does not work only with piano. It needs the backing instruments and vocals to transmit the epicness of the song. His vocals were amazing though!
He will slay in Rotterdam!
He is definitely getting the higher points from Spain. The song is like… being played every single day on TV and people seem to like it a lot!
I love his voice and the song.. Just feeling bad if another song with a piano will win back to back and then many entries will keep sending piano songs like back in the 90’s.. After all the pandemic depression sorry but I personally need an upbeat song to win this year.. We had enough tears with the pandemic.. But the song is objectively beautiful..
It’s a matter of taste at the end of the day. For me it would be beautiful to have many meaningful piano ballads, as I don’t like the fact this year is full of forgettable (for me at least) pop/up beat songs.
Completely agree. And he is an amazing artist, no doubt I cant fault him. Is just his video clip having an accident and dying and the crying voice etc after a year of global depression for me, personally, is a bit too much again.. If he wins of course he will deserve it but we need this year something to uplift us thats what i am trying to say..
Why do people assume this would be the performance he’ll do at eurovision? Sasha
Jean Baptiste is doing his staging and thats def. not it!
If someone from Sweden.. he should have chosen “Benke” Rydman. (Popular, Heroes, Every minute, interval acts Sweden Eurovision 2016 etc.. then we’re talking! Sasha is quite basic, not thinking outside the box like Benke imo.
I think because the Swiss delegation had a good experience working with her (also chemistry), they reached out to her!
Oh yes, fuego or is it too late for love basic staging, what do you want her to do?
Is Gjon the only contestant going in other countries to promote his song ?
Natalia promoted Sugar in Russia.
Arcade 2.0 period
Yep. Only even worse somehow.
This year I thing Switzerland will win the juries and not the public vote. He needs to connect better with the camera.
I mean, he has like 2 months to work on that.
With the staging and background, it will be simply fantastic in rotterdam.
WHAT AN ARTIST! WOWW
We have a winner
What fuss! Gjon will use the background track at esc, and that’s it. He might not even sit with the piano. Because if he does I think he would fail. The Duncan Lawrence and Arcade references would be too obvious. But I really can’t feel this at all. I hear too much Arcade. It really sounds like I’ve heard this song before. Now it’s not original any more.
I completely agree. It is not original at all. It is a recycled mix of Arcade and the song from last year. It feels constructed with not so much heart. His voice is increadible but he doesn’t corn that with the camera.
Sorry connect with the camera
To my opinion, those songs don’t sound the same. Even when you’re paying attention to the lyrics. There was a continuity in the lyrics of ‘Arcade’ while I don’t see any in ‘Tout L’Univers’, which are just depicting imageries/sceneries that have nothing in common.
Even at the vocal scale, both singers sound different. Except that we could feel emotions in Duncan’s performances, while here, personally, Gjon’s is just showcasing his singing skills and his beautiful voice.
I don’t feel the emotions in ‘Tout L’Univers’, contrary to the mind-blowing ‘Repondez moi’ last year. That’s why I don’t think Gjon’s Tears is a contender for the win.
Listen to the two songs in a row. The part where Duncan is going Ah ah and the chorous where Gijon sings tout l’univers are basically the same.
It is the music that is similar not the lyrics.
Yeah I know it. I was just dealing with another subject. I wanted to give my opinion on onther aspect of the song that could be compared to Ducan one.
Yeah, I kinda get the similarity in those parts of both songs. But there are still differences in the pace and the moment they are holding the ‘aaah’ note. Gjon’s is using a higher note than Duncan. This latter also ends his ‘ah’ note to sing the ‘oh’ one. But I get your point, sis. Even if, in general, both of those songs are still different.
Well you are going into details. I played the two songs for my family in different ages and they all reacted the same. They say is is too similar and that Duncan is way better.
I analysed the part of the song you told me to pay attention to. I did it. But I also listen to both songs, and to me they are still different.
I agree, indeed, that Duncan song is better if we don’t compare them.
Wow, Gjon has luck that the Eurovision jury isn’t Helene’s family in different ages.
He he- I don’t think their opinion are of any importance and it is not that they don’t like it. It is just very similar and not to Gjon’s advantage. It is just about example.
I love it. His vocals are perfect. Y’all seem to forget this will be elevated in the Eurovision stage. Anyway, this performance was already flawless. I can see him winning the whole thing in May. Impressed.
Me, too!
I beg to differ from the rest: I had goosebumps, and I liked it much more than the music video. I would not say it is a lock for the win, but it is certainly a contender.
What we can take from this is what many of us already knew: this guy is a great vocalist. And though I love the piano in “Tous l’univers”, this performance made clear that there’s more to pay attention to in the background track, because the rest of the instrumental helps connecting to and from the chorus, which I missed here. I believe the Swiss delegation would avoid the “guy in a piano” comparisons and make Gjon casually wander around the stage.
there will be no piano on stage
Is it official? I haven’t read about it anywhere, though I assume Sacha Jean-Baptiste will probably follow my wish, as long Gjon doesn’t insist on playing the piano (some artists feel more comfortable with their instrument).
By the way, I wrote “would”, but my intention was to say “should”. This performance wasn’t an indicator of their plans, he was just promoting his song in a foreign country after all.
Never assume we are going to read it right the first time; we’re just useless sometimes. 🙂
Anyhow, some of the Spanish are missing the point of Eurovision entirely. (Covid-permitting) Blas should be getting spots on TV stations throughout the rest Europe, not being promoted in Spain itself.
Congrats to Gjon’s Tears.
The issue is that… so many people in Spain still do not even know what song Blas is presenting because sadly RTVE is not doing anything about it. The contest hast just become a tiny part of their web page, and they do not create nor share content about ESC on the channel, meanwhile people know what song Switzerland is presenting because of a private channel that has promoted in 4 days the contest more than the original broadcaster, that is mainly what fans find ironic about the situation ><
Gjon’s vocals were amazing, as expected! <3 Of course this is not the staging that we'll see in May. Sacha Jean Baptiste is doing the staging y'all!! And also, this was an accoustic version, we are missing the actual instrumental of the song.
Clearly the camera work was focusing too much on that image display, what was distracting, the tv special was about the Documentary after all, but, anyway, I could feel the raw emotion of his performance & the potencial this have to shine in the Rotterdam stage!
Forced falsetto; vocals masturbation; no sympathy for his own song; wasted opportunity, what a shame…
which planet you live on?
NGL, I’m pretty impressed by his live singing. Not only is his falsetto very strong (stronger than Duncan’s imho) but his pitch control is also impressive, especially with all those jumps in the melodic line.
That being said, I do miss the instrumental track…the piano wasn’t enough.
Not winner here!
Too much cliche…… a CLASSIC Eurovision song.
Great voice tho…..
Not a fan. Sounds too generic, budget Duncan.
Malta bots in panic mode. Love it.
Actually the odds are worsening fir Switzerland…
Proof that malta is forcing the odds. So a superb live performance makes worsening Switzerland while a trash song that we have never heard live is now first.
Super logic.
Or maybe the ressemblances (in terms of melody and performance) with Duncan were too much yesterday (I am sure at ESC they will make something totally different) and it scared the bookmakers who anticipate a potential negative reaction from the public. I do not have an answer, I am just trying to guess.
Actually today Destiny’s song is released on Spotify so this could maybe explain it, no?
That you don’t like Malta’s song doesn’t mean it’s trash my guy, it’s at the top of the bookmakers alongside Switzerland for a reason. Either of them can win, and if your favorite ends up losing then so be it.
In my opinion, both Malta and Switzerland sent great entries this year, and I’d be perfectly fine with either of them winning
Being able to pull off such marketing trick amidst the pandemic is really smart on the part of the Switzerland delegation.
The live version is faultless too.
Was this a slower version than the original? Or were the few extra seconds him playing the piano?
I didn’t quite live for this, I hope his vocals improve in May and they come up with a better staging. I got a bit bored to be honest :/
This was just an accoustic version, the version in May will have the punch that the studio version has
I know that it will musically, but vocally acoustic versions are easier to sing, so that’s what worries me.
And I’m not a Maltese bot, I don’t even remember their song, I’ve only heard it once.
This was as outstanding as I imagined. Gjon is so talented and his vocals are always chillingly good. I get that this pitch is not for everyone, but I really love it. And yes, the staging was partially distracting, but will be changed for ESC. This was occasional, just to showcase his amazing voice in live.
Very disappointing live performance.
it leaves me kinda cold honestly, but his vocals are 10/10 as alwayd
Everyone should relax. It seems obvious that the performance had just as much focus on the TV series as the song itself. His actual performance in ESC will probably look little like this.
Super true, but its obvious he has some troubles to connect, and they were obvious last year too. He didnt look into the camera ONCE. Hes no Duncal lets be honest
It took Duncan SEVERAL rehearsals to look into the camera….and even then, only once or twice
Sure.. that was absolutely not a PR strategy
Even the show was done like Duncans – him behind the piano with a similar song.. wow..
Yeah, because Duncan invented that concept. It just looks bad when others try to steal it and claim his uniqueness for themselves.
For decades, truly, people have been sitting at pianos performing songs for the enjoyment of others. It’s a very natural way to share the power of music.
I thought my sarcasm was anything but subtle…
And thats the tea!
Low your bots Malta, you should be all red and far away from Switzerland on the betting odds.
I actually think Malta will be #1 pretty soon. Dont know about the televote but Malta is winning the jury vote, ticks all the jury boxes and then some more!
Lol you wish Malta won’t even be jury top 3.
#1 Switzerland
#2 Sweden (as usual, part of the contract)
#3 Austria
You dont know how juries work if you think they wont be all over Malta.
1) singer with character
2) great vocals
3) polished pop song, european ” hit ” potential
4) message about female empowerment
Its a myth that they go only for ballads, and a song that is not in english has won the jury vote only ONCE in this decade ( 2017 ) so we will see whos right!
In a sea of pre-recorded vocals this year bye bye Malta.
Only prerecorded BACKING vocals will be allowed.
I just want to point out that I am not from Malta, I am just being objective. Switzerland wont win the jury vote and you will see it, its not mainstream enough
Of course Sweden will do great with the juries, its jury bait and very well performed. We would all vote for it if we were jurors to be honest lol. But it wont win the jury vote, they are not as predictable as we all think, the fact Sweden wasnt their #1 last year and North Macedonia was says it all. Malta will look and sound fresher to them than the overcalculated Sweden
I agree, the song is just a cliche talent song song, but you cant deny its really well performed and polished and Tusse is talented. Music ” experts ” who are not young and dont have a vendetta against Sweden for doing well every year will appreciate those assets ( I agree though that they shouldnt be enough for a jury win, which leads me to what I said: Malta is winning the jury vote in my book right now )
Yes Swedish Frans got more votes from the public than the juries.
Th2e fact that people are having this debate means that Sweden is some kind of a threat. I find the song at least better than 3/4 of the songs this year. A safe song, yes, but Tusse and is really great and sells Voices very effectively. And the message of the performance is current. But what I’ve read among comments on different forums it seems to be his skin colour and confusions about gender that is some kind of problem. And def russians comparing the song to Polina’s. Sad people. And if these are reasons for not doing well in… Read more »
Female empowerement is too late now, we had Israel 2018, North Macedonia 2019. And juries won’t buy a female empowerement that looks more like a pr0n movie trailer.
There are like 6 female empowerment songs this year (8 if Amnesia and Growing Up Is Getting Old count). Among them Voila is the most original. Trust me, Je Me Casse won’t win. I personally predict a 3rd place for Malta.
Since when Voilà is a female empowerment song ?
Have you even read the lyrics?
Yes and she sings about herself as an human being, as an artist. If the same song was interpreted by a man would you call it a man empowerment song ? If you want to see it as an empowerment song then I would not restrict it to a “female empowerment” song as this is not dedicated to women only. For me there is nothing about empowerment in her song, this is an intimate confession, a cry for love. But if you see it as a female empowerment song this is great as this is what music, and arts are… Read more »
Yes, what you say is indeed right. I went into the female empowerment boat way too fast. It is a human empowerment song, to open up to yourself and respect others how they are. I see France as the winner this year, despite Switzerland being my winner (France is my #2), I would’ve maid that prediction even if it was just a female empowerment song instead of a human empowerment song.
I agree that Sweden will definitely be jury top 2. Besides, there are four feminist songs this year, Russia, Azerbaijan, Latvia and Malta. If all of them made it to the final, fewer points would be voted for any of the songs, that’s exactly why Malta’s winning chance is small. Anyway, good luck to all contestants.
I am not sure what Destiny did to you for you to be so excited about Malta to lose. This is a contest to celebrate music and collaboration/exchange between countries.
I am not a fan of Gjon and I do not understand why people can like his song but I do not wish him to finish of the contest like if he was my biggest enemy on earth… Either Malta or Switzerland or another country, we should be happy that in 2021 the contest can take place.
Well we know where Spain’s 12 points are going to xD
Cyprus? xD
Another possibility xD
True artist in sea of fake ones, 12 points from israel!!!
Same as last year with Répondez-moi when he performs live (perhaps without a lot of practice), he’s always sharp on the high notes. It doesn’t sound as well as the well-produced videos for both videos. In Rotterdam I hope they get the mix right.