Switzerland in the Eurovision Song Contest 1970

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Switzerland in the
Eurovision Song Contest 1970
Eurovision Song Contest 1970
Participating broadcasterSwiss Broadcasting Corporation (SRG SSR)
Country  Switzerland
Selection processInternal selection
Announcement date24 February 1970
Competing entry
Song"Retour"
ArtistHenri Dès
SongwriterHenri Dès
Placement
Final result4th, 8 votes
Participation chronology
◄1969 • 1970 • 1971►

Switzerland was represented at the Eurovision Song Contest 1970 with the song "Retour", written and performed by Henri Dès. The Swiss participating broadcaster, the Swiss Broadcasting Corporation (SRG SSR), internally selected its entry for the contest. The song, performed in position 2, placed fourth –tying with the songs from France and Spain– out of twelve competing entries with 8 votes.

Before Eurovision

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Internal selection

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The Swiss Broadcasting Corporation (SRG SSR) continued to internally select its entry for the Eurovision Song Contest 1970 after doing so in 1969. Not much information has been reported regarding the internal selection, but it is known that at least two rounds took place.

The first round took place in Lugano sometime around 12 January 1970, where jurors shortlisted four songs to compete in the final round out of an unknown total of submissions.[1][2] The final round took place in February in Bern. Along with Henri Dès, Francine was also reported to be a shortlisted artist.[3][2] The other two artists remain unknown. The jury consisted of Swiss television directors and entertainment professionals.[2]

On 24 February, it was first reported the internal jury had selected "Retour" written and performed by Henri Dès.[2] From 3-8 March, Francine competed in the Golden Stag Festival 1970 with her song "La Vie du bon côté".[3]

Internal selection final stage (known songs) – February 1970[2][3][4]
Artist Song Language Songwriter(s)
Composer(s) Lyricist
Henri Dès "Retour" French Henri Dès
Francine "La Vie du bon côté" French
Francine-Renée Racheter

At Eurovision

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Henri Dès performing in the Eurovision Song Contest 1970

At the Eurovision Song Contest 1970 in Amsterdam, the Swiss entry was the second song of the evening following the Netherlands and preceding Italy. It was conducted by Bernard Gérard. At the close of voting, Switzerland had received 8 votes and finished fourth among the twelve participants, tying with France and Spain.[5]

Voting

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Each participating broadcaster assembled a ten-member jury panel. Every jury member could give one vote to their favourite song.

References

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  1. ^ "La selezione della canzone svizzera per il Gran Premio Eurovisdone" [The Swiss selection for the Eurovision Grand Prix]. Gazzetta Ticinese [it] (in Italian). Lugano, Switzerland. 12 January 1970. p. 3. Retrieved 17 September 2025 – via Sistema bibliotecario ticinese [it].
  2. ^ a b c d e Jotterand, Roland (24 February 1970). "Henri Dès singt für die Schweiz" [Henri Dès sings for Switzerland]. Neue Zürcher Zeitung (in German). No. 90. p. 26. Retrieved 17 September 2025 – via E-newspaperarchives.ch.
  3. ^ a b c Jotterand, Roland (9 February 1970). "Francine représentera la Suisse au Festival de Brasov en Roumanie" [Francine will represent Switzerland at the Brasov Festival in Romania]. Tribune de Genève (in French). No. 33. p. 29. Retrieved 17 September 2025 – via E-newspaperarchives.ch.
  4. ^ Renée Racheter, Francine. La Vie Du Bon Côté (Vinyl) (in French). Electrecord. 45-EDC 10142.
  5. ^ "Final of Amsterdam 1970". Eurovision Song Contest. Retrieved 17 September 2025.
  6. ^ a b "Results of the Final of Amsterdam 1970". Eurovision Song Contest. Retrieved 17 September 2025.