Song Selection
SRG SSR idée suisse started its selection for the Eurovision Song Contest 2008 in July 2007, with an open call for songs and artists for the selection being open for artists of all nationalities. All entries had to include a previously released CD with its chart position as well as a list of TV and live stage performances to show the artist's experience in music. Documents confirming the artist's nationality and age were also required as well as confirmation by the artist that they would be present in Belgrade during Eurovision week. The deadline for the submission of all materials for entries was set for 22 October.
The 2008 entry for Switzerland was selected through Schweizer Fernsehen (SF), Télévision Suisse Romande (TSR) and Radiotelevisione Svizzera di lingua Italiana (RTSI), the German, French and Italian language branches of SRG SSR idée suisse, as well as Swiss music channel VIVA and German radio channel DRS, a part of SF. SF soon revealed that is was most likely that a Swiss artist would be selected to represent Switzerland in the contest. Many Swiss artists revealed that they had entered songs to SR in the hope of representing the country in the contest. Names such as comedian Peach Weber, Jürgen Drews and rapper Gimma, known for performing solely in Swiss German, popped up in the Swiss media as being possible Swiss representatives in the contest.
Rumours later circulated in Swiss newspapers in November 2007 that the Italian-speaking Swiss singer Paolo Meneguzzi had been selected by the Swiss broadcaster to represent Switzerland in the contest. It was later confirmed by SRG SSR that Meneguzzi had been selected by the judging panel with his song "Era stupendo", sung in the Italian. After the announcement that he had been selected, he stated that he was "very happy and honoured to represent homeland at Eurovision 2008". "Era stupendo" was officially presented at the sixth annual Swiss Music Awards on 12 January 2008.
Shortly after "Era stupendo" was presented on 12 January there was speculation that the song was a plagiarism of a song by Swedish singer Amy Diamond, ironically competing in the Swedish national final for the 2008 contest Melodifestivalen. Accusations arose that the beginnings of both songs were too similar to be a coincidence, however the song was not disqualified by the European Broadcasting Union (EBU), the organiser of the contest.
Read more about this topic: Switzerland In The Eurovision Song Contest 2008
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