Eurovision Top 100, #45: Cielo e terra (Switzerland, 1960)

At number 45 on the Eurovision Top 100 list, it’s back to Switzerland for “Cielo e terra” by Anita Traversi.

This one might not be showing up on your list. You’re thinking that this song came in eighth place, how could it possibly be one of the best Eurovision songs of all-time? Well, you have to understand that when you’re putting together a list like this, and hearing over 1,700 songs, most for the first time, you have no idea from where your brightest shining lights will come. Perhaps some will be fan favorites, and perhaps some will be songs long forgotten.

While this song might be in the latter category, the owners of The Euro Yard were very impressed by Traversi. The juries might not have loved her, but we did.

Eurovision Top 100 - Song Info 45 - Cielo e terra - Switzerland 1960

Vital Information: “Cielo e terra”

Song	Cielo e terra
English Translation	Heaven and earth
Performed By	Anita Traversi
Written By	Mario Robbiani
Country	Switzerland
Year	1960
Language(s) Performed In	Italian
How It Fared	Tied for 8th Place (5 Points)
Was It Fair?	No

What I Liked

Anita Traversi was a great singer, and maybe my view is being tinkered with by her singing in Italian (which I love), but I think she’d have done well in any language. Her tone and her vocal ability matched the grandeur of the orchestral arrangement. Everything about this number was pretty.

You already know how we love a big finish. Thank you, Anita, for giving it to us.

Other Facts

Traversi appeared again at Eurovision in 1964, singing again for Switzerland with the Italian-language song “I miei pensieri.”
Anita was also a backing singer for Lys Assia’s two songs in 1956, including the first winning song, “Refrain.” (Eurovision 1960 Switzerland: Anita Traversi – “Cielo E Terra,” n.d.)
She also competed against Assia in the 1956 national selection. (SWISS NATIONAL FINAL 1956, n.d.)
Anita Traversi and Switzerland went ninth out of 13 in the grand final running order.
Traversi passed away in 1991.