Eurovision Top 100, #62: Giorgio (Switzerland, 1958)

Please welcome to the main stage Lys Assia, a Eurovision Top 100 list gold member, with “Giorgio” at number 62.

Remember: A gold member of the list has three entries in the top 100, which is rare but revered company.  Assia is not the only one to have that status, but she is the only one from Switzerland.  Why shouldn’t she, anyway: She was the original winner of Eurovision back in 1956, she sung Switzerland’s first four* Eurovision songs, and the combination of the two has made her into a Eurovision legend.

This performance in 1958 was her last at the contest. Not to say she did not try to come back, but we will get into that another time.

Vital Information: “Giorgio”

What I Liked

On earlier watches of this performance, under prior scoring systems, I did not have a lot to say about this song.  However, as time went on, I found her emphatic singing of the name “Giorgio” to be endearing.  For certain, this was Assia’s most fun entry in the contest.  This had a lot of tempo and energy that hit you right out of the gate.  To that end, the orchestral arrangement was great.

It set itself apart from the other songs of the year given its quick pace, but here’s another thing we are going to say about Assia three times on this list: She was a beautiful singer.  Her voice is clear, crisp, and authoritative.

Other Facts

• Note on the * above: Assia performed Switzerland’s first four songs at the contest, despite appearing three times.  In 1956, each country had two entries, and Assia sang both.  You may see one or both of those songs later.
• Over the course of her Eurovision singing career, Assia performed songs in French, German, and Italian – all three of which are Switzerland’s national languages.  The sole recognized Swiss language she did not sing in was Romansch.
• Assia performed last in the 1958 grand final, in tenth position.

Watch “Giorgio” Right Now

It’s on YouTube, so get over there (and then come back to Euro Yard).