Switzerland in the Eurovision Song Contest 1977

Switzerland was represented at the Eurovision Song Contest 1977 with the song "Swiss Lady", written by Peter Reber[de], and performed by the Pepe Lienhard Band. The Swiss participating broadcaster, the Swiss Broadcasting Corporation (SRG SSR), selected its entry for the contest through a national final.

Before Eurovision

Concours Eurovision de la Chanson

The Swiss Broadcasting Corporation (SRG SSR) held a national final to select its entry for the Eurovision Song Contest 1977. Auditions were held from 30 August to 22 October, 1976 for interested songwriters, where the broadcaster received 110 total song submissions (64 in French, 32 in German, and 14 in Italian), and shortlisted twenty songs. On 24 November, the national jury ultimately selected ten to take part in the selection, with six being performed in French, three in German, and one in Italian.

Among the participants were Véronique Müller, who represented Switzerland in 1972;, Piera Martell, who represented Switzerland in 1974; and Paola del Medico, who represented Switzerland in 1969 and would repeat in 1980. Carole Vinci[fr] would later represent Switzerland in 1978. Paola was selected with two different songs, but was required to withdraw one due to a rule stating all participating artists must perform only one song. The song "Wunderbar" was ultimately chosen to be removed from the lineup.

Swiss German and Romansh broadcaster Schweizer Fernsehen der deutschen und rätoromanischen Schweiz (SF DRS) staged the national final on 19 January 1977 at 21:00 CET in Zürich. It was presented by Rita Anderman, with Hans Moeckel[de] conducting the orchestra. Peter, Sue and Marc, who represented Switzerland in 1971 and 1976, and Brotherhood of Man, who won Eurovision for the United Kingdom in 1976, made guest appearances.

The voting consisted of regional public votes which were sent to the three divisions of SRG SSR (DRS, TSR, TSI: German, French and Italian speaking, respectively), a press jury, and a jury of music experts. Applications for viewers to join the regional juries were sent via postcard until 12 January, and 50 viewers from each canton were randomly selected to cast their votes to their broadcaster divisions via phone call. Due to technical difficulties regarding the Swiss-French jury, their votes were announced later than scheduled. The winner was the song "Swiss Lady", written by Peter Reber[de], and performed by the Pepe Lienhard Band.

At Eurovision

At the Eurovision Song Contest 1977, held at the Wembley Conference Centre in London, the Swiss entry was the twelfth entry of the night following Israel and preceding Sweden. The Swiss conductor at the contest was Peter Jacques, who previously conducted the 1973 Swiss entry. At the close of voting, Switzerland had received 71 points in total; finishing in sixth place out of eighteen countries.

Voting

Each participating broadcaster assembled a jury panel with at least eleven members. The jurors awarded 1-8, 10, and 12 points to their top ten songs. Until 1980, the votes were given in the order the awarded songs were performed in, rather than in ascending numerical order.