🇨🇭 Remo Forrer "Watergun" REACTION | Switzerland | Eurovision 2023

[@sofie223]

This is a sure qualifier and a top 10 song. I am totally loving it.

[@Exello.o]

A lot of people are getting pressed by these lyrics for no good reason. There are people taking this idea that the song is condemning soldiers in general and then getting mad on behalf of Ukrainians as its insulting to what is happening to them, but nothing in the lyrics or video even allude to that idea. People are saying that this is coming from a place of privilege. That the messaging of the song is very neutral and being on both sides. That he comes off as whiney and is just complaining. From what I understand, the song is speaking from the perspective of a kid who has become a soldier because of a war, and the natural fear of war. The song conveys the confusion of his situation as it goes back and forth between two moments of this kids life. "Adolescence, breaking rules"/ "Nothin' hurts when you‘re bulletproof"/ "I remember, yes, I do, I do" /"Where did we go?"/ "We’re standin' on the frontline"/"Where did we go, we go?" The people I've seen who have felt they could relate to this song are those who have experienced this reality and those where the threat of war is real. Plus those who live in countries where mandatory military service exist (like Switzerland). The people who seem to have a problem with the lyrics, are people who conflate the governments actions to a song that was written by individuals, by people, not institutions. People are applying meaning based on the country it came from. Just because the song is from Switzerland doesn't mean that there aren't swiss people who agree with the actions taken by their government. Swiss people are not a monolith. Swiss people can feel sympathy and express empathy for those experiencing and fighting in wars.

[@ESCTom]

very interesting take. its definitely important to hear lots of different opinions on it and talk about it Personally the lyrics didnt upset me too much, although i understand why some people find the "body bags" reference (which i didnt pick up on) a bit clumsy or insensitive.

[@Exello.o]

@ESC Tom I feel like he is singing about the experience of others, of those other than himself. I feel like people are forgetting that we write about the things that we observe and see all the time. Most of the people who I have seen that have an issue with the song have mostly been people on reddit. On other platforms, most people don't see the issue with the song.

[@j4m1e38]

Thanks, great words!

[@bazzi3473]

what a strong massage. beautiful lyrics and great voice ❤️

[@a.f.9515]

Very nice song and his voice is simply stunning! Hope it will qualify

[@ajkostov-ww8vp]

I love the song and the lyrics

[@RubyChiang]

He has a nice and deep voice that is accompanied by deep lyrics that I personally can relate to it a lot. I wasn't expecting the lyrics to be what it was and I do hope this does well.

[@gijo3531]

Actually I’m surprised about people’s negative interpretations of the lyrics 🤔 To me they just talk about kids or young adults playing war (waterguns/games), which should be all they ever experience and not having to go to fight „with real blood“ and guns.. so all in all the message I personally take from this is, that we should build a world, where our kids don’t have to go into war.. But since many people seem to find the lyrics offending or bad, maybe they can do something about it..

[@Rafaelinux]

To me it's saying that being a soldier is inherently bad, and defending your nation is just your country using you as a bag of meat. It's really pissing on all the people suffering and doing their best to keep their freedom. Could have phrased it like "I did not want to be a soldier", not just coming across as a complaint

[@Exello.o]

​@@Rafaelinux yeah that's a real stretch. He is clearly singing from the perspective of a kid playing pretend war that's now "playing" real war.

[@AmyLarien]

​@@Rafaelinux I see as the exact opposite in the way that you might have to fight for your freedom even if you don't want to. Also in Switzerland the army is mandatory and with the wars getting closer, the fear of passing from simulations to real war has become more consistent.

[@artthounasty5877]

I feel like people are constantly just looking for reasons to be upset in the recent years ngl.

[@artthounasty5877]

@@Rafaelinux I don't see it like that. Yes, it is an important duty to defend your country, but how many of those people on the battle field can honestly say they want to be there, spilling the blood of others and their own? Would you rather not build a world where kids playing with water guns don't have to grow up to be parents who have to take up fire arms and leave their family behind?

[@justinkhchen]

It's pretty strong, also this year it doesn't seem like we have many male ballad, so this could stand out.

[@esc1074]

Good song but it hasn't blown me away so far. All the ballad entries this year feel like a bit of safe bet (guess ballads dont stand out that much as any other non ballad entries). Saw the odds after this entry was released and a tad surprised that this (according to the latest) seems to be doing better than e.g. the Netherlands entry which grabs me more. Guess all comes down to upcoming live versions and the final staging (Last year Marius Bear had far more impact one me when performed live) so we will have to wait and see. Good entry though Switzerland and good luck!

[@missmarilyn9929]

I think it‘s a very solid entry. Great instrumentals, very rich and cinematic. The song is also carried by his amazing, deep and velvety voice. The lyrics could be seen as a bit divisive, some people might feel uncomfortable about them, some might resonate with it. All in all, I agree that this song might struggle to qualify in semi final one, especially since there are no juries. But with a good staging and his vocals, Switzerland could still qualify. I just hope that next year they will choose a different genre and maybe a woman once again.

[@taskview224]

Remo does play the piano so I wonder if he will start the performance there. Sacha Jean Baptiste is doing the staging so it should be impactful. If he can deliver live then the quality of his voice could attract televotes.

[@ESCTom]

i cant think of previous staging where SJB used a piano. She tends to like them dark and alone...

[@TheManInBlueFlames]

Switzerland sending ANOTHER ballad! But this one has a bit more of a French/Swiss feel and the guy has a unique George Ezra-style voice. This will ALL come down to staging as he's in a TOUGH semi final. The military lyrics have a LOT of potential for staging, as do the water gun references. In reference to Pokemon, a good analogy I've heard is that Water Gun will ALWAYS hit but does little damage or isn't very effective, whereas a Hydro Pump Hydro Cannon has HUGE power but has a large chance to miss. This song's potential is like that, doesn't quite hit hard, but still finds a way to hit anyway - it's missing a wow moment.

[@jtb357]

Yeah, that first Semi Final 1. 🥺 So tough.

[@АлексейЗаботкин-т1х]

Yeah, we have sure non qualifier in 1 semi needed those

[@Xenia277]

About what I expected. It's decent and definitely better than last year but it doesn't keep me excited during the whole song. In SF2 this would go through. In SF1, if he holds his breath and sucks his belly in, he might manage to just squeeze in through the closing door. It all comes down to the staging as you said. I'd love to see something with those floating rocks on stage (as long as the not just dangle there). Curious what Sasha comes up with. Not sure what to think of the lyrics though. They feel a bit tone def and naive with the current situation in Europe. What's the little boy from a famously neutral country telling a Ukrainian (or anyone living in a country that shares borders with an agressor) about war and standing on the front line? On the other hand the situation affects and concerns us all.

[@ESCTom]

lol i love the squeezing through the door analogy. SJB is doing his staging, and she got them through last year. yea dangling rocks could look a bit like a high school play 😅

[@artthounasty5877]

I think the water gun fit in the song pretty well, he started the song with singing about kids playing pretend war and then went into "we're not playing, can't tur and run, no water guns" as in the war we played as kids has turned to reality and you can't turn your back to it and run away even if you wanted to, you're no going to get splashed with just water if you do that.

[@Shellydaliie]

I'll definitely have to wait till the semis results to properly have a verdict on the concept of televote only semis but I have seen several reactors discuss songs I like or wouldn'y mind qualifying (like Cyprus or even Switzerland) as potential non-qualifiers this year because they're more jury baity (which I agree) and might not have enough televote appeal. Equally, there's songs in the semis i'm not much of a fan of which due to previous entries televote reception are considered more televote friendly (such as Croatia). I personally tend to lean more jury as they tend to vote for ballads and pop songs (whilst also giving points to more tradtional songs). I do hope I won't have several songs I'm not particularly fond of qualifying over songs I prefer (like tbh probably inevitable that that will happen to an extent). In relation to this song, first thing to address, the title. I think it doesn't really fit the song, sounds a bit like a forced metaphor, also sounds kind of childish. The song is decent, little bit underwhelming , but, like with France's song, I feel like this song lacks a punch in the production but i'm hoping that the live performance will be more impactful. I think SJB is doing the staging so I think it'll be great.

[@MrGiancana]

For some reason watergun got me thinking of golden showers. Not really catchy melody that sticks - but I like the pasifist message in the lyrics.

[@alexhodder4129]

I like it, it has a bit of mainstream appeal this sounds familiar like it could be written by a uk artist you are right it's nothing wow but not every song needs to be wow

[@AmaanStorm]

So last year Switzerland were telling boys that its ok to embrace your emotions. This year they're telling us that boys are taught to embrace violence. Next year I wonder if they'll tell us that boys can embrace the Eurovision contest with a song that isn't about boys embracing things. Although personally I'm up for a song about boys embracing boys lol. Although I really did enjoy Marius' song last year, this one this year leaves me a little cold. I was hoping for a ballad with either A) drama, or B ) something really fragile and delicate. This one is somewhere in the middle. Not to mention that I hate the title. That said, he has a good voice and it'll stand out on its own merits for being a slow/emotive song, although in the bloodbath that will be semi 1, he's got his work cut out. Whilst we're on the subject of Eurovision. I didnt get manage to get any tickets today. The site kept crashing! I'm going to have to be an armchair warrior again and throw slippers at the tele if my favourites don't do well 🤣

[@ESCTom]

ah that sucks about the tickets. keep an eye out those cos there might be some on resale. This is my first time getting anything in the general sale ever, and it was actually my brother who got it for me - Sf1 live tickets

[@ESCTom]

oh actually i think i got SF tickets in 2018 in lisbon. but it was SOOOOOO much easier back then

[@AmaanStorm]

@@ESCTom I know, I'm so gutted. They were the ones I was going for, but the site just kept crashing for me. And by the time I could get on, they'd all gone. I'll keep an eye out.

[@KristinJ965]

His voice i like🤩but i agree that the lyrics should be better😊

[@Aeaed]

As a Swiss, I really wish the internal committee would end this sad boy niche that has been going on since 2020. Because honestly, it's not like we Swiss only listen to sad music. It just feels like they're just trying to duplicate Gjon's Tears' success in the safest way possible. But without a jury vote I don't see this getting through to the finale. There are so many great female singers or bands in Switzerland, so I really hope they mix it up a little next year!

[@ESCTom]

well i heard that Marius was 2nd last year , but whoever won pulled out very late. so that might have been a girl, im not sure. but i agree, next year needs to be something different

[@mio.vision]

It would be nice if they would mix it up. Also I think it would be difficult to find another sad male ballad to top Gjon's Tears' songs.

[@Aeaed]

@@ESCTom Yes, that's fair! The first choice last year might have been very different. Also I don't think Remo's song is bad - I just wished there was a bit more diversity representing us.

[@xChaRee]

As a Swiss, I am BEGGING the commitee for a female contestant and/or male contestant who sings in Swiss German. As far as I know there has never been a Swissgerman entry. That would be fun!

[@thingybob4375]

He has a really lovely tone to his voice and the song has a lush musicality but, unfortunately Tom, I'm yet another one finds the lyrics a little uncomfortable

[@elizabethingermann5911]

My first thought on seeing "Watergun" was the Todrick Hall song "Water Guns" with the same metaphor but black lives matter more so than the general war method. So I went into it with slightly more accurate expectations lol.

[@leendertjanw7540]

I get the feeling that he as a singer is more interesting than the song. His voice is really something. The song... It has its moments but tbh I'm not wowed. It feels like a mix between Vincent Bueno's "Amen" and songs by Dutch singer Dotan. If he shows enough charisma on stage and with thoughtful staging this could qualify, but Switzerland is pretty unlucky to be in semi 1.

[@ESCTom]

i think everyone is unlucky to be in SF1 apart from Loreen and Kaarija, cos those 2 could qualify from any semi ever 😂

[@julianachilles8555]

I dont quite get why people just want to understand the lyrics in a way that tells Ukraine to lay down weapons. Things can be terrible and necessary at the same time. The fight against Germany in WW2 was terrible and still necessary. I dont quite get whats there to say against a song about being afraid of war from a potential soldiers perspective. As soon as there is a war around people cant abide hearing how brutal war itself is and may it be as necessary as it is. There are body bags in war yes why cant one say that and be sad about it without being called either a whiner or tonedeaf. There are worse reasons to be sad or afraid. As heroic as the defending of Ukraine is in the grand scale, the battles dont get less brutal for the individual soldier. I always get the feeling thst people dont want to think about that while the war is still going on and thats why they shift attention to either inoffensive entertainment stuff or hardcore war glorifying. Regarding the privilege situation, if that was a criterium, the whole of Western and eastern Europe should just shut up about their wars and let Africa and the middle East have their share of Songs because they're even worse off. If it helps, the song was actually written by two brits and a guy from Poland. So the lyrics werent even written by a privileged neutral swiss guy

[@Stephanie-ve5do]

Thank you so much for this comment. And the song was written in 2021 before the war in Ukraine even started.

[@peterhajduch6702]

I am already excited about your semi prediction videos this year. For me this song is just average and in a bloodbath semi, personally I think is with ireland sure NQ In semi 1 we already have Like 6 sure Q

[@cherrycolouredshades]

i guess it’s a little bit more televote friendly than Boys Don’t Cry but I still feel it a safe NQ honestly especially from semi1- ok it’s a ballad unlike most of the semi 1 songs but it’s not a ballad that comes with anything particulary unique or daring and the lyrics maybe are the worst part, not only they are on the basic part, they are also kinda off-putting in terms of message

[@cherrycolouredshades]

i stand by my opinion that NED will prevail as the ballad from semi 1 and not this

[@ESCTom]

yea there seems to be a lot of people saying that this wont QF. although it was the same last year with SWI, right up until the moment that it qualified. SJB did a great job with staging last year and she could do the same again

[@cherrycolouredshades]

@@ESCTom only owing to the juries tho

[@jaop13]

to me this song is a sure NQ considering that it's in the bloodbath sf and there's no jury anymore

[@ESCTom]

theyve got a shot since Sascha is doing their staging

[@motulifelikefigures1987]

as a swiss im emberassed. anti war song from a neutral country that doesn't wanna get involved in anything and never was in war? people wont buy it, i dont think that will give us sympathies from rest of europe.

[@sarahenchanted]

If this was in semi 2 i can see it qualifying but semi 1? eh.....

[@johnmoynahan874]

Again......i left a reaction until i heard this several times, just to try to gain some objectivity. Just as well i did, because the initial reaction would not have been positive. Now, 24 hrs later and numerous listens later, my reactions are still not positive I'm afraid. I am all for "anti-war" anthemic songs. However, the best of this genre, tends to make you work for understanding. "Watergun" however, hits you over the head with obvious lyrics....watergun, dont want to be a soldier, i dont wanna play with real blood etc etc. Just not subtle enough! On the positive side of things, the orchestration is beautiful and the vocals sublime. However, i preferred Marius last year and i predict a nq in Liverpool im afraid. Ps. The irony of Switzerland choosing an antiwar song??........🤭

[@ESCTom]

yea im surprised that they didnt check the lyrics out on more people, cos it seems a lot of people find them troublesome. especially since lyrics are by far the easiest thing to change in a song id predict a NQ too, BUT everyone was so adamant that SWI would NQ last year and they made it. Sascha is doing their staging again this year

[@johnmoynahan874]

@@ESCTom who? Sacha Jean Davitt? 😊😊

[@GaryWalshDublin]

I like the song but not the lyrics

[@ivalani1893]

Yeah, it's a no for me. Good voice but the melody of the song is utterly forgettable. And the lyrics... a guy from an uber rich and safe country singing about wars and body bags, seems like someone is trying to get votes by playing the sympathy card. I don't think it'll work, so it's a sure NQ this year I think.

[@chris-t9z]

So, if a kid is from a rich country can't dislike and be afraid with what's going on in Ukraine? Also, don't forget that a few months ago there were fears about a nuclear war, something that has no borders.

[@Rafaelinux]

@@chris-t9z it's not really fear. It's a "no war, remove soldiers so we have peace" message. Basically "stop supporting Ukraine."

[@hello3motos1]

Personally I have issues with the lyrics - particularly the body bags line and feel it’s rather exploitative of the current world situation, especially given Switzerlands position of comfort. Not for me.

[@ESCTom]

i missed that body bags one. seems like they should have run that through a few more people before approving it. thats a relatively easy thing to change tho, so maybe if there's a fuss they can change it?

[@alipanroosendaal9503]

I agree. Tasteless.

[@UsernameUsername0000]

And are we not allowed to draw in from situations in real life? It isn’t like the song isn’t commentating on the very thing you’re talking about. Do innocent people not end up as bodies because they’re implicated in duty for a war they had no responsibility starting? Come on. The fact that you are implying that war-adjacent metaphors are exploitative of current(!) events speaks more about your position of comfort than anything. There’s always war going on. Let’s not try to shoehorn an offensive undertone to any and everything, now.

[@alipanroosendaal9503]

@@UsernameUsername0000 Hello User Name. I don't see the use of war imagery as offensive. However, I do see it as exploitative, crass, artless, and tasteless. Some will claim that Jamala's winning song was too. The difference was that it was personal to her and her family, and ended up being a warning unheeded. Now that we have a vicious war within the ESC zone and daily images on news programmes it is (IMHO) tacky to use that imagery as a metaphor for personal issues, or as a direct commentary. Why? Because it is lazy, but emotive, uncreative but banal. Either you or I could have written such a song. What Croatia have done is an attempt at surreal satire as a response to the war. Personally I feel that they have failed miserably, but at least the angle they took was creative, and certainly not obvious. 👍

[@UsernameUsername0000]

@@alipanroosendaal9503 I still don’t see how this is insensitive. Instead of vomiting the thesaurus, try to think to yourself why you are feeling this way. Sincerely, from someone in an war zone.

[@claudettemorel7607]

I want to like it but the lyrics of this are so problematic in the current context of things... it just doesn't sit right with me. :/

[@borutpetrovic7203]

Exactly! The lyrics are so off-putting. People die in Ukraine fighting for survival and this kid from a rich country singing about not wanting to be s soldier. Indecent.

[@nashtags]

I mean while Ukraine is at war, Norway sent «Give That Wolf A Banana»...

[@nourahnielson6204]

@@borutpetrovic7203 What I get from it is an anti war song. I think it is meant to represent every young man. Who wants war?

[@ESCTom]

i wonder if they would reconsider changing some of the lyrics. in terms of feasability, its definitely something that could be done

[@claudettemorel7607]

@@nashtags It's completely different. Norway's lyrics were not referencing war by any means, while Switzerland is trying to send a peace message but is doing it very wrongly. The whole "I don't want to be a soldier" thing when Ukrainians litteraly do not have a choice about the matter is extremely tone-deaf.

[@gwinonii]

I listened to the song w/ lyrics pulled up, sans the music video and the lyrics just aren’t it for me. They’re not particularly interesting + in the current world situation, the references to soldiers, guns, and body bags just… eurgh (for lack of a better word). Lovely vocal timbre and music but yeah, the lyrics kill it for me. This likely will have a hard time qualifying from pure televote, but top-notch staging might get it enough votes to snag a spot in the final.

[@Rafaelinux]

Terrible message. I cannot stand for this song even if I liked it sonically because it's just a bad message, one I'm against for. Really poor taste.

[@aimafa]

How is it a bad message??

[@AlioH89]

Really like the musicality and his voice but the lyrics just don't sit right at all.

[@mio.vision]

The lyrics are contrived, among the worst of the year. Other songs this year are tackling this kind of subject matter more creatively and powerfully.

[@alexandergunnarsson1537]

The theme of many of this year's songs is that they don't fulfill their potential, for example France, Netherlands and Iceland, and this one is no exception. The production feels empty and the lyrics are just repetitions of words that are cool like "soldier" and therefore the song itself gets really forced and loses its meaning. Unfortunately, you can hear that this song was purely written for Eurovision, and that's not a good sign. He´s not even showing his full vocal range in this, so on many levels for me, this didn't work out. I give this the score 4/10 (P.S. Switzerland try something new, going from boys crying to playing with water guns is not particularly original)

[@ESCTom]

i think Switzerland need a mix up next year and to send a happy girl

[@alexandergunnarsson1537]

@@ESCTom totally

[@connorjohnnn]

The lyrics are cringe at best, kinda exploiting the current situation at worst. The melody is non existent and the production is so ordinary. But yeah pop off Switzerland I guess.

[@mio.vision]

You said what I was thinking about the lyrics and the song.