This year Switzerland is being represented by an Italian song named "Era Stupendo" (It was wonderful) performed by Paolo Meneguzzi. Paolo Meneguzzi (born December 6, 1976) is an Italian-Swiss singer. He is one of the best Italian singers and he has released many albums and many cd-singles in Italy so far. He ended 7th at the San Remo Music Festival 2001 with the song "Ed io non ci sto piu". He also took part in San Remo Music Festival this year (2008) with the song "Grande". In 2004 he released the song "Guardami negli occhi (Prego)" which is probably his best known track.The 26 November 2007, it was announced that he would be representing his home country Switzerland in the Eurovision Song Contest 2008 in Belgrade, Serbia with the pop ballad "Era Stupendo".He will take part in the second semifinal of the contest on Thursday 22 May 2008, competing against 18 other countries all competing for one of 10 spots in the final on Saturday 24.

Era Stupendo (It was wonderful) lyrics and English translation :
(Music and lyrics by Mattias Brånn)

C'è una parte di me (There's a part of me)
Che tacere non sa (That can't be quiet)
Quando guardo l'odio che c'è (When I look at the hatred there is)
Il dolore, la povertà (The pain, the poverty)
Mi rivedo bambino io (I see myself again as a child)
Che correvo nel blu (Running in the blue)

Era stupendo volare via (It was wonderful to fly away)
Sfidare il vento, la fantasia (To challenge the wind, the fantasy)
La tua mano e la mia (Your hand and mine)
Nella stessa poesia (In the same poetry)
Era stupendo (It was wonderful)

Ma una notte vedrai (But one night you'll see)
Dal destino uscirò, lo giuro (I'll escape my destiny, I swear)
Se la vita ci aspetterà (If life will wait for us)
Torneremo laggiù (We'll return down there)

Sarà stupendo volare via (It will be wonderful to fly away)
Sfidare ancora la fantasia (To still challenge the fantasy)
E poi la tua mano e la mia (And then your hand and mine)
Nella stessa poesia (In the same poetry)
Era stupendo (It was wonderful)
Era stupendo (It was wonderful)

Perchè non c'è pace, finché... (Because there's no peace, as long...)
Tutti pensano a sè (As everyone thinks of himself)

Era stupendo volare via (It was wonderful to fly away)
Sfidare il vento, la fantasia (To challenge the wind, the fantasy)
La tua mano e la mia (Your hand and mine)
Nella stessa poesia (In the same poetry)
Era stupendo (It was wonderful)
Era stupendo (It was wonderful)

Watch the video of "Era Stupendo" below and for more info about Paolo visit his site :www.paolomeneguzzi.it