Hunter of Stars

"Hunter of Stars"
"Hunter of Stars"
Single by Sebalter
from the album Day of Glory
Released	December 2, 2013
Genre	Folk rock, indie folk
Length	2:59
Songwriter(s)	Sebastiano Paù-Lessi
Sebalter singles chronology
Music video
	"Hunter of Stars" on YouTube
Eurovision Song Contest 2014 entry
Country	Switzerland
Artist(s)	Sebalter
Language	English
Composer(s)	Sebastiano Paù-Lessi
Lyricist(s)	Sebastiano Paù-Lessi
Finals performance
Semi-final result	4th
Semi-final points	92
Final result	13th
Final points	64
Entry chronology
	◄ "You and Me" (2013)
	"Time to Shine" (2015) ►
Song presentation
	file; help;
Official performance video
	"Hunter of Stars" (Final) on YouTube

"Hunter of Stars" is a song by Swiss singer Sebalter. It represented Switzerland at the Eurovision Song Contest 2014 in Denmark.^[1] The song was released in Switzerland as a digital download on December 2, 2013, as the lead single from his debut studio album Day of Glory (2015).

Background

The song is inspired from a trip Sebastiano had made through Kansas City, Missouri, and Denver.^[2]^[3] The song is theorized as a song that speaks about a man who acts tough and strong, but on the inside, is wracked with self-confidence issues.^[4]

Music video

The music video was directed by Nick Rusconi and was released on 17 March 2014. It was filmed at Hotel Royal Splendide in Lugano, Switzerland.

The video starts with two visitors entering a hotel where the hotel manager (Christian Frapolli), credited as "The Director" in the video) wants Sebalter to serve them. However, Sebalter just mucks around, which annoys the hotel manager. The next scene shows Sebalter and his band playing music in the kitchen while working. As the hotel manager walks in, Sebalter accidentally tosses the spaghetti all over him. Afterwards, the band moves the main lobby, again playing music but this time the hotel visitors are having fun with them. The video ends with the hotel manager eventually joining in as he whistles the final tunes, followed by the credits where "No Spaghetti were harmed during the production of this videoclip".

Eurovision Song Contest

Die grosse Entscheidungs Show 2014

Die grosse Entscheidungs Show 2014 was the fourth edition of the Swiss national final format that selected Switzerland's entry for the Eurovision Song Contest 2014. The national final was a collaboration between four broadcasters in Switzerland: the Swiss-German broadcaster Schweizer Radio und Fernsehen (SRF), the Swiss-French broadcaster Radio Télévision Suisse (RTS), the Swiss-Italian broadcaster Radiotelevisione svizzera (RSI) and the Swiss-Romansh broadcaster Radiotelevisiun Svizra Rumantscha (RTR).^[5]^[6]

"Hunter of Stars" was chosen by RSI. RSI opened a submission period between 21 July 2013 and 30 September 2013 for interested artists and composers to submit their entries.^[7] Seven candidates were to be selected to proceed to the RSI selection that would have been broadcast via radio on RSI Rete Tre from Lugano, however the broadcaster opted to suspend the selection and extend the submission deadline to 28 October 2013.^[8]^[9]^[10] Instead on 13 November 2013, a jury panel evaluated the 23 entry submissions received and selected the three candidates that proceeded to the "Expert Check".^[11]^[12] "Hunter of Stars" was able to pass the "Expert Check", becoming the only song to move onto the final for RSI.

The final took place on 1 February 2014. The show consisted of two parts: in the first part the six candidate songs in contention to represent Switzerland were performed and in the second part each artist performed a cover version of a song of their choice. For the cover, Sebalter would sing "Wake Me Up" by Avicii. The combination of televoting (50%) and the votes of an expert jury (50%) selected "Hunter of Stars" performed by Sebalter as the winner.^[13]

At Eurovision

During the semi-final allocation draw on 20 January 2014 at the Copenhagen City Hall, Switzerland was drawn to compete in the second half of the second semi-final on 8 May 2014.^[14] In the second semi-final, the producers of the show decided that Switzerland would perform 12th, following Macedonia and preceding Greece.^[15]

"Hunter of Stars" was able to qualify from the second semi-final, finishing in fourth with 92 points.^[16]

The song would then go on to compete in the second half of the final,^[17] eventually being selected to compete in the 20th position.^[18] In the final, "Hunter of Stars" would finish 13th, with 64 points.^[19]

Track listing

Digital download
No.	Title	Length
1.	"Hunter of Stars"	2:59

Charts

Chart (2014)	Peak position
Austria (Ö3 Austria Top 40)^[20]	48
Belgium (Ultratip Bubbling Under Flanders)^[21]	82
Germany (GfK)^[22]	77
Ireland (IRMA)^[23]	49
Netherlands (Single Top 100)^[24]	98
Switzerland (Schweizer Hitparade)^[25]	6
UK Singles (OCC)^[26]	85

Release history

Region	Date	Format
Switzerland	December 2, 2013	Digital download

References

^ Brey, Marco (1 February 2014). "It's Sebalter for Switzerland!". Eurovision.tv. Retrieved 1 February 2014.
^ "Switzerland: SebAlter wins Entscheidungsshow with Hunter of Stars". wiwibloggs. 2014-02-01. Retrieved 2022-04-05.
^ "Sebalter interview: I recorded the melody on my iPhone by whistling". wiwibloggs. 2014-04-15. Retrieved 2022-04-05.
^ "Discuss: What Is Sebalter Chirping About in Hunter Of Stars?". wiwibloggs. 2014-03-18. Retrieved 2022-04-05.
^ Jiandani, Sanjay (17 July 2013). "Switzerland: Swiss national final on February 1st". Esctoday.com. Retrieved 14 October 2013.
^ Sarbach, Sven (8 July 2013). "Eurovision Song Contest 2014 Swiss Regulations" (PDF). Schweizer Radio und Fernsehen. Schweizer Radio und Fernsehen. Retrieved 14 October 2013.^{[permanent dead link]}
^ Jiandani, Sanjay (21 July 2013). "Switzerland: RSI calls for songs for Swiss Italian regional final". Esctoday.com. Retrieved 14 October 2013.
^ Scarpone, Christian (18 July 2013). "Anche la Svizzera all'ESC 2014, svelati i meccanismi di selezione". Eurofestival News (in Italian). Retrieved 14 October 2013.
^ Jiandani, Sanjay (16 October 2013). "Switzerland: Swiss Italian regional final on November 12". Esctoday.com. Retrieved 16 October 2013.
^ Jiandani, Sanjay (18 October 2013). "Switzerland: RSI changes format for regional selection". Esctoday.com. Retrieved 18 October 2013.
^ Jiandani, Sanjay (13 November 2013). "Switzerland: RSI selects 3 acts via internal regional final". Esctoday.com. Retrieved 13 November 2013.
^ Jiandani, Sanjay (30 October 2013). "Switzerland:RSI internal selection date changed". Esctoday.com. Retrieved 2 November 2013.
^ Brey, Marco (1 February 2014). "It's Sebalter for Switzerland!". Eurovision.tv. Retrieved 1 February 2014.
^ Escudero, Victor M. (20 January 2014). "Allocation Draw results: Who's in which Semi-Final?". Eurovision.tv. Retrieved 20 January 2014.
^ Siim, Jarmo (24 March 2014). "Running order for Eurovision Semi-Finals decided". Eurovision.tv. Retrieved 26 March 2014.
^ "Second Semi-Final of Copenhagen 2014". European Broadcasting Union. Archived from the original on 4 May 2021. Retrieved 4 May 2021.
^ Brey, Marco (8 May 2014). "Second Semi-Final: The Winners' Press Conference". Eurovision.tv. Retrieved 8 May 2014.
^ Storvik-Green, Simon (9 May 2014). "Running order for the Grand Final revealed!". Eurovision.tv. Retrieved 9 May 2014.
^ "Grand Final of Copenhagen 2014". European Broadcasting Union. Archived from the original on 4 May 2021. Retrieved 4 May 2021.
^ "Sebalter – Hunter of Stars" (in German). Ö3 Austria Top 40.
^ "Sebalter – Hunter of Stars" (in Dutch). Ultratip.
^ "Sebalter – Hunter of Stars" (in German). GfK Entertainment charts. Retrieved February 27, 2019.
^ "Chart Track: Week 20, 2014". Irish Singles Chart.
^ "Sebalter – Hunter of Stars" (in Dutch). Single Top 100.
^ "Sebalter – Hunter of Stars". Swiss Singles Chart.
^ "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company.

[Switzerland-1] Brey, Marco (1 February 2014). "It's Sebalter for Switzerland!". Eurovision.tv. Retrieved 1 February 2014.

[2] "Switzerland: SebAlter wins Entscheidungsshow with Hunter of Stars". wiwibloggs. 2014-02-01. Retrieved 2022-04-05.

[3] "Sebalter interview: I recorded the melody on my iPhone by whistling". wiwibloggs. 2014-04-15. Retrieved 2022-04-05.

[4] "Discuss: What Is Sebalter Chirping About in Hunter Of Stars?". wiwibloggs. 2014-03-18. Retrieved 2022-04-05.

[SWI2-5] Jiandani, Sanjay (17 July 2013). "Switzerland: Swiss national final on February 1st". Esctoday.com. Retrieved 14 October 2013.

[SWI1-6] Sarbach, Sven (8 July 2013). "Eurovision Song Contest 2014 Swiss Regulations" (PDF). Schweizer Radio und Fernsehen. Schweizer Radio und Fernsehen. Retrieved 14 October 2013.^{[permanent dead link]}

[7] Jiandani, Sanjay (21 July 2013). "Switzerland: RSI calls for songs for Swiss Italian regional final". Esctoday.com. Retrieved 14 October 2013.

[8] Scarpone, Christian (18 July 2013). "Anche la Svizzera all'ESC 2014, svelati i meccanismi di selezione". Eurofestival News (in Italian). Retrieved 14 October 2013.

[9] Jiandani, Sanjay (16 October 2013). "Switzerland: Swiss Italian regional final on November 12". Esctoday.com. Retrieved 16 October 2013.

[10] Jiandani, Sanjay (18 October 2013). "Switzerland: RSI changes format for regional selection". Esctoday.com. Retrieved 18 October 2013.

[11] Jiandani, Sanjay (13 November 2013). "Switzerland: RSI selects 3 acts via internal regional final". Esctoday.com. Retrieved 13 November 2013.

[12] Jiandani, Sanjay (30 October 2013). "Switzerland:RSI internal selection date changed". Esctoday.com. Retrieved 2 November 2013.

[:0-13] Brey, Marco (1 February 2014). "It's Sebalter for Switzerland!". Eurovision.tv. Retrieved 1 February 2014.

[14] Escudero, Victor M. (20 January 2014). "Allocation Draw results: Who's in which Semi-Final?". Eurovision.tv. Retrieved 20 January 2014.

[15] Siim, Jarmo (24 March 2014). "Running order for Eurovision Semi-Finals decided". Eurovision.tv. Retrieved 26 March 2014.

[16] "Second Semi-Final of Copenhagen 2014". European Broadcasting Union. Archived from the original on 4 May 2021. Retrieved 4 May 2021.

[17] Brey, Marco (8 May 2014). "Second Semi-Final: The Winners' Press Conference". Eurovision.tv. Retrieved 8 May 2014.

[18] Storvik-Green, Simon (9 May 2014). "Running order for the Grand Final revealed!". Eurovision.tv. Retrieved 9 May 2014.

[19] "Grand Final of Copenhagen 2014". European Broadcasting Union. Archived from the original on 4 May 2021. Retrieved 4 May 2021.

[sc_Austria_Sebalter-20] "Sebalter – Hunter of Stars" (in German). Ö3 Austria Top 40.

[sc_Flanders_Tip_Sebalter-21] "Sebalter – Hunter of Stars" (in Dutch). Ultratip.

[sc_Germany_Sebalter-22] "Sebalter – Hunter of Stars" (in German). GfK Entertainment charts. Retrieved February 27, 2019.

[sc_Ireland_-23] "Chart Track: Week 20, 2014". Irish Singles Chart.

[sc_Dutch100_Sebalter-24] "Sebalter – Hunter of Stars" (in Dutch). Single Top 100.

[sc_Swiss_Sebalter-25] "Sebalter – Hunter of Stars". Swiss Singles Chart.

[sc_UK_-26] "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company.

[1]

[2]

[3]

[4]

[5]

[6]

[7]

[8]

[9]

[10]

[11]

[12]

[13]

[14]

[15]

[16]

[17]

[18]

[19]

[20]

[21]

[22]

[23]

[24]

[25]

[26]

v t e Sebalter
Studio albums	Day of Glory Awakening
Singles	"Hunter of Stars"
Television	Eurovision Song Contest Switzerland Switzerland 2014 2014
Record label	Phonag Records

v t e Switzerland in the Eurovision Song Contest
Participation	1956 1957 1958 1959 1960 1961 1962 1963 1964 1965 1966 1967 1968 1969 1970 1971 1972 1973 1974 1975 1976 1977 1978 1979 1980 1981 1982 1983 1984 1985 1986 1987 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1996 1997 1998 2000 2002 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 ~~2020~~ 2021 2022 2023 2024
Artists	Lys Assia Daisy Auvray Marius Bear Barbara Berta DJ BoBo Jane Bogaert Annie Cotton Paola del Medico Henri Dès Franca di Rienzo Céline Dion Simone Drexel Duilio Egon Egemann Piero Esteriore and the MusicStars Mariella Farré Remo Forrer Furbaz Pino Gasparini Géraldine Gjon's Tears Luca Hänni Michael von der Heide Kathy Leander Pepe Lienhard Band Lovebugs Gianni Mascolo Véronique Müller Jean Philippe Francine Jordi Patrick Juvet Piera Martell Paolo Meneguzzi Nemo Esther Ofarim Madeleine Pascal Peter, Sue and Marc Pfuri, Gorps and Kniri Rainy Day Mélanie René Carol Rich Anna Rossinelli Rykka Sebalter Sandra Simó Daniela Simons Sinplus six4one Takasa Timebelle Anita Traversi Vanilla Ninja Carole Vinci Christa Williams Yovanna Zibbz Arlette Zola
Songs	"Das alte Karussell" "Amour on t'aime" "Apollo" "Bonjour, Bonjour" "Boys Do Cry" "Canzone per te" "Celebrate" "C'est la chanson de mon amour" "Cielo e terra" "Cinéma" "The Code" "Cool Vibes" "Dans le jardin de mon âme" "Dentro di me" "Djambo, Djambo" "L'Enfant que j'étais" "Era stupendo" "Giorgio" "Guardando il sole" "The Highest Heights" "Hunter of Stars" "I miei pensieri" "If We All Give a Little" "Il pleut de l'or" "In Love for a While" "Io così non ci sto" "Io senza te" "Les Illusions de nos vingt ans" "Irgendwoher" "Je vais me marier, Marie" "Lass ihn" "The Last of Our Kind" "Mikado" "Mein Ruf nach dir" "Mister Music Man" "Moi, tout simplement" "Moitié, moitié" "Mon cœur l'aime" "Musik klingt in die Welt hinaus" "Ne partez pas sans moi" "Ne vois-tu pas ?" "Non, à jamais sans toi" "Nous aurons demain" "Pas pour moi" "Piano, piano" "Quel cœur vas-tu briser ?" "Refrain" ~~"Répondez-moi"~~ "Retour" "Le Retour" "She Got Me" "Sto pregando" "Stones" "Swiss Lady" "T'en va pas" "Time to Shine" "Tout l'univers" "Trödler und Co" "Unbreakable" "Vampires Are Alive" "La vita cos'è?" "Viver senza tei" "Vivre" "Watergun "Welche Farbe hat der Sonnenschein?" "You and Me"
Note: Entries scored out signify where Switzerland did not compete