Finland was represented at the Eurovision Song Contest 1963 with the song "Muistojeni laulu", written by Börje Sundgren, and performed by Laila Halme. The Finnish participating broadcaster, Yleisradio (Yle), selected its entry through a national final and, subsequently, the performer internally once the national final was over.
In the national final, held on 14 February, "Muistojeni laulu" was performed once with Marjatta Leppänen and once with Irmeli Mäkelä. After the final Yle organized an extra singing test to find the best vocalist for the song. Laila Halme, who originally had finished third in the national final, was chosen as the performer on 19 February.[1]
Before Eurovision
National final
Yle held on 14 February the national final at its studios in Helsinki, hosted by Aarno Walli, Erkki-Mikael, Risto Vanari, and Marion Rung. Eight songs took part, with each performed twice, once with a small combo and once with a full orchestra. The winner was chosen by voting from ten regional juries.[2]
On the night of the final Halme performed 7th in the running order, following Italy and preceding eventual contest winners Denmark. Voting was by each national jury awarding 5-4-3-2-1 to their top five songs, and at the close "Muistojeni laulu" was one of four songs (along with the entries from the Netherlands, Norway, and Sweden) which had failed to pick up any points at all, the country's first last place finish. The Finnish jury awarded its 5 points to Denmark.[3]
Voting
Finland did not receive any points at the Eurovision Song Contest 1963.[4]
