Finland was represented at the Eurovision Song Contest 1961 with the song "", composed by Eino Hurme, with lyrics by , and performed by Laila Kinnunen. The Finnish participating broadcaster, (Yle), selected its entry through a national final. This was the first-ever entry from Finland in the Eurovision Song Contest, and the first-ever entry performed in Finnish in the contest.
Eight entries were selected for the competition from 280 received submissions. (Yle) selected four singers (Brita Koivunen, , Laila Kinnunen, and ) to perform the songs, each with two songs. The Finnish national selection consisted of a semi final and a final.
The eight songs were played on radio and television test cards in late January, and four finalists were chosen by postcard voting. The public decided the best song from each singer to go forward to the final.
(Yle) held the national final on 12 February 1961 at the Työväenopisto in Helsinki, hosted by . The winning song was chosen by an expert jury. The members of the jury were , George de Godzinsky, , , , Jorma Panula, Liisa Tuomi, Aarno Walli, and . The jury did not come into a conclusion during the show, so the results were announced next day.
Brita Koivunen was supposed to perform "" in the final but she withdrew and was replaced by Christina Hellman.
On the evening of the final Laila Kinnunen performed "" 4th in the running order, following and preceding . At the close of voting the song had received 6 points (2 from and the and 1 from and ), placing Finland joint 10th (with and the ) of the 16 entries. The Finnish jury awarded its highest marks (3) to and Monaco.
Each participating broadcaster assembled a ten-member jury panel. Every jury member could give one point to his or her favourite song.