Netherlands in the Eurovision Song Contest 1973

Netherlands in the Eurovision Song Contest 1973
Eurovision Song Contest 1973
Participating broadcaster	Nederlandse Omroep Stichting (NOS)
Country	Netherlands
Selection process	Artist: Internal selection Song: Nationaal Songfestival 1973
Selection date	28 February 1973
Competing entry
Song	"De oude muzikant"
Artist	Ben Cramer
Songwriters	Pierre Kartner
Placement
Final result	14th, 69 points
Participation chronology
◄1972 • 1973 • 1974►

The Netherlands was represented at the Eurovision Song Contest 1973 with the song "De oude muzikant", written by Pierre Kartner, and performed by Ben Cramer. The Dutch participating broadcaster, Nederlandse Omroep Stichting (NOS), selected its entry through a national final, after having previously selected the performer internally.

The Netherlands was considered one of the most contemporary-minded countries when it came to choosing Eurovision entries, so the choice in 1973 of a stylistically and lyrically very old-fashioned song, which would not have sounded out of place in a 1950s contest, was widely regarded as rather strange.

Before Eurovision

Nationaal Songfestival 1973

The final was held on 28 February 1973 at the Theater Carré in Amsterdam, hosted by Viola van Emmenes and Simon van Collem. Four songs were performed and voting was by eleven regional juries with 10 points each to divide between the songs. "De oude muzikant" emerged the clear winner.

Final – 28 February 1973

Draw	Song	Points	Place
1	"Kom met me mee"	15	3
2	"Melodie"	14	4
3	"Kom Sylvia dans met mij"	19	2
4	"De oude muzikant"	62	1

At Eurovision

On the night of the final Cramer performed 13th in the running order, following Sweden and preceding Ireland. At the close of voting "De oude muzikant" had received 69 points, placing the Netherlands 14th of the 17 entries. ^[1]

The Dutch conductor at the contest was Harry van Hoof.

Voting

Points awarded to the Netherlands [2] Score Country 10 points 9 points 8 points 7 points   Luxembourg 6 points   France 5 points   Germany   Ireland   Norway   Spain    Switzerland   Yugoslavia 4 points   Belgium   Finland   Italy   Monaco 3 points   Sweden   United Kingdom 2 points   Israel   Portugal

Points awarded by the Netherlands [2] Score Country 10 points   Spain   United Kingdom 9 points   Luxembourg 8 points    Switzerland 7 points 6 points   Ireland   Israel   Sweden 5 points   Finland   France   Germany   Monaco   Portugal 4 points   Italy   Yugoslavia 3 points   Belgium   Norway 2 points

References

1. "Final of Luxembourg 1973". Eurovision Song Contest. Archived from the original on 9 April 2021. Retrieved 9 April 2021.
2. "Results of the Final of Luxembourg 1973". Eurovision Song Contest . Retrieved 22 June 2025.