The Belgian participating broadcaster, Flemish Belgische Radio- en Televisieomroep (BRT), selected its entry through a national final.

BRT called them as late replacements shortly before Eurovision, as Nicole had fallen ill and was unable to travel.

This was the 4th edition of Canzonissima, after previously being used to select BRT's 1963 and 1967 entry, and a 3rd season that ran between 1967 and 1968 but wasn't related to the Eurovision Song Contest.

The members of the professional jury were non-voting chairman Herman Verelst [nl] (head of entertainment at BRT), Jo Leemans (singer), Jos Boudewijn (radio producer), Anton Peters (actor and director), Staf Knop [fr] (author and actor), and Raymond Stuyck (journalist).

The music industry jury voted during every semi-final but did not impact the selection for Eurovision and their goal was to choose 'the best Flemish song'.

[1] After the second semi-final, on 21 October 1970, Ron Davis was involved in a car accident and remained absent from Canzonissima 1971 until his death on 22 January 1971.

[1] Shortly before the Eurovision Song Contest 1971 final, however, Nicole had fallen ill and was unable to travel, so broadcaster BRT drafted in Jacques Raymond and Lily Castel as late replacements.

On the night of the final Raymond and Castel performed 10th in the running order, following the United Kingdom and preceding Italy.