"Finns are looking for some joy during the recession," replied Sandhja, when asked why she thought her positive song "Sing It Away" resonated with the audience at the New Music Competition hosted by Yle on Saturday night.
Her song won the competition which selects an artist to represent Finland at the Eurovision Song Contest each year.
The 24-year-old musician and nurse from Espoo was so overwhelmed by her win that it took her a few moments to realise what had happened.
"Are we partying on the stage, or did I just win?" she asked.
Sandhja released her debut studio album "Gold" in May 2014 with Sony Music Entertainment Finland.
She will represent Finland at the Eurovision Song Contest in Stockholm in May.