Per Qualche Dollaro in Piú - Arosusi

Now - let's start a mini series called 'Finnish Wild West In Song'. In the late 50's and early 60's songs that told stories of the Wild West were exceptionally popular in Finland. Perhaps the arrival of televison with many Western TV-series and the invasion of many famous western movies were adding fuel to the fire. We open this theme appropriately with an Opening Theme (pun intented). Matti Heinivaho recorded "Arosusi" (Steppenwolf) in 1968 as his next to last single (lyrics by legendary Juha Vainio). Matti had begun his career in 50's as a vibraphonist and a singer, and had some hit singles in the 60's. Many of them with 'western' flavour. Later he established a long career working in Finnish television as a producer and director. I guess it takes a lot of guts to make a vocal version of Ennio Morricone's music. But the Finns have always had that kind of guts. The original "Arosusi" is the opening theme of the Sergio Leone movie "Per Qualche Dollaro in Piú" (For A Few Dollars More 1965). The guitar playing and the famous whistling are done by Alessandro Alessandroni.

Here's the pair: