Christine - Christine

Now, here's an interesting finnpick. Tarja-Tuulikki Tarsala recorded "Christine" in 1968 for the compilation album "Riemurasia". It was never released as a single and I think it never got played on the radio. At least I've never heard it played. So, this might be the "world premiere" in media for this Finnish version. The reason for it's neglect was of course the risque content; Tarja-Tuulikki's provocative delivery and the sparse, double entendre lyrics (by Jukka Virtanen). Tarsala was an actor so she did not record more than couple of songs as a solo and a couple more as a member of vocal group Stidit. BTW, the final sentence of the song - "now try the flipside" - refers to this song being the last track on the A-side of the album. The original song was released in 1963, and performed by Miss X. It was a minor in UK hit in 1963 around the time of the Christine Keeler and John Profumo (British Secretary of State for War) sex and spy scandal, hence the title "Christine". Miss X was actually British actress Joyce Blair (sister of actor/musical arranger Lionel Blair). She dubbed herself Miss X because there was a Miss X cited in the Profumo court case. The song was banned by the BBC and Radio Luxembourg. "Christine" was written by Spanish actor Don Jaime de Mora y Aragón (he plays piano on the original record) in collaboration with British writer, composer and lyricist Leslie Bricusse.

Here's the pair: