Morningtown Ride - Matka aamun kaupunkiin

Erkki Liikanen started his recording career in the 60's, but his single releases were not very succesful at the time. This "Matka aamun kaupunkiin" (The ride to morningtown) was his 6th single and was released in 1967. The Finnish lyrics were done by Jussi Raittinen, a popular pop/rock artist, and the arrangements by Aarno Raninen, also a singing artist in his own right. The original song was a lullaby written by American folk legend Malvina Reynolds (finnpicked earlier, see here) in 1957. However she didn't record it herself until 1970. The first recording was made by the folk group Limeliters in 1962 for their live album "Through Children's Eyes". It was later recorded by The Seekers and released on their 1964 album "Hide and Seekers". For some reason, it wasn't released as a single until 1966, when it became international hit for them. You can see them perform the song, here.

Just 25 Finnpicks to go.

Here's the triplet:

Arms Full Of Empty - Meiä Veera

This song is the A-side to the ealier Finnpick "Hello Buddy" (see here). This "Meiä Veera" (Our Veera) was a blockbuster hit for Erkki Liikanen in 1974. (see earlier entry). It was the one song that really started his succesful career as a singer, comedian and entertainer. You can see Erkki perform the song in a popular Finnish TV comedy show "Merirosvoradio" (Pirate Radio Station), here. This is one of those songs that is familiar to most Finns but few have heard the original version. The original song was number 32 US country hit in 1973 for Buck Owens and Susan Raye and called "Arms Full of Empty". Both Buck and Susan were established country artists on their own, but collaborated in two albums and a couple of singles in the beginning of 70's. (And Susan even married Owens' drummer ;-))

Here's the pair:

Here Comes That Rainy Day Feeling Again - Taas päivän pilvisen eessäni nään

After weeks of hot and dry spell we now have clouds and freshening rain. So, it's about time to listen to this song. Three drummers and aspiring singers Vesa Enne, Erkki Liikanen and Timo Tervo (real name Timo Tervomaa) got together and made two singles. On the first of those - recorded in 1971 - was this "Taas päivän pilvisen eessäni nään" (I see a cloudy day ahead of me again), Although being a very good song and a good interpretation by the the trio, it went unnoticed. And it is very hard to find these days. Vesa Enne was some kind of teen movie star in the beginning of 60's, acting and singing rock'n roll in in 4 films. Erkki Liikanen (see earlier entry) had started his career in the 60's but made it big as a solo singer in the 70's. Timo Tervo made also several solo records in the 70's, but his destiny is to be remembered by being father to pop and rock starlet Jonna Tervomaa. The original song "Here Comes That Rainy Day Feeling Again" was written by the two famous Rogers - Cook and Greenaway, this time collaborating with Tony Macaulay. And it was made hit in 1971 by the British pop harmony group The Fortunes.

Here's the pair:

Hello Buddy - Hello Buddy

Erkki Liikanen is one of the archetypes of Finnish pop music. He's been around since 60's and his first single was the cover of "Speedy Gonzales" in 1962. But his success peaked in the 70's, after he appeared in the popular TV comedy show "Merirosvoradio". This song "Hello Buddy" was recorded in 1974. It was released on the B-side of Erkki's first hit single 'Meiä Veera' (a Buck Owens cover), and the lyrics are written by Erkki himself. The original "Hello Buddy" was one of the numerous hits written by UK songwriter Alan Blaikley. The song was originally performed by one of the 60's pop legends The Tremeloes and it was co-written by the band member Leonard "Chip" Hawkes. This was the last top 40 hit for the band and peaked at number 32 in UK in 1971. You can see them perform it, here.

p.s. The first Finnish version, with different lyrics, was recorded in 1973 by the group Kalmar Union. I will present it here, if I happen to get hold of it.

Here's the pair: