La Pioggia - Mä aurinkoon jään

Matti Esko released his first, eponymous, album in 1971. This "Mä aurinkoon jään" (I'll stay in the sun) was on it and it was also released as a single, however failing to create any chart action. Matti's breakthrough was still some years away. The original song did not tell about sun, in fact the lyrics dealt with rain, "La Pioggia" in Italian, and how the love conquers it; "... rain does not exist if you look at me". The song was was performed in 1969 San Remo music festival by Gigliola Cinquetti, and it became a deserved hit for her. You can see the performance, here. Gigliola is of course best remembered by being the Eurovision Song Contest winner in 1964.

Here's the pair:

Si - Niin

Today is the 2nd birthday of Finnpicks! And we continue with our Eurovision Song Contest countdown ...

Lea Laven has never represented Finland in the Eurovision Song Contest, but she has covered many of the international entries. In 1974 she had a big hit and breakthrough with "Niin" (So), to the lyrics by Chrisse Johansson. It was the cover of Italy's entry of that year "Si" (Yes), performed by Gigliola Cinquetti. Gigliola had won in 1964 but now she finished second just behind Abba. And here's a piece of ESC trivia: the live telecast of her song was banned in Italy by the national broadcaster RAI, as the event partially coincided with the campaigning for the 1974 Italian referendum on divorce which was held a month later in May. It was censored because of concerns that the name and lyrics of the song (which constantly repeated the word 'Sì') could be accused of being a subliminal message and a form of propaganda to influence the Italian voting public to vote 'Yes' in the referendum.

Here's the pair:

Alle Porte Del Sole - Vasten auringon siltaa

The third stop in our around-the-world trip is Italy. We seem to end up there ever so often. Katri Helena recorded "Vasten auringon siltaa" (Against the bridge of the sun) in 1975, and it was releasd as a single. It has become one of her most popular songs ever. And that's no wonder, since the melody, the lyrics (by Chrisse Johansson) and the prensentation are perfect. The original was performed in 1973 by famous Italian songstress Gigliola Cinquetti, and was entitled "Alle Porte Del Sole" (To the door of the sun). Gigliola is best remembered as the young teenage girl winning the Eurovision Song Contest in 1964 with "Non ho l'eta", and 10 years later finishing second - after Abba. "Alle Porte del Sole" was recorded in English by Al Martino in 1975 and made US charts. Gigliola Cinquetti has nowadays become a professional journalist and a respected TV presenter.

Here's the pair: