Wight Is Wight - Kuunnelkaa uutta sanomaa

Simon Scott (real name Veikko Salonen, see earlier entry) recorded "Kuunnelkaa uutta sanomaa" (Listen to the new message) in 1970. It was released on the B-side of his debut single "Vain ulkopuolelle jään". Both failed to make the charts, but they're still remembered by Finnish schlager aficionados. The lyrics for "Kuunnelkaa uutta sanomaa" were made by another performing artist Jukka Kuoppamäki with his familiar manifesto style.  The original song was somewhat oddly titled "Wight Is Wight" and it was a product of French songwriting partners Roland Vincent and Michel Delpech (who also performs the song). The most known of their songs is "Pour Un Flirt" (covered in Finnish as "Flirtaten"). Released in 1969,  the hippie influenced "Wight Is Wight" sold over one million copies in in France, and was recorded the following year in English by Sandie Shaw (non-hit). You can see Michel perform it live with Demis Roussos (and with pathos), here.

Just 18 Finnpicks to go.

Here's the pair:

La vie, La vie - Niinpä niin

Here's still another Finnish male pop singer who used single-first-name moniker, Gulliver. He never had same kind of success that some of his contemporaries, but despite that, he recorded frequently both as Gulliver, the solo artist, and Gulliver, the group (1974-1978). Presently Gulliver, performing now under his own name, Markku Laamanen, is making waves as Finland's Susan Boyle in Talent Finland TV -show. In 1972 he recorded his second single, and our Finnpick today "Niinpä niin" (Well, well) was on the B-side of a Charles Aznavour -cover. And from France originated this song, too. As "La Vie, La Vie" (Life, Life) it was a modest hit for Michel Delpech. Michel was very popular singer in Europe for some years after winning the song contest 'Grand Prix du Disque' in 1968. His biggest claim to fame was of course "Pour un flirt" in 1971.

Here's the pair: