Johnny Angel - Johnny Angel

On the B-side of Mirumaru's 1978 disco single "Sun vain oon" (finnpicked before, see here) was this "Johnny Angel". The Finnish lyrics were written by Pertsa Reponen. The original "Johnny Angel" was co-written by Lee Pockriss - an American, who wrote or co-wrote many smah hits in the end of 50's and in the 60's most notably "Itsy Bitsy Teenie Weenie Yellow Polka Dot Bikini". This teen ballad about "Johnny Angel" was number one hit for TV actress and singer Shelley Fabares (b. Michele Ann Marie Fabares) in  1962. The song premiered on an episode of Fabares' popular sitcom, The Donna Reed Show. Another famous singer Darlene Love with her group, the Blossoms, sang backing vocals on this. You can see the afore-mentioned Donna Reed Show -clip, here. However, Shelley wasn't the first to record the song. It was originally recorded (in 1962) by musch less-known singer named Georgia Lee. Let's hear her version, too.

Here's the triplet:

U.O.Me - Sun vain oon

Mirumaru (see earlier entry) recorded "Sun vain oon" (I'm only yours) in 1978. It was on their eponymous album and was released as a single, but didn't hit the charts. Lyrics were written by Pertsa Reponen. The original song "U.O.Me" was the third single, and first real mainstream success for Dutch girl group Luv', released in 1978. This record is also credited as "U.O.Me (Theme from Waldolala)", becouse it was originally composed (by producer Hans Hemert) as a theme for a popular Dutch TV series "Het is weer zo laat" (a.k.a Waldolala). You can see the group perform the song, here. Luv' has been finnpicked twice before, see here and here.

Here's the pair:

Parlez-vous francais - Tää me osataan

We continue our "Baccara Week" with the song recorded by all-girl vocal group Mirumaru in 1978 with the title "Tää me osataan" (Now, this we know). Mirumaru consisted of singers Titta Kokkonen (b. Leena-Maija Jokinen), Paula Nurminen (b. Paula Karppanen) and Päivi Paunu. We have presented Päivi before (see earlier entry). Titta is famous comedienne, who has performed in various TV- and stage shows and movies. She also participated in Eurovision Song Contest 1976 as a chorus girl in Fredi's "Pump Pump". Paula was one half of the 60's vocal duo Tuula ja Paula, who had couple of hits back then. Mirumaru recorded two albums and some singles, without any bigger success. The tongue-in-cheek lyrics for "Tää me osataan" are provided by Kari Tuomisaari. The original Baccara song was "Parlez-vous francais". It represented Luxembourg in the in ESC 1978, placing 7th in the contest, but becoming one of the best-sellers in that year. You can see the performance, here.

Here's the pair: