Popcorn - Sumu

We have had a couple of foggy mornings and we need no further excuse to present this song called "Sumu" (The fog). The girl group Seidat released it in 1972, as the A-Side to "Kuinka Voit Sä Kaukomailla" (finnpicked earlier, see here).  this somg is again fine example of how we Finns like to vocalize instrumental hits. Well, this wasn't a hit for the girls. The original "Sumu" was called "Popcorn", and it was originally released in 1969 on the album "Music To Moog By" by the early German American moog synthetisizer pioneer Gershon Kingsley (b. Götz Gustav Ksinski). He actually made the tune out of listening to a popcorn machine. "Popcorn" became an international hit in 1972 for UK instrumental cover band Hot Butter, fronted by the keyboard player Stan Free. The record sold over two million globally.

68 Finnpicks to go.

Here's the pair:

He Is Your Brother - Mielin määrin

The three Kiviharju sisters known as Seidat (see earlier entry) recorded "Mielin määrin" (Anyway you like) in 1973 for their "Seidat" -album. The lyrics were made by another Finnish pop star Arto Sotavalta. The original was "He Is Your Brother", recorded in 1972 by ABBA, at the time known as 'Björn & Benny, Agnetha & Anni-Frid'. It was only issued as a single in Scandinavia, and was taken from the group's debut album Ring Ring, which was released in 1973. As ABBA had not yet achieved a great following outside of their native Sweden at the time, the song only charted in Scandinavian countries. In Sweden, it did not reach the sales chart, but was a big radio hit. ou can see ABBA perform the song during the group's tour inAustralia in 1977, here.

Here's the pair:

Mama Papa - Polttaa polttaa

More music from under the scorching sun. Seidat (see earlier entry) recorded "Polttaa polttaa" (Burning, burning) in 1973 for their "Seidat" -LP. It remained only as an album track, but - who knows - it might have had it's chances as a single. BTW, the lyrics were provided by another Finnish recording artist Arto Sotavalta. The original title wasn't so 'hot', it was a song called "Mama Papa" and performed by Dutch/Italian group Cardinal Point. The group was formed in 1964 in Sicily, Italy, originally under the name of I Cardinali. In 1966, under the leadership of their blind organist, they came to The Netherlands and settled in Alkmaar, touring the North Holland pop club circuit extensively. In 1972 they had a considerable hit with this "Mama Papa" song. You can see them perform the song, here.

Here's the pair:

How Are Things In California - Kuinka voit sä kaukomailla

Seidat was one of a rare breed; a Finnish female vocal group that had a short succesful career mainly in the 70's. This trio of Kiviharju sisters Raisa, Eeva and Suvi started their musical career in the late 60's and released 5 singles and 1 album during the years 1968-1979. This "Kuinka voit sä kaukomailla" (How are you, in that faraway country?) was the B-side of their fourth single in 1972. On the A-side was their version of instrumental smash hit "Popcorn". Both songs went unnoticed. Eeva Kiviharju has made a career also as a songwriter, e.g. writing 5 songs for the Finnish national preliminaries for Euroviosn Song Contest in 1977-1990. The song that Seidat covered was "How Are Things In California" was a minor hit for Nancy Sinatra in 1969 reaching number 17 in the US Adult Contemporary Charts.

Here's the pair: