Four Letter Words - Tule juttelemaan

"Tule juttelemaan" (Come and talk to me) was on Mona Carita's 1980 album "Soita mulle". It was also released as a single but to no greater succes. The lyrics and the arrangement were done by professionals, Raul Reiman and Veikko Samuli respectively. The original Chinnichap -penned tune was called "Four Letter Words" and it was an album track on Suzi Quatro's Mike Chapman -produced 1979 album "Suzi... And Other Four Letter Words". The phrase "four-letter word" refers to a set of English-language words written with four letters which are considered profane, including common popular or slang terms for excretory functions, sexual activity and genitalia.

Here's the pair:

Stumblin' in - Kompastuttiin

Berit (see earlier entry) recorded an album called "Rakkauden jälkeen" in 1980. On one of the tracks she was teamed up with Matti Esko (see earlier entry) and they performed the song "Kompastuttin" (We stumbled). It was also released as a single, but didn't succeed chartwise. The original song was a Chinnichap composition called "Stumblin' in" and it was performed by Smokie's lead singer Chris Norman and Suzi Quatro. The song was included in Quatro's album "If You Knew Suzi" (US version). It was released as a single, and it went all the way to number 4 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1979. It's quite extraordinary, that this song was Quatro's ONLY US Top 40 hit.

Here's the pair:

Daytona Demon - Kaupungin kauhein

This is the A-side of yesterday's finnpick. Marjo-Riitta & Savannah has a minor hit with this "Kaupungin kauhein" (The worst in the city) in 1974. As on the B-side, the lyrics were done by Pertsa Reponen. The original "Daytona Demon" was the 3rd consecutive Chinnichap hit for Suzi Quatro (b. Susan Kay Quatro) in 1973. The song climbed up to number 14 in the UK Singles Chart. You can see Suzi and his backing band in the action with "Daytona Demon", here. BTW, the "Daytona" refers to city of Daytona Beach in Florida, USA. It is historically known as having a beach where the hard packed sand allows motorized vehicles to drive on the beach in restricted areas. This hard packed sand subsequently made Daytona Beach a mecca for motorsports.

Here's the pair:

Can The Can - On ja ei

Now it's the time for our second Finnpicks Chinnichap Week. We explore the Finnish covers of songwriting duo Nicky Chinn and Mike Chapman. The first week was dedicated to The Sweet, now enter Suzi Quatro and Mud. Lea Laven recorded "On ja ei" (It is and it isn't) in 1973 and it was released as a single. And it was a minor hit for her. The lyrics were, as nearly always in Lea's songs at the time, by Chrisse Johansson. The original song "Can The Can" was the second single and the breakthrough hit for Suzi Quatro. The somewhat agressive lyrics tell the girls to put their man in cage, so that other girls won't get him. You can see Suzi perform the song, here.

Here's the pair:

48 Crash - Kun oot 52

Muska (see earlier entry) is the kid sister of Kirka Babitzin. She had several hits in the 70's and she was the first successful Finnish female rock singer. One of her first hits was this "Kun oot 52" (When you're 52) in 1973. It was written by ace UK songwriter duo Nicky Chinn and Mike Chapman (a.k.a. Chinnichap) and the original gutsy interpretation was done by Suzi Quatro (b. Susan Kay Quatrocchio). Suzi was born is USA, but moved to London in 1971 and made a stunning career under the wings of producer Mickie Most and Chinnichap songwriters. This "48 Crash" was her second hit. I often wondered what the song was all about. Well, now I know ;-). It is about male menopause, which is a condition that can occur in men around age 48 where they experience many symptoms of female menopause (hot flashes, fatigue), as well as sexual dysfunction. You can see Suzi perform this song, here, or alternatively, here.

Here's the pair:

If You Can't Give Me Love - Kuulut taivaalle vain

Seppo Närhi (see previous entry) recorded "Kuulut taivaalle vain" (You just belong to the sky) in 1979 on his 4th album "Vieraat huoneet" (Strange rooms). It was also released as a single in the same year, however failing to hit the top of the charts. The original song "If You Can't Give Me Love" was performed by Suzi Quatro (b. Susan Kay Quatrocchio). Suzy is Detroit-born singer-songwriter, musician, radio personality and actress. In the 60's she played bass in the all-female bands Pleasure Seekers and Cradle with her sisters. In 1971, after being discovered in Detroit by record producer Mickie Most, Quatro moved from USA to the UK. After teaming up with songwriters Nicky Chinn and Mike Chapman she finally made big breakthrough with the song "Can The Can" in 1973. "If You Can't Give Me Love" was a sort of come-back in 1978 after two flopped singles. BTW, I bet you didn't know that Suzi is aunt of the actress Sherilyn Fenn ...

Here's the pair: