They Don't Know - Syy on rakkauden

Another Anja Niskanen classic in a row. She recorded "Syy on rakkauden" (Love is to blame) in 1984 on her debut album and it was later released as a single. It was not as big success as her first single but a hit anyway. You can see her performing the song in a TV show, here. The original "They Don't Know" was the first single of English singer-sonwriter Kirsty MacColl. The song was a radio hit but lasting success failed to materialise. Kirsty is perhaps best known for her Christmas song "Fairytale of New York", performed with the Pogues. "They Don't Know" was however a big hit for Tracey Ullman in 1983. and went to number 2 in the UK and number 8 in the USA. Watch Tracey perform it here.

Dancing On A Saturday Night - Lauantaina bailataan vaan

As it's Saturday, let's party with Anja Niskanen and "Lauantaina bailataan vaan" (Saturday's only for partying). Anja won the popular "Syksyn Sävel" (Autumn Tune) TV song contest in 1984 and became a teen starlet overnight being only 16 at the time. To cash on the victory an album was released and it went gold. From that album is this teenage party song. Anja was perhaps the first Finnish female teen pop star who really sounded her age. There were of course earlier popsters that were young but this was the first entry in the girlie pop field. The original song was from the pens of Barry Blue and Lynsey de Paul, both pop artists in their own right, but often teamed up in writing songs. This "Dancing On A Saturday Night" was a huge disco-pop hit for Barry in 1973. You can see him performimg it here. Barry's real name was Barry Green and he had a small hit under that name in 1972, but when he 'changed colour', he struck gold.

Updated on 28.08.2010: added the first (1974) Finnish version "Lauantaina kaikki tanssii" by Markku Karjalainen.

Here's the triplet:

Mohair Sam - Tyttöjen iskijä Mohair Sam

Carola (see earlier entry) was a very versatile singer. She sang pop, schlager, r&B, jazz - you name it - and always with credibility. In the 1968 she recorded a song called "Tyttöjen iskijä Mohair Sam" (Girl picker Mohair Sam). It was released as a single, but was not a big success chartwise, however highly acclaimed piece of music at the time, and still today. The original song was written by US country musician and songwriter Dallas Frazier and made popular by another country ace Charlie Rich. Charlie was a regular session musician for Sun Records in the 50's, playing on records by Jerry Lee Lewis, Johnny Cash, etc., and also writing songs for them. In 1965 he had a TOP-30 hit with this "Mohair Sam," an R&B-influenced novelty-rock number. His follow-up singles weren't successful, until he broke through in big way in 1973 with "Behind Closed Doors" and "The Most Beautiful Girl".

Here's the pair:


New! You can see a selection of some hand-picked Youtube videos of today's Finnpick song by playing my shared playlist in tuberadio.fm (includes Carola singing "Mohair Sam" in English).

Delta Dawn - Laakson lilja

Maarit (b. Maarit Äijö) has been constantly popular pop- and rock singer over 30 years now. She nowadays usually records material written by herself and her husband Sami Hurmerinta, but in the early years she cut several covers. The first and most famous one was "Laakson lilja" (Lily of the valley) in 1973. It was one of her biggest hits and some consider it as some kind of Maarit's signature song. The original song "Delta Dawn" was written by US country singer and songwriter Alex Harvey. He has later confessed that the song tells about her mother. The first recording was made in 1972 by at the time only 13 year old Tanya Tucker. It was also the first hit version, although the version by Helen Reddy was the biggest seller.

Here's the pair:


New! You can see a selection of some hand-picked Youtube videos of today's Finnpick song by playing my shared playlist in tuberadio.fm.

Daisy Mae - Näkis vaan

As for now, this is the last one of the long row of 1972 covers. The vocal duo of brothers Pasi & Pekka (family name Saarikko) had not same kind of success as their contemporaries Jouko & Kosti and Matti & Teppo. But despite being in the 'second division' they cut decent covers and recorded a whole album in 1972. On the single culled from the album was this "Näkis vaan" (Just wait and see). Surprisingly, it was another cover of Hamilton, Joe Frank & Reynolds song (this one also written by Dennis Lambert and Brian Potter). "Daisy Mae" was their second single and a minor Top-40 hit for the group in 1971. But the following single "Don't Pull You Love" - yesterday's Finnpick - was the one that spilled the beans.

Here's the pair:

Don't Pull Your Love - Kuin tuhka tuuleen

Here's one more artist that was known just by his first name. Sammy (see earlier entry) released records, however, as Sammy Babitzin. He recorded "Kuin tuhka tuuleen" (Like ash in the wind) in 1972 (as it happens, the year of origin of all the recent entries - a good year for covers) and it turned out to be a big success for him. The original song was written by US songwriters Dennis Lambert and Brian Potter, and it was performed by pop trio from Los Angeles, Hamilton, Joe Frank & Reynolds. The original members of the group were Dan Hamilton, Joe Frank Carolla and Tommy Reynolds. This "Don't Pull Your Love" was their first hit and a big one. The song was first offered to another, already established pop group, The Grass Roots, but they turned it down, because they felt it was a bit light for their style. Well, it was light enough to raise H,JF&R into 4th place of the Billboard Singles Chart in 1971.

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:

Summer Kisses, Winter Tears - Kesän suukot talvi vei

In the same line with yesterday's Peter - when it comes to stage names - is Richard. He was born as Robert Richard Orjavuono and as far as I know released only one single - in 1972. On the A-side was this "Kesän suukot talvi vei" (Summer kisses taken away by winter). Richard is no Elvis, but his voice has certain 'something' and it's a wonder he didn't continued his recording career. The original song "Summer Kisses, Winter Tears" was written for Elvis Presley's 1960 movie Flaming Star. It was a ballad written by Ben Weisman and meant to be sung by Elvis to his leading lady during a love scene. Unfortunately, it was decided to have him sing it to a group of Indians sitting around a campfire smoking a peace pipe. At the screen preview, the audience broke into laughter when the scene occurred. As a result, the song was cut from the film.

Here's the pair: