I Reykjavkurborg - My Hometown - Kiitos sulle

With this finnpick I want to thank you all 200-300 regulars who have visited this blog on daily basis. Added up with those random visitors we have come up to about 120000 visits from 132 countries during blog lifetime.
This finnpick is called "Kiitos sulle" (Thank you) and it was recorded by Armi Aavikko in 1981 to the Finnish lyrics by Raul Reiman. This song will also be the first (and only) cover of an Icelandic song presented here. The original title was "I Reykjavkurborg" and it was composed by Icelandic pop singer Johann Helgason and tells about Reykjavik, the capital of Iceland. It was performed by Johann himself and Helga Möller under the moniker Du og Eg (You and I). The discofied song became a hit in Iceland and also in Europe when covered in English by Judy Jackson. Judy's version was perhaps the one that inspired Armi. 

Only 7 Finnpicks to go.

Here's the triplet:

Magic Moments - Kauniit muistot

I hope that my blog has re-created some beautiful memories and magic moments. Today's finnpick is called "Kauniit muistot" (Beautiful memories). It was recorded by Olavi Virta (see earlier entry)   in 1958. This is one of Olavi's lesser known songs, even if the original is widely-known evergreen. It was titled "Magic Moments" and performed orignally by Perry Como in 1957. It was written by Burt Bacharach (music) and Hal David (lyrics) and was one of the first collaborations by that duo. The song was only a moderate chart hit in USA, but a smash in UK, where it spent 8 weeks at number one.

Only 8 Finnpicks to go.

Here's the pair:

Special Finnpicks Request Mix II

Here's a special Finnpicks Request Mix Chapter II presenting songs that have been requested recent months.
Songs in the Mix:

Fredi - Ota Ja Omista / Joe Dolan - Make Me An Island
Markku Aro - Hyvännäköinen / Joe Dolan -  You're Such A Good-looking Woman
Jouko, Kosti Ja Paavo - Näin on marjat / The Four Seasons - Bye Bye Baby / Bay City Rollers - Bye Bye Baby
Markku Aro - Oma kultasein / Rubettes - Sugar Baby Love
Kari Peitsamo Revival - Rock and roll / Led Zeppelin - Rock n' Roll

Only 9 Finnpicks to go.

Here's the bunch:

Special Finnpicks Request Mix I

Here's a special Finnpicks Request Mix presenting songs that have been requested recent months.
Songs in the Mix:

Markku Aro - Loit Elämälle Pohjaa / Demis Roussos - My Only Fascination
Lea Laven - Niin Paljon Rakkautemme Kestää / Raffaella Carra - E salutala per me
Paula Koivuniemi - Sanoja vaan / Raffaella Carra - A Parole
Neumann & Albion Rockers - Kettujen yö / Sweet - Fox on the Run
Toinen Kierros - Huoletonta aikaa - Zucchero - Una orgia de anime perse

Only 10 Finnpicks to go.

Here's the bunch:

La La La Te Quiero - Mä kuuman naisen sain

Actually this would have been the place and time for the last Frederik Friday. But as I have no Frederik song available at the moment, here's Kari Tapio to fill in. And in deed, the song "Mä kuuman naisen sain" (I got a hot woman) would have suited well for Frederik.  Kari recorded it in 1977, and the Finnish lyrics were written by Pertsa Reponen. The arrangement was provided Veikko Samuli. The original song "La La La Te Quiero" (La la la I love you) was made popular in 1977 by Spanish beat group Los Diablos. They were obviously quite 'finnpickable' band, becouse we have finnpicked them twice before, see here and here.

Just 11 Finnpicks to go.

Here's the pair:

Thunder In My Heart - Voidaan lamput sammuttaa

Well, after a few more days, it will be the time to turn out the lights in Finnpicks. But before that, let's listen to "Voidaan lamput sammuttaa" (We can turn out the lights) performed by the group ELF. It was released in 1978 as an album track on their "Mitä missä milloin vaan" album. The original song was called "Thunder In My Heart" performed by  English singer-songwriter Leo Sayer. It was released in 1977 on an eponymous album and as single, which was a modest hit at the time for Leo, but it became a number one in the UK charts when released in 2006 as a remix by an artist called Meck, with a slightly changed title "Thunder in My Heart Again". You can hear (and see) that remake, here.

Just 12 Finnpicks to go.

Here's the pair:

Space Oddity - Kapteeni Tom

Arto Sotavalta was perhaps a bit underrated artist in the 70's. In addition to his own material, he did several decent cover versions that for some reason sank without a trace. One of those was "Kapteeni Tom". (Captain Tom). It was released in 1973 on the flipside of "Siirryn leikkimaailmaan", finnpicked here.  The Finnish lyrics were made by Arto himself, following closely the theme of the lyrics of the original song. Which was "Space Oddity", the first big hit for David Bowie, released in 1969. This tale of unfortunate astronaut reached number 5 in UK chart and has became a classic. It was on the album "David Bowie" (his second), but the rest of the album was not so commercial, and it didn't sell vast quantities at the time, but later re-releases did. BTW, keyboardist on this album was one Rick Wakeman.

Just 13 Finnpicks to go.

Here's the pair:

Stormy - Myrsky

Let's hear another cover of a Classics IV song. Beni Siltala (real name Pentti Siltala) recorded "Myrsky" in 1972. It was released only on a budget compilation album, and therefore quite hard to find. It might have been the first song that at the time 19-year old Beni recorded. He subsequently continued his career as a schlager singer and songwriter releasing 3 albums. The Finnish lyrics for "Myrsky" were provided by our old acquaintance Kari Kuuva. The original song "Stormy" was written by Classics IV guitarists Buie and Cobb, and - understandably - resebled a lot their previous smash hit (and yesterday's finnpick) "Spooky". You cans see Classics IV perform the song, here.

Just 14 Finnpicks to go.

Here's the pair: