Dance With A Dolly/Buffalo Gals - Molla-Maijan tanssi

Laila Kinnunen recorded "Molla-Maijan tanssi" (Dance of the Molla-Maija doll) in 1961. For some reason it was released twice - each with different B-side. However, it turned out to be non-hit. But manifested Laila's versatility as a singer. The Finnish lyrics were provided by Sauvo "Saukki" Puhtila and the arrangement by Jaakko Salo.  The original was an American traditional song that was first published already in 1844 with the title "Lubly Fan". It was popular in minstrel shows throughout the United States and the title of the song was changed according to the location it was adapted. The most known have to be the version called "Buffalo Gals", recorded later by Pete Seeger, Bruce Springsteen (see it here) and others. Under the title "Dance With A Dolly (With A Hole In Her Stocking)" it was first recorded by Terry Shand and His Orchestra in 1939. It became hit during World War II, when performed by Vera Lynn. You can hear that version here.  It was also included in the 1945 movie "Her Lucky Night", where The Andrews Sisters made a brilliant performance of it (see here).   But I've chosen this version by American actress, comedian and singer Damita Jo (b. Damita Jo DeBlanc) to pe presented here in Finnpicks. Simply becouse I like it very much :-). Damita Jo had a also minor hit with it in Scandinavia in 1961-62. 

84 Finnpicks to go.

Here's the pair:

Charlie Wasn't There - Villestäin vain selän näin

Pirkko Mannola recorded "Villestäin vain selän näin" (I saw only the backside of my Ville) in 1961. It was on the B-side of a Buck Owens cover. The Finnish lyrics for this happy-go-lucky song were written by Kari Tuomisaari. Althousgh Pirkko was quite popular at the time, this particular single wasn't a hit. The original tune was called "Charlie Wasn't There" and it was a minor US hit for here in Finland lesser known songstress Barbara Evans. Barbara scored one very big hit with "Souvenirs" (which is also covered in Finnish, maybe I could find it for tomorrow's finnpick :-)) This "Charlie" song was written by famous songwriting duo Paul Vance and Lee Pockriss.

Here's the pair:

North to Alaska - Kohti Alaskaa

We now leave California and head for "whitier pastures". Tapio Rautavaara recorded "Kohti Alaskaa" (To Alaska) in 1961 together with vocal group Neloset. It was on the flipside of earlier finnpicked song "Kylmää vettä" (see here). The Finnish lyrics were written by Sauvo Puhtila. The original song was called "North to Alaska" and it was  featured in the 1960 movie "North to Alaska", starring John Wayne.It was performed by Johnny Horton, an American country music and rockabilly singer most famous for his semi-folk, so-called "saga songs".

Here's the pair:

Pepe - Pepe

Rauni Pekkala (see earlier entry) recorded "Pepe" in 1961. It was also covered by Brita Koivunen in the same year, but Rauni's version was more popular. Both used the same lyrics made by Kari Tuomisaari. The original song was written by German composer Hans Wittstatt in 1956 as "Andalusisches Mädchen" (Andalusian girl). Some years later it was transformed in English to "Pepe" and in 1960 it was interpreted by Shirley Jones in the film of the same name. You can see the performance here. In 1961 Caterina Valente covered the song and obtained a Top Ten hit in Germany. And I think that's where Rauni's song got it's inspiration.

Here's the pair:

Kjoreturen - Ajomatka

Maikki Länsiö (b. Marja Länsiö] and Esa Saario recorded "Ajomatka" (Driving tour) in 1961. Maikki and Esa were actors, but they recorded together several popular children- and christmas songs in the beginning of the 60's. The song was arranged by Ensio Kosta, who later became known as a radio person under his real name Sten Ducander. The lyrics were provided by Sauvo "Saukki" Puhtila. . The original song was co-authored by Thorbjørn Egner, Norwegian playwright, songwriter and illustrator known for his books, plays and musicals for children. We have finnpicked Egner's song before, see the (in)famous "Hottentotti" here. Several Egner's texts, like this "Kjøreturen", were composed by his countryman, Christian Hartmann. The song tells a vivid story ("Toy Story" ;-)) of a crazy ride that toy characters Jumbo, Sambo and Amandus Dokkeman take in a toy car. Amandus was "Nukke Nieminen" in the Finnish version, and there's another popular Egner's childrens song written about her.

Here's the pair:

C'est ecrit dans le ciel - Tähtien kertomaa

Rauni Pekkala (see earlier entry) recorded "Tähtien kertomaa" (Written on the stars) in 1961 collaborating with the vocal group Neloset (see earlier entry). It was released only on EP, with 3 other songs. The song became a classic schlager, often requested, both in Rauni's and Vieno Kekkonen's versions. The original song was of French origin. "C'est ecrit dans le ciel" (It's written on the skies) was continental hit in 1961 for Bob Azzam (b. Wadih George Azzam). Bob Azzam was born in Beirut, Lebanon (some sources say Cairo, Egypt!), but started his career in Italy in the end of the 50's. In 1960 he and his orchestra made their breakthrough in France and in all of Europe with the Arabic-style song "Mustapha". When Bob's success was eventually declining, he moved to Geneva, where he opened a nightclub in his name.

Here's the pair:

What You've Done To Me - Miksi tämän teit

More gems from the year 1961. Timo Jämsen (see earlier entry) recorded "Miksi tämän teit" (Why did you do that) in 1961. It was quite popular at the time but not a chart-topper. The lyrics were written by old stalwart Sauvo "Saukki" Puhtila. "What You've Done To Me" was the name of the original song and it was one of the lesser known hits of Paul Anka. He recorded the song in 1957 duetting with a female artist called Micki Marlo. Micki worked the US variety show circuit in the 1950s and appeared on the original late-night TV talk show "Tonight Show". Micki was also a member of the cast in Ziegfeld Follies Broadway show of 1957.

Here's the pair:

You Don't Know - Salaa häntä rakastan

Irmeli Mäkelä (see earlier entry) recorded "Salaa häntä rakastan" (I secretly love him) in 1961. It was released on the B-side of her big hit "Iwan Iwanowitch", and that's why this pretty little ditty has been largely neglected. But it is a really fine version of the original. Which was a song called "You Don't Know" performed by British teen star Helen Shapiro. It topped the UK charts for three weeks in August 1961. Irmeli recorded the song in September, so the Finns seemed to be very aware what was happening in the British pop music already in the pre-Beatles era. BTW, since Helen Shapiro had a deep timbre to her voice - unusual for a girl of her age - school friends gave her the nickname 'Foghorn'. She was only 14 when she recorded "You Don't Know".

Here's the pair:

Norman - Norman

Tuulevi Mattila recorded a couple of singles in 1961-1962 representing at the time the new young generation of Finnish female singers together with Marion Rung, Monika Aspelund, etc. But, unlike some others, she never really made it. She ended her singing career at the age of 17 and later made her career as dance artist and -pedagogist. One of the songs Tuulevi recorded was "Norman" in 1961. The lyrics were crafted by Reino Helismaa, who for some reason did not re-christen the boy in the song, although "Norman" is not a Finnish name. The original song was written by the famous American songsmith John D. Loudermilk. It was made to a hit by pop and country music singer Sue Thompson (b. Eva Sue McKee), peaking in Billboard charts at position number 3 in 1961. Thompson became a favorite among the teenagers, even though she was in her late thirties at the time. You can see her perform the song in television show, here.

Here's the pair:

Rockin' Red Wing - Mustasulka tanssii

Some sources say that this was the first true rock'n roll song in Finland recorded by a female artist. Well that may be, but the song was obviusly meant to be children's song at the time. Mirja-Liisi Soininen recorded "Mustasulka tanssii" (Blackfeather's dancing) in 1961 on the flipside of a cover of traditional song "Clementine". We don't know much about Mirja-Liisi, except that she recorded some children's song in the beginning of the 60's, some of them together with Finnish 'father of children's songs' - Georg Malmsten. In spite of Mirja-Liisi's young and un-trained voice, this song has some appeal with it's irresistible background rhythm of Indian drums. The original song was a minor hit for US rockabilly musician Sammy Masters in 1960. The song first became a regional hit in Los Angeles and when picked up for national distributions, it reached number 64 on the Billboard Hot 100. The lyrics told the story about how rock'n roll conquered Indians via a young Indian maid listening to her radio.

Updated on 17.07.2010: added Ernie Freeman's version

Here's the pair:

I Just Don't Understand - Sitä ymmärrä en

Maria Lessig recorded only 2 singles. On the second one of those was this "Sitä ymmärrä en" (I don't understand it) in 1961. Maria's real name was Marja-Leena "Tutta" Lajamo and she was among the Finish artists to record music that one might call 'r&b'. The original song was called "I Just Don't Understand" and it was recorded by the Swedish-American actor/singer/dancer Ann-Margret (b. Ann-Margret Olsson) in 1961. It was produced by Chet Atkins and a TOP 40 hit, peaking at 17 in the Billborad Hot 100. Ann-Margret had a sexy throaty singing voice and her record company attempted to capitalize on the 'female Elvis' comparison by having her record a version of "Heartbreak Hotel" and other songs stylistically similar to Presley's. She played in the Elvis movie "Viva Las Vegas" in 1964.

Here's the pair:

Kili watch - Kili watch

In the coming days I will present some finnpicks of the more obscure kind. By that I mean songs that you would never expect to be covered in Finland. Most of them were not big hits originally, nor in Finland. This first one however was a hit, albeit lesser one here in Finland. recorded "Per-Erik "Pärre" Förars recorded the cheerful "Kili watch" in 1961. He was quite popular singer in the turn of the decade 50/60. In addition to being a schlager singer, Pärre was also a competent violinist. He was often seen in the early TV Music Shows. The original "Kili Watch" was first recorded by a Belgian group called Les Cousins. It was a Shadows-like guitar group, who were among the first to successfully export rock & roll music from Belgium. The song "Kili Watch" of 1960 became an instant and huge hit in 1960. The song is an adaptation of an Indian warsong that the group's bass-player Gus Derese had picked up during his years as a boy-scout. The song was versioned in France by Johnny Hallyday, and you can see him perform it, here. In Finland the song re-surfaced in the 1994 Aki Kaurismäki movie "Leningrad Cowboys Meet Moses". You can see hilarious version, performed by André Wilms & the Leningrad Cowboys, here.

Here's the pair:

Walking Back To Happiness - Kanssas onneen taas mä astelen

Monika Aspelund has been pop singer longer than I remembered. She recorded her first single already in 1960, when she was only 14 years old. It was the first Finnish version of "Tie Me Down Kangaroo Sport" (Let's see if we can present it here someday). This "Kanssas onneen taas mä astelen" (With you I'm walking to happiness again) was her 4th single and released in 1961. Monika's heydays were in the 70's, when she recorded some well received singles and albums. She also performed in many international venues. In Eurovision Song Contest 1977 (London) Finland's "Lapponia" sung by Monika placed 10th. The original song "Walking Back To Happiness" was big hit It was (number one in the UK for three weeks) for British teenage star Helen Shapiro . She was only 15 when recording the song. Before she was 16, Shapiro had been voted Britain's 'Top Female Singer'. You can see Helen perform the "Happiness" -song, here.

Here's the pair:

Five Brothers - Viisi veljestä

Tapio Rautavaara (see earlier entry) recorded several country & western songs. On of those was his 1961 single "Viisi veljestä" (Five brothers). The original song was written by Tompall Glaser (of Glaser Brothers) and made popular by Marty Robbins. It was on his legendary "Gunfighter Ballads & Trail Songs" album and released also as a single. Although it was only on the B-side. "Five Brothers" is a true old Western song with a great storyline (lyrics here) that surprisingly never made the top of the Country music chart in USA, even though it reached 74 in the Pop chart.

Here's the pair:

Putti Putti - Putti putti

At the time this song was recorded nobody would call it "bubblegum", but that's what it was. Kai Lind was a member in the most famous Finnish vocal group Four Cats (see earlier entry). In the beginning of 60's he launched also a succesful solo career. "Putti putti" was released as single in 1961. The originals song was written and performed by New Zealand -born Jay Epae (b. Nicholas Epae). He emigrated to USA in 1957 and tried to make it as a professional boxer. But after some injuries he turned to pop music. "Putti Putti" was on the b-side of his first single released in 1960. It didn't sell in USA but became big hit in Scandinavia, mainly becouse the freshly started (March 1961) pirate radio station Radio Nord kept playing it, and, of course, becouse the lyrics (in maori language) sounded so funny. Here you can see Vesa-Matti Loiri (see earlier finnpick) performing a parody version of the song in TV.

Here's the pair:

Brigitte Bardot - Brigitte Bardot

The woman that the world got to know as BB, turns 75 today. To honor her we present a song that was made to honor her. Marion Rung (see earlier entry) recorded "Brigitte Bardot" in 1961 for her first ever single. The song originated from Brazil. It was a 'marcha de carnaval' - carneval march - written by Miguel Gustavo, who had a couple of other successes with similar kind of tunes. "Brigitte Bardot" was turned to a Brazilian hit in 1960 by one of the great samba artists Jorge Veiga. In 1961 the song was a hit all over Europe with several versions in several countries. We present here a version by Roberto Seto y su Rumberos, which was a huge hit especially in Italy.

Here's the triplet:

Cool Water - Kylmää vettä

Now we meet for the first time in Finnpicks, a true Finnish legend, Tapio Rautavaara. Rautavaara was a Finnish master athlete, singer and movie actor. He won the Olympic Gold Medal in the javelin throw at the 1948 Summer Olympics in London. And later in his career he won the gold medal in the Finnish archery team in World Championships of 1958. Since 1940's Tapio had also played in several movies and reorded hudreds of songs. His songs were mainly of Finnish origin, but he did some covers, too - often on country & western songs. This is one of those. Tapio recorded "Kylmää vettä" (Cold water) in 1961 with vocal group Neloset (see earlier entry). The original was country classic "Cool Water", a song written by Bob Nolan, founder member of The Sons of the Pioneers. This group also recorded the original and best-selling version of the song in 1948. The lyrics of the song tell about a man and his mule, Dan, and a mirage in the desert.

Here's the pair:

I've Told Every Little Star - Tietää tähti jokainen

Laila Kinnunen (see earlier entry) recorded "Tietää tähti jokainen" (Every star knows) in 1961. It seeems to have been quite popular target for covering, becouse two other Finnish versions were done in that same year. The original song was called "I've Told Every Little Star" and it was written by legendary songwriter duo Oscar Hammerstein (lyrics) & Jerome Kern (music). The song was published in 1932 and it was introduced in the musical play "Music in the Air". It has since been recorded by several artists, but the most well-known recording is the 1961 hit version by 16-year old US teen sensation Linda Scott (b, Linda Joy Sampson), which inspired also Finnish artists. As an example of how it sounded in the 30's, we present a contemporary version by Mary Ellis, a Broadway star at the time.

Here's the triple:

Fröken Johansson och jag - Neiti Sievänen ja minä

Brita Koivunen (see previous entry) released the song "Neiti Sievänen ja minä" (Miss Sievänen and I) as a single in 1961. It wasn't the first recorded Finnish version of this song, but it is the most known by far. And a great hit for Brita. The witty and humorous lyrics (by Sauvo Puhtila) tell the tale of the dangers of reaching too high in love life. The original was a song "Fröken Johansson och jag" (Miss Johansson and I) written by the Swedish legendary singer, songwriter, actor and playwright Thore Skogman. He has been previously finnpicked, see the entry here. The 'Miss Johansson' was one Clara Johansson, who owned a bakery shop that Thore used to visit. The song was a best-selling Swedish hit in 1960 for Lily Berglund. I have not got hold of that version, so we listen to the 'next best', a version done by Thore Skogman himself.

Here's the pair:

Little Devil - Paha poika

Pirkko Mannola (see previous entry) released "Paha poika" in 1961 in the B-side of a Paul Anka cover. "Paha poika" (Bad boy) was an extraordinary title for a pop song those days, but the lyrics (by Kari Tuomisaari) of course were quite innocent. Pirkko and his male colleague Lasse Liemola were practically the only singers in Finland those days doing POP COVERS, targeting the youth. The rest of the singers were into 'schlager' format that attracted the adult people. The original song "Little Devil" was a product from Greenfield-Sedaka song factory and performed by Neil Sedaka himself. It was a modest hit for him in 1961.