What Can I Do - Nyt mitä teen

Theresa (b. Theresa Rosenius), released only two singles during her short recording career. The first one we have finnpicked earlier (see here) and here's the second one, very rare piece of music indeed. "Nyt mitä teen" (What shall I do now) was released in 1966. Despite the big success of her first single, this went nowhere. Perhaps the lyrics, even if they were crafted by Juha Vainio, weren't catchy enough - telling the tale of a damsel in distress with her bath towel... The original "What Can I Do" came from Denmark and it was a single's B-side of the beat group The Cliffters. (Theresa's first single was the cover of same single's A-side!). Their story started in 1960, when Cliff Richard and The Shadows were the name of the day. The Cliffters made music very much like Cliff & Co, and even the groups name is inspired by Cliff. The Cliffters were very popular in Finland and their lead guitarist Mogens Pedersen, who has written today's finnpick, became the idol for many aspiring Finnish beat guitarists.

Just 17 Finnpicks to go.

Here's the pair:

Ship In The Sky - Lentsikkalaulu

The famous Finnish lyricist Pertti "Pertsa" Reponen started his musical career as a member of folk group Hootenanny Trio. He also recorded one single under his own name (although the whole Hoonteananny Trio was performing) in 1966, on the crest wave of so called 'protest' songs. On the A-side was this "Lentsikkalaulu" (Airplane song), and it was a modest hit for Pertti. The Finnish lyrics were, of course, done by Pertsa himself. The original song was written and performed by American folk legend Woody Guthrie. It was called "Ship In The Sky" (a.k.a "My Daddy Flies A Ship In The Sky") and it has become classic as it is, but also a popular nursery rhyme. In reference to lyrics, it's interesting to note that at the time both USA and Finland used prisoners as a work force at airfield construction sites.

78 Finnpicks to go.

Love Was On Your Mind - Sen voi vain aavistaa

Eddy was fronting the beat group Eddy & The Lightnings in 1964-66. In 1966 he left for solo career and this "Sen voi vain aavistaa" (You can only have a premonition of it) was his debut single in 1966. It was mildly popular, but Eddy's bigger hits came a couple years later. The original song "Love Was On Your Mind" came from Sweden and was a 1966 national hit for the group Ola & The Janglers. The song was written by the bands guitarist Claes af Geijerstam.

93 Finnpicks to go.

Here's the pair:

They're Coming To Take Me Away Hahaa! - Ne tulee ja hakee mut pois ha-haa

The second of our 60¨s comedy song classics is a special case - it was never released on record! In 1966 there was a popular Comedy series "Kuten haluatte" (As you wish) running on Finnish television. In one of the episodes actor Esko Salminen presented this song "Ne tulee ja hakee mut pois ha-haa". (They'll come and take me away, ha-haa). The perfomance was so captivating that people still remember it after almost 50 years. The song was not released as a single, although it would have been a sure-fire hit. We present here the audio tape recording extracted from that show. Esko Salminen was, and still is, one of the most prominent and populat Finnish actors. He has recorded some songs (mainlychildren songs) but not tried to make any pop records. For some reason the song never got covered in Finnish, until our old friend Moog Konttinen made his own version in 2000 for his solo album "Rock'n roll vuonna 0". We present it here, too. The original song is of course one of the novelty songs' abolute classics, "They're Coming To Take Me Away Hahaa! ! by Napoleon XIV, Napoleon XIV was the 'alter ego' of the American singer-songwriter and record producer Jerry Samuels. The song was Top 5 hit in USA in 1966, and if this A-side wasn't strange enough, on the B-side was the same song played backwards ...

Here's the triplet:

The Ballad Of The Green Berets - Balladi punaisista bareteista

The vocal group Kivikasvot was formed when the members met while serving in the army, so it's only natural that they should do this particular cover. They recorded "Balladi punaisista bareteista" (The ballad of the red berets) in 1966. It was releasd as a single but in popularity it came second to it's flipside, the cover of Beach Boys' "Barbara Ann". The lyrics were provided by Sauvo "Saukki" Puhtila. The color of the berets was changed from the original green into red, becouse at the time there were no green berets in military use in Finland. In the 60's, the berets were just introduced, the first ones being red (actually maroon), and they were handed out to Parachute Troopers after their first jump. The original song "Ballad Of The Green Berets" told about the Special Forces of US Army. In addition to being the headdress of the Special Forces, "Green Berets" is also a well known nickname of the organization. The song was co-written and performed in 1966 by Staff Sergeant Barry Sadler. It became a fast-selling single, reaching number 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. The recording was encouraged by writer Robin Moore, author of the novel "The Green Berets". This book became a 1968 movie, "The Green Berets", starring John Wayne, with "The Ballad of the Green Berets" arranged in a choral version as the title song of the film.

Here's the pair:

Little Boxes - Laatikkoon, laatikkoon

Brita Koivunen and Eino Virtanen were both popular as solo singers in the 50's and at the start of 60's, but they also recorded several successful songs together as a duo called Brita & Eikka. This "Laatikkoon. laatikkoon" (Into the box, into the box) was on their sole album "Brita & Eikka" released in 1966. They were absolutely not part of the protest song movement of the time, but this song has pretty sharp lyrics provided by Pertsa Reponen (yes, him again). For some reason this song has been credited to Eino Virtanen, but he did only the arrangement and the original was written and performed by American folk legend Malvina Reynolds in 1962 It became a small chart hit for her friend Pete Seeger in 1963. The song is a political satire about the development of suburbia and associated conformist middle-class attitudes. It refers to suburban housing as "little boxes", all made out of "ticky-tacky", and which all look just the same. The "ticky-tacky" is a reference to the material of inferior quality (but designed to simulate better quality material) used in the construction of houses. Brita & Eikka probably got their inspiration from the version of their Danish counterparts Nina & Frederik, who were quite popular in Europe and in Finland at the time.

Here's the triplet:

Let's hang on! - Jos näin on

Kivikasvot (see earlier entry) released "Jos näin on" (If it is so) on the B-side of their Beatles cover single "Michelle" in 1966. The lyrics were provided by band member Ismo Sajakorpi. The original song was from the hit roster of Four Seasons. "Let's Hang On!" reached number 3 in the Billboard Hot 100 chart in 1965. The popularity of the song has been attributed to the use of two fuzz guitars (one guitarist playing low notes, another playing high notes on a fuzz bass), a chorus loaded with hooks and sung in falsetto, and backing vocals giving counterpoint with Valli's lead vocals.

Here's the pair:

Go 'Way From My Window - Mene ikkunani luota

As today is the 70th birthday of Cliff Richard, we present a finnpick bunch that includes a contribution from Sir Cliff. One of the most loved songs of Päivi Paunu's folk days is "Mene ikkunani luota" (Go away from my window) that she recorded for her first single in 1966. The beautiful lyrics were provided by folk-compatriot Pertti "Pertsa" Reponen. The song that Päivi obviously covered was Joan Baez's version "Go 'Way From My Window" on her 1964 album "Joan Baez/5". The song is a traditional American folk song originally called "One Night As I Lay On My Bed", which is recorded under many different titles. Perhaps the most famous one is the heartbreaking delivery and arrangenment by legendary folklorist and singer John Jacob Niles, who recorded it with the title "Go 'Way From My Window" on his 1958 album "I Wander As I Wander". I was truly surprised as I found another Finnish version of this song, recorded BEFORE Päivi Paunus's version. Lasse Liemola recorded "Nyt ikkunasta katson" (Now I'm looking out the window) for the B-side of his 1963 single "Taas kerran". The inspiration for this recording must have come from Cliff Richard's version "I'm Looking Out the Window". This song was released in the UK in November 1962, and rose to the Top 10 in early 1963. You can see Cliff perform the song, here. Funny thing is, that in Finland (at least), Päivi's version is labeled as 'traditional', and Lasse's version is credited to John Jacob Niles. Well, it's definetely the same song, as you yourself can hear ...

Here's the bunch:

Li'l Red Riding Hood - Susi Pekka

This song used to be one of my absolute favourites. And I never knew it has been covered in Finnish. Well you never know... Kai Hyttinen recorded "Susi Pekka" (Wolf-Pekka) in 1966. Perhaps it sounds a bit too silly, and thus never included in any of Kai's compilation albums. The original "Li'l Red Riding Hood" (aka "Little Red Riding Hood") was a 1966 smash hit song for Sam the Sham and the Pharaohs. It was the group's second Top 10 hit, reaching number 2 on the Billboard Hot 100. The story in the song is based on the famous folk tale from the 17th century Europe. It's best known version was published by brothers Grimm titled as "Rotkäppchen" and included in the first edition of their collection "Kinder- und Hausmärchen" (Children's and Household Tales) in 1812.

Updated on 03.10.2010: added the Kontra version "Pikku Punahilkka" (Little Red Riding Hood) from the year 1979.

Here's the pair:

Cuando calienta el sol - Kun aurinko polttaa

Johnny recorded "Kun aurinko polttaa" (When the sun heats up) in 1966. It was not the first Finnish version of the song. Matti Heinivaho had made his version already in 1963. But that I don't have. So we present here Johnny's interpretation. The original song "Cuando calienta el sol" (When the sun heats up) was recorded by a Cuban group Los Hermanos Rigual in 1961 and it quickly became a smash hit all over Latin America and eventually in the rest of the world. The composition is usually credited to group members Carlos Rigual and Carlos Martinoli, but actually the song was writtem by the Nicaraguan trombonist Rafael Gastón Perez in the late 50's. The theme was originally named "Cuando calienta el sol en Masachapa". Masachapa is a beach in the Pacific ocean some 30 miles from the capital of Nicaragua, Managua. Los Hermanos Rigual picked up the song while touring through Nicaragua. The song has been recorded by many artists in English with the title "Love Me with All Your Heart".

Here's the pair:

Ce Soir Je T'Attendais - Odotin sinua

Marion represented Finland in the Eurovision Song Contest 1963 with "Tipi Tii" and in 1973 with "Tom Tom". In 1966 she recorded "Odotin sinua"" (I waited for you). The original was the Luxembourg's own entry in contest held in Luxembourg in 1966, called "Ce Soir Je T'Attendais" (I waited for you tonight). It was performed by French singer Michele Torr (b. Michelle Cléberte Tort). Lyrics can be found here. It placed 10th, sharing that position with Finland's "Playboy" (performed by Ann Christine). The winning song in that year came from Austria; "Merci Cherie". Eleven years later, in 1977, Michele Torr again took part in Eurovision, this time representing Monaco with the song "Une petite française". That was also covered in Finnish, perhaps we will present it here in the future.

Here's the pair:

Oh Sheriff - O'sheriff

This is one of those 60s' songs that you haven't heard for ages, but when you hear it you recall it instantly. Finnish girl group (on eof the very rare breed) Go-Go tytöt (Go-Go Girls) redorded "O'sheriff" in 1966, and as far as i know, it was their one and only single. It was played a lot at the time, but not much has been left to tell about Go-Go tytöt. I don't even know their names, but it's quite possible that they were the early encarnation of Koivistolaiset (see earlier entry). Why? Becouse a) they really made later career as singers b) they were the 'official' go-go girls of Finland in the 60's. But, this is just a hunch. The original song was from the French catalog of Petula Clark. She had a continental hit with it, but the song is, however, very obscure, and omitted from most of Petula's compilations. The composer of the song is one Serge Gainsbourg (b. Lucien Ginsburg). You can see Petula perform this song in the "proper environment", here.

Here's the pair:

La sai troppo lunga - Tiedät aivan liikaa

It's a long time since we finnpicked with Katri Helena. Now is the time. She recorded "Tiedät aivan liikaa" (You know way too much) in 1966. It was released as a single but for some reason it was not a such big hit as would be expected from Katri Helena. This song was clearly an attempt to duplicate the success of "Lui" in the previous year. That's becouse the song was again a cover of Rita Pavone's (the original performer of "Lui") song. It was called "La sai troppo lunga" ("You know too much"), and the single it was on, was a sizeable hit in Italy, although this song was on the B-side. You can see Katri perform his version on a TV show, here.

Here's the pair:

Four Strong Winds - Neljä vahvaa tuulta

Barbara Helsingius was the first Finn to record "Neljä vahvaa tuulta" (Fours strong winds). She did it in 1966 on her debut album "Barbara". Barbara Helsingius is folk singer, composer and lyricist. She has recorded music in Finnish, Swedish, English and Norwegian. Prior to his career as a musician Barbara graduated as a teacher of gymnastics and participated in the Rome 1960 Olympic Games in the Finnish floret fencing team. The original "Four Strong Winds" was written by Canadian Ian Tyson and he recorded it with his wife Sylvia as a duo Ian & Sylvia. (see earlier entry). It was on an album of the same name released in 1964. The first version was done by US vocal group Brothers Four in 1963. The song has sometimes described as the other Canadian national song and it has been versioned by hundreds of artists all around the world.

Here's the pair:

A Lovers Concerto - Aamukonsertto

Kai Lind (see earlier entry) recorded "Aamukonsertto" (Morning concerto) in 1966. It was the B-side to little hit single "Kristiina, Kristiina". Kai was recording freqently in the beginning of the 60's - this was his single number 27 - but his popularity was already fading. The original song was called "A Lovers Concerto" and it was a huge hit in 1965 for US girl group The Toys. It was written by American songwriters Sandy Linzer and Denny Randell and it was based on the familiar "Minuet in G major" from Johann Sebastian Bach's "1725 Notebook for Anna Magdalena Bach" (the composition is today usually attributed to Christian Petzold). One key difference is that the "Minuet in G major" is written in 3/4 time, whereas "A Lover's Concerto" is arranged in 4/4 time.

Here's the pair:

Secret Agent Man - Vaaksa vaaraa vain

One of the smaller scale hits - now long forgotten - for Danny was "Vaaksa vaaraa vain" (Just a hint of danger) in 1966. The original song "Secret Agent Man" was written by famous US songsmiths Steve Barri and P.F. Sloan. The most famous recording - and biggest seller - was made by Johnny Rivers (b. John Henry Ramistella). It was used for the opening titles of the American broadcast of the British TV series 'Danger Man'. The tune was inspired by the familiar James Bond theme.

Here's the pair:

Sunny Girl - Hymyillen

Whereas Danny built his career in the 60's and 70's almost entirely on cover songs, so did his rival Johnny. In 1966 he recorded "Hymyillen" (Smiling) which was released as a single. The single was practically a double A-sided one, becouse on the flipside was the cover of Kinks' "Sunny Afternoon" and both sides did very well. The original of "Hymyillen" was one of the biggest hits for the Swedish group Hep Stars, and was called "Sunny Girl". It was written by band's keyboard player Benny Anderson. And even if this was only his second composition you can hear this master of melody was blooming already, long before the Abba days. "Sunny Girl" became Bennys break-through as composer and the song made him believe on himself as a songwriter.

Juanita Banana - Juanita Banana

And now something out of the funny side of Finnpicks. Kivikasvot (see previous entry) often recorded novelty songs, as this one from 1966 "Juanita Banana". The prominent female vocals are done by Vuokko Piironen. The original was a great hit for a group called The Peels. The Peels, was a US studio group put together by the producer and the co-writer of the song, Tash Howard. The song that the heroine in the song, Juanita, is practising, is the aria Caro Nome from Verdi’s opera Rigoletto.

Here's the pair:

Love Is Me, Love Is You - Kenen syy, kenen syy

Kristiina Hautala (see previous entry) recorded "Kenen syy, kenen syy" (Who's to blame, who's to blame) on the last day of the year 1966. It was released as a single and was quite a big hit for her in 1967. As you can hear from this performance, Kristiina was the real Finnish "ye-ye girl". Although this moniker was of course not used those days. The original song was written by famous UK songsmith and orchestra leader Tony Hatch. There were two versions recorded in 1966 and I'm not sure which one is the original. Probably it is the one done by Tony's wife Jackie Trent, but my guess is that Finnish cover was based on the version by Connie Francis. Connie (real name Concetta Rosemarie Franconero) has been called "The most popular female entertainer of the rock and roll era". I don't know about that, but he was an exceptionally international star (she recorded and performed worldwide in 15 different languages) and some kind of role model for teenage girl in her music and movies.

Updated on 27.10.2009: Added Jackie Trent's version (or original?).

Here's the pair:

Second Hand Rose - Divarin helmi

Kristiina Hautala (see previous entry) recorded "Divarin helmi" (Pearl of the antiques shop) in the summer of 1966. It was on the B-side of her big hit "En koskaan". The song portrayed Kristiina as a budding cabaret singer. This subsequently lead her to doing successful tv- and night club shows. The original song was called "Second Hand Rose", which is an old vaudeville number that surfaced first time in the Broadway show "Ziegfried Follies" in 1921. In the show it was performed by Fanny Brice but - as solo singers were not hitmakers those days - it was recorded and made into hit by Ted Lewis Jazz Band. Ted Lewis was a clarinetist, singer and entertainer (He even was called 'Mr. Entertainer'). The song and the success was reborn in 1965, when Barbra Streisand performed it in a Broadway stage act "Funny Girl" telling the story of afore-mentioned Fanny Brice.

Here's the triple: