Goodbye - Hei vain

Well, this is it. The 1000th and last Finnpick. When I started this blog in May 2008, I surely didn't expect it last this long. But this has been fun, and to my surprise. the blog has attracted readers all over the world. Even if the the genre here is very niche - Finnish covers of foreign hits. I myself have discovered many new songs and many new artists on the way. And revived some already-lost memories. I hope the Finnpicks has been able to do the same to you.

The Finnpick number 1 was titled "Moi, moi vain". That's the greeting the Finns use when meeting someone. So, it's appropriate to end our journey with the song titled "Hei vain" (Just bye-bye), which in turn is used at the moment of departure. Päivi Paunu recorded it in 1969, scoring a minor hit with it. The original song was a worldwide hit for Mary Hopkin and called "Goodbye". It was the follow-up single for her number one single "Those Were The Days" (which also was covered by Päivi Paunu, see here ). The "Goodbye" song was written by Paul McCartney, and Paul has now the honour to perform the last song in Finnpicks; his demo version of "Goodbye".

0 Finnpicks to go.

Here's the triplet:

Broken Blossoms - En saata ymmärtää

This is one of Katri Helena's lesser known songs, but at the same time one of her most beautiful.  "En saata ymmärtää" (I can't understand) was recorded in 1969 and was released on the B-side of her hit single "Maailman pihamaat". Perhaps surprisingly, the Finnish lyrics were made by Katri Helena herself.  The original song "Broken Blossoms" was recorded by Dusty Springfield and it appeared on her 1967 album "Where Am I Going". The song was a traditional song with anti-war theme adapted by Dusty's brother Tom Springfield.

92 Finnpicks to go.

Here's the pair:

A Long Time Comin' - Liian monta päivää

Well, it's been a long time coming, but now meet Ann Christine (see earlier entry) again. She was most active musically in the mid-60's but made some records later, too. In 1969 she joined forces with Ulla & Tiina, who were a vocal duo that consisted of twins Ulla and Christina Rif. They recorded a single on whose B-side was this "Liian monta päivää" (Too many days). The song was not a success, nor was the A-side. The original was written and performed by Ellie Greenwich. Ellie was a famous songwriter who together with her husband and songwriting partner Jeff Barry wrote numerous hits for other artists. But she also released some records as a solo artist. This "A Long Time Comin'" was from the first ("Composes, Produces & Sings" in 1968) of her two albums.

Here's the pair:

Un Amore Inutile - Voitko unohtaa

Tuire Lehtimäki is a songstress that I don't know anything about. She recorded just one unsuccessful single in 1969. On the B-side was the third Finnish version of "Ma Che Freddo Fa" (see the other two here) and on the A-side was this "Voitko unohtaa" (Can you forget), another cover of an Italian hit. It's a shame that Tuire didn't continue her recording career, becouse she had that something special in her voice. The original song was named "Un Amore Inutile" (Love in vain) and it was a 1968 hit for Italian singer Isabella Iannetti (b. Carmela Jannetti).  She released about 20 singles in the 60's and was a frequent sight at a variety of song contests. We have met her before in Finnpicks, see here.

Here's the pair:

The Happening - Mä heräsin

Sirkka Keiski  had a short career as a pop singer in the latter part of the 60's. She recorded only three singles as a solo artist and two more as a member of female vocal trio Kolmiapila. In 1969 the pop music press labeled Sirkka as 'Miss Soul'. And from the same year is this recording "Mä heräsin" (I woke up). On this record Sirkka is backed by the group Soulset, one of the rare Finnish soul groups of the era. The arrangements were done by group member Seppo Paakkunainen. On the B-side of the single was another Supremes cover "Ei vieläkään" (Baby Love). So, the original song was performed by The Supremes and it was called "The Happening".  The song was the theme song of the 1967 comedy film "The Happening". The film was only a minor success, and is most notable today both as one of Faye Dunaway's earliest films and for this theme song. "The Happening" became a number 1 hit on the Billboard Hot 100. You can see Supremes perform the song, here.

Here's the pair:

Hier encore - Eilen kun mä tiennyt en

Päivi Paunu recorded "Eilen kun mä tiennyt en" (Yesterday when I didn't know) in 1969 for her album "Hei vain" and it was also released as a single on the B-side of her home-made hit "Oi rakkahin". The same song received more success in the following year, when Tapio Heinonen (see earlier entry)  released his version, using the same lyrics. The original song was of French origin. Armenian-born Charles Aznavour (b. Shahnour Vaghenag Aznavourian)  co-wrote and performed "Hier Encore" (Yesterday again) and the song was released in 1964. It turned out to be one of Aznavour's greatest hits. In 1969 US country singer Roy Clark  made his version as "Yesterday When I was Young", and It was big hit in both Country, Pop and Adult Contemporary Charts. It also broke through internationally, appearing on charts in many countries. This is the version that inspired Päivi and Tapio.

Here's the bunch:

Wichita Lineman - Tie jatkuu äärettömiin

Hector recorded "Tie jatkuu äärettömiin" (The road goes on infinitely) in 1969, and it was released on the B-side of his "Kuningatar" -single (cover of Peter Sarsted's "Where Do You Go To My Lovely").  The Finnish lyrics are of course written by Hector himself.  The original song "Wichita Lineman" is a classic song written by Jimmy Webb in 1968, first recorded by Glen Campbell. It appeared on his 1968 album of the same name, and reached number 3 on the US pop charts. Rolling Stone -magazine's list of the "500 Greatest Songs of All Time" ranked "Wichita Lineman" at 192. It has been referred to as "the first existential country song" and some have praised it as "the greatest pop song ever composed". Wichita is a county in Kansas, USA.

Here's the pair:

I Close My Eyes And Count To Ten - Sä syliis saat mun puristaa

Raya (b. Raija Alenius ) recorded two singles as a solo artist. On the A-side of the first one was this "Sä syliis saat mun puristaa" (You can hold me in your arms). It triggered some interest, but was not successful chartwise in 1969. Two years later Raya was the star in one of the Finnish "Hair" musical productions. And after that she gigged frequently with the rock group from the same production, Apostolit. The original of today's Finnpick was "I Close My Eyes And Count To Ten", a big hit for Dusty Springfield in 1968. It reached number 4 in the UK Charts. You can see Dusty perform the song, here.

Here's the pair:

Big Ship - Sinutko saan

It's been a long time since we last presented Sammy Babitzin. Today he's making his Finnpicks come-back. Sammy recorded "Sinutko saan" (Will I get you) in 1969 and it was released as a single, but it sunk without a trace. Sammy's success was still a year away. The original song was titled "Big Ship" and it was written by Raymond Froggatt, a singer and songwriter from Birmingham, England. It was a Top Ten hit for Cliff Richard in 1969. The lyrics (also by Froggatt) make no sense at all, but the core message becomes clear: "Love is like a big ship, following me".

Here's the pair:

Elenore - Ei hätää

Ernos (see earlier entry) was led by Erno (Lindahl), who also wrote most of their songs. He released some singles as a solo artist, and this song "Ei hätää" (No worry) was on the B-side of his 1969 hit single "En elämältä halua enempää" (cover of Beatles' "Ob-la-di Ob-la-da"). The lyrics on both sides were crafted by Juha Vainio. The original song "Elenore" was a Top 10 hit for US pop group The Turtles. The song was included in their album "The Battle of the Bands", which featured performances in a wide variety of different musical styles. "Elenore" was meant to be a parody of the type of happy-go-lucky pop songs they themselves had been performing, with deliberately clichéed lyrics. I wonder if anyone noticed ... ;-).

Here's the pair:

Jedem Abend Folgt Ein Morgen - Yö kun menee päivä tulee

Let's continue yesterday's finnpick's "Night" theme by presenting "Yö kun menee päivä tulee" (When the night goes, the day comes). It is one of the lesser known Tapani Kansa singles. It was recorded in 1969 and was not a hit, even if it is a quite catchy schlager tune. Esko Linnavalli took care of the arrangement and the lyrics were provided by Sauvo "Saukki" Puhtila. The original song came from Germany. Connie Francis (b. Concetta Rosa Maria Franconero ) - after her popularity had waned in USA - recorded several albums and singles in Germany, and this "Jedem Abend Folgt Ein Morgen" (Every night is followed by a morning) was her single offering in 1968. It was on the B-side of her minor hit "Canzone di Napoli".

Here's the pair:

Think It All Over - Auringonpistos

Pirjo Lehti is a Finnish schlager singer who was active mostly in the 1970s and 1980s. However she released her first single in 1969 and it was called "Auringonpistos" (Sunstroke). It didn't do anything chartwise, but anyway, launched a long career for Pirjo. The original song "Think It All Over" was written by Chris Andrews, whom we have met earlier as a performer (see here). The song was performed by British Pop Princess Sandie Shaw and it was the single number 22 for Sandie, and the last one to be written by Andrews. The song was influenced by the German oompah bands that were popular at the time. The single peaked just outside the UK Top 40.

Here's the pair:

Boom Bang-a-Bang - Boom bang-a-bang

Lisbeth was a young girl who recorded "Boom bang-a-bang" in 1969. Nothing more is known about her. She recorded just this one single, with a cover of Beatles' "Your Mother Should Know" on the flipside. "Boom Bang-a-Bang" was the United Kingdom entry to the ESC 1969, performed by Lulu (b. Marie Lawrie) It was the joint winner with three other entries; Spain, Netherlands and France. The single made number 2 in the UK singles charts and was a major hit throughout Europe. BTW, for some reason, the song was included on a blacklist of banned songs issued by the BBC during the 1991 Gulf War.

Here's the pair:

A quoi pensent les tziganes - Jostain vielä laulun kuulen

In our sporadic series of "Both Sides Now" we now present the A-side to yesterday's 1969 Finnpick "Armonaikaa". It was a song called "Jostain vielä laulun kuulen" (I still here a song from somewhere). It is one of the lesser known Carola songs, even if the melody line is beautiful, similar to the one of "Partisaanivalssi" (a popular song in Finland, telling about Polish partisans in WWII). The original song "A quoi pensent les tziganes" (What the gypsies think) has been labeled "traditional", but it was made to pop hit in French-speaking Europe in 1968 by the Belgian singer named Luigi. Luigi Verderame, usually known just as Luigi, was popular internationally in the late 1960s and early 1970s. He sang mainly in French, but made also a succesful career in Israel with Hebrew songs.

Here's the pair:

Oneero - Armonaikaa

"Armonaikaa" (Grace time) was released on the B-side of Carola's 1969 single that was a follow-up to her big success "Rakkauden jälkeen" (featured earlier in Finnpicks, here). It was not a hit at the time, but it showcases very well Carola's extraordinary voice and it is frequently requested song even today. The original song was called "Oneero" and it was performed by Nana Mouskouri. The song was composed by Manos Hadjidakis, the famous Greek songwriter., who in 1960 he received an Oscar for Best Original Song for his song "Never on Sunday" from the film of the same name (featured earlier in Finnpicks, here). Hadjidakis can be credited with the introduction of bouzouki music into mainstream culture.

Here's the pair:

Nathalie - Nathalie

You may have thought that I had gorgotten about the most definitive song about Nathalie. No way! Here's the one, entitled of course "Nathalie", interpreted in Finnish in 1969 by Tapani Perttu. This is the song Tapani is best known for. The original was written and sung by French superstar Gilbert Bécaud. He was known as "Monsieur 100,000 Volts" for his energetic performances. His best-known hit probably is this "Nathalie". Becaud has been finnpicked earlier, see here.

Here's the pair:

Innamorato Come Un Ragazzo - Nyt tai ei koskaan

Frederik had a big hit with "Nyt tai ei koskaan" (Now or never) in 1969. It has become one of his most popular and most requested songs. The delivery and the lyrics are a good example of Frederiks first attempts in his macho style. The original was a lesser known 1968 Italian song "Innamorato Come Un Ragazzo" (In love like a boy) sung by Vasso Ovale. (b, Basilio Ovale). It was written by his father Achilles Ovale. Vasso had a couple of hits in Italy in the 60's, but he never really broke through, neither in Italy nor internationally.

Here's the pair:

One Two Three O`Leary - Leikkimajan aikaan

Tapani Perttu (see earlier entry) had his great breakthrough with the cover of Gilbert Becaud's "Nathalie" in 1969. On the B-side of that single was "Leikkimajan aikaan" (In the days of the playhouse). Like so many B-sides. it is now completely forgotten, but still a fine piece of music. The original "One Two Three O`Leary" was a Top 10 UK hit in 1969 for Des O`Connor. Des is an English television personality and talkshow host. Although his singing ability has been criticized frequently, he has done a successful career as a singer, recording 36 albums, four of which reached the Top 30 charts. "One Two Three O`Leary" is an old game rhyme used in childrens' ball-bouncing games.

Here's the pair:

Never Grow Old - Muuta tehdä en voi

Markku Suominen (see earlier entry) recorded "Muuta tehdä en voi" (I can't do anything else) in 1969. It was released as a single, but didn't do much chartwise. But it's a good song, and the little extra curiosity in this case is that the lyrics are done by Kari Kuuva, another famous Finnish singer. The original song was a considerable hit for the Israeli duo Esther and Abi Ofarim (see earlier entry). This was the 1968 follow-up single for their smash hit "Cinderella Rockafella". It wasn't nearly as successful, but still worth to remember. You can see the couple singing the song live here.

Here's the pair:

Only One Woman - Viimeiseen mieheen

The single "Viimeiseen mieheen" (To the last man) was a big hit for Kirka in 1969. The remarkable lyrics were from the pen of Pertti Reponen,and the fine arrangement by Esko Linnavalli. The original song was written by the Gibb brothers Barry, Robin and Maurice, better known as Bee Gees. The song became a smash hit for another Brithish rock duo The Marbles in 1968. The duo consisted of Graham Bonnet and Trevor Gordon, who were cousins. Trevor grew up in Australia where he met the Gibb brothers. Subsequently they wrote six songs for the Marbles and provided some background vocals. The Marbles were typical one-hit wonders because "Only One Woman" became their one and only major hit. After the group broke up in 1969, Bonnet started a lengthy solo career. From 1978 to 1980 he was the lead singer with Ritchie Blackmore's Rainbow.

Here's the pair: