Harmony - Ystävyys

Tuulikki Eloranta (see earlier entry) recorded "Ystävyys" (Friendship) in 1974. It was released on her album "Hymni rakkaudelle". The Finnish lyrics - brilliant as always - were provided by Juha Vainio. The original song was called "Harmony" and was initially made popular by US musician Artie Kaplan. Artie is a saxophonist and flutist that has played on over 150 Top Ten records, for example on "Sunny" by Bobby Hebb and "Locomotion" by Little Eva. In 1973 he released his debut solo album called "Confessions Of A Male Chauvinist Pig". This "Harmony" -song was one of the tracks, and when released as a single, it hit the charts in Italy and achieved popularity alse elsewhere in Europe.

46 Finnpicks to go.

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Shang-a-lang - Shang-a-lang

Upon researching the Finnpicks I have come up with many surprises and amazing facts. Today's finnpick is one example of those. Well, I couldn't have imagined Kari Tapio ever covering Bay City Rollers. But he really did it, in 1974, when he released single with "Shang-a-lang" on it. Perhaps understandably, it was not a hit and the song has not been included in any of Kari's compilation albums. But nothing wrong with the song, though ... The original "Shang-a-lang" was written by top songwriter duo Phil Coulter and Bill Martin and was the 3rd UK Top Ten hit for Bay City Rollers  reaching number 2 in 1974. You can see them perform it, here.

61 Finnpicks to go.

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Hooked On A Feeling - Pahuksen tunteet

Leo Luoto recorded "Pahuksen tunteet" (Damn these feelings) in 1974. For some reason it remained only an album track on the "Leo Luoto" LP. The first Finnish version was done a year ealier by Dave, but that recording I don't have. So we listen to Leo's interpretation, which is no bad at all. The Finnish lyrics were written by Chrisse Johansson. The original song was named "Hooked On A Feeling" and it was a smash hit on two occasions. In 1969 the original version performed by B. J. Thomas (b. Billy Joe Thomas)  reached number 5 in Billboard Top 100 chart. The song featured the distinctive sound of the electric sitar. In 1971, the Englishman Jonathan King  produced his own version, adding the famous "ooga chaka" chants. King described it as "a reggae rhythm by male voices". His version reached number 23 on the UK Singles Chart. In 1974, the Swedish pop group Blue Swede (with Björn Skifs as lead singer) did a cover, which included their own version of King's "ooga chaka" introduction, and their version reached number 1 in the US. BTW, the song was written by Mark James, who also wrote such monster hits as "Suspicious Minds", "Moody Blue" and "Always On My Mind".

p.s. This blog has today exceeded 100 000 visits (counted from the start). Thank you!

65 Finnpicks to go.

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Your Baby Ain't Your Baby Anymore - Menneet ovat menneitä

Lea Laven recorded "Menneet ovat menneitä" (Bygones are bygones) in 1974 for her album "Niin". The Finnish lyrics were - as nearly always on Lea's records at the time - written by Chrisse Johansson.  The original song was called "Your Baby Ain't Your Baby Anymore" and it was a Top 20 Uk hit in for Paul Da Vinci (b. Paul Prewer), who also co-wrote it. Paul is best known as the incredible voice on the Rubettes' number one selling single "Sugar Baby Love". He didn't join in the band and tried solo career. This was his debut solo single. You can see him perform the song, here.

75 Finnpicks to go.

p.s. Right now I'm traveling, so I'm not able to update this blog daily.

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Rock Your Baby - Rokkibeibi

The third Disco Week song is the first landmark of the Golden Disco Era of 70's. The group Cascade (see earlier entry)  recorded their version of it as "Rokkibeibi" (Rock Baby) in 1974. It was released as their debut single, but lost in popularity to another Finnish version by Rolf Bergström & Pyhimykset. I present here this rarely heard Cascade's cover. Both versions used Finnish lyrics by Chrisse Johansson. The original disco classic was "Rock Your Baby" performed by US soul and disco singer George McCrae. It was written and produced by Harry Wayne Casey (KC) and Richard Finch of KC & The Sunshine Band. The song reached number one in USA and UK, and in various other countries. It has since sold over 10 million copies worldwide. You can see George perform the song, here.

97 Finnpicks to go.

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Dance of Love - Kuin noidat me tanssitaan

Tapani Kansa recorded "Kuin noidat me tanssitaan" (We dance like the witches) in 1974. It is a rare piece of music today as it was released only on the B-Side of a single (Tapani's cover of "My Way" was on the A-side). The original song "Dance of Love" was a great single in 1965 for country/rockabilly/soul chameleon Charlie Rich, who also wrote the song.

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Pinewood Rally - Kimma kaasun avaa

Let's hear another Björn Skifs cover. Leo Luoto recorded the oddly named "Kimma kaasun avaa" (The girl twists the throttle) in 1974, and it was released on his album "Leo Luoto". The Finnish lyrics (about motorcycling girlfriend) were done by Raul Reiman.  Björn Skifs & Blåblus released the original song "Pinewood Rally" in 1973 on the B-side of their Top Ten US hit "Never My Love", which was the follow-up to their number one hit "Hooked On A Feeling". As yesterday's finnpick, this too was written by Björn Skifs together with producer Bengt Palmers.

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Lonely Sunday Afternoon - Viimeinen iltapäivä

Kisu recorded "Viimeinen iltapäivä" (The last afternoon) in 1974 and while being a good song, it's sadly one of his lesser known songs. It was released on the B-side of his big home-made hit "Juustossa löytyy". The Finniah lyrics were done by Chrisse Johansson. The original was of Swedish origin and called "Lonely Sunday Afternoon". It was performed by Björn Skifs & Blåblus and co-written by Björn Skifs. At the time the group had just had a breakthrough in USA (as Blue Swede) with the number one hit "Hooked On A Feeling". So it's no wonder their records were sought-after cover material.

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(Let Me Be Your) Teddy Bear - Nalle-karhu

The "Finnish King Of Rock'n Roll" Pekka Loukiala (see earlier entry) kept quite a low profile in the latter part of the 60's playing mainly in the dance music bands. In the 70's during rock'n roll revival, he started recording again and did some Elvis covers. This "Nalle-karhu" (Teddy Bear) was first one of those, released in 1974. The single, on whose flipside was cover of "Baby I Don't care" failed to make charts. Elvis Presley recorde the original "(Let Me Be Your) Teddy Bear" in 1957, and it became a number one hit in the summer of that year. BTW, as you all know, the teddy bear is a stuffed toy bear, but did you know the story behind the name. You can read it here.


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Truck Driving Man - Rekkakuski

Kari Tapio (or Kari Jalkanen, as he was called at the time) recorded the song "Rekkakuski" (Truck driver) in 1974. It was released on an album called "Aikapommi". The album consisted of country songs performed by Kari and Erkki Liikanen. Both artists were friends of country music and Erkki was already a star at the time, but Kari was just starting his career. The Finnish lyrics for this song were made by Liikanen. The original "Truck Drivin' Man" was an old popular country song written and recorded by American country musician Terry Fell in 1954.  One of his band members, Buck Owens, sang harmony with him on this original recording, and in 1965, Owens recorded the song himself. Several other versions exist.

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Lasse liten blues - Pikku-Lassen blues

Eija Merilä recorded "Pikku-Lassen blues" (Blues for little Lasse) in 1974. Eija was primarily known as schlageer singer, but this little number demonstrate her abilities as a r&b -singer. The Finnish lyrics to this - kind of sad - story were crafted by Sauvo "Saukki" Puhtila. The original tune "Lasse liten blues" (Blues for little Lasse) was written and performed by Swedish troubadour, Dutch-born Cornelis Vreeswijk. He emigrated to Sweden with his parents in 1949 at the age of twelve, and taught himself to sing and play guitar in the fifties. His first album in 1964 was a hit and created a large following among the emerging radical student generation. Vreeswijk was a controversial figure in the 60'2 and early 70's and was disapproved by many for his rude language and persistent interest in people like prostitutes and criminals.

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I Get Around - Kuljeksija

Rahapula was a short-lived pop group in the 70's with a peculiar name (it translates to "Lack of Money"). It released only one album in javascript:void(0)1974. The title of which was "Lempiaihe". In addition to some own material the album contained also altogether 4 covers of songs made popular by Beach Boys. This "Kuljeksija" (The Drifter) was one of those (the three others were covers of "I Can Hear Music", "Cotton Fields" and "You Still Believe In Me"). It was released only as an album track and sunk into oblivion. Beach Boys had a hit with the original "I Get Around" in 1964. The song was written by Brian Wilson and Mike Love and features Mike on lead vocal for the verses, and Brian for the chorus. The single was their first number 1 in USA. You can see the band perform the song here.

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Rockin' Robin - Rokkaava Robin

Well, well - it's springtime and robins sing. Saksa Brothers recorded "Rokkaava Robin" (Rocking Robin) in 1974 for their album "Rankka päivä". This pop group was quite extraordinary in Finland, as it consisted of altogether 5 brothers: Voitto,Arto,Jussi,Reijo and Harri. However, they did not not gain any greater success. They usually recorded their own material, but did also some covers. This "Rokkava Robin" was one of those, sung to the Finnish lyrics by Jussi Saksa. The Finnish "Robin" was a rocking guy, not a bird. The orignal song "Rockin' Robin" dates back all the way to 1958. It was written by Leon René under the pseudonym Jimmie Thomas and recorded by Bobby Day (b. Robert James Byrd) in 1958. It was Day's only hit single, reaching number 2 on the Billboard Hot 100. Bobby Day was the original "Bob" in the duo Bob & Earl. He was also a successful songwriter, best known for "Over and Over" by the Dave Clark Five and "Little Bitty Pretty One" by Thurston Harris. In 1972 Michael Jackson recorded and released a cover version of "Rockin' Robin", and you can see hime perform it, here. 



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Kissing In The Back Row Of The Movies - Filmi päästä päähän suukotellaan

This is one of Fredi's lesser known covers. He recorded "Filmi päästä päähän suukotellaan" (Kissing the movie from end to end) in 1974. It was included in his album "Avaa sydämesi mulle". The Finnsih lyrics were wtitten by Vexi Salmi. The original song was called "Kissing In The Back Row Of The Movies" and it was a big European hit for the legendary vocal group The Drifters. The song was written by Roger Greenaway, but this time his songwriting partner was not Roger Cook, but another famous songwriter/producer Tony Macaulay. You can see the Drifters' immaculate performance of the song, here.

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Aj, aj, aj - Ai, ai, ai

Express was a popular beat pop group in the 70's. It was formed in 1967 and won the Finnish Pop Band championship in 1970. The group had a big hit with self-penned "Anna" in 1972 and this "Ai,ai, ai" was their second hit. The band is still active and gigging. The original song here originated from Sweden. "Aj,aj, aj" was a big hit for dance band Schytts. This band we have also finnpicked before, see here.

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Arms Full Of Empty - Meiä Veera

This song is the A-side to the ealier Finnpick "Hello Buddy" (see here). This "Meiä Veera" (Our Veera) was a blockbuster hit for Erkki Liikanen in 1974. (see earlier entry). It was the one song that really started his succesful career as a singer, comedian and entertainer. You can see Erkki perform the song in a popular Finnish TV comedy show "Merirosvoradio" (Pirate Radio Station), here. This is one of those songs that is familiar to most Finns but few have heard the original version. The original song was number 32 US country hit in 1973 for Buck Owens and Susan Raye and called "Arms Full of Empty". Both Buck and Susan were established country artists on their own, but collaborated in two albums and a couple of singles in the beginning of 70's. (And Susan even married Owens' drummer ;-))

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I'll Take The Money And Run - Mä ryöstän pankin

I don't know if today anyone dared to write lyrics like in this song "Mä ryöstän pankin" (I'll rob a bank). It might not be 'politically correct' to write a song about plans to rob a bank. Even if it's done for love ... Markku Karjalainen (see earlier entry) recorded the song in 1974 for his album "M.m.m.". And the lyrics were crafted by Pertti "Pertsa" Reponen. The original song "I'll Take The Money And Run" was written by British songwriting duo John Carter and Geoff Stephens. John was once a member of the pop group Ive League and later sang lead in Stephens-penned "Winchester Cathedral" and co-lead in Flower Pot Men's "Let's Go To San Francisco". In 1970 the duo wrote the UK entry for ESC, "Knock Knock Whose There". This 'robbing song' was their collaboration for Joe Dolan, and it was released in 1974 as a follow-up to his hit "Sweet Little Rock'n Roller", but did not fare as well.

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Deeper And Deeper - Riemua riittää

Markku Karjalainen makes his Finnpicks debut (although his song can be found as a 'bonus track' here). He was quite popular pop singer in 1973-74 making couple of singles and one album. But after his megahit "Läähätän ja läkähdyn" in 1973, his glory day were soon over - for some reason. This "Riemua riittää" (Fun lasts) was a track on his sole album "M.m.m" (1974). The lyrics were provided by Pertsa Reponen. The original song "Deeper And Deeper" was the from the pens Mike 'Harvey' Price and Dan Walsh, two Los Angeles based songwriters. It was a non-charted 1973 single of an American pop music group Bo Donaldson and The Heywoods. They are known mainly for their 1974 number one hit single "Billy Don't Be A Hero" (originally done in UK by Paper Lace). This "Deeper And Seeper" was the single that preceded their breakthrough "Billy" -single. BTW, Bo Donaldson was the band's keyboard player Robert Walter "Bo" Donaldson.

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This World Today Is A Mess - Tiedä mitä tahdot

Ami Aspelund (see earlier entry) released "Tiedä mitä tahdot" (Know what you want) on the B-side of her "Tänään huipulla" (Carpenters' Top Of The World cover) in 1974. The arrangement was done by Veikko Samuli and the lyrics were again crafted by Pertsa Reponen. The original song was called "This World Today Is A Mess", and it was co-written and performed by US jazz- and R&B -singer Donna Hightower. She started her career in the 50's touring with Louis Jordan and B.B. King. She never had any hits at the time, but this powerful "Mess" song was very popular in 1972 in continental Europe.

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Tiger Feet - Saat mut rokkaamaan

Still one more Chinnichap cover from Marjo-Riitta & Savannah. Their sole album in 1974 included this "Saat mut rokkaamaan" (You get me rocking). The lyrics were provided by pseudonym "Kersamo", which undoubtedly refers to Marjo-Riitta (Kervinen) and Savannah's keyboardist Kari Kuusamo. The original song "Tiger Feet" was the first UK number one single for Mud, spending four weeks at the top of the chart in 1974. It was also the best-selling single in Britain that year. You can see Mud perform this rocker, here

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