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.

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Caterina Ballerina - Heinäkuussa vuosi sitten

This is one of the lesser known songs from Markku Aro. He recorded "Heinäkuussa vuosi sitten" (In July last year) in 1977. It was an album track and unfortunately did not draw any attention. The Finnish lyrics were done by Juha Vainio and the arrangement by Veikko Samuli - so, quality stuff ...   The original song "Caterina Ballerina" was on the B-side of Joe Dolan's minor 1977 hit (number 43 in UK charts) "I Need You". It was written by Roberto Danova - well, who else.

Here's the pair:

Rockaria! - Rock-aaria

Now it's time for Frederik Friday again! Frederik did a surprise move in 1977 and recorded two ELO covers for his album "Olen Dracula", of which we have already presented one (see here). Now it's turn to lend your ears to the other one. Another surprise with "Rock-aaria" is, that the Finnish lyrics were written by Irina Milan. And I guess she is also singing in the 'aria' part of the song. The original "Rockaria!" was released on the band's successful 1976 album "A New World Record" and was later released as a single. On the recording, it featured the operatic voice of Mary Thomas during the introduction, but during live performances, the 'aria' was provided by the band's bassist Kelly Groucutt.

Here's the pair:

Rock'n Roll Love Letter - Serenadi beijareille

In the 70's Bay City Rollers was as popular in Finland as everywhere else. However, I don't know if this kind of tribute serenade was made anyplace else. Anna Babitzin's (Kirka Babitzin's little sister) single "Serenadi beijareille" (A serenade to beijarit ("beijarit" was the Finnish nickname for the band)) was released in 1977. It wasn't a sellout, but I guess all the die-hard BCR bought it. The arrangement as by Veikko Samuli and the Finnish lyrics by Kari Tuomisaari. It was cover of Bay City Rollers' Rock'n Roll Love Letter". which was one of their singles not released in UK. In USA, in 1976 it went to number 28 in Billboard Chart.  You can see the band perform the song, here. The original song was written an performed by American singer and songwriter Tim Moore.  It was on his 1975 album "Behind The Eyes". BTW, Moore's guitar work on "Rock'n Roll Love Letter" drew the attention of Rolling Stones guitarist Keith Richards and the two became friends.

Here's the triplet:

No charge - Ilman palkkaa

Well - this is a tearjerker of a song. Vocal duo Annika ja Maikki sung "Ilman palkkaa" (Without charge) in 1977. It wasn't actually a hit, but the song has become an 'underground classic'. Annika and Maikki were real-life daughter and mother Annika and Maija-Liisa ("Maikki") Metsäketo. Annika later became a popular broadcaster in Finnish private radio. The Finnish lyrics for "Ilman palkkaa" were done by the master himself, Juha Vainio. The lyrics were almost one-to-one translation of the original, a country classic "No Charge" from the year 1974, originally performed by Melba Montgomery. You can see Melba perform the song in 1998, here. Here  you can hear a 'male version' of the same song by Johnny Cash (in 1975). You might also want to see a tongue-in-cheek Finnish version from 1988, here. 

Here's the pair:

Ensename a cantar - Sai laulu aikaan sen

Three days to ESC 2011 ... In 1977 Jouko, Kosti & Paavo recorded "Sai laulu aikaan sen" (It was caused by a song) in 1977 to the lyrics of Pertsa Reponen. It was released on their debut album and also as a single, but was lost in oblivion. The song was considered to have some hit potential, becouse two other Finnish versions were released in that year. The original song was called "Ensename a cantar" (Teach me to sing).  It was the Spanish entry in the Eurovision Song Contest 1977, performed by a singer named Micky. The song is an up-tempo number in which the banjo plays an important part. At the close of voting, it had received 52 points, placing 9th in a field of 18. You can see the actual ESC performance, here.

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Rock Bottom - Päin seinää

Danny and Armi Aavikko (both finnpicked several times as a solo artists) had a very succesful period as a duo in the 70's. One of the lesser known recordings they made was this "Päin seinää". It was included on their massive big seller album "Tahdon olla sulle hellä" in 1977. It was released also in single format, but failed to hit the charts. The original song was called "Rock Bottom"" and it was the UK entry in the Eurovision Song Contest 1977, performed by Lynsey de Paul and Mike Moran. The song was also written by them. It fared well, receiving 121 points and placing 2nd in a field of 18, just behind France's Marie Myriam. You can see their lively ESC performance, here.

Here's the pair:

Mississippi - Mississippi

Finnpicks Grand Tour of USA now takes turn to South, deep South ... Marion recorded "Mississippi" in 1977 for her album "77". It was also released on single format, on the B-side of her Abba's "Dancing Queen" -cover (called "Prinsessa"). The Finnish lyrics for Mississippi were crafted by Juha Vainio. The original "Mississippi" was worldwide smash hit in 1975-76 for Dutch group Pussycat.  (see earlier entry) It is estimated that "Mississippi" sold over five million copies worldwide. The lyrics of the song are about the history of music, about how rock music became more popular than country music. The name of the Mississippi state derives from the Mississippi River ('rolling along' in the song), which flows along its western boundary. Again, the name of the river comes from the Ojibwe - one of indigenous languages of USA - word misi-ziibi, meaning "Great River". You can see Pussycat perform the song, here.
  
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Last Train to Clarksville - Nouse Joensuussa junaan

We are still staying in Tennessee... The Saari brothers Jouko, Kosti and Paavo recorded "Nouse Joensuussa junaan" (Board the train in Joensuu) in 1977 for their album "Jouko, Kosti ja Paavo". The Finnish lyrics were provided by Pertsa Reponen. The song was not released as a single. Maybe becouse it was released some 10 years after the original hit tune. "Last Train to Clarksville" was the debut single by The Monkees, released in August 1966.The song topped the Billboard Hot 100 on November 1966. Though the Clarksville in the song's title appears to refer to the city of Clarksville, Tennessee, co-writer Bobby Hart states that this is just a coincidence. The plot comprises a phone call from a military person to his wife / girlfriend, requesting that she 'get the last train to Clarksville' in order to have one last night together before he has to leave on his morning train. He doesn't know when he will return, so this may be a long or dangerous assignment. This day's bonus is later (1989) Finnish version by Clifers, called "Go Go Kake".
Updated on 23.10.2011: Added the first Finnish version (1967)  "Lähde pois" (Go away) by Harri Haka.
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Dance Little Lady Dance - Paa pienet pumpit taas

On the flipside of yesterday's Marjo-Riitta finnpick was this "Paa pienet pumpit taas" (Do a little bumping again). It was Marjo-Riitta's foray into the world of disco music. But it didd'nt bring any greater success to her. The nearly nonsense lyrics were created by Chrisse Johansson. The original disco song "Dance Little Lady Dance" was a smash hit for English singer Tina Charles (b. Tina Hoskins) (finnpicked before, see here) in 1976. You can see Tina perform the song, here.

Here's the pair:

Du bist nicht die erste liebe - Kenties viimeinen

Marjo-Riitta (real name Marjo-Riitta Kervinen) was a member in the group Ernos in the 60's and later in the 70's in the groups Marjo-Riitta & Savannah (see earlier entry) and Cascade. In the latter part of the 70's she launched a solo career and released some singles. On one of those was this "Kenties viimeinen" (Maybe the last) from the year 1977. It deserved to be a schlager hit but it wasn't. Perhaps Marjo-Riitta was too 'rock' to be valued as schlager singer. The original was performed in 1976 by Austrian-born Gilla (b. Gisela Wuchinger) and was called "Du bist nicht die erste liebe" (You are not the first love). Gilla was the discovery of German producer Frank Farian (of Boney M fame), and this song was also co-written by him. The song was on the B-side of Gilla's big European hit"Ich brenne" ("Help Help" in English version).

Here's the pair:

A Far L'Amore Comincia Tu - Potki potki sä vain

Kari Tapio recorded "Potki potki sä vain" (You just kick all you can) in 1977 for his album "Kaipuu". Kari's big breakthrough hit "Viisitoista kesää" was also on this album, but today's finnpick was not released as a single. The lyrics were crated by Pertsa Reponen, and Veikko Samuli did the arrangement. The original song was of Italian origin. "A Far L'Amore Comincia Tu" (To make the love start you) was a big hit for Raffaella Carra in 1977 all over Europe. You can see 'La Carra' perform the song here.

Here's the pair:

Brasilero - Brasilero

Katri Helena recorded "Brasilero" in 1977. It was released on the B-side of her Top 10 hit, the Finnish version of that year's Eurovision winner "L'oiseau et l'enfant". Katri herself wrote the Finnish lyrics for "Brasilero". Also Frederik released a version of that in the same year, using Katri's lyrics. The original "Brasilero" was - again - written by hitmakers Roberto Danova and Peter Yellowstone. There are about 30 Finnish version of their songs of which we have already presented quite a few, and there's more to come. The original performer was called Roberto Montecristo. Roberto was in the 70's a successful producer of various artists like Kelly Marie, Mungo Jerry and Joe Dolan. In 1976 he released this song "Brasilero", which broke out in Europe and established him also as a singer.

Here's the triplet:

Lay Back in the Arms of Someone - Tunteitaan ei voi estää

Karma released "Tunteitaan ei voi estää" (You can't turn down your feelings) as a single in 1977, and on the album "Morjens, Karma" in the same year. The group was already scored two minor hits with Chinnichap rocker songs for Sweet (see "Blockbuster" here and "Wig Wam Bam" here . This was the third one, but the group didn't fare so well with this pop ballad. The original song "Lay Back in the Arms of Someone" was the follow-up single to Smokie's biggest hit "Living Next Door to Alice" in 1977 and it was equally successful. You can see them perform the song here.

Here's the pair:

I'll Meet You At Midnight - Keskiyön aikaan

Now begins the 3rd and final Finnpicks Chinnichap Week. We present Finnish covers of the songs written by British songwriting duo Nicky Chinn and Mike Chapman. Markku Aro got a big hit with Chinnichap's "Crazy" (see it finnpicked, here) and he scored another one with "Keskiyön aikaan" (Around midnight) in 1977. In addition to catchy melody, the lyrics by Juha Vainio and the arrangement by Veikko Samuli were first class. The original song "I'll Meet You At Midnight" was one of the biggest hits for Smokie. The group started it's recording career in 1970 as Kindness (you can hear their first single here) After joining the Chinnichap stable their name was changed to Smokey. And after couple of succesful singles they changed it to Smokie as the American soul legend Smokey Robinson threatened to file a law suit, alleging that the band's name would confuse the audience.

Here's the pair:

When Your Heart Is Full Of Love - Sen tietää kun onnen löytää saa

Juhani Markola sometimes covered songs that were quite unknown, but nevertheless interesting and enchanting. This is one of those songs. "Sen tietää kun onnen löytää saa" (You'll know when you find happiness) was released in 1977 both as a single and an album track on his "Rakkaudella" album. The lyrics were provided by Pertsa Reponen. The original song was a minor European hit for American Chris Montez (b. Ezekiel Christopher Montanez) in 1972. Chris is of course best remembered by his smash hit "Let's Dance" in 1962. He did a sort of come-back in Europe 10 years later with some English- and Spanish -language records, and this "When Your Heart Is Full Of Love" is an example of those.

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Nina, Pretty Ballerina - Nina, pikku balleriina

This is the B-side to yesterday's 1977 finnpick. Yes, it's "Both Sides Now" back again. Danny's "Nina, pikku balleriina" (Nina, tiny ballerina) is one of the lesser known Finnish Abba covers. The lyrics were by Pertsa Reponen. You can see a video of the song, here. Abba's "Nina, Pretty Ballerina" was recorded in 1973 for their "Ring, Ring" debut album. The album was full of potential hit singles and this song was released on single in Austria and France to promote the album. It reached number 8 on the singles chart in Austria.

Here's the pair:

You Belong To Me Baby - Hyvä mun on niin

This song was on Danny's 1977 hit album "Tahdon olla sulle hellä", whose title track was a smah come-back hit for Danny (and guest artist Armi Aavikko). "Hyvä mun on niin" (I feel so good) was also later culled as a single, and it also fared well, reaching Top 10. Also Jarmo "Jamppa" Tuominen released his version in that same year, but it didn't chart. The original song was 1976 hit for often-finnpicked Irishman Joe Dolan. The authors of "You Belong To Me Baby" were the same as on most of Joe's hit records. Roberto Danova (music) and Peter Yellowstone (Lyrics).

Updated on 15.01.2011: addded Jamppa Tuominen's version (1977).

Here's the triplet:

Mi tierra cristiana - Sierra Nevada

Anneli Pasanen (see earlier entry) had a short span of singing career in the 70's/80's. Even if she had steady following, she never made real big breakthrough. Anneli recorded "Sierra Nevada" in 1977 for her album "Rakastan jokaista päivää". It was released as a single, but it went nowhere chartwise. The lyrics were provided by Pertsa Reponen. The original song was called "Mi tierra cristiana" (My christian land) and it was a hit in 1974 for Spanish pop group Los Puntos. The group originated from Almeria, and was formed in 1967 consisting of five young students. At first they performed covers of popular pop songs but later they began writing their own material, mostly written (like this finnpick) by band member Alfonso Grano De Oro. The theme of the song, Sierra Nevada, is a mountain range in the region of group's home province Almería. It contains the highest point of continental Spain, Mulhacén at 3478 metres. Due to its landscape, numerous spaghetti westerns were filmed there.

Here's the pair: