Cambodia - Matka tuntemattomaan

After a couple of days break - caused by flu - the journey towards the end of Finnpicks continues. Satu Pentikäinen recorded "Matka tuntemattomaan" (The journey to the unknown) in 1982. It was released on the B-side of a single (the A-side was cover of Bucks Fizz's "Land of Make Believe"), as well as on the album "Lapsuus jäi". Unfortunately the single sank without a trace and the album wasn't big seller either. The original song was one of the mega hits of Kim Wilde and called "Cambodia" and released in 1981. It was written - as most of her biggies - by her father Marty Wild and her brother Ricky Wilde. The lyrics of the song tell the story of the wife of a Thailand-based Royal Air Force Pilot, whose husband mysteriously disappears after flying out to Cambodia and never returns. It is said to be inspired by some of the tragedies that occurred in South Vietnam.  You can see the official music video of the song, here.

Only 2 Finnpicks to go.

Here's the pair:

View From A Bridge - Kuin roskakertomus

Meiju Suvas recorded oddly titled "Kuin roskakertomus" (Like pulp fiction) in 1982 for her debut album "Meiju". The Finnish lyrics were made by Vexi Salmi. The original song was called "View From A Bridge". It was the 5th consecutive UK Top 20 hit for Kim Wilde in 1982. The song told the story of a girl committing suicide by jumping off a bridge.  The siblings who wrote the song, were the same as with most of Kim's hits; Marty Wilde (father) and Ricky Wilde (brother).

53 Finnpicks to go.

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School's Out - Koulut kii

Hassisen Kone was the most popular of the Finnish post-punk rock groups. It had a short but shining career in the beginning of the 80's. "Koulut kii" (Close the schools) was released in 1982. The lyrics written by the band's frontman Ismo Alanko, are perhaps even more provocative than the original. Ismo has made a very succesful career after the demise of Kone, in solo and in various rock combos. The original of today's finnpicked song was "School's Out", the classic youth anthem of Alice Cooper released in 1972. It turned out to be the big breakthrough for the band. You can see Alice perform the song live, here.

Well, Finnpicks's Out for summer, too. I'm on vacation for about five weeks now. So, HAPPY AND SUNNY SUMMER for everybody!

Here's the pair:

Glendora - Ikkunaprinssi - Ikkunaprinsessa

This is a familiar song, but I wasn't aware of the first Finnish version - sung from the female point of view - until recently. Seija Lampila (see earlier entry)  recorded "Ikkunaprinssi" (Window prince) in 1957. It was not a hit and remained a forgotten gem. However, the same song became more popular when released by Olavi Virta in 1958 on the B-side of his mega-hit "Poika varjoisalta kujalta". But the biggest Finnish breakthrough came in 1982, when Rauli Badding Somerjoki released his classic version as "Ikkunaprinsessa" (Window princess). The original song "Glendora" was a great succes for Perry Como in 1956. The song deals with a man's unusual attraction to a department store mannequin, and his disillusionment when, at the end of the song, he happens to see it disassembled during the store's renovation.

Here's the bunch:

There’s A Guy Works Down The Chip Shop Swears He's Elvis - Rautalankamalli

Taiska recorded "Rautalankamalli" (Wire model) in 1982 for her album "Oma tie". The lyrics were provided by Raul Reiman. Pity this wasn't released as a single. The original song had one of the longest titles in a succesful pop song, "There’s A Guy Works Down The Chip Shop Swears He's Elvis". It was performed and co-written by Kirsty MacColl, the daughter of famous English folk singer Ewan MacColl (Ewan finnpicked here, and Kirsty here). It was Kirsty's first hit single, charting in the UK at number 14 in 1981. BTW, the "chip shop" is a take-away, selling fish-and-chips and other hot fast food for hungry Britons. You can see Kirsty perform the "Chip Shop" -song, here.

Here's the pair:

Poetry In Motion - Kuin runotar hän kulkee

Rauli "Badding" Somerjoki (see earlier entry) recorded several pop and rock'n roll classics. This is one example of those. "Kuin runotar hän kulkee" (Like a muse she moves) was released in 1982, as a track on his album "Ikkunaprinsessa". Badding wrote the lyrics himself. The original song "Poetry In Motion" was Top 3 hit for American singer and songwriter Johnny Tillotson. This was however not his own composition, but written by songwriters Paul Kaufman and Mike Anthony. They have told that the inspiration for the song came from seeing a procession of young ladies from a nearby school pass by on the sidewalk. The song was recorded in Nashville and featured such legendary musicians as saxophonist Boots Randolph on saxophone and Floyd Cramer on piano.

Here's the pair:

Musique Magique - Mennäänks meille

Lea Laven (see previous entry) cut several disco records. One of them was "Mennäänks meille" (Let's go to my place) was released in 1982. The original is again coming fron the Frenchmen Jean Kluger and Daniel Vangarde (real name Bangalter) that produced and wrote this for Ottawan in 1982 as "Musique Magique". The song is of course worldwide known with the English title "Crazy Music".

Here's the pair:

Raising My Family - Ihanaa Elämää

Anita Hirvonen (see previous entry) did her share of Finndisco. One fine example is "Ihanaa Elämää" (Wonderful life) recorded in 1982. It was somewhat different performance than the original one, done in Anita's own style. The original "Raising My Family" was made to worldwide hit in 1980 by singer songwriter Steve Kekana. Steve, born in 1958 in South Africa, lost his sight at age five, but with over twenty albums to his credit, has been a consistent force in the South African music scene since the early 1980’s.

Here's the pair:

Maria no mas - Tää onnea on

Finnpicks Disco Week continues now with Meiju Suvas singing "Tää onnea on" (This is happiness), released as a single and on an album in 1982. The album sold 60000 items and earned a Diamond Disc for Meiju. Meiju was very popular artist in the 80's performing mainly disco-orientated cover songs. In the 90's she turned into covering Spanish and Greek songs, many picked by herself. She is still performing and recently celebrated her 25th year as a performer. Despite the Spanish title, the original was a Dutch song and sung by a duo with a French name - Fantastique. And this style of disco music was labeled as Italo Disco. So very international mix! The duo comprised the talents of Dick Das and Astrid Leuweringen. They had a couple of hits in the beginning of 80's. But rarely heard since.

Here's the pair:

Let Me Sing - Luotan sydämen ääneen

Next in Finnpicks Disco is Lady Paula. Paula Koivuniemi (see previous entry). She performed "Luotan sydämen ääneen" (I'll trust in the voice of the heart) in 1982. It was released as a single and became one her biggest hits. The original song was called "Let Me Sing" and came from Belgium. It was performed by Emly Starr, sometimes called "Disco Queen Of The Benelux". Emly started her career with artist name "Heidi", but changed it in 1975 when she met singer-composer-producer Tony Winter alias Kick Dandy. Later - in order to make Emly's stage-act visually more interesting - dancers were added, and Emly Starr Explosion or ESE was the new extended name. This song was released in 1981, in the year that Emly represented Belgium in ESC. And it's written - as most of her songs - by her producer Kick Dandy.

Here's the pair: