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".

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Bye Bye - Moi moi

Arto Sotavalta recorded "Moi moi" in 1975 and it was released on the B-side of "Seilaan", his cover of Rod Stewart's "Sailing". The A-side was a modest hit, but this flipside has been unjustly forgotten. The Finnish lyrics are by Chrisse Johansson and the arrangement by Veikko Samuli. The original song "Bye Bye" was written and performed by Brtish singer/sogwriter/producer Peter Shelley (b. Peter Alexander Southworth). Peter made his breakthrough as a singer in 1974 with "Gee Baby". This "Bye Bye" is from the "Gee Baby" -album. Peter was also closely connected with Alvin Stardust, see this earlier finnpick.

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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.

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Stop The Music - Soitto seis

Yesterday we presented the last waltz in Finnpicks. Well, today is the Last Tango in Finnpicks. The Finns have for long time been a 'Tango Nation'. This was especiaklly true in the first part of the 60's. There was even some bad conflicts between the fans of tango and fans of the aspiring beat anf pop music. Here's an example how a pop tune was turned to a Finnish tango. Eino Grön recorded "Soitto seis" (Stop playing) in 1964 to the Finnish lyrics of Saukki Puhtila. Since then this song has been versioned in Finnish many many times. But the most popular version, which also was a big hit Finland, was done by the Swedish pop group Lenne & The Leekings in 1965. Of the numerous Finnish beat covers we present here the latest one, done by Anza Mertaranta All Stars, featuring our famous sports commentator Antero Mertaranta in drums. The original "Stop The Music" was hard to find. And I'm not sure if this one from 1963 by British pop singer Dick Jordan is the original one. Dick released several cover somgs in the end of 50's and in the beginning of 60's on a budget record label. This was his first attempt to break through with original material. Well, he didn't do it in UK, but.was it was a number one hit in Turkey ...

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The Last Waltz - Viimeinen valssi

Thia ia the last waltz in Finnpicks. Harri Haka (real name Stig Hagström) recorded "Viimeinen valssi" (Last waltz) in 1967 but didn't succeed chartwise with it. It was the A-side to "Peltipurkki", finnpicked earlier, see here.  The Finnish lyrics were done by Jyrki Lindström, who was a popular lyricist and translator especially in the 60's, but his career as a lyricist was quite short. Pasi Kaunisto (see earlier entry) recorded the same song two years later for his debut album. The original song, "The Last Waltz", was written by English sonqwriers Batty Mason and Leslie Reed and it was s smash hit for Engelbert Humperdinck (b. Arnold George Dorsey) in 1967. You can see him perform the song, here.

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First Hello Last Goodbye - Alku jäähyväisien

As the Finnish title of today's finnpick says - this is the start of goodbyes. Only one week left for new entries in Finnpicks blog. Danny recorded "Alku jäähyväisien" (The start of goodbyes) in 1992 and it was released on his album "Tämä taivas tämä maa". The Finnish lyrics were provided by Turkka Mali. The original song was called "First Hello Last Goodbye" and it was co-written and performed by Roger Whittaker. It was released in 1975. The song was not a big hit at the time, but considered by many to be one of the Whittaker's best.

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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.

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Space Oddity - Kapteeni Tom

Arto Sotavalta was perhaps a bit underrated artist in the 70's. In addition to his own material, he did several decent cover versions that for some reason sank without a trace. One of those was "Kapteeni Tom". (Captain Tom). It was released in 1973 on the flipside of "Siirryn leikkimaailmaan", finnpicked here.  The Finnish lyrics were made by Arto himself, following closely the theme of the lyrics of the original song. Which was "Space Oddity", the first big hit for David Bowie, released in 1969. This tale of unfortunate astronaut reached number 5 in UK chart and has became a classic. It was on the album "David Bowie" (his second), but the rest of the album was not so commercial, and it didn't sell vast quantities at the time, but later re-releases did. BTW, keyboardist on this album was one Rick Wakeman.

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Everybody Knows - Alusta mä kaiken alkaisin

This time I'm presenting a requested song. Jormas (see earlier entry) was for a short period of time the most popular pop band in Finland. In 1968 they recorded "Alusta mä kaiken alkaisin" (I would begin the all from the start). It was released as a B-side on a single that fared quite well, aided by the popularity of the A-side's Beatles cover (Hello Goodbye). The Finnish lyrics were written by Juha Vainio. The original song "Everybody Knows" was witten by famous British songwriters/producers Barry Mason and Les Reed. It was a big hit for Dave Clark Five in 1967 reaching number 2 in UK charts. Uncharacteristically, the lead vocals were done by Lenny Davidson, instead of Mike Smith. You can see the band perform the song, here.

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Daughter of Darkness - Pettävä nainen

Well, well - it's time for another Frederik Friday. And this song nicely fits in the dark season we now live in here in Finland. Frederik recorded "Pettävä nainen" (Cheating woman) in 1970. It was on Frederik's debut album and also released as a single, but it wasn't such a great success. Again, the original was an international success for Tom Jones. "Daughter of Darkness". The song reached number 5 in UK Charts in 1970. It was written by Les Reed, who also arranged it, and another prolific songwriter Geoff Stephens. This duo wrote also "There's A kind Of Hush", finnpicked here.  You can see Tom perform "Daughter of Darkness", here.

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Gimme Dat Ding - Gimme Dat Ding

We leave now the 'death songs' and here's something completely different. The group Finlanders recorded "Gimme Dat Ding" in 1986 for their album "Haave nainen". Finlanders is a very popular Finnish dance band, formed in the 80's and still going strong. They're playing mainly Finnish schlager songs but some pop covers fit in nicely in their repertoire. The original "Gimme Dat Ding" was a novelty hit for the duo The Pipkins. They were Roger Greenaway (the 'dirty-old-man' voice), best known as a songwriter, and Tony Burrows (the high-pitched voice), a singer who at time fronted such groups as Edison Lighthouse, The Flower Pot Men and The White Plains. The song reached number 6 in the UK Singles Charts and number 9 on the US charts in 1970. The song was written by another famous duo Albert Hammond and Mike Hazlewood. You can read more of the background of the song, here.

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Rock and Roll Is Back - Rock and roll taas soi

OK, we present now a second Vanity Fare -cover in a row. The group Karma recorded "Rock and roll taas soi" (Rock and roll plays again) in 1973 and had a minor hit with it during the 70's rock and roll revival. Many of the youth of those days still remembers the chorus line of the song. The Finnish lyrics were crafted again by Vexi Salmi (it seems we have had quite a few of those lately, but just by coincidence). The original song was called "Rock and Roll Is Back" and it was the last hit for Vanity Fare, and not a big one at that. You can see the them perform the song here.

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Hitchin' A Ride - Liftari oon

We Finns have accustomed to Paula Koivuniemi being mostly as a schlager singer. Well, some 40 years ago she recorded pure pop songs, too. This "Liftari oon" (I'm a hitchhiker) is a fine example of Paula's poppier side. It was released in 1972 on the B-side of his come-back hit "Jos konduktöörin nait" (cover of Shocking Blue's "Never Marry A Railroad Man"). As often is the case, the B-side of a bigger hit is completely forgotten. The Finnish lyrics were provided by Vexi Salmi and the arrangement by Rauno Lehtinen. The original song "Hitchin' A Ride" was written by songwriting duo Peter Callander and Mitch Murray (they wrote also "The Night Chicago Died" and "Billy Don't Be A Hero") and it was a massive worldwide hit for UK pop group Vanity Fare.  It reached number 16 on the UK Singles Chart in 1970, but was surprisingly a bigger hit in the US, reaching number 5 on the Billboard Hot 100. You can see the band perform the song in BBC's Top of the Pops -programme, here.

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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).

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Sadness of a Summer's Afternoon - Uskon päivään kauniimpaan

Päivi Paunu recorded "Uskon päivään kauniimpaan" (I believe in a more bautiful day) in 1971 for her album of the same name. The Finnish lyrics were made by Vexi Salmi. I coukd see hit potential in the song, and it was released as a single, but only on the B-side to her cover of Band's "The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down". The original version of today's finnpick "Sadness Of A Summer's Afternoon" is quite a rare song, and I apologize of the inferior quality of the recording. But that's the only version I found. The performer is called James Horne, and the song was released on the UK RAK label in 1971. I don't know anything about James Horne, but the composers of the song are familiar (finnpicked before) - Alan Blaikley and Ken Howard.

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Give Me Hope Jo'anna - Toivotaan Jo'anna

Arja Saijonmaa (see earlier entry) recorded this "Toivotaan Jo'anna" (Let's hope Jo'anna) in 1989. It was released just as an album track on his album "Yhteinen taivas ja maa". The original song "Give Me Hope Jo'anna" was written and performed in 1984 by Eddy Grant. Eddy was the founder and leader of the beat pop group The Equals in the 60's and 70's and later launched a successful solo career. He often wrote songs with openly political tendencies, especially against the then-current apartheid regime of South Africa. And this 'Jo'anna' -song is the anthem amongst all those. "Jo'anna" stands for Johannesburg, and as one might guess, the song was banned in South Africa. In UK, it became a Top Ten hit, and in Netherlands it hit number one.

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Mama Packed A Picnic Tea - Miten olis pienet teet

Let's present another one from Marco I, or Markku Härkönen. He used his real name when releasing this "Miten oli pienet teet" (How about a cuppa tea) in 1971. Of his recorded out of 8 songs this song was most close to be a hit . It has become some kind of 'underground classic'. The finnish lyrics were provided by Chrisse Johansson. The original song was called "Mama Packed A Picnic Tea". It was one of the lesser known Matt Monro singles, released in 1971.  The song tells about an English family, who made it their Sunday picnic to go to see different kind of accidents and nature disasters. And one day they apparently met their destiny in a similar kind of accident. An odd story, it is ... The producer of the record was the one and only George Martin and in deed you can hear some familiar beatles-que elements in the production.

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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.

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I Can't Get Enough - Loppumaton ikävä

Mona Carita usually sang fast-paced discofied songs. But perhaps her voice would have been better suited for slower ballads. At least this "Loppumaton ikävä" (Endless yearning) is a nice example of that kind of delivery. She recorded in 1981 for her album "Nykyaikainen", Raul Reiman wrote the lyrics and Veikko Samuli did the arrangements. The original song "I Can't Get Enough" was the B-side to Kelly Marie's (b. Jacqueline McKinnon) great 1980 disco hit "Feels Like I'm In Love". As with Mona Carita, this song showcases the often overlooked, more sombre, side of Kelly Marie. The song was co-written by our old acquaintance Peter Yellowstone - together with his pals Steve Voice and Mike Tinsley.

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Give Me Your Heart Tonight - Enemmän kuin nainen

Jarmo "Jamppa" Tuominen had an absolute pitch (a.k.a. perfect pitch). He mastered seven instruments - saxophone being the main istrument - and started his career as musician already at the age of 11 in youth orchestras. His recording career as a singer began in 1976, when he had a massive hit with the song "Aamu toi, ilta vei". We have already presented Jamppa before - as a "guest artist" - here. He recorded this "Enemmän kuin nainen" (More than a woman) in 1985 for his album "Onnenpoika". It was also released as a single, but received not the popularity it deserved. The original song came from UK. "Give Me Your Heart Tonight" was a big hit for Welsh rock/pop singer Shakin' Stevens (b. Michael Barratt)  in 1982. It reached number 3 in the UK chart. Surprisingly perhaps, the writer of the song, Billy Livsey, was American, a Nashville songwriter and producer. You can see Shaky perform the song, here.

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