I Remember When I Loved Her - Sai kaiken muuttumaan

Agents' specialty is to pick up lesser known songs and make exquisite new - and I dare to say better than original - versions of those. This "Sai kaiken muuttumaan" (She made everything change) is a fine example. The band recorded it for their 2003 "Agents is ... Tonight" album. The Finnish lyrics were done as early as 1966 - when the first Finnish version was released - by Juha Vainio. The original song was called "I Remember When I Loved Her" and it was Rod Argent -written song from the Zombies "Begin Here" debut album.

74 Finnpicks to go.

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

Here's the pair:

Man Of Mystery - Salaperäinen

Not so long time ago we presented a Finnish vocal cover of the Shadows' instrumental hit. Well, here's another one - done by the same culprits. Agents recorded "Salaperäinen" (Mysterious) in 1996 for their "Agents is back" -album. The Finnish lyrics were done by the lead singer Jorma Kääriäinen.  The original song "Man Of Mystery" was written by British light music composer Michael Carr. The tune was the theme music for the early 1960s low-budget film series "Edgar Wallace Mysteries", based loosely on the Edgar Wallace stories. "Man of Mystery" was number 5 UK hit for The Shadows in 1960. Carr also wrote the groups number one hit "Kon-Tiki" in 1961.

90 Finnpicks to go.

Here's the pair:

Young Wings Can Fly - Tähti kaukainen

Let's hear another Agents gem in a row. The song "Tähti kaukainen" (Distant star) is on the same 1995 album - Agents Forever - as the previous finnpick. It is among the lesser known Agents songs, but definetely worth to listen. It will grow on you ... The original was called "Young Wings Can Fly (Higher Than You Know)" and it was minor hit for 60's US vocal group Ruby & The Romantics.  They're best known for their first recording (1963) "Our Day Will Come", which sold over one million copies in the USA. The "Young Wings" was their 4th single and written by the same songwriting team (Mort Garson and Bob Hilliard) as the first one. However, it only reached number 47 in the Billboard charts..

Here's the pair:

Geronimo - Ilta

Agents (see earlier entry) is one of Finland's longest-living pop froups. On their 1995 debut album (Agents Forever) of their fourth incarnation (with lead singer Jorma Kääriäinen) was this song "Ilta" (Evening). It's one more fine example of those Finnish vocal covers of original instrumentals. The original was called "Geronimo" and was a 1963 UK hit for the fore-fathers of pop guitar instrumentals - The Shadows. You can see the band perform it live, here.  Geronimo was a prominent leader of the Apache who fought against Mexico and the United States during the so-called Apache Wars.
Here's the pair:

It's Alright - Olen syytön

Kirka (see previous entry) was a singer of many talents. His repetoire covered pop and rock songs as well as heart-breaking ballads. A fine example of that is his single in 1969 that combined his covers of "Put Your Head My Shoulder" and this "Olen syytön" (I'm not guilty). It's a pure pop song that was later in 1995 successfully covered also the legendary retro-band Agents with Jorma Kääriäinen as vocalist (see previous entry). We present both of those versions here. The original song was recorded 1965 by an obscure British Brumbeat group called The Ugly's. It was written by the members of the band. Ugly's released 5 singles in 1965-1967, but perhaps their choice of moniker was the reason why they didn't ever really make it. This "It's Alright" -song (2nd single) was an 'almost hit' for them. The vocalist Steve Gibbons, however, achieved success later in the 70's with his own group Steve Gibbons Band. Those familiar with SGB will undoubtedly recognize Steve's voice in this song. Pay also attention to the prominent use of a harpsichord.

Here's the triple:

L'edera - Constantly - Päivin öin

One of the most successful Finnish beat groups has been Agents. It was established in 1979. It was playing strictly beat music and guitar pop, and 'by the book'. i.e. in the style it was played in the beginning of 60's, by the Shadows and others. Agents was first purely instrumental group, but since 1981 it has made succesful co-operation with three solo singers. At first with Rauli "Badding" Somerjoki, then with Topi Sorsakoski and until recently, Jorma Kääriäinen. Jorma has also made it as a solo artist. This song "Päivin öin" (Daily nightly) was recorded by Agents & Jorma in 1997. It's a mystery why this fine song hasn't been covered before. The original called "L'edera" (The ivy) was made in Italy and performed by Nella Pizzi in 1959. The song won the song contest "Canzonissima" in that year. It was medium size hit for Cliff Richard in 1964 and was then called "Constantly". I haven't get hold of the Italian original song, but as soon as I do, I put it here.

Updated on 21.02.2010: added the original version

Here's the triplet: