Million Alyh Roz - Miljoona ruusua

One of the bifggest hits in 1984 in Finland was "Miljoona ruusua" (Million roses). The song was released in several versions, but the most successful was the one by Vera Telenius. She had also written Finnish lyrics. At the time Vera was already 72 years old and was the oldest artist ever to be chosen as the 'Soloist of the Year' in 1984. The sales of the album "Miljoona ruusua" earned her a Diamond Record. The original song was composed by Latvian master of melody, Pauls Raimonds. And the performer was the Russian Diva herself, Alla Pugacheva. we have finnpicked one Pauls-Pugatsova collaboration before, see here.

Here's the pair:

Bez Menja - Ilman Minua

"Ilman Minua" (Without me) by Paula Koivuniemi was released as a single in 1986. This dramatic ballad was well suited for Paula's voice and it has since remained one of her most requested songs. The original "Bez Menja" (Without me) was done by none other than Alla Pugacheva of Russia. It was perhaps appropriate for a great diva to sing a love song as "Without me", than more commonly "Without you". The song was composed by famous Latvian composer Pauls Raimonds. Alla's career started in 1965 and is still flourishing today. Recently, a radio station was launched bearing her name - Radio Alla. She enjoys a somewhat iconic status in Russia and is the most successful all-time-Soviet performer in terms of record sales and popularity. In 1991 she became the last person to be named a "People's Artist of the USSR".

Here's the pair: