Walk With Me - Päivän vain

Anki Lindqvist recorded "Päivän vain" (For only a day) for her album "Sateen jälkeen" in 1967. For some reason the song was never released as a single. Two other Finnish versions of the same song were released in that same year. But none of those became a hit. The Finnish lyrics (used by all three) were provided by Juha Vainio. The original song "Walk With Me" was written by singer-songwriter and producer Tom "Dusty's Brother" Springfield. The Seekers had a big hit with it in 1966. It peaked at 10 in the UK and at 31 in Australia in October of 1966. In January 1967 The Seekers achievements were recognised at the highest level in their homeland when they were named Australians of the Year, becoming the first popular musicians to be so honoured.

37 Finnpicks to go.

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Emotion - Sua tarvitsen niin

Bon Bon (see the earlier entry) recorded "Sua tarvitsen niin" (I need you so) in 1979. It was released on the B-side of their cover of Blondie's "Heart Of Glass". Both sides, however, failed to cause any action chartwise. The Finnish lyrics for today's finnpick were (again) done by Chrisse Johansson. The original song "Emotion" originated from the pens of Gibb brothers Barry and Robin, who wrote it in 1977 for the Australian songstress Samantha Sang (b. Cheryl Lau Sang) while she was visiting Bee Gees in France, where they were recording songs for the Saturday Night Fever soundtrack. The recorded song featured backing vocals by Barry, and in 1978 it became a major hit worldwide. In USA, it reached number 3 on the US Billboard Hot 100. You can see Samantha perform the song, here.

59 Finnpicks to go.

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Can't Stop Myself From Loving You - En liepeisiis jää roikkumaan

This is a requested song and a good one at that. ELF (Eric Lars Four) recorded the song "En liepeisiis jää roikkumaan" (I will not be hanging in your apron strings) in 1976. It was released as a single (on B-side), but didn't get much notice. The original song was written by the famous Australian songwrting duo Harry Vanda and George Young, who also became famous as the members of the group Easybeats. In 1974 it was recorded by an Aussie named Johnny Cave, who used noble stage name William Shakespeare. It was Shakespeare's first hit in Australia, reaching number 2 in the charts.

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Tie Me Kangaroo Down, Sport - Katso kenguru loikkaa

We continue with the theme Aspelund and Australia. Yesterday Ami Aspelund sang about boomerang, today her big sister Monica sings about kangaroo. Monika Aspelund (see earlier entry) recorded "Katso kenguru loikkaa" (See the kangaroo jump) in 1960 together with vocal group Four Cats. It was her first single and she was only 14 years old. The original song was called "Tie Me Kangaroo Down, Sport " and it was a smash hit for Australian all-round entertainer and singer Rolf Harris. Rolf wrote it in 1957 - inspired by Harry Belafonte's calypsos - as an Australian calypso . The song was number 1 for four weeks in Australia in 1960 and  and reached the top 10 in UK.

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Howzat - Mee pois

Tapani Kansa recorded "Mee pois" (Go away) for his 1977 album "Mistä rakkaus alkoi". It was also released on the B-side of his big hit "Aidin pikkupoika". The original song was written and performed by Sherbet (a.k.a. The Sherbs) that was one of the most successful Australian rock bands of the 1970s. Their biggest single was this "Howzat" (1976), reaching number one in Australia and also a top 5 hit in the UK. "Howzat" is often used as a cricket anthem The word "Howzat" is a catchcry used by cricketers when appealing to the umpire.

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Sister Jane - Siskosein

This is the last entry in our Finnpicks ChinniChap Week volume 1. Kirka recorded "Siskosein" (Sister of mine) in 1973 for his album "Rautaa ja kettinkiä". The lyrics were provided by Pertsa Reponen. This nice song is sadly forgotten. The original song "Sister Jane" was a minor hit for the Australian pop group New World in 1972. They are best known for their Top 10 hit "Tom-Tom Turnaround", which was released in 1971 and was the first hit for writers Nicky Chinn and Mike Chapman. They also recorded a ChinniChap song called "Living Next Door to Alice" (hear it here) 1972, but it was a was a flop. This song of course would become a worldwide hit for Smokie in 1976. You can see New World perform the "Sister Jane" song in a rare promotional film, here.

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The Elephant Song - Ihminen on tehnyt sen

Pasi Kaunisto (see earlier entry) released "Ihminen on tehnyt sen" (It was caused by man) as a single in 1976. It was a minor hit and one of the first 'environment-aware' pop songs in Finland. The elephant in the original song was changed in Juha Vainio's lyrics into bear, that was more at home in Finnish nature. The original "The Elephant Song" was of Dutch origin. It was written by Hans van Hemert, a music producer and songwriter, Mouth & MacNeal and Luv' being the greatest pop acts he produced. He composed also three songs for the Eurovision Song Contest. "The Elephant Song" was made famous by Kamahl , which is the stage name of Kandiah Kamalesvaran, an Australian singer, born in Malaysia. In 1975 the song hit number one in Dutch and Belgian charts. The song was used in the soundtrack of a World Wildlife Fund TV documentary.

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Six Ribbons - Vain kaksi nauhaa

Danny recorded "Vain kaksi nauhaa" (Only two ribbons) in 1981. There were 3 other Finnish versions of the same song recorded in that year. bur Danny's version turned out to be the most successful. The popularity of the song was based on the TV-series "Vastatuuleen" (Against the wind), that was hugely popular in Finland at the time. The main theme in this series was the original "Six Ribbons". It was written and performed by Jon English, who also played leading role. Jon came to fame in Australia in the stage musical "Jesus Christ Superstar" in the mid 1970s. "Against the Wind" was a 1978 Australian television mini-series. It was a historical drama portraying both the British occupation of Ireland, and the development of New South Wales and Australia.

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The Lord's Prayer - Isä meidän

We begin the Finnpicks religious days with a song whose lyrics are probably the best known in the world. I guess every Christian knows them by heart. Marjo-Riitta (b. Marjo-Riitta Kervinen) & Savannah released in 1974 a single with "Isä meidän" (Our Father) on the A-side. And the lyrics were 'The Lord's Prayer' in Finnish. Marjo-Riitta released many records in the 70's but inspite of her talents ("A technically unsurpassable and daring, yet stylish singer") always stayed in the second division of Finnish female singers. She acted as a solo singer and with her group Savannah and as a member in the pop group Ernos and in the vocal group Cascade. The lyrics of today's song are truly 'traditional', but the music was created in Australia in 1973. The performer was Roman Catholic nun called Sister Janet Mead who is a living legend in the Australian music industry. In 1973 she began making professional recordings of her music for churches and schools. One of the tracks she cut was a cover of the Donovan song "Brother Sun, Sister Moon". As an afterthought, she cut a rocked-up arrangement of "The Lord's Prayer", which had been put to music by one of her parishioners and musical collaborators, Arnold Strals. And the rest is history. The song became the highest selling Australian song ever, the first Australian-made record to sell more than one million copies in the USA, widest international Top 40 hit song by any Australian artist. And Sister Jane probably has been the only artist who actually gave away all royalties to charity.

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Even The Nights Are Better - Parasta maailmassa

Rexi (real name Raimo Kero ) started his career as a musician in the 60's. He released his first (non-hit) album in 1974 with the peculiar name "Parhaat" (The Best of ..). He finally broke through in 1977 with the song "Puhtaat purjeet" (Clean sails), but it basically remained his only hit. However, he has recorded nine albums. Major part of his songs are his own compositions, but he did also many covers. Like this one - "Parasta maailmassa" (Best in the world), that was recorded in 1983. The original song "Even The Nights Are Better" is a hit from 1982 by the Australian group Air Supply. The song was especially popular in USA and reached number 5 spot on the Billboard Hot 100. Air Supply was a soft rock band who had hits worldwide through the late 1970s and early 1980s. The group's line-up was ever-changing but the permanent members were the British guitarist and vocalist Graham Russell and Australian lead vocalist Russell Hitchcock.

Rock and Roll (I Gave You The Best Years of My Life) - Rock & roll (sait parhaat vuodet)

Arto Sotavalta (see previous entry) recorded "Rock & roll (sait parhaat vuodet)" (Rock'n roll, you got the best years) in 1975. It was not the only Finnish cover of this song but perhaps the most touching and sincere. The original song was written and performed by an Australian singer and songwriter Kevin Johnson in 1973. This is by far Kevin's best known song. It charted in several countries. According to him "the song reflected his frustration with his own stagnation, and the futile attempts of Australian artists trying to break into America or England". US singer Mac Davis had a big hit in USA with the song in 1975 (charted in Billboard at number 15).

Sadie (The Cleaning Lady) - Äiti kuin äidinäiti

Let's now take a round trip around the world with Katri Helena. Well at least a half way around ... And we start from Australia. In 1968 Katri recorded "Äiti kuin äidinäiti" (Mother like mother's mother). It might well have been the first Finnish feminist song proclaiming emancipation of women. Although in humorous manner. The original song "Sadie (The Cleaning Lady)" was performed by Australian pop star John Farnham. He was born in Essex, UK, but emigrated to Australia in 1959. His first commercially-successful recording was this novelty song entitled "Sadie (The Cleaning Lady)". When released in 1967, it hit No. 1 on the Australian charts. Selling 180 000 copies in Australia, it was the largest-selling single by an Australian artist of the decade. John Farnham has remained one of Australia's best-known performers over a career spanning 40 years. He is the only Australian artist to have a number one record in five consecutive decades. During the 80's he for a while fronted Little River Band. And had a worldwide hit as solo artist with "You're The Voice" in 1986.

Here's the pair: