Suspicious Minds - Epäilet Vain

Eero Raittinen recorded "Epäilet Vain" (You just suspect) in 1970. It was not a hit and it's one of the forgotten singles of Eero. The Finnish lyrics were crafted by his Brother Jussi Raittinen. The original song "Suspicious Minds" was written and first recorded by American singer and songwriter Mark James. After the failure of his own recording, the song was handed to Elvis Presley and it became one of his most notable hits and a number one in 1969. It turned out to be the last number-one single for him in the United States. Rolling Stone later ranked the song number 91 on their list of the 500 Greatest Songs of All Time.

Here's the triplet:

Fire and Rain - Joskus näin, joskus ei

Eero Raittinen (see earlier entry) released "Joskus näin, joskus ei" (Sometimes so, sometimes no) in 1971 on the B-side of his big hit "Toivotaan, toivotaan" (cover of Feliciano's 'Che sara'). It is one of the rare Finnish James Taylor covers, and a good one. The song was Taylor's own composition and originally called "Fire and Rain". It was included on his second album 'Sweet Baby James', gaining widespread attention for James. The song was released as a single in February 1970 and it quickly rose to number 3 on the Billboard Hot 100. You can find more information on the background of the song, here.

Mälarökyrka - Vanha Holvikirkko

One of the abolute classics of Finnish pop music is "Vanha holvikirkko" (Old church). It was recorded 1968 by Eero Raittinen (see previous entry). It was Eero's by far biggest hit and he never gets out of stage without singing it. It's quite difficult to understand why this song about church organist's son playing alone in a church has so much attracted Finns. But perhaps the mood of the song and the melody line represent something that the Finns yearn for ... The original song "Mälarökyrka" (Church on Mälaren) is a Swedish one, written by Swedish TV man Sven Lindahl. The inspiration to the lyrics came from the romanesque 12th century Adelsö Church located on the Lake Mälaren. The song was originally recorded by Lenne Broberg. Lenne fronted popular Swedish beat group Lenne and the Leekings, but went solo and this was his biggest hit. This 'church song' has a similar chord progression to Pachelbel's Canon.

Here's the pair:

Let the Heartaches Begin - Olen yksin

"Olen yksin" (I'm alone) was released on the B-side of Eero Raittinen's 'Uhkapeluri' -single (see previous entry) in the beginning of 1969. This bluesy pop song is custom-made for Eero's kind of voice and interpretation. The original song was called "Let the Heartaches Begin" and it was big hit for UK singer Long John Baldry (real name John William Baldry). The song was written by Pye Records producer/songwriter Tony Macaulay in collaboration with John Macleod. These guys wrote also the majority of the hits of the Foundations. Long John was a blues singer, who worked with several British blues and r&b -groups in the 60's. In 1966 he formed a group called Bluesology featuring one Reg Dwight on keyboards and Elton Dean as saxophonist. Dwight later adopted the name Elton John, his first name from Dean and his surname from Baldry. In 1967 Long John recorded this "Let the Heartaches Begin" that went all the way to number one in Britain.

Here's the pair:

Candy Apple Red - Tummanpunainen

For some reason contry & western songs are not so widely covered in Finland. Which is odd, becouse there's a basic Finnish mood in many country songs; wailing and sadness presented with down-to-earth lyrics and hummable melodies. Often with a strong story line. Here's one great country cover song with a sad story inside it. Eero, Jussi & the Boys (see previous entry) recorded "Tummanpunainen" (Dark red) in 1966. It was released as a single and fared very well, probaly aided by the fact that another "story song" "Balladi kanuunasta (Ballad of a canon) was on the other side of the record. This story about a boy and a girl, fast red car, and sheriff (girl's father) was first told in American country ballad called "Candy Apple Red". It was recorded in 1964 by Bill Anderson and George Hamilton IV, both popular country artists in USA, but less known in Finland. I don't know which of the gentleman cut the definite first version but here I represent the Anderson version. He's been named "Whispering Bill", and when you listen to this song you understand why. BTW, "Candy apple red" is the name code used by manufacturing companies to define a shade of red similar to the red caramelized sugar coating on candied apples. So now you know what color the car was ...

Updated 19.1.2009: I have added the George Hamilton IV version.

Here's the triplet:

Alla fine della strada - Unta en saa

Next week Finnpicks goes disco! But before that, let's get some quick-one's for the weekend with the company of old friends.
Eero Raittinen (see previous entry) recorded "Unta en saa" (I get no sleep) in 1969, and it was a modest hit for him. The original "Alla fine della strada" (At the end of the road) originated again from San Remo Music Festival. In 1969 this song was performed by Italian singer Junior Magli and a British group The Casuals. Let's hear the Casuals' (best known for their "Jesamine" -hit) version. You all of course recognize the song being the same as "Love Me Tonight" that Tom Jones made into an international success.

Here's the pair:

You're the One - Sinä vain

The Raittinen brothers - Eero and Jussi - are the icons of Finnish rock'n roll. Their career spans from 1960 till the present day and they are still going strong. Their group Eero, Jussi & The Boys has been the longest-standing active rock'n roll band in Finland. The backing group The Boys has over the years included a major part of Finnish rock musicians, and therefore sometimes it's called 'The Academy of Finnish Pop Music'. The song "Sinä vain" (Only you) was recorded in 1966 when Jussi was serving in the Army. And thus the performing group is just Eero & The Boys. However, Jussi wrote the Finnish lyrics. The original song was written by Tony Hatch and co-written by Petula Clark who (of course) also performed it. The original recording was made in 1965. Although it only reached number 23 in UK charts, the song had evidently some strong qualities, hitting Top 10 in USA (versioned by The Vogues), and doing well in Finland when re-recorded by Jorma Kääriäinen & The Agents in 1997.

Here's the pair:

Det börjar verka kärlek, banne mej - Rakkaudelta näyttää hitto vie

Eero Raittinen released his second solo single in 1968. On the A -side was "Rakkaudelta näyttää hitto vie" (Damn, it looks like I'm in love). This tune has some inexplicable charm, and it still sounds fresh today. The original song was the Swedish entry in 1968 Eurovision Song Contest, and was called "Det börjar verka kärlek, banne mej" (Damn, it's beginning to look like I'm in love). It was performed by Claes-Göran Hederström and it placed in 5th.

Here's the pair:

Il Giocattolo - Uhkapeluri

Eero & Jussi were two singing Raittinen brothers starting their career already in the 50's. Eero Raittinen went solo in 1966. His 4th single was "Uhkapeluri" (The Gambler) released in 1969. The song was a hit then, and is still hitting the charts today when re-done by a popular Finnish singer Jorma Kääriäinen. The original (again) is from Italy. It was recorded by a famous Italian pop star Gianni Morandi in 1968 and was called 'Il Giocattolo' (The Toy).

Here's the pair: