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 ...

Only 3 Finnpicks to go.

Here's the triplet:

Lonely City - Yksinäinen kaupunki

On the B-side of Eino Grön's (see earlier entry) big hit "Suudelmin suljetut kirjeet" (cover of "Sealed With A Kiss") in 1962 was this song called "Yksinäinen kaupunki" (Lonely city). The Finnish lyrics were crafted by Reino Helismaa using pseudonym "Orvokki Itä" (which in turn was anagram of Toivo Kärki, Helismaa's musical partner). The original song was performed by British king of teen music, John Leyton.  He is best remembered for his debut single, the epic "Johnny Remember Me". It and his 5th single, this "Lonely City" were written by the same man, Geoff Goddard. "Lonely City" reached number 14 in the UK charts in 1962.  

86 Finnpicks to go.

Here's the pair:

Dangerous Happiness - Vaarallista onnea

On the B-side of Eino Grön's 1963 single "Seinillä on korvat" (see earlier entry) was this "Vaarallista onnea" (Dangerous happiness). Both sides of the single became very popular and built up Eino's career. The Finnish lyrics for today's finnpick were written by Sauvo Puhtila. Despite of the title of the original being in English, the song originated from Sweden. It was a big Scandinavian hit for Jerry Williams & The Violents. Jerry has been finnpicked before (see here). Soon after this success Jerry launched a solo career. In pre-Jerry Williams days The Violents had a great success with the instrumental tune "Alpens ros", but after his departure the star days were soon over and the band faded out around 1965.

Here's the pair:

Soul Dance - Hippojen jälkeen

As the New Year parties should now be over, this song "Hippojen jälkeen" (After the party) is well in place, And at the same time we start the 2011 Finnpicks Year with style. This 1964 song was recorded by a group of the Finnish finest 60's singers. Eino Grön, Vieno Kekkonen, Laila Kinnunen, Brita Koivunen and Kai Lind - all presented in the earlier Finnpicks entries - sing this song with immacukate style. The original tune was called "Soul Dance" and was performed by Tommy Leonetti (b. Nicola Tomaso Lionetti). Tommy was an American pop singer-songwriter and actor of the 1950s, 1960s and 1970, who had no big hits.. This "Soul Dance" bubbled under Billboard Hot 100 in the beginning of 1964.

Here's the pair:

Mexico - Aurinkoon

Eino Grön (see previous entry) recorded "Aurinkoon" (To the sun) in 1969 and it was released as a single. It has been steadily requested summer song ever since. The original song was called "Mexico" and it was hit for our covered friend from yesterday - Long John Baldry. It was written by the same man as yesterday's 'Heartaches' -song, Tony Macaulay, but this time using his real name Anthony Instone. "Mexico" was the theme song for the British Olympic Team in the 1968 Mexico Olympic Games. Once when asked about the song John replied: ".. in 1968 it was constantly on the radio. I wanted to scream every time I heard the damn thing. Talk about overkill ..."

Here's the pair:

The Walls Have Ears - Seinillä on korvat

The recording career of Eino Grön started already in 1958. He got his first in 1959, and several more in the 1960's. He is still performing actively today. Eino was (and is) especially famous as a singer of tangos. On of those tango hits of his was "Seinillä on korvat" (The walls have ears), recorded in 1963. Elvis Presley performed the original "The Walls Have Ears" in 1962 in the movie 'Girls, Girls, Girls!'.

Here's the pair: