Min ton rotas ton ourano - All Alone Am I - Yksin oon mä vain

Here's the B-side to yesterday's finnpick, and it continues the theme 'Finnpicks Goes To Movies'. Markita Mattson's "Yksin oon mä vain" was not a hit, which is a bit odd, becouse the song was very popular worldwide in it's English language version and Markita's Finnish rendering is of quite good standard. The original song, however, was of Greek origin. "Min ton rotas ton ourano" (Don’t ask the sky) was included in the movie "To nisi ton gennaion" (Island of the Brave) and was performed by actor and singer Tzeni (Jenny) Karezi. It was composed by Manos Hadjidakis and for Greeks it is one of the most beloved songs ever played in a movie. You can see the performance, here. This song became an international smash hit under the title "All Alone Am I" in 1962 when interpreted by Brenda Lee (b. Brenda Mae Tarpley).

Here's the triplet:

When I'm A Kid - Jotakin jäi

Paula Koivuniemi recorded "Jotakin jäi" (Something remained) in 1973. It was released only as single, and was a modest hit, but nowadays sadly forgotten. The lyrics were provided by Vexi Salmi. The original song "When I'm A Kid" was performed by Demis Roussos (b. Artemios Ventouris Roussos) in 1972. Although it is not one of Demis's most known songs, it was a reasonable hit for him at the time in the continental Europe.

Here's the pair:

Maria me ta kitrina - Maria lapsi auringon

Greek songs have often been popular targets for musical finnpicking. Päivi Paunu recorded "Maria lapsi auringon" (Maria the child of the sun) in 1976. However, it was not the first Finnish version of the song. Titti Jonsson had made her version in 1975 and also wrote the original Finnish lyrics. The original Greek song "Maria me ta kitrina (Maria in yellow) was written by Vassilis Dimitriou. This song belongs to the category of "classic laïkó " songs and it is a traditional folk song adapted in its modern form by Dimitriou in 1972. Classic laïkó was the mainstream popular music of Greece during the 60s and 70s. I'm not absolutely sure if this Dimitra Galani's version is the original one. But at least it dates back to 1972. Dimitra has been one of the leading ladies in Greek popular music for over 30 years.

Here's the pair:

Ela ela - Entten tentten

This is an example of a song that was quite popular in its day. but now largely forgotten. Kai Hyttinen released "Entten tentten" (Eenie meenie) as a single in 1973. It became a Top 10 hit, but no-one seems to remember it today. The original song was not a charted hit in Finland, but very popular around Europe. It was called "Ela Ela" and was the only hit for Greek group Axis. They were a progressive rock band and this song may have been their only mainstream pop song. You can see them performing "Ela Ela" live, here.

Here's the pair:

Pes mou thn alithia - Vaikka väkisin

Anita Hirvonen - frequently presented in Finnpicks - recorded "Vaikka väkisin" (Even if by force) in 1969. It was released as a rather successful single. The lyrics were done by Juha Vainio. As usual, the lyrics in Anita's songs were strong and daring for a woman singer. The role of Anita Hirvonen in 'liberating' Finnish female singers in this respect was significant. The original song "Pes mou thn alithia" (Tell me the truth), was sung by famous Greek singer Vicky Leandros (b. Vassiliki Papathanassiou) . She is the daughter of musician and composer Leandros Papathanassiou (aka Leo Leandros, aka Mario Panas). She achieved worldwide fame after winning the Eurovision Song Contest in 1972 with the song "Après Toi" (representing Luxembourg). Already in 1967 she sang for Luxembourg in ESC with the song "L'amour est bleu" - "Love Is Blue"

Here's the pair:

Milisse mou - Villitsee mun

Anita Hirvonen (see previous entry) recorded "Villitsee mun" (Makes me wild) in 1977. It suited well for Anita and became a minor classic. The original "Milisse mou" was a Greek song written by Manos Hadjidakis and performed by Nana Mouskouri. It was released on her live album in 1975.
As I have had troubles with my file hosting service lately, I try something new here ...

Here's the pair:

Ta pedia tou Pirea - Ei koskaan sunnuntaisin

The previous entry contained a song about Melina Mercouri. So it is most appropriate now to present a song sung by her. Vieno Kekkonen started her recording career in 1955 with the Finnish version of "Mr. Sandman". She was very active performing and recording in the 50's, being among the most popular Finnish artists for a long time. She recorded "Ei koskaan sunnuntaisin" (Never on sundays) in 1960. It was naturally a big hit, becouse of the success of the movie the song came from. And the movie was "Pote Tin Kyriaki") a 1960 Greek film which tells the story of Ilya, a prostitute who lives in the port of Piraeus in Greece, and Homer, an American tourist. The film starred Melina Mercouri who sang also this signature song "Ta pedia tou Pirea" (The children of Piraeus). The song and the bouzouki theme of the movie became hits of 1960s and Manos Hadjidakis, the composer, got an Oscar. The movie got an English title "Never on sundays" and the signature song was recorded by a multitude of artists. The English language version made by Connie Francis (b. Concetta Rosa Maria Franconero ) in 1961 became an international hit.
Here's the triple:

Darla dirla dada - Dirlanda

The song "Dirlanda" must be one of the most requested tunes in Finnish karaoke bars. It was recorded by Kai Hyttinen in 1972. Kai was one Finland's most popular artists in the end of the 60's and throughout the 70's. His version of the song tells a joyful story about a girl - with the "form of Venus" - in the Greek city of Rhodes, very popular tourist site for Finns. The boy in the song doesn't speak Greek, but he still wants to sing a song for the girl. So he uses the sounds of the sea waves as lyrics, as those were the sounds he heard when he first met the girl.
The original 'modern' version of the song however tells a sad story about a woman drowning herself, and the last thing she hears is the sea water singing 'Darla dirla dada'. This version - totally in different mood than the Finnish version - was recorded by legendary French singer Dalida in 1970. The song originally is a Greek folk song first recorded (and sometimes credited as composer) by a Greek sponge diver named Pandelis Ghinis. The purpose of the song was to encourage sponge divers and to give the rhythm while oaring. Also there the sound of sea water is undoubtedly present.

Updated on 14.11.2009: Added the original Pandelis Ghinis recording. Dirlada is a sponge divers song from Kalymnos island. It's career started when Domna Samiou, the Greek folklore music legend, discovered Pandelis Ghinis, a sponge diver's boat captain, who sung it on a very special way and recorded it. The lyrics of the song are made by Ghinis and mainly describe what he and his men would do with the wifes and daughters of other sponge diver boat captains ...

Here's the pair: