Besame Mucho (Senora) - Besame mucho

The group Gulliver (see earlier entry) recorded "Besame mucho" in 1976 and it was released as a single. It was minor hit and was released also on their 1977 album "Paraisilla ollaan". The Finnish lyrics of this happy-go-lucky tune were put together by Veikko "Vexi" Salmi. The original song was called "Besame Mucho (Senora)", and it was a 1976 continental hit for Italian group Easy Connection. Internationallly they can be called One Hit Wonders, becouse I couldn't find any more hits worth to mention. But, what the heck, once is enough, when you do it big!

Here's the pair:

Sister Golden Hair - Voi mua poika rukkaa

The group Gulliver (see earlier entry) recorded "Voi mua poika rukkaa" (Oh, me the poor boy) in 1978 for their album "Gulliver ou jee". Not releasd as a single, though it might have had the hit potential. The lyrics were provided by Vexi Salmi. The original song was written by Gerald Beckley, who was the founder member of the group America. They had a number 1 hit in USA in 1975 with this "Sister Golden Hair". With another band member, Dewey Bunnell, Beckley still continues touring worldwide as "America". The title of the song was initially inspired by the mothers of all three members of the group, all of whom were blondes. You can see the band perform the song, here.

Here's the pair:

Tell Her/Him - Minun on hän

Today we continue the series Both Sides Now. On the flipside of yesterday's Gulliver finnpick was this song "Minun on hän" (She's mine). It's a good cover of a good song and the lyrics again were provided by Vexi Salmi. The original song was called "Tell Her" and it was written by a pioneer of sixties rock and soul, Bert Berns. It was first interpreted by American r&b singer Gil Hamilton. Gil later changed his name and rode high in 1963 on Billboard chart (number 4) with "Loop De Loop" under the name Johnny Thunder. The the hit version of "Tell Her" was done by the American vocal group The Exciters in 1962 with the slightly updated title "Tell Him" (becouse the singer was a woman; lead singer Brenda Reid). This was Exciters' first hit record. It was produced by Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller and reached number 4 in US pop charts. It also remained their only hit, making them one of the 'One Hit Wonders'.

Updated on 18.09.2010: added the first Finnish version "Sano hänelle niin" (Tell him so) by Katri Helena.

Here's the bunch:

Needles And Pins - Kerran sut löydän

The group Gulliver (see earlier entry) recorded "Kerran sut löydän" (I will find you someday) in 1978. It was released on their album "Gulliver on jee" and released also as a single, but did not hit the charts nor radio playlists. The lyrics were provided by Vexi Salmi. The song is actually quite good version of the original, classic pop song "Needles And Pins". It was written by Sonny Bono and Jack Nitzsche and the first recording was made by Jackie DeShannon (b. Sharon Lee Myers) in 1963. It was only a minor US hit, but when recorded by English beat band The Searchers (see them perform it, here) in 1964, it became worldwide success. The theme of the song - feeling of "pins and needles" - has medical term Paresthesia, which is a sensation of tingling, pricking, or numbness of a person's skin with no apparent long-term physical effect.

Here's the pair:

Playa Blanca - Playa Blanca

Gulliver (see earlier entry) recorded "Playa Blanca" in 1977. It was released as a single and it was also included in the album "Paraisilla ollaan". Gulliver was the stage name for Markku Laamanen as a solo artist and also for his group. This song was credited for the group Gulliver. The Finnish words into song were put by Vexi Salmi. The original "Playa Blanca" was the product of Afric Simone, whose songs usually were covered in Finnish by Frederik. Playa Blanca, meaning "White Beach" is the southernmost town of the island of Lanzarote. It is the newest, yet fastest growing tourist resort on the island. Of course, this song might just be paying a generic homage to beaches of white sand; in the Finnish lyrics the location is said to be "west from the Equator";-).

Here's the pair:

La vie, La vie - Niinpä niin

Here's still another Finnish male pop singer who used single-first-name moniker, Gulliver. He never had same kind of success that some of his contemporaries, but despite that, he recorded frequently both as Gulliver, the solo artist, and Gulliver, the group (1974-1978). Presently Gulliver, performing now under his own name, Markku Laamanen, is making waves as Finland's Susan Boyle in Talent Finland TV -show. In 1972 he recorded his second single, and our Finnpick today "Niinpä niin" (Well, well) was on the B-side of a Charles Aznavour -cover. And from France originated this song, too. As "La Vie, La Vie" (Life, Life) it was a modest hit for Michel Delpech. Michel was very popular singer in Europe for some years after winning the song contest 'Grand Prix du Disque' in 1968. His biggest claim to fame was of course "Pour un flirt" in 1971.

Here's the pair: