Goodbye Girl - Jos yksin nyt jäät

Kari Tapio recorded "Jos yksin nyt jäät" (If you now are left alone) in 1979 for one of his many "Kari Tapio" -named albums. The Finnish lyrics were crafted by Pertsa Reponen. Kari's interpretation is easily on a par with the original. The original song "Goodbye Girl" was the title song for the 1977 movie "The Goodbye Girl". It was written and performed by American singer-songwriter David Gates. (perhaps best known as the lead singer of the group Bread). The song hit number 15 on the Billboard Hot 100. BTW, Richard Dreyfuss won a Best Actor Oscar for his performance in this romatic comedy film directed by Herbert Ross.

Only 6 Finnpicks to go.

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La La La Te Quiero - Mä kuuman naisen sain

Actually this would have been the place and time for the last Frederik Friday. But as I have no Frederik song available at the moment, here's Kari Tapio to fill in. And in deed, the song "Mä kuuman naisen sain" (I got a hot woman) would have suited well for Frederik.  Kari recorded it in 1977, and the Finnish lyrics were written by Pertsa Reponen. The arrangement was provided Veikko Samuli. The original song "La La La Te Quiero" (La la la I love you) was made popular in 1977 by Spanish beat group Los Diablos. They were obviously quite 'finnpickable' band, becouse we have finnpicked them twice before, see here and here.

Just 11 Finnpicks to go.

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Una Favola Blu - Tuuli kääntyköön

Kari Tapio passed away excatly one year ago. To commemorate this late great singer, Finnpicks presents Kari's first solo single "Tuuli kääntyköön" (May the wind turn) from the year 1972. The Finnish lyrics were written by Pertsa Reponen and the arrangements were done by Esko Linnavalli. Kari's manly voice was already blooming. The original song was called "Una Favola Blu" (A blue fairytale) and it was the debut single and a modest Italian hit for Italian singer/songwriter Claudio Baglioni in 1970. The song was again riding the charts in 1971 when covered by Jose Feliciano. You can hear his interpretation here. In my humble opinion, Kari Tapio's version is best of these three ...

40 Finnpicks to go.

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Papa - Isä

Today is Father's Day. Many countries celebrate it in June but we in Scandinavian countries celebrate it in the middle of darkest autumn. There are much less songs of fathers than mothers (I wonder why ...). But here's one, to honor all the fathers. Kari Tapio (yes, him again) recorded "Isä" (Father) in 1975. The Finnish lyrics were made by a woman, Chrisse Johansson. For some inexplicable reason it was at the time released only on a compilation album. The original version of this beautiful song was written and performed by Paul Anka, bearing the title "Papa". So here's to you all 'isät', 'papas', 'fathers', 'grandpas', etc,

60 Finnpicks to go.

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Shang-a-lang - Shang-a-lang

Upon researching the Finnpicks I have come up with many surprises and amazing facts. Today's finnpick is one example of those. Well, I couldn't have imagined Kari Tapio ever covering Bay City Rollers. But he really did it, in 1974, when he released single with "Shang-a-lang" on it. Perhaps understandably, it was not a hit and the song has not been included in any of Kari's compilation albums. But nothing wrong with the song, though ... The original "Shang-a-lang" was written by top songwriter duo Phil Coulter and Bill Martin and was the 3rd UK Top Ten hit for Bay City Rollers  reaching number 2 in 1974. You can see them perform it, here.

61 Finnpicks to go.

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Truck Driving Man - Rekkakuski

Kari Tapio (or Kari Jalkanen, as he was called at the time) recorded the song "Rekkakuski" (Truck driver) in 1974. It was released on an album called "Aikapommi". The album consisted of country songs performed by Kari and Erkki Liikanen. Both artists were friends of country music and Erkki was already a star at the time, but Kari was just starting his career. The Finnish lyrics for this song were made by Liikanen. The original "Truck Drivin' Man" was an old popular country song written and recorded by American country musician Terry Fell in 1954.  One of his band members, Buck Owens, sang harmony with him on this original recording, and in 1965, Owens recorded the song himself. Several other versions exist.

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California Blue - Aikaan täysikuun

Now we have reached the last stop (for now) of our journey accross USA. And there we meet two great late singers. Kari Tapio recorded "Aikaan täysikuun" (When it's full moon time) in 1989 for his eponymous album. The song cecame a radio hit. The Finnish lyrics were written by Kari himself.  The original song "California Blue " was on the "Mystery Girl" -album, the last album recorded by Roy Orbison, posthumously released in 1989. It was also a minor hit when released as a single. The song was written by Orbison with Jeff Lynne and Tom Petty.

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A Far L'Amore Comincia Tu - Potki potki sä vain

Kari Tapio recorded "Potki potki sä vain" (You just kick all you can) in 1977 for his album "Kaipuu". Kari's big breakthrough hit "Viisitoista kesää" was also on this album, but today's finnpick was not released as a single. The lyrics were crated by Pertsa Reponen, and Veikko Samuli did the arrangement. The original song was of Italian origin. "A Far L'Amore Comincia Tu" (To make the love start you) was a big hit for Raffaella Carra in 1977 all over Europe. You can see 'La Carra' perform the song here.

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Don't Stop - Pelkkää elämää

For his eponymous 1979 album Kari Tapio recorded "Pelkkää elämää" (Just life). The arrangement was done by Veikko Samuli. This just might be the one and only Fleetwood Mac cover made in Finnish. The original song "Don't Stop" was one of Mac's greatest hits. It was written by the keyboard player Christine McVie and sung by her and guitarist Lindsey Buckingham.,The song was culled as a single from the band's 1977 album "Rumours". The album has sold about 50 million copies worldwide and is one of the biggest-selling albums of all time.

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Seven Spanish Angels - Enkeleitä seitsemän

The story told in today's song "Enkeleitä seitsemän" (Seven angels) dates back to the days of Finnish Winter War exactly 50 years ago. It' is Kari Tapio's tribute in 1993 to the heroes of legendary Battle Of Raatteentie. The battle took place between 1st and 7th of January in 1940 and the under-powered Finnish troops won over mighty Soviet army. Kari has written the lyrics himself. But the song is originally from USA and it tells a story of the last moments of two Texan runaway lovers in Mexico. The performers Ray Charles and Willie Nelson are both legands on their own, but when they joined forces in this song, a new legend was born ... You can see them performing the song live, here.

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Romanella - Romanella

Kari Tapio (see earlier entry) recorded "Romanella" in 1976 for his album "Klabbi" ("Klabbi" is Kari's nickname). It remained just as an album track, but is a fine example of Tapio's delivery. The lyrics are from one of the top female lyricists of Finland, Chrisse Johansson. The original song of the same name was of French origin, but it was made popular by Gianni Nazzaro, an Italian singer and actor. His career has focused mainly in the seventies after he won the Festival di Napoli in 1970. You can see Gianni perform the song live, here.

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A Rose Has To Die - Elää sain kesän vain

Kari Tapio recorded "Elää sain kesän vain" (I lived for one summer only) in 1978. It was released as a single, but for some reason turned out to be a miss. Even if Kari's interpretation was immaculate and the lyrics by Juha Vainio and arrangements by Veikko Samuli were first class. The original song was called "A Rose Has To Die". It was big hit (number 11 in charts) for UK pop group The Dooleys in 1978. The group comprised eight members at their peak, six of them members of Dooley family. They achieved several UK chart hits between 1977 and 1981. This song was written by Ben Findon, who was their songwriter and producer all through their hit-making period. You can see the group perform the song in Top of the Pops, here.

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Meet Me In Stockholm - Me kaksi matkalla Tukholmaan

Yesterday's country cover was almost, but not quite, Tex-Mex. Today's song is definetely Tex-Mex even if it has been made in (and the lyrics tell about) Scandinavia. This song has always been my personal favourite, and I was pleasently surprised to find out that there were two Finnish covers (with different lyrics) made of it. And neither of these I had heard at the time of their releases! The first one "Me kaksi matkalla Tuktholmaan" (We two on our way to Stockholm) was done in 1983 by Eini (see previous entry), who was known as a disco queen, but succeeds very well in her interpretation of this country ballad. The second cover "Luoksesi Tukholmaan" (To meet you in Stockholm) was performed by the 'usual suspect' Kari Tapio (see previous entry) in 1991. This also is a very good version of the original song that was written and performed by Tex-Mex legend Doug Sahm (b. Douglas Wayne Sahm) He signed in 1983 with the Swedish label Sonet and recorded some singles and albums for it, and toured extensively in Europe. In my opinion this is one of the best songs Doug ever did. BTW, 'the slow boat to Helsinki town' mentioned in the lyrics, refers to the car ferries traveling on the route Stockholm-Helsinki and standing for the luxury liners that Finnish everyman can afford.

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Some Broken Hearts Never Mend - Ei toiset toipua voi

Kari Tapio (see previous entry) - if any - is THE Finnish artist that can be described as country singer. Of course his repertoire is much more versatile and in the latest years focused on mainstream schlagers and pop ballads. He recorded "Ei toiset toipua voi" (Some can not recover) on his "Jää vierellein" -album in 1981. The original song "Some Broken Hearts Never Mend" is a cross-over country hit by Don Williams. Don Williams is a US country singer and songwriter. who started his career in the 60's with the folk-pop group Pozo-Seco Singers. The group had a series of Top 50 hits, but disbanded in 1971, at which point Williams embarked on a very succcesful solo career. His deep vocals, soft tones, and an imposing build earned him the nickname "The Gentle Giant" of country music.

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So You Win Again - Osuit oikeaan

Eurovision Song Contest 2009 Final is now safely behind us. This was the 3rd time Norway won and Finnpicks dedicates today's song to Norway. Congrats! Kari Tapio recorded "Osuit oikeaan" (You got it right) in 1977. Kari wasn't at the time big enough to make a big hit out of it, but still the performance is enjoyable even in today's standards, The arrangement was done by famous Finnish arranger and composer Veikko Samuli. The original song was called "So You Win Again" and it was witten by Russ Ballard and produced by Mickie Most. It was performed by Hot Chocolate, being the band's sole UK number one single, spending three weeks at the top in July 1977.They were originally named 'The Hot Chocolate Band'. This was quickly shortened to Hot Chocolate by Mickie Most. Interestingly, Hot Chocolate started their recording career with a reggae version of John Lennon's "Give Peace A Chance" in 1969. Lead singer Erroll Brown and bassist Tony Wilson wrote most of their original material. Hot Chocolate achieved their biggest successes in the disco era of the mid- to late 70's.

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Swiss Lady - Aikuinen nainen

The 1977 Eurovision Song Contest was held in London. The language rule was brought back in this contest, four years after it had been dropped in 1973. So every country had to perform their song in one of country's official language. For Switzerland this was done by Pepe Lienhard Band, and they sang about "Swiss Lady" (Only the title was in English , the rest was in German). Before the contest they were one of the greatest favourites, but they ended up placing 6th with 71 points. Finland's "Lapponia" sung by Monika Aspelund placed 10th. Pepe Lienhard, (b. Peter Rudolf Lienhard) was a Swiss bandleader and musician who in 1969 founded this sextet with which he released numerous albums. What was extraordinary in the ESC performance was of course the huge alphorn, which was played in the introduction and between the verses of the song. This use of the alphorn in pop music was at the time a singular case, but after this its influence spread throughout Switzerland. The Finnish version was done by Kari Tapio (see previous entry), and it was called "Aikuinen nainen" (Grown-up woman). For some reason this melodic song with driving beat wasn't a hit in Finland, and it's now completely forgotten. But Kari Tapio is today more populat than ever.

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She Was Dynamite - Se oli kuuma yö

Let's now hear some Euro rock'n roll. The Finnish representative is a man who in no way is associated with rock or rock'n roll - Kari Tapio (see previous entry). Nevertheless he recorded this driving song "Se oli kuuma yö" (It was a hot night) in 1979. It was released as a single but didn't go anywhere. Kari's time wasn't just yet ... The original song "She Was Dynamite" was of Dutch origin and performed by Jack Jersey (real name Jack de Nijs), who also recorded under many other names. He was most famous for his Elvis style pop music, of which this song is perfect example. Jack had begun his musical career already in 1958, but the biggest success he met in the 70's with the moniker Jack Jersey.

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Crazy Woman - Villi nainen

The second contribution in Finnpicks Disco Week comes from a man that's not usually known for doing disco. Kari Tapio (real name Kari Jalkanen) is a Finnish singer legend. And perhaps the most popular of today's Finnish male singers. He has made a long long career in music business, starting in the 60's and recording his first single in 1972. However, his final breakthrough didn't happen until in the latter part of 70's. Kari's "Villi nainen" (Wild woman) was released in 1977 on the B-side of his mega hit "Viisitoista kesää" (the cover of Smokie's "Living Next Door to Alice"). The original was done by our old friend Joe Dolan (see previous entry). The son of a bicycle-shop owner, Joe Dolan was one of the most successful vocalists in Ireland. He's the only Irish singer to reach the top ten in the 60's, 70's, 80's and 90's. His biggest hit was "Make Me an Island" in 1969 which topped the music charts of 14 countries. Later, in the 70's, he was collaborating and scoring hits with Italian songwriter and producer, Robert Danova, who wrote this "Crazy Woman".

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