Think Summer - Sun ja mun on lämmin

When the cold weather is upon us again, I guess it's time to think warm thoughts. And this finnpick is just about that. In 1970 Marion Rung recorded "Sun ja mun on lämmin" (You and I are feeling warm) together with Aarno Raninen (arranger and orchestra leader, but also a singer). The song was released on the B-side of Marion's "Makeelta maistaa" -single, and also on the album of the same name. The Finnish lyrics were written by Sauvo "Saukki" Puhtila. The original song was called "Think Summer" and it was a minor US hit in 1969 for duo Ed Ames and Marilyn Maye. The song peaked at number 17 in the Billboard Adult Contemporary Chart. These both singers had individually some modest hits but this was their only common success story. The song was written by Paul Evans, whose best-known composition is "Roses are Red".

81 Finnpicks to go.

Here's the pair:

Mississippi - Mississippi

Finnpicks Grand Tour of USA now takes turn to South, deep South ... Marion recorded "Mississippi" in 1977 for her album "77". It was also released on single format, on the B-side of her Abba's "Dancing Queen" -cover (called "Prinsessa"). The Finnish lyrics for Mississippi were crafted by Juha Vainio. The original "Mississippi" was worldwide smash hit in 1975-76 for Dutch group Pussycat.  (see earlier entry) It is estimated that "Mississippi" sold over five million copies worldwide. The lyrics of the song are about the history of music, about how rock music became more popular than country music. The name of the Mississippi state derives from the Mississippi River ('rolling along' in the song), which flows along its western boundary. Again, the name of the river comes from the Ojibwe - one of indigenous languages of USA - word misi-ziibi, meaning "Great River". You can see Pussycat perform the song, here.
  
Here's the pair:

Bashana haba'ah - Ensi vuonna

This is the last day of the this year . It's time to ponder of what's coming in the next year. And this song fits in well. Marion Rung recorded "Ensi vuonna" (Next year) in 1981. It was on the album "Rakkaimmat lauluni" and released as a single, but didn't fare well chartwise. Marion has versioned several songs of Hebrew origin, and this was one of those. The song was written by famous Israeli conductor and composer Nurit Hirsh. Internationally she's perhaps best rememberd by conducting in the 1978 Eurovision Song Contest the Israeli entry A-Ba-Ni-Bi, which won first prize. This "Bashana haba'ah" (Next year) -song was first made popular by Israeli vocal duo Ilanit (finnpicked before, see here) & Ilan. You can see them perform the song, here. In Usa it was a minor hit for Steve Lawrence and Eydie Gorme. You can hear their version, here.

So, what we are doing next year in Finnpicks. Well, we are presenting the remaining (third week) of Chinnichap covers, continuing the "Finnpicks for Kids" and "Finnpicks Goes To Movies" -series, and of course presenting again some Eurovision Song Contest covers in the spring, and last by not least, we're taking a "Finnpicks Tour Across USA" at some point. Of course we'll be delivering the usual bunch of more or less obscure Finnish covers of hit songs from all over the world.

Happy and Prosperous New Year 2011!

Here's the pair:

Ey Sham - Sain muiston

Marion has represented Finland in the Eurovision Song Contest in 1961 with "Tipi-tii" and in 1973 with "Tom tom". In 1973 she also recorded an Euro-cover, "Sain muiston", which was the Israeli entry in that year. This was Israel's first time in ESC, and the performer was famous Israeli singing star Ilanit (b. Hanna Drezner-Tzakh). The success was great for a first-timer. Israel placed 4th with this song called "Ey Sham" (Somewhere). The second participation by Ilanit was in London in 1977 with a song entitled "Ahava Hi Shir Lishnayim".

Here's the pair:

Ce Soir Je T'Attendais - Odotin sinua

Marion represented Finland in the Eurovision Song Contest 1963 with "Tipi Tii" and in 1973 with "Tom Tom". In 1966 she recorded "Odotin sinua"" (I waited for you). The original was the Luxembourg's own entry in contest held in Luxembourg in 1966, called "Ce Soir Je T'Attendais" (I waited for you tonight). It was performed by French singer Michele Torr (b. Michelle Cléberte Tort). Lyrics can be found here. It placed 10th, sharing that position with Finland's "Playboy" (performed by Ann Christine). The winning song in that year came from Austria; "Merci Cherie". Eleven years later, in 1977, Michele Torr again took part in Eurovision, this time representing Monaco with the song "Une petite française". That was also covered in Finnish, perhaps we will present it here in the future.

Here's the pair:

Lady Love Bug - Turhaan siipi maassa astelin

Marion Rung recorded "Turhaan siipi maassa astelin" (I was feeling down, in vain) in 1972 on her album "Tom tom tom" and it was released also as a single, but with modest success. The lyrics were written by Pertti "Pertsa" Reponen and the arrangements by Rauno Lehtinen. The original song "Lady Love Bug" was the last charted hit (it only reached number 28 in the UK charts) for Clodagh Rodgers. She was best known for her 1971 Eurovision Song Contest entry "Jack In The Box" (finnpicked earlier, here)

Here's the pair:

Senorita - Senorita por favor

So, today is the International Women's day. To celebrate it we present truly international song about a woman. Marion Rung recorded "Senorita por favor" in 1978. It was a big hit in Finland and a minor hit in Germany (with the version in German that we present here). Marion recorded the song also in English. You can hear it, here. The song was written by the Italian singer and songwriter Toto Cutugno. As far as I know he didn't record the song himself, but the original recording was made by El Pasador, who is famous for his mega hit "Amore mio, amada mia" (finnpicked earlier, here). The song was on his 1977 album and was called "Senorita". El Pasador was the stage name of Italian singer, composer and conductor Paul Zavalloni. His characteristics were hoarse voice and a trucker's mustache. If he didn't sing many words on "Amore mio", his vocals are even more sparse on this "Senorita". The major part of the vocals is done by background singers and it's interesting to find out that the 1979 European hit for disco group Chocolat's is almost one-to-one to El Pasador's original version. Listen to it yourself ...

Here's the triplet:

Harlem Song - Harlemin laulu

Marion recorded "Harlemin laulu" (The song of Harlem) for her album"Lauluja sinusta" in 1974. The song shows Marion's ability as a singer, And as a gospel singer in particular. The original song "Harlem Song" was performed by the vocal group Sweepers. The song was eleased as a single in France in 1973 and it became a top 20 hit for them in France and some other western European countries. The group was a one-hit-wondeer, becouse the didn't succed in delivering another charted single. An very little is known about the group, in generally.

Who - I Dig You - Syy täysikuun

Yesterday we had a new mooon. So it's a long way to the full moon that is the theme of today's finnpick cover. Marion recorded "Syy täysikuun" (Blame it on the full moon) in 1977. It was released on the b-side of his big hit single "Rakkaus on hellyyttä" and maybe that's why it sunk without trace. The eerie song is quite surprising one for Marion to record, but a very good interpretation. I even like it more than the original which was a song called "I Dig You", written by Robert Fitoussi (better known as F.R. David, of "Words" fame). It was made popular by Demis Roussos (b. Artemios Roussos). The song was on his 1977 album "The Demis Roussos Magic". Demis was born in Alexandria, Egypt, but during the Suez Canal crisis of 1961 his family moved to Greece where Roussos played trumpet and base in various bands until he in 1968 co-founded the group Aphrodite’s Child, which became a major act worldwide. In 1971 Roussos went to solo, and made a hugely succesful career. On this "Magic" -album he was re-united with his bandmate Vangelis (b. Evangelos Odysseas Papathanassiou) , who was responsible for the arrangements. And Vangelis also did the original version of this "I Dig You" using the title "Who". It was released released as a single in 1974 by his one-off band project called Odyssey. Robert Fitoussi, the composer, was member of that band at the time.

Here's the triple:

Dominique - Dominicus

Marion released "Dominicus" as one of her first singles and it resulted a minor hit in 1964. The lyrics were done by old stalwart Reino Helismaa. The original "Dominique" (Dominique was "great singing traveller who talks only of the Good Lord") was written and recorded in 1963 by Belgian singer Jeanine Deckers. As she was a nun in the Dominican Fichermont Convent in Waterloo, Belgium, she actually was Sister Luc-Gabrielle. But she performed with the stage name of Soeur Sourire (Sister Smile). The song was an international hit and even reached the first place in the Billboard Top 100 chart after it was released in the USA with the artist name 'The Singing Nun'. In 1966, a movie called The Singing Nun was made about her, starring Debbie Reynolds. In 1967, Jeanine recorded a song entitled "Glory Be to God for the Golden Pill" - a pro-contraception song - under the name Luc Dominique. It is easy to understand that it was a commercial failure ...

Here's the pair:

Brigitte Bardot - Brigitte Bardot

The woman that the world got to know as BB, turns 75 today. To honor her we present a song that was made to honor her. Marion Rung (see earlier entry) recorded "Brigitte Bardot" in 1961 for her first ever single. The song originated from Brazil. It was a 'marcha de carnaval' - carneval march - written by Miguel Gustavo, who had a couple of other successes with similar kind of tunes. "Brigitte Bardot" was turned to a Brazilian hit in 1960 by one of the great samba artists Jorge Veiga. In 1961 the song was a hit all over Europe with several versions in several countries. We present here a version by Roberto Seto y su Rumberos, which was a huge hit especially in Italy.

Here's the triplet:

That's the Way - Kaiken saan

Now is the time to keep an old promise of mine. Marion Rung recorded "Kaiken saan" (I'll get everything) in 1965. The original was "That's the Way"'. a song performed by The Honeycombs and produced by legendary Joe Meek. The Honeycombs were a London band with a female drummer, Ann "Honey" Lantree. The group's founder Martin Murray had worked as a hairdresser - Ann being his assistant. They decided to combine his profession with the nickname of the drummer, and changed their name to The Honeycombs. Previously they were known as the Sheratons. This song was written by Alan Blaikley, the other half of the famous songwriting team of Howard - Blaikley. And it's somewhat exceptional, as Honey is the lead singer alongside Dennis Dell, who usually was taking the lead.

Here's the pair:

Bobby's Girl - Pekan tyttö

A year after Marion Rung was Finland's representative in 1962 Eurovision Song Contest with "Tipitii", she recorded this teeny pop song "Pekan tyttö" (Pekka's girl"). At the time she was still only 17 years old. The original, "Bobby's Girl", was the first recording (1962) of Brooklyn, New York teenager Marcia Blane (b. Marcia Blank). With its spoken introduction and "You're not a kid anymore" backing refrain, the song quickly won the hearts of teenage America, entering the charts in mid-October, and by December it was at number 3 on the Billboard Hot 100. Susan Maugham did a UK version of the song.

Here's the pair:

Campesino - Kylähäät

Marion Rung , or just Marion, (see previous entry) has been among the leading ladies of Finnish pop music for over 40 years. She started her career in the beginning og 60's and is still recording and performing actively. She recorded "Kylähäät" (Village wedding) in 1976. The lyrics (done by famous lyricist Juha Vainio) tell a story about really wild wedding in some unnamed village. Marion recorded also a German version of this song as "Der Bauer und sein Weibchen". The lyrics in Finnish version are quite different compered to the original song "Campesino". It modestly tells about a peasant who happens to see a lady bathing in the river and then cannot forget this sight. The Spanish lyrics were written by the performer of the song Georgie Dann. Georgie is a French singer who primarily made his career in Spain in the 70's. As this song "Campesino" is composed by an Italian songwriter Franco Bracardi, it truly is an international effort. It was released in 1975 and was a summer hit in Spain.

Here's the pair:

Tanha Shodam Tanha - El Bimbo

"El Bimbo on vain mies ..." - I guess every Finn knows the beginning for the song "El Bimbo". This outcome of the 70's disco boom has stuck firmly in our memories. Marion (real name Marion Evi Rung) recorded the song in 1974. Marion has twice represented Finland in Eurovision Song Contest - in 1962 and 1973. In 1974 Marion won the Grand Prix in Sopot Song Festival and the German record producers became interested in her and subsequently she recorded "El Bimbo" that became hit in Germany selling nearly 100 000 copies. The Finnish version did also very well in Finnish charts. I was really amazed in learning that the song originates from Afghanistan(!). It was written and performed by legendary Afghan singer Ahmad Zahir in 1971 on his album 'Lylee' and called "Tanha Shodam Tanha" (I'm Lonely). Ahmad was shot dead (some say assassinated) in 1979, being only 33 years old. His song became a huge disco hit in Europe in 1974 when performed by French group called Bimbo Jet. This group was actually two guys called Claude Morgan and Laurent Rossi who recorded the tune with studio musicans. The song broke out all over Europe and even charted in the USA. The songs popularity was due to it's specific dance coreography and to the slang word "Bimbo" (aka "Bitch"). More then 1,3 million units where sold in France alone. Bimbo Jet's Claude Morgan has been registered as composer of the song. I wonder if Ahmad Zahir ever got any royalties ...

Updated on 03.02.2010: added the rare English language version by Marion.

Here's the bunch: