Kitty - Mickey - Miki

Now we have come to the final entry of our 3rd Finnpicks Chinnichap Week (only 6 days this time). Leena Vanamo recorded "Miki" in 1984 for her only album "Sua kaipaan". Leena did several recordimgs and TV appearences in the 80's, but never quite made it to the front fow of Finnish female singers. BTW, the lyrics for "Miki" were provided by another 80's popper, Pave Maijanen.. The song that Leena covered was called "Mickey" and it was a worldwide smash hit for American Toni Basil (b. Antonia Christina Basilotta) in 1982. Toni cas actually a choreographer and this was her sole pop hit, making her one of the "One Hit Wonders". The original song was, however, recorded in 1979 by British pop rock group Racey. It was titled "Kitty" and was included in their albun "Smash And Grab", which included also their biggest hit "Some Girls" (also written by Chinnichap). You can see Toni Basil perform the famous cheerleader video of "Mickey", here.

Here's the triplet:

Lay Back in the Arms of Someone - Tunteitaan ei voi estää

Karma released "Tunteitaan ei voi estää" (You can't turn down your feelings) as a single in 1977, and on the album "Morjens, Karma" in the same year. The group was already scored two minor hits with Chinnichap rocker songs for Sweet (see "Blockbuster" here and "Wig Wam Bam" here . This was the third one, but the group didn't fare so well with this pop ballad. The original song "Lay Back in the Arms of Someone" was the follow-up single to Smokie's biggest hit "Living Next Door to Alice" in 1977 and it was equally successful. You can see them perform the song here.

Here's the pair:

I'll Meet You At Midnight - Keskiyön aikaan

Now begins the 3rd and final Finnpicks Chinnichap Week. We present Finnish covers of the songs written by British songwriting duo Nicky Chinn and Mike Chapman. Markku Aro got a big hit with Chinnichap's "Crazy" (see it finnpicked, here) and he scored another one with "Keskiyön aikaan" (Around midnight) in 1977. In addition to catchy melody, the lyrics by Juha Vainio and the arrangement by Veikko Samuli were first class. The original song "I'll Meet You At Midnight" was one of the biggest hits for Smokie. The group started it's recording career in 1970 as Kindness (you can hear their first single here) After joining the Chinnichap stable their name was changed to Smokey. And after couple of succesful singles they changed it to Smokie as the American soul legend Smokey Robinson threatened to file a law suit, alleging that the band's name would confuse the audience.

Here's the pair:

Dyna-mite - Dynamiitti

Marjo-Riitta (b. Marjo-Riitta Kervinen) & Savannah (see earlier entry) recorded "Dynamiitti" (Dynamite) in 1974. It was released as a B-side of a single (I'll present the A-side tomorrow...) and went largely unnoticed. The lyrics were done by Pertsa Reponen. Another version of this same song (with same lyrics) was done by a group called Kosmos in that same year. Their version sunk without a trace, butI present it here just to give you a chance to compere female and male renditions of the same song. Kosmos' version was on their sole album, which included covers of songs from a large variety of artists, like Beatles, Osmonds, Uriah Heep and James Taylor. I guess we will hear of Kosmos again here in Finnpicks ;-). The original "Dyna-mite" was the 3rd hit for Mud. The song was originally rejected by The Sweet. It reached number four in the UK Singles Chart. You can see the group performing "Dyna-mite", here.

Here's the triplet:

Crazy - Jestas sentään

Usually the Finnish Chinnichap covers have not been as successful as their original counterparts. Well, this one is a notable exception. Markku Aro recorded "Jestas sentään" (Goodness gracious) in 1973. The lyrics by Vexi Salmi were a bit naughty, and contributed to record's success. The song became a classic and Markku has to perform it in his every gig even today. The original song "Crazy" eventually launched big chain of UK chart hits for group Mud in 1973. Lead singer of the Mud, Les Gray was also known for his distinctive vocal impersonation of Elvis Presley. You can see the group performing "Crazy", here.

Here's the pair:

Sister Jane - Siskosein

This is the last entry in our Finnpicks ChinniChap Week volume 1. Kirka recorded "Siskosein" (Sister of mine) in 1973 for his album "Rautaa ja kettinkiä". The lyrics were provided by Pertsa Reponen. This nice song is sadly forgotten. The original song "Sister Jane" was a minor hit for the Australian pop group New World in 1972. They are best known for their Top 10 hit "Tom-Tom Turnaround", which was released in 1971 and was the first hit for writers Nicky Chinn and Mike Chapman. They also recorded a ChinniChap song called "Living Next Door to Alice" (hear it here) 1972, but it was a was a flop. This song of course would become a worldwide hit for Smokie in 1976. You can see New World perform the "Sister Jane" song in a rare promotional film, here.

Here's the pair:

Blockbuster - Katujen uhka

Here's another Karma song and the second one of their ChinniChap & Sweet covers. They recorded "Katujen uhka" (Threat on the streets) in 1973. It was released as a single, but did not repeat the success of "Wig wam bam". The original song "Blockbuster" proved to be The Sweet's only British number 1; it stayed at the top for 5 weeks. This song featured an air-raid siren and in fact, "Blockbuster" was originally a World War 2 newspaper name for a large bomb, which had enough explosive power to destroy an entire city block. You can see The sweet perform the song in Top of the Pops, here.

Here's the pair:

Wig Wam Bam - Wig wam bam

Karma (see earlier entry) was a pop-rock/country-rock group formed in 1972. And their first single (1973) was "Wig wam bam". It wasn't their biggest hit, but very popular anyway. Vexi Salmi wrote the lyrics. The original "Wig Wam Bam" was the sixth consecutive ChinniChap hit for The Sweet. The first verse is about lovers Hiawatha and Minnehaha, who were fictional characters from the 1855 poem "The Song of Hiawatha" by famous American poet Henry Wadsworth Longfellow. The second verse is about Running Bear and Little White Dove from the popular 60's hit song "Running Bear". You can see Sweet perform "Wig Wam Bam", here.

Here's the pair:

Little Willy - Pikku veli

Kirka got a big hit with his recording of "Pikku veli" (Little brother) in 1972. The lyrics were provided by Pertsa Reponen. You can see Kirka in action, performing this song, here. The original "Little Willy" continued the ChinniChap line of hits for The Sweet. This was the first ChinniChap single the band actually played on. This was also their first big US hit. The lead vocals were - as always at the time - done by Brian Connolly. You can see Sweet perform the song, here.

Here's the pair:

Poppa Joe - Pappa Joe

Eddy (see earlier entry) recorded "Pappa Joe" in 1972 and scored a Top 20 hit with it. The original "Poppa Joe" was ChinniChap's 4th UK Top 40 hit in a row for The Sweet. The song bears some Caribbean influences. It topped the cahrts in at least 8 countries, including Finland. You can see Sweet perform the song, here.

Here's the pair:

Co-Co - Kaikki mukaan

The Finnpicks ChinniChap Week's day two introduces us to a new Finnpick artist; Keijo Minerva. Keijo started his career in the late 60's and released his first record in 1971. He worked as a solo artist and as a member in several pop groups (e.g. earlier finnpicked Gulliver), but never really made it. This "Kaikki mukaan" (Come on everybody) was recorded in 1972. The lyrics were provided by Vexi Salmi and arrangements by Rauno Lehtinen. The original song was called "Co-Co" and it was second hit single for The Sweet, and fared better than the first one ("Funny Funny") reaching number 2 in the UK charts. The first album by Sweet, "Funny How Sweet Co-Co Can Be", was uncharted in UK, but was number one in Finland for three weeks in February 1972.

Here's the pair:

Funny Funny - Meillä hyvin on

This marks the start of Finnpicks ChinniChap Week (volume 1, there will be others ...). ChinniChap is the abbreviation for the songwriter duo Nicky Chinn and Mike Chapman. Since we move on in chronological order, this first week is eventually Finnpicks Sweet Week ;-). Johnny recorded "Meillä hyvin on" (We've got it alright) in 1972. It was released on the B-side of his big hit single "Amarillo" (see earlier Finnpick, here) The original ChinniChap tune was called "Funny Funny" and it was the first in long line of their hits for the British pop and rock group The Sweet, reaching number 13 in the UK charts.

Here's the pair: