Hollywood - Hollywood

Mona Carita recorded "Hollywood" for her debut album "Mona Carita" in 1979. The Finnish lyrics were - again - provided by Raul Reiman. We seem to have - purely by coincidence - a "Raul Reiman Week" now. The arrangement was done by Esa Nieminen. The original "Hollywood" was done by a Dutch group called Dingo. (not to be confused with the Finnish group of the same name). This disco combo had a modest hit with it in 1978. The song was written by famous Dutch songwriting duo Janschen & Janschens. Their real names were Hans van Hemert and Piet Souer, respectively. Hans also produced this song and Piet arranged it.

34 Finnpicks to go.

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Dancing And Drinking - Lisää vodkaa

Like Irishmen, the Finns have a reputation to be heavy drinkers. Well I don't know if that's true today, but in the 70's it might have been. So, in the spirit (;-)) of that era, we present "Lisää vodkaa" (More vodka), performed by the group Rolf Bergström & Pyhimykset from the year 1971.  It was released as a single, but failed to hit the charts. The group's claim to fame was their version of "Rock Your Baby", which was a hit in 1974. The original song, titled "Dancing And Drinking", originated not from Ireland but from Netherlands. There's not much info on the performing artist, the group Plastic People. They were a four-piece band from Amsterdam, and this was probably their only Top 20 hit in Netherlands. It reached number 14 in 1970, and the single was released also in UK, but went unnoticed there. But the Finns picked it up ...   

50 Finnpicks to go.

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Hello-A - Oi rakkain

Kai Hyttinen recorded "Oi rakkain" (Oh dearest one) in 1972. On single it was the A-side to "Eikö Muonio vastaa", finnpicked earlier (see here).  It was a hit, but not of Kai's greatest. The Finnish lyrics were done by Kai's old buddy, Vexi Salmi. The original "Hello-A" was a smash hit in 1972 for Dutch duo Mouth & MacNeal, i.e. Willem Duyn and Maggie MacNeal (b. Sjoukje van't Spijker). The song reached the top of the charts in many European countries. It was written by their producer Hans van Hemert who also wrote their first hit "How Do You Do" and their Euorvision entry "I See A Star". You can see M & M perform "Hello-A" in an early promotional film, here.

79 Finnpicks to go.

One Two Three - Matkaan vaan

Mona Carita got to be known as sexy disco chick singing cute and silly disco songs. But she did also other kind of music. Like this country-flavoured road song "Matkaan vaan" (To the road), It was released as the final track on her album "Nykyaikainen" in 1981. The Finnish lyrics were written by Raul Reiman. The original song was called "One Two Three" and it was a Euro-hit for the Dutch girl duo Maywood. http://nl.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maywood_(duo) The duo consisted of sisters Alie and Doetie de Vries, who used stage names Alice May and Caren Wood respectively. They were relatively unknown in Finland, but immensly popolar in Russia. Today's finnpicked song was written by Alice May. Maywood represented Netherlands in the 1990 Eurovision Song Contest with "Ik wil alles met je delen" (no success, but they beat Finland ;-)).

88 Finnpicks to go.


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Caroline - Kyyneleet

This is one of Kirka's absolute classics. The song "Kyyneleet" (Tears) was released in 1981 on eponymous album. It has ever since been one of the most popular songs in his repertoire. The touching Finnish lyrics were provided by Raul Reiman. The original was called "Caroline" and it was written by famous Dutch producer, songwriter, DJ and musician Eddy Ouwens. He was the man behind the Dutch Eurovision winner "Ding-a-Dong". In 1977, following the death of Elvis Presley, he recorded and released the worldwide hit single "I Remember Elvis Presley" uber pseudonym Danny Mirror. Well, what about today's finnpicked song, "Caroline". It has been very hard to find the original recording. But (thanks to fellow blogger Magomusiikki for research) I can now present an almost original version. It was done by Dutch schlager singer Arne Jansen. It was released on his album "Zomerzon En Zuidenwind" and also as a single. As far as I know this took place in 1985 - 4 years after Kirka's "Kyyneleet". So it's not THE original, but I'm sure it's quite like it. BTW, Arne and Kirka had more in common than this song; they were born just months apart and they died just months apart. You can see Arne perform the song, here.
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One Way Wind - Ikuinen tuuli

A singer named Heino Mara recorded only one single, in 1972. And that's about all I know of him. On the A-side of his sole recording product was this "Ikuinen tuuli" (Eternal wind). The Finnish lyrics were written by Chrisse Johansson and the arrangement was done by Heikki Laurila, better known as a top guitarist. Needless to say, this single went nowhere. The original song came from Netherlands. It was performed by The Cats, who were a rock band from the city of Volendam. They were key figures of what came to be called the "Palingsound" (eel-sound), label for the music from artists residing in Volendam (the country's top seafood city). This "One Way Wind" was composed by band member Arnold Muhren, and the song became The Cats' biggest ever hit. The song was inspired by the divi-divi trees of the Windward Islands. The growth of the trees is often contorted by the trade winds at coastal sites where it often grows. Hence the title "One Way Wind" ...


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Weekend - Viikonloppuheila

Yup - it's weekend, and this is a song to go with it. Mona Carita recorded "Viikonloppuheila" (Weekend lover) in 1980 for her album "Soita mulle". The finnish lyrics were provided by Pertsa Reponen. The original song called "Weekend" was performed in 1979 by a group named Earth and Fire It wa a progressive rock group formed in the Netherlands in the end of 60's by brothers Chris and Gerard Koerts. It was most popular in the 1970s,  Though their massive success in the Netherlands, their music never quite made it to England or the Americas. Their biggest international hit was just this "Weekend", number one in many Eupean countries. The lead vocalist Jerney Kaagman later had a short solo career and she also appeared in the Netherlands edition of Playboy magazine. You can see the band perform "Weekend" here.

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Alaska country - Alaska country

The end stop in our Grand Tour of USA is the northern-most state. Lea Laven recorded "Alaska country" in 1972 for her album "Vuosikertaa". The arrangement was in the the capable hands of Veikko Samuli and the Finnish lyrics were from the pen of Chrisse Johansson. The original "Alaska Country" was a track on Shocking Blue's second album "Scorpio's Dance" released in 1970. The album was partly recorded in New York and continues the band's exploration of Americana and country music. Alaska Country" was one of the most obvious references to America. Alaska is the largest state in the United States by area. It was purchased from the Russian Empire in 1867.

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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.
  
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California Here I Come - Sinustakin apua ois

Yes, it's "both Sides Now" again. Today we present the flipside to yesterday's finnpick "On miten on". Chrisse Johansson wrote the (somewhat obscure) Finnish lyrics for this "Sinustakin apua ois" (You could be of some help). Lea Laven's interpretation is quite good, but went unnoticed at the time. The original Shocking Blue song was called "California Here I Come" and it was on the excellent second SB album "At Home" released in 1969. It was the their first album recorded with lead vocalist Mariska Veres.

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Shocking You - On miten on

Lea Laven has recorded more Shocking Blue covers than any other Finnish artist, maybe more than ANY artist. Its' such an irony that she have never had a charted hit with those covers. Lea's voice had same kind of output and tone than Mariska Veres had, so that may explain the multitude of her Shocking Blue finnpicks. In 1972 Lea released a single with Shicking Blue song on both sides. Today we present "On miten on" (It is what it is). And it's among the best of Lea's covers. The original was called "Shocking You" and it was a hit for SB in 1971. You can see the band perform the song, here.

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Morning Sky - Aurinkoon

Katri Helena recorded "Aurinkoon" (To the sun) in 1976. It was released on the B-side of her smash hit "Syysunelmia". The Finnish lyrics were from the pen of Chrisse Johansson.. The original song was of Dutch origin. George Baker Selection had a international hit with "Morning Sky" in 1975. The song was written - as all the groups hits - by George Baker aka. Johannes "Hans" Bouwens. You can see the group perform the song, here.

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Casanova - Voi mikä Casanova!

Mona Carita's first album in 1979 was also called " Mona Carita". One of the album tracks was this "Voi mikä Casanova!" (Oh, what a Casanova"). It was a typical disco dance tune with lyrics by Chrisse Johansson. The original song "Casanova" was one of the several hits written by Dutch producer Hans van Hemert for pop/disco girl trio Luv'. The song's arrangements were inspired by Flamenco, Latin American music and 1970s Europop, making it a smash hit in Benelux, the German speaking countries and Denmark. Van Hemert and his songwriting/producing partner Piet Souer were also known as "Janschen & Janschens". You can see Luv' perform "Casanova", here.


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U.O.Me - Sun vain oon

Mirumaru (see earlier entry) recorded "Sun vain oon" (I'm only yours) in 1978. It was on their eponymous album and was released as a single, but didn't hit the charts. Lyrics were written by Pertsa Reponen. The original song "U.O.Me" was the third single, and first real mainstream success for Dutch girl group Luv', released in 1978. This record is also credited as "U.O.Me (Theme from Waldolala)", becouse it was originally composed (by producer Hans Hemert) as a theme for a popular Dutch TV series "Het is weer zo laat" (a.k.a Waldolala). You can see the group perform the song, here. Luv' has been finnpicked twice before, see here and here.

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Tralala - Tra la laa

Markku Aro and Nisa Soraya recorded "Tra la la" in 1984. This 'kind-of-sexy' song provided a small summer hit for them at the time. Nisa was born in Birmingham England, but moved in Singapore at early age and eventually ended up in Finland in 1980. She started her recording career in 1981 by duetting just with Markku Aro. The original "Tralala" was written by Dutch songwriter and producer Eddy Ouwens and it was the only international hit for Dutch male & female duo Phil & Company (the female singer was called "Phil"). You can see the couple perform the song, here. In 2004 a Swedish pop singer Günther made a re-vamped disco version of this song called "Ding Dong Song".

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Mama Papa - Polttaa polttaa

More music from under the scorching sun. Seidat (see earlier entry) recorded "Polttaa polttaa" (Burning, burning) in 1973 for their "Seidat" -LP. It remained only as an album track, but - who knows - it might have had it's chances as a single. BTW, the lyrics were provided by another Finnish recording artist Arto Sotavalta. The original title wasn't so 'hot', it was a song called "Mama Papa" and performed by Dutch/Italian group Cardinal Point. The group was formed in 1964 in Sicily, Italy, originally under the name of I Cardinali. In 1966, under the leadership of their blind organist, they came to The Netherlands and settled in Alkmaar, touring the North Holland pop club circuit extensively. In 1972 they had a considerable hit with this "Mama Papa" song. You can see them perform the song, here.

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Ik zie een ster - Nään täysikuun

Päivi Paunu and Kai Hyttinen joined forces and recorded "Nään täysikuun" (I see a fullmoon) in 1974. The lyrics were provided by Vexi Salmi, who changed the original 'star' for rhyming reasons into 'fullmoon'. The original was the Dutch entry in 1974 Eurovision Song Contest. It was called "Ik zie een ster" (I see a star) and it was performed my popular male/female duo Mouth & MacNeal. Mouth's real name was Willem Duyn and Maggie MacNeal's Sjoukje van't Spijker. MacNeal returned to the ESC as a solo artist in 1980 with "Amsterdam".The brightly-coloured performance of "I See A Star" (It was sung in English) has become a favourite among ESC fans, with the song being selected as one of the non-winning "classics". You can see the performance here.

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Eeny Meeny Miny Moe - Kuti kuti kultasein

Mona Carita recorded "Kuti kuti kultasein" (Koochie koo my darling) in 1979 and it was released as a single,backed with cover of "Then He Kissed Me" on the flipside. The lyrics were again provided by Chrisse Johansson. The single was, however, not very succesful chartwise. The original song was called "Eeny Meeny Miny Moe" and it was major European hit for Dutch girl group Luv' . It was their 7th single and it's bouzouki and balalejka -theme is highly inspired by Boney M.'s "Rasputin". You can see them perform the song, here. "Eeny Meeny Miny Moe" is a children's counting rhyme, used to select a person to be "it" for games and similar purposes. The rhyme has existed in various forms since the 1850s, and is common in many languages, with similar-sounding nonsense syllables. In Finland the corresponding rhyme would be "Entten tentten teelika mentten" (of German origin).

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The Elephant Song - Ihminen on tehnyt sen

Pasi Kaunisto (see earlier entry) released "Ihminen on tehnyt sen" (It was caused by man) as a single in 1976. It was a minor hit and one of the first 'environment-aware' pop songs in Finland. The elephant in the original song was changed in Juha Vainio's lyrics into bear, that was more at home in Finnish nature. The original "The Elephant Song" was of Dutch origin. It was written by Hans van Hemert, a music producer and songwriter, Mouth & MacNeal and Luv' being the greatest pop acts he produced. He composed also three songs for the Eurovision Song Contest. "The Elephant Song" was made famous by Kamahl , which is the stage name of Kandiah Kamalesvaran, an Australian singer, born in Malaysia. In 1975 the song hit number one in Dutch and Belgian charts. The song was used in the soundtrack of a World Wildlife Fund TV documentary.

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Nathalie - Toivon niin

Danny recorded "Toivon niin" (I hope so) in 1973 for his album "Mentävä on". It was also released as a single, but it didn't hit the charts. The original song about the girl named "Nathalie" originated from Netherlands. George Baker Selection had a hit with it in 1971. The song was written by the band's leader Hans Bouwens (aka George Baker). The song reached number 11 in Dutch charts. The group was still four years away of hitting really big with "Paloma Blanca".

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