Well, this is it. The 1000th and last Finnpick. When I started this blog in May 2008, I surely didn't expect it last this long. But this has been fun, and to my surprise. the blog has attracted readers all over the world. Even if the the genre here is very niche - Finnish covers of foreign hits. I myself have discovered many new songs and many new artists on the way. And revived some already-lost memories. I hope the Finnpicks has been able to do the same to you.
The Finnpick number 1 was titled "Moi, moi vain". That's the greeting the Finns use when meeting someone. So, it's appropriate to end our journey with the song titled "Hei vain" (Just bye-bye), which in turn is used at the moment of departure. Päivi Paunu recorded it in 1969, scoring a minor hit with it. The original song was a worldwide hit for Mary Hopkin and called "Goodbye". It was the follow-up single for her number one single "Those Were The Days" (which also was covered by Päivi Paunu, see here ). The "Goodbye" song was written by Paul McCartney, and Paul has now the honour to perform the last song in Finnpicks; his demo version of "Goodbye".
Now that major part of Finland has finally been covered with snow, I find it appropiate to present this song. Päivi Paunu released "Lumilintu" (Snowbird) in 1971 as a single. It was arranged by Rauno Lehtinen and the Finnish lyrics were written by Chrisse Johansson. The original song "Snowbird" came from Canada, It was written by Gene MacLelland, who wrote also "Put Your Hand in the Hand" (finnpicked here) and made popular by Anne Murray. The song was on her second studio album "This Way Is My Way" issued in 1969. In 1970 the song reached number 8 on the US pop singles chart. You can hear Gene perform his version of the song, here.
Päivi Paunu recorded "Uskon päivään kauniimpaan" (I believe in a more bautiful day) in 1971 for her album of the same name. The Finnish lyrics were made by Vexi Salmi. I coukd see hit potential in the song, and it was released as a single, but only on the B-side to her cover of Band's "The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down". The original version of today's finnpick "Sadness Of A Summer's Afternoon" is quite a rare song, and I apologize of the inferior quality of the recording. But that's the only version I found. The performer is called James Horne, and the song was released on the UK RAK label in 1971. I don't know anything about James Horne, but the composers of the song are familiar (finnpicked before) - Alan Blaikley and Ken Howard.
Now is the season for the beach life - eagerly awaited by many, many Finns for 7 months. Päivi Paunu recorded "Rantaan, rantaan" (To the beach, to the beach) in 1970 scoring a minor hit with it. The original song "Temma Harbour" was written by a British singer-songwriter named Philamore Lincoln, who also recorded the song for his sole album “The North Wind Blew South” in 1970. But earlier that year Mary Hopkin had hit the charts with it, peaking at number 6 in the UK Singles Chart. "Temma Harbour" locates in Tasmania, Australia, but the song is not about that location. The songwriter, Philamore Lincoln, states the name was selected randomly from a map while looking for a place name that sounded romantic ;-).
Cascade was an ambitious pop group - active in years 1974-1977 - performing mainly soul- and rhythm & blues numbers. The founding members and main vocalists were Ami Aspelund (see earlier entry), Aimo Jaara, (see earlier entry), Marjo-Riitta Kervinen (see earlier entry) and Kari Kuusamo. Cascade released "Angie baby" on the B-side of their second single in 1975. The song earned another Finnish version - using same Finnish lyrics by Chrisse Johansson - by Päivi Paunu, who recorded it in 1976. The original "Angie Baby", was written by American songwriter Alan O'Day and it was a number one US hit for Australian singer Helen Reddy. It hit the top of the Billboard Hot 100 chart at the end of December of 1974. The song depicts somewhat 'crazy' girl living in a dream world of lovers, inspired by the songs on her radio.
Päivi Paunu recorded "Eilen kun mä tiennyt en" (Yesterday when I didn't know) in 1969 for her album "Hei vain" and it was also released as a single on the B-side of her home-made hit "Oi rakkahin". The same song received more success in the following year, when Tapio Heinonen (see earlier entry) released his version, using the same lyrics. The original song was of French origin. Armenian-born Charles Aznavour (b. Shahnour Vaghenag Aznavourian) co-wrote and performed "Hier Encore" (Yesterday again) and the song was released in 1964. It turned out to be one of Aznavour's greatest hits. In 1969 US country singer Roy Clark made his version as "Yesterday When I was Young", and It was big hit in both Country, Pop and Adult Contemporary Charts. It also broke through internationally, appearing on charts in many countries. This is the version that inspired Päivi and Tapio.
As today is the 70th birthday of Cliff Richard, we present a finnpick bunch that includes a contribution from Sir Cliff. One of the most loved songs of Päivi Paunu's folk days is "Mene ikkunani luota" (Go away from my window) that she recorded for her first single in 1966. The beautiful lyrics were provided by folk-compatriot Pertti "Pertsa" Reponen. The song that Päivi obviously covered was Joan Baez's version "Go 'Way From My Window" on her 1964 album "Joan Baez/5". The song is a traditional American folk song originally called "One Night As I Lay On My Bed", which is recorded under many different titles. Perhaps the most famous one is the heartbreaking delivery and arrangenment by legendary folklorist and singer John Jacob Niles, who recorded it with the title "Go 'Way From My Window" on his 1958 album "I Wander As I Wander". I was truly surprised as I found another Finnish version of this song, recorded BEFORE Päivi Paunus's version. Lasse Liemola recorded "Nyt ikkunasta katson" (Now I'm looking out the window) for the B-side of his 1963 single "Taas kerran". The inspiration for this recording must have come from Cliff Richard's version "I'm Looking Out the Window". This song was released in the UK in November 1962, and rose to the Top 10 in early 1963. You can see Cliff perform the song, here. Funny thing is, that in Finland (at least), Päivi's version is labeled as 'traditional', and Lasse's version is credited to John Jacob Niles. Well, it's definetely the same song, as you yourself can hear ...
Päivi Paunu recorded "Niinkin sattuu" (That's what can happen) in 1975 to the lyrics by Sauvo "Saukki" Puhtila. The song was never released as a single, And it was not included in any of Päivi's albums. It was released only on of "Maailmalla soi" hit cover compilations. So, sadly this beautiful song is forgotten by all.. The original song was the sole big hit for Brtish vocal group Sweet Sensation. "Sad Sweet Dreamer " reached number one in UK charts in 1974. This soul ballad is heavily influenced by the Stylistics, and led by lead vocalist Marcel King's falsetto, . The song was produced by Tony Hatch and David Parton (aka Des Parton) . Parton aslo wrote the song. You can see the group perform "Sad Sweet Dreamer ", here.
Greek songs have often been popular targets for musical finnpicking. Päivi Paunu recorded "Maria lapsi auringon" (Maria the child of the sun) in 1976. However, it was not the first Finnish version of the song. Titti Jonsson had made her version in 1975 and also wrote the original Finnish lyrics. The original Greek song "Maria me ta kitrina (Maria in yellow) was written by Vassilis Dimitriou. This song belongs to the category of "classic laïkó " songs and it is a traditional folk song adapted in its modern form by Dimitriou in 1972. Classic laïkó was the mainstream popular music of Greece during the 60s and 70s. I'm not absolutely sure if this Dimitra Galani's version is the original one. But at least it dates back to 1972. Dimitra has been one of the leading ladies in Greek popular music for over 30 years.
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.
This song is one those rare forgotten gems. Päivi Paunu (See earlier entry) recorded "Joku päivä onnistaa" (Someday I'll be lucky) in 1976 for her album "Ja rakkaus jää". It was aslo released as a single, but failed to get the attention it deserved. The melody line is haunting and Päivi's delivery impeccable as always. The optimistic lyrics were done by Chrisse Johansson. The original song "Rivers Are For Boats" was written by two famous songwriters Hal David (words) and Albert Hammond (music). It was performed by Albert Hammond himself and it was released in 1976 on his album "99 Miles from L.A.". The original song has the same theme than the Finnish version: some day we'll get lucky and our dreams and hopes come true ("Rivers are for boats to take us sailing. One day we will").
We continue our "Baccara Week" with the song recorded by all-girl vocal group Mirumaru in 1978 with the title "Tää me osataan" (Now, this we know). Mirumaru consisted of singers Titta Kokkonen (b. Leena-Maija Jokinen), Paula Nurminen (b. Paula Karppanen) and Päivi Paunu. We have presented Päivi before (see earlier entry). Titta is famous comedienne, who has performed in various TV- and stage shows and movies. She also participated in Eurovision Song Contest 1976 as a chorus girl in Fredi's "Pump Pump". Paula was one half of the 60's vocal duo Tuula ja Paula, who had couple of hits back then. Mirumaru recorded two albums and some singles, without any bigger success. The tongue-in-cheek lyrics for "Tää me osataan" are provided by Kari Tuomisaari. The original Baccara song was "Parlez-vous francais". It represented Luxembourg in the in ESC 1978, placing 7th in the contest, but becoming one of the best-sellers in that year. You can see the performance, here.
From Bach to Mozart we go ... In 1971 Päivi Paunu had a big success with a vocal version (lyrics by Juha Vainio) of Mozart's 40th Symphony simply called "Mozart 40". On this recording Päivi shares vocals with the arranger of the song, Aarno Raninen. Aarno did solo career as a singer, but he's better known as songwriter, arranger and conductot. In 1977 his composition "Lapponia" represented Finland in ESC. Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart wrote his Symphony No. 40 in G minor, in 1788 and the work was completed on 25 July. The composition occupied an exceptionally productive period of just a few weeks, during which time he also completed the 39th and 41st symphonies. The version that Päivi ja Aarno covered was of course the famous one by Waldo de los Rios done in 1971. Waldo had ability to transform European classical music into pop music. And this arrangement of Mozart's No. 40 recorded with the Manuel de Falla orchestra, reached the top spots in charts of several European countries. Apart from this Finnish one, I have not heard of any other vocal version of this classic.
In the year 1974 ESC was held in Brighton. The UK entry this time was "Long Live Love" performed by Olivia Newton-John, a British/Australian pop singer. At the time Olivia wasn't quite the superstar as she later would be, but nevertheless was one of favourites in the contest. The song came 'only' fourth. Rumour has it that Olivia didn't like this song and preferred others from the UK preliminaries, but this was chosen by a public postal vote. I doubt that those other songs wouldn't have made any difference, becouse this was the year that Abba won with 'Waterloo'. Finland's Carita Holmström placed 13th. Päivi Paunu (see previous entry) recorded the Finnish version of "Long Live Love" with the title "Kun rakastaa" (When one loves). On the other side of the single was cover of that years' Netherlands' entry, "I See A Star" that Päivi performed together with Kai Hyttinen.
Both Hector (see previous entry) and Päivi Paunu (see previous entry) were 'products' of the folk movement. As they at the time (1969) shared the same record company, it was no wonder that they eventually recorded together. "Liian paljon liian vähän" (Too much, too little) was the A-side of their one-off single, B-side being the cover of Beatles' "Fool On The Hill". It was not a big success, so there was no future for them to release further duets. The song that Päivi and Hector were covering was "Less of Me" performed by another duo - Glenn Campbell and Billie Gentry. Both were superstars as solo artists so this joint effort was sure to be a hit. And so it was. But not this song but the other side of the single - "All I Have To Do Is Dream", an Everly Brothers cover. "Less of Me" was Glenn's own composition and his own version is somewhat different. We present it here, too.
This is the one song that has - perhaps more than any other pop song - raised the question of who can rightfully claim to be the original author. Päivi Paunu recorded "Oi niitä aikoja" (Oh those times) in 1968. After 2 years modest success as a folk singer, this was her big break-through and the one song she's later been labeled with. She represented Finland in 1972 Eurovision Song Contest together with Kim Floor performing the song "Muistathan". Päivi ended her professional singing career in the 80's. The original song is an old Russian romance "Dorogoi dlinnoyu" (By a long road) composed by Boris Fomin. The oldest recorded version I could find was done in the 1920's by Alexander Vertinsky, a legendary Russian singer, cabaret artist and actor who had a great influence on the Russian tradition of artistic singing. The song has since been recorded by several Russian artists. It even travelled across Europe and to the United States; Maria Schell sang it in the Richard Brooks film "The Brothers Karamazov" in 1958. An American folk singer Gene Raskin wrote English lyrics to it and performed it, with his wife Francesca, in the Greenwich Village folk circuits in New York. This first English version of the song as "Those Were The Days" was recorded and popularized in 1962 by folk group Limeliters. The Limeliters had never a true chart-topping hit record, but they were well known for their large repertoire of songs, which are performed on their more than 25 albums. Paul McCartney heard Gene & Francesca play "Those Were the Days" in a London club and recalled the song when picking material for his protégée Mary Hopkin. And the rest is of course history. It became one of the most popular songs worldwide - ever.
Updated on 15.08.2010: added Annikki Tähti's original Finnish language version (1958).
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