Hitchin' A Ride - Liftari oon

We Finns have accustomed to Paula Koivuniemi being mostly as a schlager singer. Well, some 40 years ago she recorded pure pop songs, too. This "Liftari oon" (I'm a hitchhiker) is a fine example of Paula's poppier side. It was released in 1972 on the B-side of his come-back hit "Jos konduktöörin nait" (cover of Shocking Blue's "Never Marry A Railroad Man"). As often is the case, the B-side of a bigger hit is completely forgotten. The Finnish lyrics were provided by Vexi Salmi and the arrangement by Rauno Lehtinen. The original song "Hitchin' A Ride" was written by songwriting duo Peter Callander and Mitch Murray (they wrote also "The Night Chicago Died" and "Billy Don't Be A Hero") and it was a massive worldwide hit for UK pop group Vanity Fare.  It reached number 16 on the UK Singles Chart in 1970, but was surprisingly a bigger hit in the US, reaching number 5 on the Billboard Hot 100. You can see the band perform the song in BBC's Top of the Pops -programme, here.

52 Finnpicks to go.

Here's the pair:

You Gotta Move - Kas kas, niin niin

Paula Koivuniemi recorded "Kas kas, niin niin" (Well, well so, so) in 1978. It was released on her album "Sinulle vain" and it was also released as a single, but didn't get the success it deserved. The original song "You Gotta Move" was an Europeen disco hit for Etta Cameron (b. Ettamae Louvita Coakley). Etta was born in Bahamas, but made her carerr in Denmark and Germany. The German Goldfinger songwriter and producer Ralph Siegel wrote today's finnpicked song.

95 Finnpicks to go.

Here's the pair:

Hey Mama - Vain ilmaa

We now return to our randomly recurring series "Both Sides Now". We present today the B-side to yesterday's Paula Koivuniemi 1973 Finnpick. It was called "Vain ilmaa" (Just air). The lyrics were - as on the flipside - by Vexi Salmi. The original song was performed by British singer Joe Brown (finnpicked before, here). Joe has been described as a "chirpy cockney". He had his most successful period in the beginning of the 60's with his backing band the Bruvvers. This "Hey Mama" he recorded during his on-and-off solo career in 1973.

Here's the pair:

When I'm A Kid - Jotakin jäi

Paula Koivuniemi recorded "Jotakin jäi" (Something remained) in 1973. It was released only as single, and was a modest hit, but nowadays sadly forgotten. The lyrics were provided by Vexi Salmi. The original song "When I'm A Kid" was performed by Demis Roussos (b. Artemios Ventouris Roussos) in 1972. Although it is not one of Demis's most known songs, it was a reasonable hit for him at the time in the continental Europe.

Here's the pair:

Things - Niin se mietittiin

In our randomly appearing series "Both Sides Now" we now present the flipside of yesterday's Paula Koivuniemi's single. It was called "Niin se mietittiin" (That's the way it was figured out) and like the "A.i.e" this song has also fallen in oblivion. Which is sad, becouse it's one fine catchy pop tune. The original song was written and performed by entertainer legend Bobby Darin (b. Walden Robert Perciville Cassotto) in his country days in 1962. This "Things" was also big country chart hit for him. The song became even more popular in 1967, when performed by Dean Martin and Nancy Sinatra.

Updated on 14.09.2010; added the first Finnish version "Kurkkija oot" (Snooper you) by Katri Helena and Matti Paalosmaa.

Here's the triplet:

A-I-E-A-O-A - A.i.e

Well, here's another treat from Daniel Vangarde. Paula Koivuniemi recorded "A.i.e" in 1979. It was released as a single but it was not a hit. The nonsense lyrics were from the lyrics factory of Chrisse Johansson. The original song "A-I-E-A-O-A" was part of a project called "Yamasuki". It was the brainchild of French pop composers Jean Kluger and Daniel Vangarde. In 1971 they released a concept album "Le Monde Fabuleux Des Yamasuki". It included a renowned black-belt Judo master to introduce the tracks, which were all sung in Japanese by a school choir. This "A-I-E-A-O-A " -track was also released as a single. However, the song did not break through, until it was re-worked by Belgian disco group Black Blood in 1975, with Swahili lyrics and a more African vibe. In 1981, "Aie a Mwana" became the first single released by English girl group Bananarama.

Here's the triplet:

Captain Sky - Kapteeni Aika

Paula Koivuniemi (see previous entry). released the song "Kapteeni Aika" (Captain Time) on her "Lady Sentimental" -album in 1978. It was also released as a single and it was a big hit turning out to be some kind of come-back for Paula at the time. The original song was called "Captain Sky" and was performed by Egyptian/Italian/French singer Dalida (see previous entry). The song was on her 1977 album "Femme est la nuit" and released as a successful single.

Here's the pair:

Beautiful lover - Paras

Let's take another "Paras" -song. Paula Koivuniemi (see previous entry) released this tune called simply "Paras" (The Best) as a B-side of a single in 1978. The single sold well and perhaps this song had something to do with it. The original was a sizeable hit for Brotherhood Of Man, a British pop group who won the Eurovision Song Contest in 1976 with "Save Your Kisses for Me. "Beautiful Lover" was released In May 1978 and reached the UK top 20. The group was formed by record producer & composer Tony Hiller and, he wrote this song, too.

Here's the pair:

Let Me Sing - Luotan sydämen ääneen

Next in Finnpicks Disco is Lady Paula. Paula Koivuniemi (see previous entry). She performed "Luotan sydämen ääneen" (I'll trust in the voice of the heart) in 1982. It was released as a single and became one her biggest hits. The original song was called "Let Me Sing" and came from Belgium. It was performed by Emly Starr, sometimes called "Disco Queen Of The Benelux". Emly started her career with artist name "Heidi", but changed it in 1975 when she met singer-composer-producer Tony Winter alias Kick Dandy. Later - in order to make Emly's stage-act visually more interesting - dancers were added, and Emly Starr Explosion or ESE was the new extended name. This song was released in 1981, in the year that Emly represented Belgium in ESC. And it's written - as most of her songs - by her producer Kick Dandy.

Here's the pair:

Boogie Woogie Dancing Shoes - Sata kesää, tuhat yötä

We end this mini-series of Paula Koivuniemi with the record "Sata kesää, tuhat yötä" (Hundred summers, thousend nights), released in 1981. This driving disco tune re-vitalized her declining career at the time and became one of her greatest hits. The original song was called "Boogie woogie dancing shoes" and was performed by Claudja Barry. Claudja was born in Jamaica, raised in Toronto and later based in Germany. Prior to her solo career, Claudja Barry was briefly a member of Boney M (from 1975 to 1976). The "Boogie Woogie Dancin' Shoes" was taken from her album "I Wanna Be Loved By You", released in 1978. As a single, it became a major hit in Canada and Europe. The song was the product of Lollipop, a German disco label, formed by producer Jürgen S. Korduletsch for his own productions and for his wife - Claudja Barry.

Here's the pair:

Bez Menja - Ilman Minua

"Ilman Minua" (Without me) by Paula Koivuniemi was released as a single in 1986. This dramatic ballad was well suited for Paula's voice and it has since remained one of her most requested songs. The original "Bez Menja" (Without me) was done by none other than Alla Pugacheva of Russia. It was perhaps appropriate for a great diva to sing a love song as "Without me", than more commonly "Without you". The song was composed by famous Latvian composer Pauls Raimonds. Alla's career started in 1965 and is still flourishing today. Recently, a radio station was launched bearing her name - Radio Alla. She enjoys a somewhat iconic status in Russia and is the most successful all-time-Soviet performer in terms of record sales and popularity. In 1991 she became the last person to be named a "People's Artist of the USSR".

Here's the pair:

Come vorrei - Kuuleeko Yö

Let's now take 3 in a row from Paula Koivuniemi (see previous entry). "Kuuleeko yö" (Does the night hear) was released as a single in 1987, and has since secured a permanent place in her repertoire. It has become one of Paula's classics. The original song "Come vorrei" (As I Would Want) was performed by the famous Italian singing group Ricchi & Poveri (The Rich & The Poor). The group was formed in 1967 by Franco Gatti, Angela Brambati, Angelo Sotgiu and Marina Occhiena. Marina left the group in 1981, after which they continued as a 3-piece. The group has had several mega-hits in Italy and Europe and they have sold over 20 million records.

Here's the pair:

Todo Todo Todo - Ikivanha leikki

Paula Koivuniemi has been over 40 years among the most popular Finnish female singers. She recorded her first single in 1966 and is still recording and performing actively. She has recorded hundreds of songs and I guess this is not the last time we have the pleasure of hearing Paula's alto voice in this blog. She recorded the "Ikivanha leikki" (The ancient game) in 1993. The original song is called "Todo, todo, todo" (Everything, Everything, Everything) and performed by a Mexican singer Daniela Romo (real name Teresita Presmanes Corona). She started her career in film and television soap operas in the 1970's. Later she also took singing and has become a superstar in Latin music world. This song was from her 8th album "Amada más que nunca" (1991). It was pruduced by a famous Argentinian producer Bebu Silvetti and is a splendid example of the 'tropical' pop music genre.

Here's the pair: