Randy - Ändy

As Reijo Karvonen yesterday, the pop group Kalmar Union is a newcomer to Finnpicks. The group released this "Ändy" in 1973 as a single together with the cover of Tremeloes' "Hello Budy". The single was not a commercial success, neither the band. Two members of the band later enjoyed some success as solo artists, and have been presented frequently in Finnpicks; Leo Luoto (bass, lead vocals) and Seppo Närhi (keyboards, vocals) The original Kalmar Union (Kalmarunionen) was a series of personal unions, that united the three kingdoms of Denmark, Norway and Sweden (including Finland) under a single monarch in 1397–1523. The original "Ändy" was "Randy", and it was the last hit for British pop group Blue Mink in 1973. Blue Mink was quite popular in UK in the start of 70's scoring 6 Top 20 hits. Most of their hit songs were written by our old friends Roger Cook and Roger Greenaway. Cook was also a singer in the group. The lead singer was, however, Madeline Bell, who later made also a successful solo career.

Here's the pair:

Step Into A Dream - Onnen maa

Johnny recorded "Onnen maa" (Land of happiness) in 1973 for his "Jonglööri" album. It was also released as a single but was put on the B-side and sunk without a trace. It's a pity becouse the song is absolutely and definitely a pop classic. Sorry about the poor sound quality. The song was written by master songwriter Roger Cook and the original version was recorded by UK pop group White Plains. The group evolved from the Flower Pot Men (featured in Finnpicks, here) and the lead singer on most of their hits was Tony Burrows The band's material was mostly provided by their producers - the two Rogers, Cook and Greenaway. This song "Step Into A Dream" was their last hit in 1973. The song is light-weight equipped with a charming melody line and string arrangement reminiscing classical minuets.

Here's the pair:

Something Tells Me (Something's Gonna Happen Tonight) - Illan tullen

Meeri is a singer that I know almost nothing about. Her real name might have been Pirkko Kauppinen, but this piece of information is unconfirmed. She recorded two unsuccessful singles in the 70's and also contributed in some hit compilation albums. This "Illan tullen" (As the night comes) was released as a single in 1972. The original song was performed by Cilla Black (b. Priscilla White), who is an English singer, actress, entertainer and media personality. She is most famous worldwide for her successful singles "Anyone Who Had A Heart" and "Alfie". After a successful recording career and a brief time as a comedy actress, she became the best paid female presenter in British television history. She was born in Liverpool and closely associated with the Beatles, and her first single was written by Lennon & McCartney. She was featured in the first edition of the local music newspaper "Mersey Beat" and in it she was mistakenly referred to as Cilla Black, rather than White, and she decided she liked the name, and took it as a stage name. "Something Tells Me (Something's Gonna Happen Tonight)" was her 1971 single and her last Top 10 hit in UK. It was written by the famous hit songsmiths Roger Cook and Roger Greenaway.

Here's the pair:

I'd Like To Teach The World To Sing - Mä tahdon teidän oppivan

Eija Merilä (see previous entry) recorded "Mä tahdon teidän oppivan" (I'd like you to learn) in 1972. It was a modest hit for her, but achieved not nearly as much success as the original. The original song "I'd Like to Teach the World to Sing (In Perfect Harmony)" at first originated as a Coca-Cola advertising jingle with lyrics "I'd like to buy the world a Coke and keep it company", sung by the Hillside Singers, and was featured in 1971 as a TV commercial. The Hillside Singers' version was released as a successful single the same year; it reached #13 on the Billboard Hot 100. The group was born when advertising agency McCann Erickson got in touch with producer Al Ham, who then put together a group of singers for the project (including his wife, Mary Mayo, and their daughter Lori). The song began life as a collaboration by UK hit songwriters Roger Cook and Roger Greenaway. The legend has it that idea originally came to Cook and Greenaway while delayed at Shannon Airport, Ireland, overhearing fellow travellers talking and joking near a Coca-Cola vending machine. As we all remember, New Seekers had a massive worldwide hit with this tune, but let's listen to the rarely heard original version.

Here's the pair: