Harlekin - Rallimestari

We Finns have always been very proud of our rallye drivers. Ever since the 60's the Finns have won several championships in rallye racing. (But today they are mostly seeing the tail lights of one Mr. Loeb). I didn't know until recently that there was a song made in honour of those rallye masters. Anita Hirvonen sang about "Rallimestari" (Rallye Master) in 1968. It was on the B-side of "Those Were The Days" -cover "On nuoruus haihtuva" so maybe therefore it has been long forgotten. The original song was called 'Harlekin" (Harlequin). It was written by famous German singer and composer Hans Blum and performed by equally famous Swedish singer Siw Malmkvist. See previous finnpick of Siw here and here. She made a hugely successful career in Germany in the 60's and with this song she won the Baden Baden Schlager Festival in 1968.

Here's the pair:

Prima Ballerina - Prinsessa

Robin (see previous entry) won the Finnish Battle of the Bands in 1965 as the vocalist of Cary and The Teasers. As a result he got a recording contract, and his first record was the cover of the Beatles' "Girl". However it was never released. But later in the 60's Robin recorded many hits, and one of the biggest ones was "Prinsessa" (Princess) in 1969. The original song was the German entry in that ýears Eurovision Song Contest and called "Prima Ballerina" (placed 9th). It was performed by a famous Swedish singer Siw Malmkvist. Siw's breakhrough in Sweden took place in 1959, when she won the singing contest 'Melodifestivalen'. She soon became hugely popular singer in Scandinavia and especially in West Germany. She also played in various movies and TV Shows. Siw Malmkvist has recorded about 600 songs in 10 different languages. She is still an active entertainer in Sweden.

Here's the pair:

Liebeskummer lohnt sich nicht - Miesten tähden

Rauni Pekkala was one of the female Finnish pop stars in the beginning of the 60's. She hadn't so many great hits as others, but a steady following. She's still active and performing today. One of the songs she is best remembered by, is "Miesten tähden" (For the men) from the year 1964. The original was a 'schlager' from Germany and sung by a Swedish super star Siw Malmkvist. The original title was 'Liebeskummer lohnt sich nicht' (It doesn't pay to have love troubles). It was also released in 1964.

Here's the pair: