Hijo de Luna - Kuun poika

Tuula Amberla (see earlier entry) recorded "Kuun poika" (Son of the moon) in 1992 for her album that also was titled "Kuun poika". This track was, for some reason, not released as a single (it would have been a hit ...). The lyrics, as in most of Tuula's songs, were provided by Jukka Alihanka. The original song "Hijo de Luna" (Son of the Moon) was of Spanish origin. It was written by José María Cano and performed originally by his band Mecano. It appeared on their 1986 album, "Entre el cielo y el suelo", and had an enormous success all over the Spanish speaking world. The lead vocal were performed by the female member of the group, Ana Torroja. The lyrics depict a gypsy woman praying to the Moon for a husband. In the end, the moon says that she shall have her man, but in return she wants her first-born child to be turned over to her. BTW, this song was also submitted by the band as a potential Eurovision Song Contest Entry in 1986, however Spanish Telvison (TVE) selected the group Cadillac ...

Here's the pair:

Maman papa - Tyttö kampaa märkää tukkaa

Let's hear another finnpick of French origin. Tuula Amberla released "Tyttö kampaa märkää tukkaa" (The girl combs her wet hair) in 1984 following up her breakthrough single "Lulu". In the middle of the 80's Tuula was perhaps the most succesful Finnish female singer and her first two albums were selling in vast quantities. The lyrics and arrangements for this finnpick were made by her regular collaborators, Jukka Alihanka and Ilpo Murtojärvi, respectively. The original song was written and co-performed by French singer-songwriter Georges Brassens. He recorded the song "Maman Papa" already in the beginning of the 1950's. At that point Geoges was still performing in cafes and cabaret restaurants, but after meeting with songstress Patachou (b. Henriette Ragon), she brought him into the music scene. And in fact, this "Maman papa" is one of their duets. Brassens is now an iconic figure in France, he achieved fame through his simple, elegant songs and articulate, diverse lyrics, and he is considered to be one of France's most accomplished postwar poets.

Here's the pair: