Oumparere - Aika haavat parantaa

Once again it's time for Frederik Friday! Frederik recorded "Aika haavat parantaa" (Time heals the wounds) for his "Ramaya" album in 1976. This song is very typical of Frederik, but very rarely heard nowadays. The lyrics were done by the master, Juha Vainio. The original song "Oumparere" was co-written and performed by Algerian-born French singer Enrico Macias. He has been finnpicked before, see here. BTW, Enrico was named Singer of Peace by UN Secretary-General Kurt Waldheim in 1980.

Here's the pair:

Jedem Abend Folgt Ein Morgen - Yö kun menee päivä tulee

Let's continue yesterday's finnpick's "Night" theme by presenting "Yö kun menee päivä tulee" (When the night goes, the day comes). It is one of the lesser known Tapani Kansa singles. It was recorded in 1969 and was not a hit, even if it is a quite catchy schlager tune. Esko Linnavalli took care of the arrangement and the lyrics were provided by Sauvo "Saukki" Puhtila. The original song came from Germany. Connie Francis (b. Concetta Rosa Maria Franconero ) - after her popularity had waned in USA - recorded several albums and singles in Germany, and this "Jedem Abend Folgt Ein Morgen" (Every night is followed by a morning) was her single offering in 1968. It was on the B-side of her minor hit "Canzone di Napoli".

Here's the pair:

Le Rossignol Anglais - On jo yö

Hortto Kaalo was once the most popular vocal group in Finland, and it specialized in Romany Music. They released their first single "Miksi ovet ei aukene meille" in 1970. It was an instant hit. Their first two albums went gold. This "On jo yö" (It's already night) was the B-side to their another hit "Ei kenenkään lähimmäinen" in 1971. The original song "Le Rossignol Anglais" (English nightingale) was a big hit in French-speaking countries in 1964 for French singer and guitarist Hugues Aufray. The troubadour Hugues wrote his own music (including this finnpick), but also covered in French several Bob Dylan songs. In 1964 Aufray represented Luxembourg in the Eurovision Song Contest placing 4th with his song "Dès que le printemps revient".

Here's the pair:

Rubber Bullets - Puupaukut

Vicky Rosti recorded "Puupaukut" (Duds) in 1975 for her album "Vicky". Although the original song was quite popular, this Vicky's version remained only an album track. The lyrics were by Pertsa Reponen and the arrangements by Veikko Samuli. The original song "Rubber Bullets" was a big hit for British pop-prog band 10 CC. It was the band's first number one single in UK, topping the charts in June 1973. Someone has described the song as "neo-hard rock boogie". It is a tongue-in-cheek homage (lyrics here) to Jailhouse Rock. It caused some controversy at the time, because of the British Army's use of rubber bullets to fight rioting in Northern Ireland.

Here's the pair:

I Can't Control Myself - Sua varten rakkautein ei ollutkaan

In our recurring series "Both Sides Now" here's the B-side to yesterday's Kai Hyttinen finnpick. "Sua varten rakkautein ei ollutkaan" (My love was not for you, after all) is one of those songs that obviously have never been published in any other form that on that particular single in 1967. Well, I'm not saying it's a crying shame, but nevertheless this is an interesting example of Kai's pop years. In addition, we present another Finnish version done by Moog Konttinen (see earlier entry) in 2000. The original song "I Can't Control Myself" was a controversial hit in 1966 for British band The Troggs, written by band's leader Reg Presley. The suggestive lyrics restricted it's airplay in some places, but it did not stop the song going up to number 2 in UK charts. Here's a promotional film for the song.

Here's the triplet:

Dead End Street - Pieleen!

Well, let's make this weekend to a Kuju Weekend, by presenting another of Kai "Kuju" Hyttinen's classic covers from the 60's. He recorded "Pieleen" (Missed!) in 1967. It was released as Kai's 4th single following up the "Susi Pekka", yesterday's finnpick. It was a modest hit, but Kai's career really boomed following year when he recorded more schlager-type material. The original "Pieleen" was Kinks' big hit "Dead End Street" in 1966. This song is about the hopelessness of the British unemployed lower class, and the difficulty for many of getting away from the desperate situation they find themselves in. You can see a rare promotional film of the song, here.

Here's the pair:

Li'l Red Riding Hood - Susi Pekka

This song used to be one of my absolute favourites. And I never knew it has been covered in Finnish. Well you never know... Kai Hyttinen recorded "Susi Pekka" (Wolf-Pekka) in 1966. Perhaps it sounds a bit too silly, and thus never included in any of Kai's compilation albums. The original "Li'l Red Riding Hood" (aka "Little Red Riding Hood") was a 1966 smash hit song for Sam the Sham and the Pharaohs. It was the group's second Top 10 hit, reaching number 2 on the Billboard Hot 100. The story in the song is based on the famous folk tale from the 17th century Europe. It's best known version was published by brothers Grimm titled as "Rotkäppchen" and included in the first edition of their collection "Kinder- und Hausmärchen" (Children's and Household Tales) in 1812.

Updated on 03.10.2010: added the Kontra version "Pikku Punahilkka" (Little Red Riding Hood) from the year 1979.

Here's the pair:

Hey Little Girl - Voi pienoinen

It's friday again, and Frederik! One of his hidden gems is this "Voi pienoinen" (Oh little one). Frerik recorded it in 1974, and it was released on the B-ide of the single "Hissun kissun". Finnish words were written by Vexi Salmi. The original song "Hey Little Girl" was written by F.R. Destrefles, which is ome of the pseudonyms for French singer and composer F.R. David (of the "Words" fame). I don't know if F.R. ever recorded this song himself, but it was a small hit in France in 1973 for a singer named Barry Finlay. I did not find any onfo on Barry, so it's possible that he's just another one of F.R's alter egos. Whatever it may be, the song is catchy pop tune, well worth of reviving.

Here's the pair: