My Name Is Jack - Kustaa

This is the final "Finnpicks for the Kids", for now. Robin released "Kustaa" as a single in 1968. although the song that he covered was a hit, Robin's version was not. Perhaps the lyrics by Juha Vainio did not touch the hearts of wider (grown.up) audience. The original song was written by legendary record producer John Simon and he also performed it. The song was on the soundtrack of a hippy 1967 rockumentary movie of Peter Yarrow's (of Peter, Paul and Mary) called "You Are What You Eat". Nor the movie nor the song did cause much commotion, but Manfred Mann picked up this "My Name Is Jack" and made it later that same year a smash hit.

Here's the triplet:

Le Chemin De Papa - Vaarin humpappa

On the B-side of the Tapani Perttu's "Nooakin Arkki" (finnpicked here) in 1970 was this "Vaarin humpappa" (Granpa's oom-pah-pah). The lyics were written by Kari Tuomisaari and the arrangement was provided by Jaakko Salo. The original song "Le Chemin De Papa" (Papa's way) was written and performed by Joe Dassin. It was released on his album "Les Champs-Elysées" in 1969. You can see him perform the song on French television, here.

Here's the pair:

Kjoreturen - Ajomatka

Maikki Länsiö (b. Marja Länsiö] and Esa Saario recorded "Ajomatka" (Driving tour) in 1961. Maikki and Esa were actors, but they recorded together several popular children- and christmas songs in the beginning of the 60's. The song was arranged by Ensio Kosta, who later became known as a radio person under his real name Sten Ducander. The lyrics were provided by Sauvo "Saukki" Puhtila. . The original song was co-authored by Thorbjørn Egner, Norwegian playwright, songwriter and illustrator known for his books, plays and musicals for children. We have finnpicked Egner's song before, see the (in)famous "Hottentotti" here. Several Egner's texts, like this "Kjøreturen", were composed by his countryman, Christian Hartmann. The song tells a vivid story ("Toy Story" ;-)) of a crazy ride that toy characters Jumbo, Sambo and Amandus Dokkeman take in a toy car. Amandus was "Nukke Nieminen" in the Finnish version, and there's another popular Egner's childrens song written about her.

Here's the pair:

Playground In My Mind - Siirryn leikkimaailmaan

Arto Sotavalta was very active in releasing records in the beginning of 70's. One of those was "Siirryn leikkimaailmaan" (I'll move into playworld). It was released as a single in 1973, with no great success. The lyrics were done by Arto himself. The original song was called "Playground In My Mind", and it was sizeable - and only - hit for American singer-songwriter Clint Holmes. It peaked number 2 in Billboard charts in 1973. The nursery rhyme-styled song features Holmes duetting with producer Paul Vance's son Philip on the chorus. "Playground In My Mind" was written by hit songwriter team Paul Vance and Lee Pockriss.

Here's the pair:

Daddy Dear - Isä ja lapsi

Kauko Käyhkö (see earlier entry) recorded "Isä ja lapsi" (Father and child) under his pseudonym "Justeeri" in 1956 together with Peppina (real name Peppina von Deringer). Peppina recorded half a dozen children songs in the 50's, both as a solo, and duetting with Georg Malmsten and Tapio Rautavaara. We present here also a newer popular version by Pasi Kaunisto (see earlier entry) and Susanna Nio (see earlier entry) recorded in 1972. Both versions use the lyrics by Sauvo "Saukki" Puhtila. The original song was made popular by actor/singer/comedian Danny Kaye, who recorded "Daddy Dear" (aka "Little Child") in 1955. Danny sings it with his daughter Dena Kaye. The original version is said to be the one by Bud Roman and Laurie Wayne. You can hear it, here. However, the writer of the song was American composer and producer Wayne Shanklin, whose best known song is "Chanson D'Amour".

Here's the triplet:

Anak - Lapselle

As the second entry in our "Finnpicks for Kids" series we present a touching song performed by Danny. He recorded this "Lapselle" (For the child) in 1997 to the lyrics of Pertsa Reponen. The original song came all the way from Philippines. Folk musician Freddie Aguilar (b. Ferdinand Pascual Aguilar) wrote and performed the song "Anak" (The child) in 1978. Freddie recorded both the Tagalog and the English versions of “Anak”, but it was the Tagalog version that brought him international success. This song, with its haunting melody and poignant story about a parent’s love for a wayward child, is recorded in 27 languages with more that 100 cover versions and released in 53 countries worldwide with a 30 million copies sold.

Here's the pair:

Papa aime maman - Isä tykkää äidistä

This is a start of "Finnpicks for Kids" -week. We present some songs for the kids, by the kids, and of the kids. We begin with a song called "Isä tykkää äidistä" (Father likes mother), recorded in 1960 by Per-Erik "Pärre" Förars (see earlier entry) with the help of Pikku-Kati (b. Kati Borg). Pärre was already an established and popular schlager singer at the time. And in a way Pikku-Kati (Li'l Kati) was, too. The young lady had done one previous recording in 1958; a duet with Kauko Käyhkö. In the end of the 60's Kati continued her singing career and joined the group Ernos. And in fact that's her singing on yesterday's finnpick! Presently she's working as a sexual therapist, and consulting how fathers can better like/love mothers ;-). The original finnpicked song was of French origin. "Papa aime maman" (Papa loves mama) was written by French orchestra leader and musician Jo Moutet (b. Joseph Moutet). He had a Euro -hit with the song in 1960 under the moniker "Le group J.M.S." (perhaps J.M.S. means Jo Moutet Singers?). However, I guess the song arrived in Finland via Sweden, where Lars Lönndahl and his daughter Anita made Swedish version "Pappa Älskar Mamma". You can see the J.M.S -group perform this song in an early Scopitone movie, here.

Here's the pair:

And I'll Be There - Tässä olen vain

On the B-side of the 1970 hit "Kesäaikaan" (finnpicked here) of the group Ernos was this little ditty called "Tässä olen vain" (I'm just being here). It was a duet performed by the lead vocalist Erno Lindahl and band member Kati Borg, and credited to them as Erno ja Kati. To my amazement I found out that this was the second Finnish cover of the nearly unknown US psychedelic/sunshine pop group Peppermint Rainbow. Actually this was the first one, becouse the other one by Markku Suominen (see it finnpicked, here) was done on the following year. These both songs and the famous "Green Tambourine" (finnpicked here) were written by Paul Leka. (And perhaps the most famous one "Na Na Hey Hey Kiss Him Goodbye" is yet to come.) So his writing really appealed us Finns. This "And I'll Be There" was on the B-side of Peppermint Rainbow's Top Ten single "Will You Be Staying After Sunday" in 1969.


Here's the pair: