Sunday, February 5, 2012

Goodbye - Hei vain

Well, this is it. The 1000th and last Finnpick. When I started this blog in May 2008, I surely didn't expect it last this long. But this has been fun, and to my surprise. the blog has attracted readers all over the world. Even if the the genre here is very niche - Finnish covers of foreign hits. I myself have discovered many new songs and many new artists on the way. And revived some already-lost memories. I hope the Finnpicks has been able to do the same to you.

The Finnpick number 1 was titled "Moi, moi vain". That's the greeting the Finns use when meeting someone. So, it's appropriate to end our journey with the song titled "Hei vain" (Just bye-bye), which in turn is used at the moment of departure. Päivi Paunu recorded it in 1969, scoring a minor hit with it. The original song was a worldwide hit for Mary Hopkin and called "Goodbye". It was the follow-up single for her number one single "Those Were The Days" (which also was covered by Päivi Paunu, see here ). The "Goodbye" song was written by Paul McCartney, and Paul has now the honour to perform the last song in Finnpicks; his demo version of "Goodbye".

0 Finnpicks to go.

Here's the triplet:

Saturday, February 4, 2012

Bye Bye - Moi moi

Arto Sotavalta recorded "Moi moi" in 1975 and it was released on the B-side of "Seilaan", his cover of Rod Stewart's "Sailing". The A-side was a modest hit, but this flipside has been unjustly forgotten. The Finnish lyrics are by Chrisse Johansson and the arrangement by Veikko Samuli. The original song "Bye Bye" was written and performed by Brtish singer/sogwriter/producer Peter Shelley (b. Peter Alexander Southworth). Peter made his breakthrough as a singer in 1974 with "Gee Baby". This "Bye Bye" is from the "Gee Baby" -album. Peter was also closely connected with Alvin Stardust, see this earlier finnpick.

Only 1 Finnpick to go. 

Here's the pair:

Thursday, February 2, 2012

Cambodia - Matka tuntemattomaan

After a couple of days break - caused by flu - the journey towards the end of Finnpicks continues. Satu Pentikäinen recorded "Matka tuntemattomaan" (The journey to the unknown) in 1982. It was released on the B-side of a single (the A-side was cover of Bucks Fizz's "Land of Make Believe"), as well as on the album "Lapsuus jäi". Unfortunately the single sank without a trace and the album wasn't big seller either. The original song was one of the mega hits of Kim Wilde and called "Cambodia" and released in 1981. It was written - as most of her biggies - by her father Marty Wild and her brother Ricky Wilde. The lyrics of the song tell the story of the wife of a Thailand-based Royal Air Force Pilot, whose husband mysteriously disappears after flying out to Cambodia and never returns. It is said to be inspired by some of the tragedies that occurred in South Vietnam.  You can see the official music video of the song, here.

Only 2 Finnpicks to go.

Here's the pair: