Eurovision Song Contest
As we all know, this year Finland hosts the Eurovision Song Contest, finally winning after having competed unsuccessfully since 1961. To tell the honest truth, most of the efforts have not been particularly good. The only really good one was the very first, Valoa Ikkunassa sung by Laila Kinnunen. This excellent tango is still heard in Finland.
On my latest trip to Finland I bought a history of the Eurovsion Song Contest, entitled "Finland 12 points!". I am not actually recommending this book: for one thing it is expensive (nearly 40 euros), very heavy, and in spite of its weight I don't think it's very robust: it doesn't seem to shut properly and already one of the corners has been knocked off. Furthermore, in spite of its title, it is written entirely in Finnish. But one thing it gives, and other histories do not, is an indication of the songs that didn't make it. I know quite a lot of them; and they are mostly superior to the ones that were actually chosen. Have a look at the following list. Actual Eurovision entries are in black, the superior (in my opinion) also-rans are in red:
1962 Tipi-tii, Marion Rung: this song is about a bird twittering in a tree. Pearl Carr and Teddy Johnson had dealt with the same subject in 1959; they didn't win either / Sateinen yö, Matti Heinivaho and Vieno Kekkonen a lovely tango, still heard in Finland.
1964 Laiskotellen, Lasse Mårtenson / Tango keittiössä, Vieno Kekkonen. another tango.
1966 Playboy, Ann-Christine /the haunting waltz Muistojen bulevardi, Laila Kinnunen
1982 Nuku pommiin, Kojo / Paista päivä, Tapani Kansa. I don't actually know this tune, but it was written by Toivo Kärki, and I refuse to believe anything of his would get nul points.
1984 Hengaillaan, Kirka: Even Kirka's most dedicated fans admit that this is a weak effort. / Sä liian paljon vaadit / Elän hetkessä, both byAnneli Saaristo
1991 Hullu yö, Kaija Kärkinen / Enkelin silmin, Arja Koriseva
1992 Yamma-yamma, Pave Maijanen / Huomiseen, Arja Koriseva
1993 Tule luo, Katri-Helena / Vain taivas yksin tietää, Arja Koriseva. How could Arja be rejected even once, let alone three times in succession?
I suppose for the same reason I get left alone at naistentanssit, and Ailamari Vehviläinen isn't Tango Queen: the Finns don't know a good thing when they see it.
On my latest trip to Finland I bought a history of the Eurovsion Song Contest, entitled "Finland 12 points!". I am not actually recommending this book: for one thing it is expensive (nearly 40 euros), very heavy, and in spite of its weight I don't think it's very robust: it doesn't seem to shut properly and already one of the corners has been knocked off. Furthermore, in spite of its title, it is written entirely in Finnish. But one thing it gives, and other histories do not, is an indication of the songs that didn't make it. I know quite a lot of them; and they are mostly superior to the ones that were actually chosen. Have a look at the following list. Actual Eurovision entries are in black, the superior (in my opinion) also-rans are in red:
1962 Tipi-tii, Marion Rung: this song is about a bird twittering in a tree. Pearl Carr and Teddy Johnson had dealt with the same subject in 1959; they didn't win either / Sateinen yö, Matti Heinivaho and Vieno Kekkonen a lovely tango, still heard in Finland.
1964 Laiskotellen, Lasse Mårtenson / Tango keittiössä, Vieno Kekkonen. another tango.
1966 Playboy, Ann-Christine /the haunting waltz Muistojen bulevardi, Laila Kinnunen
1982 Nuku pommiin, Kojo / Paista päivä, Tapani Kansa. I don't actually know this tune, but it was written by Toivo Kärki, and I refuse to believe anything of his would get nul points.
1984 Hengaillaan, Kirka: Even Kirka's most dedicated fans admit that this is a weak effort. / Sä liian paljon vaadit / Elän hetkessä, both byAnneli Saaristo
1991 Hullu yö, Kaija Kärkinen / Enkelin silmin, Arja Koriseva
1992 Yamma-yamma, Pave Maijanen / Huomiseen, Arja Koriseva
1993 Tule luo, Katri-Helena / Vain taivas yksin tietää, Arja Koriseva. How could Arja be rejected even once, let alone three times in succession?
I suppose for the same reason I get left alone at naistentanssit, and Ailamari Vehviläinen isn't Tango Queen: the Finns don't know a good thing when they see it.
More Eurovision trivia:
In 1976 Fredi and the Friends (the backing group had an English name) sang Pump pump and came 11th. The Friends dumped Fredi in a most unfriendly manner and recorded Brotherhood of Man's winner Save your kisses for me in Finnish.
Cyprus's 1982 entry Mono i agapi sounded to Finns like "mono ja kaappi" (ski-boot and cupboard).
posted by John at 14:35
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