FINLAND: SYKSYN SÄVEL RETURNS

Syksyn sävel, or Song for autum, used to be a big thing and has provided a string of huge hits in the late 1960's and 1970's especially when Euroviisut - the Finnish national selection was very far from commercial success, while Syksyn Sävel's function was shamelessly commercial and often humoristic. Syksyn Sävel run from 1968 to 2001 and again 2011-2013.

When it was announced the contest returns this fall one was hoping for the same; big names and hits in the making but when the list of participants was out it is clear it is not aimed for hit lists and streaming platforms but to the elderly schlager dance band audiences in the provinces. Sigh

Among the participants previous winners Mikko Alatalo (1978, 1980, 1981, 1986) and Anja Niskanen (1984) with many names from tango music circuit or ex-Tango Kings and Queens (Johanna Pakonen 2002, Saija Tuupainen 2003, Jukka Hallikainen 2008, Kyösti Mäkimattila 2013, Teemu Roivainen 2014. One can also add Antti Ahopelto, three times runner up! (2005, 2007, 2008) and so on. Among entrants also UMK veteran Eini and Milana Misic, Eurovision star Laila Kinnunen's daughter.

Add entertainer Joel Hallikainen (whose fame is stuck in the 1990's) and his son Eeli. And Taage of Kilpi from Euroviisut 2006. And Teemu is also Saara Aalto's long lasting boyfriend before she found herself. Nomi and Henry Friman have participated in various talent shows and Markus Salo is a completely forgotten The Voice winner 2019.

Sad to say the expectations aren't that high!

Semifinal one (October 2, 2021)

Saija Tuupainen - Kuurasydän

Kyösti Mäkimattila - Pihakeinu

Joel Hallikainen - Käyttöohje

Eeli Hallikainen - Huoletonta ja makeaa

Anna Kokkonen - Tuulen tyttö

Taage - Syyskuun 15. yö

Miika Mattila - Uusi alku

Teemu Roivainen - Hiekkalinna

Marko Hannuksela ja Jukka Hallikainen - Strösseli

Anja Niskanen - Loistaa kuu

Semifinal two (October 9, 2021)

Johanna Pakonen - Vähän valoa

Antti Ahopelto - Sydänpimeää

Mikko Alatalo - Lapsenusko
Eini - Mä en oo kekenkään
Pekkaniskan pojat - Köyhän miehen Danny
Henry Friman - Jatkaa voit muualle matkaa
Nomi - Repivää
Charles Plogman - Mä oon täällä
Markus Salo - Jäätävän kaunis
Milana Misic - Rakastumisiin

Final (October 16, 2021)

Enjoy below some of my favorite winners over the years:

Anja Niskanen - Ollan hiljaa vain 1984 winner

Kirka - Surun pyyhit silmistäni 1988 winner

Suvi Teräsniska - Täydellinen elämä 2013 winner

Jonna - Minttu sekä Ville 1983 winner

Marion - Rakkaus on hellyyttä 1977 winner

Jukka Kuoppamäki - Kultaa taikka kunniaa 1973 winner

Irwin - Poing poing poin 1971 winner

Comments

Sabina Babayeva for Azerbaijan

The Azerbaijani selection show for the represant was as long as the selection process for the five finalists. Kurt Calleja from Malta and Can Bonomo from Turkey were present with Ell/Nikki to see Sabina Babayeva to emerge as the winner after each and every finalist had done about zillion songs amongst other guests. Now the Azeri TV will shop around a suitable song for her.

SONGS OF THE YEAR 2015: #5 KRISTA SIEGFRIDS - ON & OFF

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ESC 2015 NORWAY: LISTEN TO THE FINALISTS

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ESC 2016 WISH LIST: MARGARET FOR POLAND

Małgorzata Jamroży aka Margaret has also been tipped for Eurovision and apparently she did turn it down but she'd be perfect. She's got a look and persona you can't unnotice nor forget, she's got hit songs, she has been voted or nominated for everything from Trendy artist to the Hope of the Year, Fashion Icon and Glamour Woman of the year besides the usual best video, song, album, debut..... Oh she's also a fashion designer! She's very clever with social medias and would surely use it to her advantage if selected for Stockholm 2016. Her debut album is titled Add the blonde , do we need to say more? Except it includes mostly Swedish written pop tunes like Tell me how are ya , Wasted , Start a fire and Heartbeat . And of course her debut single and internationally noticed Thank you very much that you can enjoy below with all its anti-textil feel. I think she's Eurovision perfection, she's cheeky and fun, can we have her?

FINLAND: LORDI RELEASES SEXORCISM - THEIR 9TH STUDIO ALBUM

Brand new studio album SEXORCISM is released tomorrow, 12 years and 5 days after their monstreous victory in Athens 2006 Eurovision song contest. It is quite possibly the most controversial Lordi album yet and already their 9th stuido album (plus three compilations and one Ep)

THE ABBA REUNION 2016 - WATCH THEM SING TOGETHER AGAIN

The 2016 Eurovision song contest organizers didn't manage it - or any of the previous ones either nor those offering them millions of dollars - but they seem to get together for birthdays, the way the old friends do. Back in 1999 they performed together in a private party for Görel Hansel's 50th birthday, and now to celebrate the first meeting of Björn and Benny 50 years ago. Venue was Stockholm's Bern's Salonger and once again in a private setting but today even they can't stop the cell phone videos and social medias. Enjoy the magic of Frida's and Agnetha's voices again.

GOODBYE, FAREWELL...

The time has come. After all these years, 5,7 million visits, 12.000 articles I guess the time has come. As much as I love and care for Eurovision it just doesn't feel the same. The Corona years took their toll and the past two years and certain decisions have helped me to mature the idea that next year I will hear the songs for the first time in semi-final just like any so called local. The bubble has burst. Add the toxicity in social medias and fandom. The arrogant teenagers who saw their first contest somewhere 2017 or even 2021 who think they know it all and only their opinion matters. Did I mention the toxic atmosphere on social medias? I'm too old for that sh*t. It's been a long ride that took me to various Eurovision on spot as a fan and tourist, as a journalist, as a delegation member. I met some great people, made memories of lifetime. In stressful, sad periods of my life this blog has been my safe place, a place to escape and forget everything else for an hour o...

FINLAND: REMEMBERING KIRKA

Boobs for summer: Samantha vs Sabrina!

The old rivals have put their bras (or the lack of them) in peace and entered the studios together to record Blondie's boombastic Call me . Life could be worse.....

ESC 2016 BELARUS: NAKED WITH WOLVES?

Today's funniest Eurovision related story comes from Belarus. Some sources claim Ivan wants to perform on stage naked and with live wolf or wolves. It surely would be a first on Eurovision stage! We have seen some forgotten underwear over the years, and some cardbox animals though..... Is it time to take things a bit further? No, according the rules live animals are not allowed, and Eurovision being a family show nudity won't do either. (It seems to be ok to be half naked if you are a dancer though..... )

Life after Helsinki 2007 Eurovision

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