Life after Helsinki 2007 Eurovision

  Finland will take part in the Eurovision song contest 2026 for the 59th time. Finland has taken part every year since its debut in 1961 - 65 years ago -  except in 1970 (when boycotting along with Austria, Norway, Sweden and Portugal the voting system and previous year's chaos) and due to being relegated in 1995, 1997, 1999, 2001 and 2003 thanks to those insane rules back then. Over the years Finland was considered quite an under achiever with last places coming this way a bit too often in the first decades. In this series I will go through the first contests, how we came up with the eventual entry and we can remember from the other songs from those years. For the 1964 national Eurovision selection Yle invited ten composers, each with two songs but only one of them made the final cut. The composers had free hands who to invite to perform it all the way to Copenhagen as there was no will to cause commotion by changing artist afterwards, a bit like Portugal in the 2020's, The ...

Euroviisut 2006, the Finnish national selection for Eurovision song contest featured two song in Italian sung by Tomi Metsäketo. And Eternamente Maria was to one to challenge Lordi in the end. That year each artist had two songs and in the first round one of them was eliminated. Lordi's duel was quite even but apparently also Mr Lordi's favorite Bringing back the balls to rock lost 58-42% to Hard rock hallelujah . In the final Lordi dominated the first round with 29.150 votes against second placed Tomi only with 4832. But in the superfinal things changed and it was really between these two in a very tactical voting behavior: Lordi or not to Lordi? Tomi got as many votes as the other four finalists put together aka 45.431 but Lordi managed to get 67.369 and the rest is history. For once Finns got it right but in any other year this Eternamente Maria would have been a very decent entry. Never ever (or after) has Euroviisut caused such a stir and media attention and divided the...

While waiting for the entries for UMK2023 aka Finland's national selection for Eurovision song contest let's look back at some of the best non winning ones from yesteryear. While we are at it, let's take yet another Petri Laaksonen's entry. In 1988 he teamed up with Eurovision 1983 veteran Ami Aspelund and created this very catchy, very Eurovision at the time arrangement with a touch of Slavic male choir with Southern European cliches but it works wonders but sadly placed only third. Ami never recorded this one but Amor Amor reappeard of another Eurovision veteran Sonja Lumme's album a few years after with a tuned down arrangement . And yes, you guessed it. Finland's winner Boulevard placed second to last with 3 points in Dublin. No comment. 

While waiting for the entries for UMK2023 aka Finland's national selection for Eurovision song contest let's look back at some of the best non winning ones from yesteryear. Composer Petri Laaksonen was at it again and the sad faith was, as rumored, Yle was determined to have a Swedish language song winning Euroviisut 1990 and voilà. In the Top-3 this was the only song in Finnish. Arja Saijonmaa, mostly known for Eurofandom for her Melodifestivalen entries performed Gabriela with all her might but nothing to do. Sadly this song was never promoted nor released properly and only a limited print promo 7" exists. Which I have.  And yes, you guessed it. The winner Beat with Fri? came shared last with 8 points in Zagreb. No further comment.

While waiting for the entries for UMK2023 aka Finland's national selection for Eurovision song contest let's look back at some of the best non winning ones from yesteryear. Euroviisut 2000, what a mess! Nightwish was the clear televote (well, telephone) winner getting the double of votes the runner up got), the jury winner was Nylon Beat while Nina Åström, sadly a random nobody before and after Eurovision won placing jury 3rd and people's 2nd won with A little bit . A cute little harmless tune. Anna Eriksson placed jury 2nd and people's 3rd and 2nd overall 4 points short of Nina with a real Eurovision banger. Oot voimani mun   (You are my power) would have been composer Petri Laaksonen's third Eurovision entry. Instead it became a huge hit and Finland's only winner so far in the OGAE Second Chance song contest. Oh, and Nina finished 18th with 18 points in the end and was never heard again.

While waiting for the entries for UMK2023 aka Finland's national selection for Eurovision song contest let's look back at some of the best non winning ones from yesteryear. Tamara Lund placed only third in the 1963 Euroviisut, the Finnish selection for the Eurovision song contest as the lyrics of Olen mikä olen (I am what I am) were considered too raunchy and the whole performance a bit dubious. The song however outlived easily the winner Muistojeni laulu , that scored a flat zero sung by Laila Halme instead of Marjatta Leppänen or Irmeli Mäkelä who had sung the song in the contest....

While waiting for the entries for UMK2023 aka Finland's national selection for Eurovision song contest let's look back at some of the best non winning ones from yesteryear. Sonja Lumme may have won Euroviisut 1985 with Eläköön elämä , the national Finnish Eurovision selection but the runner up was the biggest commercial success. Late Riki Sorsa (ESC 1981) performed Kari Kuivalainen's ((ESC 1986) penned Haaveissa vainko oot mun (Are you mine only in my dreams), a melancholy yet catchy song with that piano and sax that became one of Riki's biggest songs and with the help of it he gained his first Gold Disc . 

The Rasmus has been in Turin now for a few days and had their two rehearsals and are waiting for the second-semi final and of course the final next Saturday.  For the joy of their fans they have performed - for the first time ever they say - as street musicians (and earned 1,60 euros) in Turin's streets and piazzas. They have started a Vlog about their journey so come along! Check it out below: Check out their rehearsal sneak peak below And enjoy also this acoustic version of Jezebel, recorded in Hawaii, Italy and Finland. Or maybe Australia? Those guys are on so many continents it's hard to tell.. ...

Yle organized among its other consolation Eurovision 2020 programming also a voting to find out the most loved Finnish entries of each decade (here). The clear winner was Something better and saara Aalto finished where she usually lands to: second. 2014 Softengine - Something better  29,3% 2018 Saara Aalto - Monsters  19,3% 2017 Norma John - Blackbird  12,5% 2013 Krista Siegfrids - Marry me   12,3% 2011 Paradise Oskar - Da da dam   10,5% 2015 Pertti Kurikan Nimipäivät - Aina mun pitää   5,7% 2010 Kuunkuiskaajat - Työlki ellää  4,8% 2019 Darude feat. Sebastian Rejman - Look away   2,1% 2012 Pernilla Karlsson - När jag blundar  2,1% 2016 Sandhja - Sing it away  1,3%

Yle organized among its other consolation Eurovision 2020 programming also a voting to find out the most loved Finnish entries of each decade ( here ). And this is no surprise: Hard rock hallelujah!   When eveything else has been tried go over the top and just risk it full time. It paid off. The hell froze over and liberated Finns from the decades long trauma of "Finland zero points" and for a year or so everyone was an Eurovision and Lordi fan. Well, it didn't last long...... Once again Finns had to sit home thanks to poor results in 2001 and 2003 before that insanity was changed. Or rather semi-final introduced. 2006 Lordi - Hard rock hallelujah  63,3% 2002 Laura Voutilainen - Addicted to you  10,7% 2007 Hanna Pakarinen - Leave me alone  8,6% 2008 Teräsbetoni - Missä miehet ratsastaa   6,5% 2009 Waldo's People - Lose control  5.6% 2004 Jari Sillanpää - Takes 2 to tango   3,7% 2005 Geir Rönning - Why? 1,0% 2000 Nina Åstro...

Yle organized among its other consolation Eurovision 2020 programming also a voting to find out the most loved Finnish entries of each decade ( here ). And there was no dount Kätkä sisters took home the victory. Bye bye baby has become an evergreen, a classic and a song everyone knows still. Despite the very disappointing 22nd place (Finland was in top-5 in the betting odds on the eve of the final) Finns didn't put the girls down but treated them as heroes and in the summer 1994 Bye bye baby was playing everywhere. The way it should be! Otherwise the 1990s were the sad sad decade for Finnish Eurovision, being made to stay home by the rules in 1995, 1997 and 1999.  1994 Cat Cat - Bye bye baby  55,3% 1991 Kaija Kärkinen - Hullu yö  17,5% 1993 Katri Helena - Tule luo  12,8% 1998 Edea - Aava  6,1% 1992 Pave Maijanen - Yamma yamma   3,8% 1994 Jasmine - Niin kaunis on taivas  2,4% 1990 Beat - Fri? 2,2%

Yle organized among its other consolation Eurovision 2020 programming also a voting to find out the most loved Finnish entries of each decade ( here ). The 1980s were certainly a real rollercoaster giving us some of the best and some of the worst entries ever. Sata salamaa took a clear win, no doubt helped by Antti Tuisku's recent cover that brought the song to new generations.  1987 Virve Rosti - Sata salamaa  34,8% 1989 Anneli Saaristo - La dolce vita  19,6% 1985 Sonja Lumme - Eläköön elämä 16,9% 1984 Kirka - Hengaillaan  12,1% 1983 Ami Aspelund - Fantasiaa   5,7% 1981 Riki Sorsa - Reggae OK  3,3% 1980 Vesa-Matti Loiri - Huilumies  2,7% 1986 Kari Kuivalainen - Päivä kahden ihmisen 2,3% 1982 Kojo - Nuku pommiin  1,9% 1988 Boulevard - Nauravat silmät muistetaan   0,6%

Yle organized among its other consolation Eurovision 2020 programming also a voting to find out the most loved Finnish entries of each decade ( here ). Two ladies battled it out with Katri Helena taking the crown ahead of legendary ode to the Lapland exotism in 1970s.  1979 Katri Helena - Katson sineen taivaan 29,8% 1977 Monica Aspelund - Lapponia 21,3% 1973 Marion Rung - Tom tom tom  16,0% 1975 Pihasoittajat - Viulu-ukko  14,6% 1976 Fredi & Friends - Pump pump  8,6% 1974 Carita Holmström - Älä mene pois 3,3% 1972 Päivi Paunu & Kim Floor - Muistathan  2,2% 1971 Markku Aro & Koivistolaiset - Tie uuteen päivään   2,1% 1978 Seija Simola - Anna rakkaudelle tilaisuus  2,1%

Yle organized among its other consolation Eurovision 2020 programming also a voting to find out the most loved Finnish entries of each decade ( here ). The 16-year-old Marion Rung's chirpy ode to the spring has become a classic and no wonder takes the 1960's trophy easily.  1962 Marion Rung - Tipi-tii 34,6% 1961 Laila Kinnunen - Valoa ikkunassa  14.7% 1966 Ann-Christine - Playboy 11,2% 1964 Lasse Mårtensson - Laiskotellen   10,8% 1967 Fredi - Varjoon - suojaan  8,8% 1969 Jarkko ja Laura - Kuin silloin ennen   7,2% 1968 Kristina Hautala - Kun kello käy  6,5% 1965 Viktor Klimenko - Aurinko laskee länteen   5,2% 1963 Laila Halme - Muistojeni laulu   1,1%

  Eurovision winner 2006 Lordi is losing another member of its winning formation. After Kita (2000-2010) and Awa (2005-2012) also Ox (2005-2019) is leaving the band after this summer's festivals. In the band's website he says there's no drama or major issues. He only has a strong urge to do something else in music and be available for new adventures. He thanks the band and the world's best fans for this 13 years long journey. Ox aka Samer El Nahhal is half Egyptian and he has studied in Los Angeles Musicians Institute. He spent part of his childhood in Libya and Irak wherefrom they fled when the war started. Kita or Sampsa Astala has been active after Lordi with his band Stala & So and they even participated in the Finnish national final back in 2010 - that got him fired from Lordi actually. He also plays in several other bands, plays drums and does backing vocals besides writing and producing songs for others. Awa aka Leena Paisa left Finland and moved to ...

Hanna-Riikka Siitonen's funeral took place on August 19 in Töölö church, Helsinki. Several Finnish Eurovision stars gathered to greet the much loved actress, singer, vocal coach and multiple national finalists and ESC backing singer for the last time and the ceremony was a very emotional one. Her white casket was decorated with yellow and orange gerberas matching her sunny and bright personality that will be so much missed.  It is said when when her Taikapeili friend Nina Tapio sung there were no dry eyes in the church. The girls have been friends all their life, and Nina's mother was at Eurovision 1976 backing Fredi in Pump pump.  Her father Fredi (ESC 1967, 1976) and mother, ex-Mayor of Helsinki; Fredi, Hanna-Riikka's husband and daughter; Titta Jokinen (ESC 1976), conductor Olli Ahvenlahti (ESC conductor 1990-98) with Marjatta Leppänen, multiple national finalists and hostess) Jari Sillanpää (ESC 2004); Sonja Lumme (ESC 1985);  Anneli Saaristo (ESC 1989)...

YLE declares satisfied with the Eurovision 2018 adventures, despite the disappointing 25th place or second to last, in the final. 1,9 million viewers were registered for the final on Saturday night while 1,5 million watched the first semi-final, and in Yle Areena, the web portal Eurovision content was viewed over 800.000 times, and Yle's Eurovision website had over 1,2 million visits.  Meanwhile there has been a lot of talk about this year's selecting process, media demanding to know how much money was spent - aka tax payers money - in promoting Saara Aalto's career. Yle has refused to give any numbers saying Eurovision is an all year round project and it's not possible to give exact sums. Hmm...  People are not happy.  They are also yet undecided what to do next year; open call or internal selection of the artist. The later might be a better choice at this point when they have angered the songwriters in the country (when changing the selection process all of sud...

  So, YLE decided to go the Belarusian way and just throw out all the selection process ignoring all the over 300 submitted entries stating they "didn't find a suitable entry" even if "the interest was high and standard high" even this year. Instead they chose Saara Aalto and are looking for her three songs for the final on March 3, 2018 in Espoo's Metro Areena, to be judged by televoters and international jury. The eternal runner up gets her dream job finally. I wonder how much this has to do with her recent change of record label, and the rumors about her being asked by BBC as well to represent the UK. "Now my fans in UK have a chance to vote for me, too" ever chirpy Saara says.  Hmm, if UK votes in the other semifinal it won't be much of a help. And even in final it will be only 12 points (if she can push pass various diasporas that is). 12 points won't take very far..... Being used to finish second the equilevant in Eurovision...

The ever so popular Mamma mia! musical by ABBA is having its Finnish version coming up next May in Helsinki. Laura Voutilainen has landed the role as Donna (played by Meryl Streep in the movie) and she describes it as her dream role and as written for her. She's done musicals before but says this is her first experience in such an acting role. She auditioned for the role by the request by the producers and there was no doubt she'll be perfect.  But the Eurovision connections don't end here: Nina Tapio and Tomi Metsäketo are also in the cast. Nina Tapio has been several times in Eurovision as a backing singer, as well as in the national final and even performed in the opening numbers in Helsinki 2007 Eurovision. Tomi Metsäketo nearly beat Lordi in Euroviisut 2006 but let's see how it goes for him now. He's in the middle of #metoo scandal now and was kicked out last week from a tv production he was supposed to be in several future episodes still in coming we...

Today's birthday boy Axel Ehnström gave an interview to Helsingin Sanomat last month, being part of the new generation of artists/songwriters reaching out and having success abroad.  He shot to the spotlight after wining the last Euroviisut (before it was rebranded and revamped as UMK) with Da da dam, and had a very succesful Eurovision song contest 2011 adventure all the way to the final where he was drawn to sing first. Busted! He had already won the Marcel Bezençon Press award and placed third in the semifinal, but in the final dropped to 21st. Da da dam certainly wasn't a song to open the show.  After Eurovision he got to release his solo album as Paradise Oskar but soon he realized writing songs is what he really wants to do. He studied music, and especially studied how to write hits reading interviews by succesful writers and practised writing techniques forcing himself to write a song every day. For inspiration he might go to library and check the book covers...