Following the grand reveal of the seven acts competing in Finland’s Uuden Musiikin Kilpailu (UMK) 2022, it’s time to hear their songs one at a time. Our penultimate song comes from Tommi Läntinen. His entry, “Elämä kantaa mua”, has now been released into the world.
The song is composed by Leo Hakanen and Jere Marttila, while the lyrics are penned by Elli Haloo – they’re all members of the Finnish pop-rock band Haloo Helsinki!.
Tommi Läntinen – “Elämä kantaa mua”
“Elämä kantaa mua” (“Life carries me”) brings together old-school and next-gen rock.
The song talks about change, and specifically the courage needed to go through with that change. Läntinen states: “Sometimes you just have to close your eyes and make that leap, simply having faith that it will all work out. In many cases it does, when you just let go of the past and surrender to the future.”
Tommi Läntinen has been in the music business for over 40 years, performing in various groups before launching his solo career in 1994. However, it’s been over 10 years since he last released a full-length album. That will come to an end in February, with the release of Elämä kantaa mua – the title track of which is his UMK 2022 entry.
UMK 2022 song release schedule
The UMK 2022 songs are being revealed one every weekday starting from 13 January. They’re set to be released at 00:00 EET on the dates listed below:
Cyan Kicks – “Hurricane” (13 January)BESS – “Ram pam pam” (14 January)The Rasmus – “Jezebel” (17 January)Younghearted – “Sun numero” (18 January)Olivera – “Thank God I’m An Atheist” (19 January)Tommi Läntinen – “Elämä kantaa mua” (20 January)- Isaac Sene – “Kuuma jäbä” (21 January)
UMK 2022 will take place on Saturday 26 February, starting at 20:00 CET / 21:00 EET.
The show will be held at the Logomo Arena in Turku, where the seven acts will perform their songs live for viewers at home and the jury.
What do you make of “Elämä kantaa mua”? Is Tommi Läntinen a contender to win UMK 2022? Sound off in the comments below!
“Life carries me like Harley and Davidson” Is he describing life as a motorcycle? That’s so stupid I love it (:
Pure joy for me. Unashamed nostalgia. Thank you Tommi for being in UMK this year! I could go on about the dominant 7th teasing of transitions, the counter-melodies, the compound timings, those top notes. The only thing missing was an actual Harley-Davidson in the video! Great fun. 🙂
Not the genre I like most but the song is quite likeable. He looks like quite an awesome guy to be honest. Doubt it’ll manage to take it home though.
Currently still Cyan Kicks on top for me, but YH are having a nice tug of war with Bess. this year’s UMK has an exceptional quality. Nearly every song deserves to be a winner.
It’s alright – not my cup of tea, but I can see why others may like it.
I didn’t expect this to be anything I’d like, but yeah it’s likeable. I do have to say that I doubt his win, but it’s surprising to hear someone older to have such a well made song. I really like the lyrics and the style, and to be honest he does not give “I’m 62” -vibe at all. Very young and fresh track.
Easy to listen and nice. Tommi fills up the nostalgia spot in this line up. He also seems to be having a great time singing it. I don’t think it will go far but as he looks friendly I wish him luck.
early prediction
Winner chance: The Rasmus, Cyan Kicks, Isaac Sene (?)
4th place: BESS
Bottom 3: Tommi, YH, Olivera
It has something very nostalgic to it and at the same time it’s catchy and melodic. Very nice effort and a great addition to the selection!
1. The Rasmus
2. BESS
3. Younghearted
4. Tommi Läntinen
5. Cyan Kicks
6. Olivera
I like all 6 songs up to now and ranking them is actually a bit painful XD. Finland has really exceeded all expectations up to now. Let’s see if we are in for even more surprises with the last song.
It’s a good song, uplifting and surprising. I didn’t expect anything at all from Tommi, but this exceeded my expectations!
this song is nice, vibey old school rock with a feel good sound.
Kudos for this selection. Just lots of good numbers. Even something like this fits better than most of the older acts that Melodifestivalen includes. It feels more in line when veterans bring to San Remo. UMK is really strong this year that I wish they had staged a Mello-type of multiple weeks semis.
I quite like it. It’s really solid.
I like that Finland continues to have a respected, veteran act in their lineup and that they’re not there with joke songs or for the sake of it. It adds something. I don’t think this song is on the level of what Danny had last year (that was really special) but this seems in-style with Tommi and that’s great. I don’t think this’ll come last in the voting at all.
Mon premier coup de cœur ?
J’adore ?
Un morceau plein d’authenticité.
Bravo Tommi!
Amitiés de la Suisse
J’aime vraiment beaucoup surtout les chœurs à la fin du morceau. ?
Ce titre très rock donne envie de bouger! Avec un excellent live ça peut déménager!!! Yeahhhhhh ?!
C’est l’une de mes chansons préférées et puis…et puis tout ça sonne très bien en finlandais!!
Good job Tommi!!!
Salutations de la Suisse??
I have to say, I’m actually surprised. I didn’t like last year’s veteran number, So this is actually a nice song from this year’s veteran. I know it doesn’t have the best chances to win, but it’s a nice addition.
Like it happened with Danny last year, another veteran performer reflecting about what he lived and what’s still ahead of him. Though this is much more accessible, given its upbeat qualities, the optimistic message and the fact his words can have meaning for everybody, while… well, Danny was being very specific by talking about his own funeral. 😀 I don’t see it winning or getting much traction with the fandom, but I like when national finals honor veterans and this song does that while sustaining the high quality of UMK’s lineup.
The lyrics are very evocative in this one. Reminds me of Billy Idol’s “Postcards from the Past”. I’m happy this song is part of the show.
This song has touched me the most emotionally during UMK so far. There is something so simple and honest about it, and ultimately upbeat and inspiring. I really like it.
I really enjoyed it. Uplifting and very melodic. Positive vibes.
I just had a listen and it sounds a lot like Kings of Lean – Use Somebody…?
There’s about 5 seconds near the start where I can hear a similar riff but otherwise the rest of the song sounds nothing like it.
Its a very cute song! Bess and Younghearted are my favorites at the moment! This is definitely one of the strongest national selections ever! Go Finland !
Just wanted to say that Haloo Helsinki! has been the most popular band here in Finland for many years and this is their first song they’ve written for another artist so it’s an interesting song in that way!
Not my fav, but I really like the song (not so much his voice)… really good and catchy song
Good song! Not as memorable as Cyan Kicks or as The Rasmus but there’s something touching in it I don’t know, but it doesn’t stand out enough for me, so the winner will be between Jezebel and Hurricane I think but there’s still a song to discover, let’s see.
Definitely not my favorite so far, but it is better than what I expected!