He’s the legendary Finnish singer who has been around since the 1960s. He’s also the ex-boyfriend of “Cicciolina” hitmaker Erika Vikman. This year, Danny has decided to enter UMK with “Sinä päivänä kun kaikki rakastaa mua“.
Finnish broadcaster YLE is sticking to last year’s formula, although expanded: this year there will be seven acts competing. Their songs are being revealed on weekdays at midnight Finnish time (22.00 GMT/23.00 CET) until January 21.
Danny “Sinä päivänä kun kaikki rakastaa mua” (Finland UMK 2021)
Danny’s entry is “about how life is a gift, but how you can never be sure how long it will last – only that it will, eventually, come to an end”. However, he’s taking a “humourous and truthful” take on the issue, with a “unique and melancholic” number.
“While its lyrics may not represent your typical Eurovision ditty, it’s an ambitious effort that represents a perspective that is rarely approached in pop music”, Danny explains.
Born Ilkka Johannes Lipsanen, Danny is a legendary figure in the Finnish music scene. Despite scoring over 100 chart hits, he never got to Eurovision, even though he tried. In fact, he took part in the Finnish national selection seven times throughout the 1960s, 1970s and 1980s.
UMK 2021
The grand final of UMK will take place on 20 February. The number of competing acts was whittled down from 278 entries, and only seven entrants will take the stage.
The songs were selected by a jury of industry professionals, led by radio YleX’s music manager Tapio Hakanen. He had praise for the applicants, saying, “The level of the songs and artists was incredibly strong and I am confident that we have coming in the spring of 2021 the toughest UMK of all time. I’m really happy and grateful to each and every musician who sent a song to Yle.”
The winner will be chosen by a mixture of jury and public vote. Rather than the usual 50/50 split, the public will hold 75% of the power.
Follow all of our Finland Eurovision 2021 news.
I think the committee behind the selection of the songs is very smart. They have chosen a variety of genres/songs/singers.
This act is mostly to gather more buzz around the show and not so much for ESC. It’s not going to be selected but it will for sure make some audience happy.
So far the best UMK song 🙂
But that wasn’t hard to achieve 😀
Been polluting these comment sections for a while now
People dont like my comments all the time but that dude is another level haha. Not even nice.
I like this song very much. It ‘s beautiful.
i had my mom listen to this song, she likes it, especially the music
i told her what the song is about, and she said ”thats deep”
I think he just wants to give his message (which is powerful). He’s not expecting to win or something. I respect his entry a lot, the melody is sweet and his voice during it is very enjoyable.
Surprisingly, I like this song, it’s beautiful
yeah, a lovely non-competitive song
Danny is a legend <3 i mean he doesn’t need eurovision anymore, still nice he doesn’t feel too good for umk though
hope Laura, Aksel have good entries personally
Jesus Christ get the hell out of here Nicky we all saw the comment you made below
nicky gets off on confusion and chaos, we know that. below this they forgot to change their name as they responded to themselves. we’ve tried to get Nicky out and ask wiwibloggs to ban them, but to no avail, so what we need to do is just ignore them. they are pathetic, and we aren’t, so let’s just be glad that we are better people and ignore Nicky’s constant bulls**t.
It just frustrates that when nine out of ten people here are actually thoughtful and respectful there’s still human crabgrass like him ruining it
Yeah it frustrates me too. I hope that when Nicky becomes older than 8 they can realise how annoying and rude they are and grow up.
Oh. Not every person is a good person you know. Even in here.
I was surprised by the level of this entry.
I don’t think it should go to ESC, but it is definitely a good song with deep lyrics that contributed to the high level(so far) of the finish national selection.
he is also far too old lol, ESC nowadays is only for the youth
age is only a number, you dumb idiot
a snooze, this will come last in the nf lmao
you don’t know that, you dumb loser
What the…
I love how the instrumental is progressing but him talking (that is NOT singing) the lyrics never changes one bit lol
He should do a duet with Kjetil Stokkan with Charlotte Nilsson as a backing vocalist.
I think this would make the eurovision of 2021 bit old fashion. Also he does not sing, but talks a story in Finish. Boring song sorry
he does sing, in finnish it just sounds like that
old fashion, umm no, we had a ”classic” song winner recently didn’t we, 2017 salvador’s amar pelos dois
even this would have its charm for some of eurofans
You’re a disgrace to the Portuguese
Want to see young Danny? Here he sings “I wanna love you tender” with Armi. 4 million views for te “worst music video ever”! ?
https://youtu.be/YPnGPIMUnus
If this goes to Eurovision I hope that they can get the message across in spite of it being in Finnish because the lyrics are the real USP of the song.
I tried to keep an open mind, but this really is the worst song so far. His voice has definitely seen it’s best days and the only parts of the song I liked were the lyrics and the idea, but they feel unoriginal to me because it’s the same consept as Heli Kajo’s song “jos mä kuolen nuorena” (if I die young) but just from an older person’s perspective. I think Yle just wanted him to the lineup because they knew hearing his name would turn some heads.
It’s a very good entry and at age of 78 very solid effort, in previous years in UMK this would have been the best for sure, but this time the competition has gotten way up (move over Melodifestivalen)! It’s sad if this would get less attention because of his personal life, it’s a good song and I wasn’t even expecting much before so for me this was a pleasant surprise.
his personal life is his own, we must only judge the music
at his age, this is really good, his voice still sounds so good
This is for sure one of a kind in terms of national finals entries. A song about someone’s own funeral, with good-humored lyrics and dropping some shade to his haters or at least those who’ll pretend to be sad when he’s gone. Very original and sincere, I praise Danny for that. Musically it’s not very interesting, but serves its intentions. Don’t know how well it could do in UMK, but if it eventually wins, this would be the good old Finland in Eurovision, sending things only they would send and not caring much about the aftermath.
My favourite so far. I mean, it’s such a unique premise for a song. To hear someone summarize their entire life and legacy in three minutes is an extremely intimate and cathartic experience, and there’s so much going on between the lines – the sense of fulfillment and lack of it, the intangible spectre of impending death, the burden of fame and making peace with all life choices as well as the frighteningly (or maybe reassuringly) apathetic awareness of how you’re gonna be remembered. One could say this song oozes hubris and narcissism, but with 78 years and plethora of… Read more »
On the first listen, I looked at the translation.
On the second listen, I sang with the translation. It fits.
It’s a song that really gained my respect because of the lyrical content. It’s as if I’m Danny’s best friend and he sang his funeral wishes, but it’s sang for the public.
Melodically and production-wise, way too formulaic and repetitive for my taste. However, I am very moved by these lyrics: they seem to be a meditation on Danny’s own mortality, and I hope I am not overstepping by saying that must weigh heavily on a man at his age. It also reflects the fake sincerity that many display when a celebrity (such as Danny) passes away; as in, these people don’t know them and yet they are sad. It’s an interesting take on the subject matter. However, aside from the lyrics this song does nothing for me. The climax at the… Read more »
I wouldn’t call fans mourning a celebrity anything but sincere. I have been very sad myself when a famous person I liked passed. I think it is more directed towards people who say bad things about him now, only to claim that they miss him once he is no more. That kind of double standard exists, partially because we are accustomed that the common courtesy is being respectful towards the dead, and partially because we can feel guilty of how we treated someone while alive. Some heavy lyrics for sure. Takes guts to write it down. Respect for that.
As I said, many people display this double standard, but not all. Also, any fan’s mourning for a celebrity, how genuine it may be, still lacks a certain sincerity only gained by knowing the dead person in question, if that makes any sense. This is not to say that fans feeling sad about it is fake or invalid, however.
Nope. Not for me again.
The message is deep and emotional , the song and melody don’t do the message any favours.
But like I said , finland already has options .
Didn’t get this one at all really. It has sailed completely over my head unfortunately. I find the sentiment to be slightly off – it seems to be an attack on people’s sincerity at funerals, which doesn’t sit too well with me, but maybe it got lost in translation?
I think you’d just need to know him as an artist to understand the lyrics, he has had quite an eventful life and some of the lyrics refer as how people see him and how’d they act after he has passed away
(The lyrics at genius don’t really mach so well if you’re refering to that on the translation)
Ok, if there is context, that might help explain it. I have not come across Danny before and when I was reading the lyrics on the video, it just came across like he was saying people are not sincere, they don’t really care at funerals – the main refrain seems to be “on the day when everyone is loving me” which implies to me they don’t love him on other days, therefore a forced sincerity on the day of his funeral? That seems a bit judgmental and nasty to people who might really care about his death, but if there… Read more »
“On that day everyone loves me” refers to a the day someone has just passed away and every person is talking about the things they knew him from/memories of them. Here in Finland after someone well known has passed away it’s quite common that other famous people tell different newspapers/medias about the memories and such they had with the person. It’s always positive things people say, so there’s a little bit less sincerity as no one says anything bad on that time.
As we say jokingly here in Brazil: “everybody becomes a saint after they die”. It’s not about those who will respectfully and/or sincerely say kind things about the dead or delaying the conversation about some nasty traces of their personality for another day. But about those who weren’t big fans (sometimes it’s worst, they spent the whole time talking trash about that person) but take the opportunity to display some over-emotional words and tears for the departed. I guess it’s an universal thing.
In which case, it is quite a spiteful song, no? I find there to be a sad irony that people seem to really love this song when they don’t really know Danny or really care about how he is feeling about death? I very much doubt people would reach out and talk to him about it before he dies? I just find it all a little odd and quite unsettling to be honest, so it is not for me. But if it works for others, which it clearly seems to, then that’s fine.
I guess it depends on what is his public persona. Is he a sweet and/or private guy that finally decided to give a response to those who keep trash talking him? Is he someone known for his sense of humor? Is he someone that loves a public argument to the point people already accepted it’s part of his thing? Without knowing him, I sense the lyrics are good humored. Like you said, people usually avoid talking about these things with those who are in an advanced age. And maybe this was his way of saying “I know you’re thinking about… Read more »
You might be right, it is good to talk about death, it is one certainty we are all going to experience some day! I just don’t know if that alone is enough to make me like the song? There is no real emotional connection there – I don’t know Danny, I don’t know his relationships. As a story I suppose it is ok, but it doesn’t grab me on an emotional level in any way. Loads of people die every day and that sad fact doesn’t engender a positive reaction in everyone. I’m just not really getting why everyone is… Read more »
You’ve confirmed to me that I don’t like the sentiment at all – it just feels very self-indulgent. What am I supposed to feel as the listener? Sorry for him? I already know that many people are insincere and self-serving. Self-reflection? Then it feels like a lecture and I don’t need that. An awareness of the reality of death? Been there, done that and again what is it that he wants me to feel? So, all in all, I am just not sure how I’m supposed to feel listening to this. In the context of him being a famous singer… Read more »
I could try to give my view on the lyrics (long post sorry!) “Ethän kallista arkkua osta En sano vastaan pahvilaatikosta” He doesn’t need an expensive coffin, a cardboard box will do fine. “Hymyilkää värssyjä laulaessa Puheissa pitäytykää?totuudessa” Smile when you sing to me (songs at funeral), but still be honest about him, even when you wouldn’t have anything good to say. “Pidä huoli et se yksi?muija kutsua ei saa Ota rahat pois jos korppikotkat kuvii saalistaa” Keep it sure that “one woman” won’t get an invitation, and don’t let vulchers sell photos of him/his funeral for money. “Sen verran… Read more »
Many thanks for spending the time in documenting the lyrics in English for me. I’m sure the lyrics mean more if you know him and perhaps are more eloquent in Finnish. Perhaps I was harsh in my judgment about him being nasty to people mourning him.
It seems to be a very personal story, and because I don’t know him, I find it difficult to connect with the song.
No problem, always happy to help. And thank you for reading all of it, such a long post to read! I feel like the lyrics really do reflect on many things in his life, but if you’ve never even heard anything about him before it’s understandable.
Danny has actually tried to represent Finland also in the 00’s, his entries have been:
1966: Pieni sana
1967: Sua kutsun, Maarit & Keskiyöllä
1973: Galileo Galilei
1974: Jos maailmassa vain ois kahva
1975: Seikkailija
1986: Ninja
2004: Seven Times Seven
“Sua kutsun, Maarit” and “Keskiyöllä” are two different entries, just to make it clear
i love this!! it seems so sincere, so emotional, you can feel his emotions, lyrics are great, message is great. gives tears in my eyes
This is nice! Let’s say hypothetically speaking this would go to eurovision: I think it could even be a shock qualifier if you play the sentimental part right and project the english translation on stage a bit like Italy did in 2018.
I liked the calming melody on the first listening and felt in his voice that the lyrics must be deep. Little did I know that UMK has actually provided us embedded translation, so on my second listening, I truly understood how deeply touching this song is.
So far, Finland has three strong candidates and is shaping up to be the best NF this season.
I really like this but it’s because of the translation which allows me to understand the meaning of the lyrics making it clear how sentimental and touching the song is.
Finland’s not playing around this year! This is a very touching song and better than I expected after what people were saying about him here. It might be hard for a Eurovision audience to pick up on a song like this, but I’m glad that it’s even in contention. “Lie” is still my favorite, but now we know it wasn’t a fluke and all the entries are operating on a strong level from what we can tell.
That like- dislike ratio is infuriating.
You don’t NEED to click the dislike button when you don’t like a song.. you can also just like… leave. It feels so negative and extreme and also disrespectful for what is quite a qualitive entry even if it isn’t your piece of cake.
Ikr, what good does it do for a person to just dislike a video because it isn’t his or her cup of tea, unless it is offensive of course.
It is a way to show opinion and discourage people from making similar content.
I feel like some people are disliking based on *his personal life*, not the song, which is kinda underwhelming.
By the way, the same logic should be applied all over the Internet, not just on Youtube.
It’s probably from the strong aversion a good number of Eurofans have towards ballads in general.
Not gonna lie, I kind of like this.
I actually like it! Yes it won’t win, but he is a legend in Finland and he deserves to be in a competition which celebrates the Finnish music scene. I also love the fact that we have 3/7 songs in Finnish since most of the Finnish artists release their songs in Finnish and English. I’m also happy that previous two songs are doing well on yt and spotify, this year’s UMK is a clearer representation of what Finnish music industry is and I’m sure this means that next year UMK will be even stronger! Also we get Aksel tomorrow I… Read more »
actually Laura is next not Aksel – excited about her as well!
Verona is coming for revenge 🙂
Queen Laura and King Aksel <3