Tässäkö Tää Oli? Lyrics in English by Arttu Wiskari, Leavings-orkesteri
Kinkuton is a unique and evocative Finnish word meaning 'ham-less'. It's formed by combining 'kinkku' (ham) and the privative suffix '-ton', indicating absence.
In the context of the song, the line "Kinkuton joulu on jäänyt mulle mieleen" (A ham-less Christmas has stayed in my mind) paints a vivid picture of hardship and disappointment. It's a memorable way to describe a Christmas lacking a traditional, central element, symbolizing tough times and unfulfilled expectations.
Get ready for a wild ride with Arttu Wiskari's "Tässäkö Tää Oli?", which translates to "Was This It?". This song tells the darkly humorous story of a family vacation gone terribly wrong. The narrator, a father trying to give his kids a memorable trip, takes out a payday loan to rent the cheapest camper van he can find. His destination? A wax museum. The scene is perfectly set: his wife is doing crosswords, the kids are excited, and he's struggling to drive the unfamiliar vehicle in a torrential downpour.
The song's title and chorus capture the moment of disaster. The van crashes, scattering the kids' Monopoly game all over the highway. The narrator reflects on the small, unfulfilled plans, like the non-alcoholic beers waiting in the fridge. Despite the crash and ending up in the hospital, there's a strange twist of dark comedy. The father ironically notes that he finally made his family famous, as they've landed on the cover of a tabloid newspaper. It's a story about trying your best for your family, even when everything falls apart, and finding a strange sort of success in the failure.
