Estonian songs from the 1960s to the present day that speak about the land and its politics.
About this playlist
This playlist by Pille-Riin Jaik brings together a selection of both well-known and lesser-known Estonian songs from the 1960s to the present day that speak about the land and its politics. Whether directly or through layers of metaphor, we can hear a landscape in transition — spanning genres such as estradaitalo-disco covers, film soundtracks, the hopeful tones of 1990s Eurovision, punk, socio-critical rap, modern reinterpretations of Runosong and throat singing. italo-disco, bandas sonoras de cine, los tonos esperanzadores de Eurovisión en los años noventa, el punk, el rap socio-crítico y las reinterpretaciones modernas del Runosong These mistranslations, cultural appropriations, and rapidly changing singing styles that are either adapted from the West or re-appreciated from the past, are all melodic aesthetics carrying different histories of different times. They are symptoms of the temporal lack or strong attempts of taking back confidence in one’s own culture. Through these songs, we can hear the fantasies of the other side of the curtain, the Soviet Union collapse, 90s cowboy capitalism, the tragic sinking of the ship "Estonia" and the early 2000s transition into neoliberalism. Gaining one’s voice is as complicated as gaining or keeping one’s land— especially when it has been lost before. It is a continual process of decolonization and growth. Shaped by acts of self-love, this voice must be cared for and protected, while remaining open, porous, and free from constraint.
Playlist mastered by: Klaus Rabeder Klaus Rabeder
Some context of the songs:
1.Peeter Tooma - Prostituudi laul, (music Uno and Tõnu Naissoo, lyrics Paul-Eerik Rummo), from the film “The Last Relic”, 1969.
2.Els Himma - Millest sa elad ja hingad (music Charles Fox, lyrics Vally Ojavere) 1974. Original song “Killing me softly” by Lori Lieberman 1972, sang famous by Roberta Flack 1973.
3.Monitor - Ootan tuult (music R.Zanetti and lyrics Jaak Veski), 1986. Original song: Savage - Only You (music and lyrics Roberto Zanetti), 1984.
4.Henry Laks ja Seitsmes Meel - Tule kui leebe tuul, (music and lyrics Henry Laks), 1986.
5.Anne Veski - Veel (music Shuki Levy and Deborah Shelton, estonian lyrics by Jaak Veski), 1981. Original song Andy Williams “Sad”, 1977. This version of the Anne Veski’s song is the rerealesed and modified version from album “Pihtimus”, 1995.
6.Sven Grünberg - Ball (music and lyrics Sven Grünberg), from the film “Dead Mountaineer’s Hotel”, 1979.
7.Sven Grünberg - Maod (music Sven Grünberg), from the film “Curse of Snakes Valley”, 1987.
8.Sven Grünberg - Tulen kord jälle (music Sven Grünberg and lyrics Hando Runnel), from the film “When dogs ate dogs”, 1984.
9.Urmas Alender - Teiselpool vett (music Urmas Alender and lyrics Lehte Hainsalu), 1986.
10.Alumiinium, sinu sädelev sõber - Must ja valge (music Allan Vainola and lyrics Andres Aule), 1998.
11.Droopy, Genka vs DJ Critikal - Tallinn, 2001(?). X Velikije Luki - Tallinn põleb, 1989.
12.Maarja Liis Ilus - Keelatud maa (music Harmo Kallaste and lyrics Kaari Sillamaa), 1997.
13.Vennaskond - Mälestus Tuhmub (music Mait Vaik/Villu Viirsalu ?), 1993.
14.Velly Joonas - Stopp, seisku aeg! (music Jim Rafferty and estonian lyrics Velly Joonas, 1980/83. Original song Anni-Frid Synni Lyngstad (or Frida, member of ABBA) “I See Red”, 1982.
15.Henry Laks – Ilmaratas (Música y letra por Henry Laks), 1990(?).
16.Maarja Nuut & Ruum - Kuud kuulama, 2018.
17.Mari Kalkun - Mõtsavele mäng, 2017.
18.Nublu - Kastehein, 2023.
19.Still - Oota mind ära (music Klaus Rabeder and lyrics Pille-Riin Jaik), demo, 2025.
20.Peeter Tooma - Põgene, vaba laps (music Uno and Tõnu Naissoo, lyrics Paul-Eerik Rummo), from the film “The Last Relic”, 1969.
