Ievan Polkka

November 26, 2008 7:20 PM

The Ievan Polkka ("Eva's Polka"), as sung by the Finnish quartet Loituma (lyrics). Suddenly, in a flash (previously) of brilliance, youtube is inundated with lots and lots of remixes. Most contain Bleach girl Orihime Inoue spinning a leek (now lovingly known as Leek Girl). Others teach you how to dance, play piano, and, of course, sing. But don't forget Rick!
posted by zonem (23 comments total)

Please call back when they come out with the Hamster Dance/Cotton Eyed Joe flavor.
posted by not_on_display at 7:37 PM on November 26, 2008

There's an endlessly looping and thoroughly mesmerising henati-ish version of this too, but I've not been able to find it for ages.
posted by bunglin jones at 7:38 PM on November 26, 2008

I can't find a link but they make rubber leeks for your leek spinning at home enjoyment.
posted by Iron Rat at 7:51 PM on November 26, 2008

Here bunglin jones.

The girl in your "rick" link is very cute :)
posted by vronsky at 7:56 PM on November 26, 2008

Paging Wolfdog!
posted by blue_beetle at 10:21 PM on November 26, 2008

OMG. I've played this song on repeat for AGES. Love it love it love it. Does anyone else know any other songs (doesn't have to be Finnish) in the same upbeat rhythmic folksy style?
posted by divabat at 10:31 PM on November 26, 2008

Reminds me of this. You couldn't get away from it, back in the day.
posted by spacewrench at 10:52 PM on November 26, 2008

divabat: Does anyone else know any other songs (doesn't have to be Finnish) in the same upbeat rhythmic folksy style?

Värttinä sometimes falls into that category. (Home page, Wikipedia)
posted by not_on_display at 10:55 PM on November 26, 2008 [1 favorite has favorites]

divabat: Szeki Kurva, a hardcore/folk/speed metal band from Hungary is an interesting mix of gypsy tunes and early 90s techno. My personal favorite is Flying Manga Attack, which featurs some gypsy music that Carl Stalling might have dreamed after a large dose of peyote and goulash.

I love it, but others have tried to stab me for playing it in the car on road trips, so YMMV.
posted by benzenedream at 10:59 PM on November 26, 2008 [1 favorite has favorites]

Using Japanese instruments.
posted by divabat at 11:04 PM on November 26, 2008 [1 favorite has favorites]

divabat: I just learned about this one last weekend - Mind Reflection - Da Roots (Folk Mix)
posted by lou at 11:05 PM on November 26, 2008

And the original, from 12 years ago. The babble bit in the middle is different, but still has a similar structure (esp. towards the ending).
posted by divabat at 11:08 PM on November 26, 2008

Also an odd juxtaposition is Loituma's music video for Ievan Polkka.
posted by [expletive deleted] at 11:26 PM on November 26, 2008

Wow this has never been on the blue? This is basically my favorite favorite. If you can, find the Beatnik (a Dj) remix of this which is the background of this: THE GREATEST INTERNET IN HISTORY
posted by Potomac Avenue at 1:27 AM on November 27, 2008 [1 favorite has favorites]

Which
posted by Potomac Avenue at 1:29 AM on November 27, 2008

Interesting: the Ievan Polkka tune is pretty similar to "Steven Francis"' / The Settlers' The Lightning Tree and Mike Raven's Queen of the Night. Wonder if they're related?
posted by raygirvan at 2:56 AM on November 27, 2008

This is one of my favorite songs ever, and it's so strange to me that it should have become an internet meme. It has a haunting, midnight-sun medieval quality to its merriment. You never know what the hive-mind will suddenly swarm on.
posted by Countess Elena at 5:34 AM on November 27, 2008

I woke up this morning as I often do with a seemingly-random song stuck in my head (and I wonder why that is), and this morning it was Gilbert O'Sullivan's "Alone Again, Naturally."
But this earworm drove it right out and for that zonem, (and blue_beetle and Wolfdog), I thank you.
posted by Restless Day at 5:47 AM on November 27, 2008

Just a reminder, folks, benzenedream's recommendation of Szeki Kurva (EP "The Sound of Dead Goats") is well worth checking out. Something Carl Stalling might well have "dreamed after a large dose of peyote and goulash" indeed! Thanks for the tip, man.
posted by Faze at 6:15 AM on November 27, 2008

Divabat:
You might like Hedningarna .
posted by razorian at 7:41 AM on November 27, 2008

And hitler.
posted by fcummins at 12:00 PM on November 27, 2008

Incidentally, check out Loituma's other music for mind-blowing arrangements of seriously, trad Finnish poems: "Missing Him" ("Kun Mun Kultani Tulisi" at YouTube).
posted by raygirvan at 7:41 PM on November 27, 2008

Internet culture is strange and wonderful.
posted by Skorgu at 5:47 AM on November 28, 2008