Ritari Ässä Lasten Pop Non Stop: A Time Capsule of Finnish Childhood Vibes
Alright, buckle up, because this album is like stepping into a retro time machine that somehow smells faintly of syrupy pulla bread and childhood wonder. Ritari Ässä Lasten Pop Non Stop by Various Artists dropped in 1984, back when Finland was probably still debating whether leg warmers were fashionable or just plain weird. Released under the Play label with cover art courtesy of Erkki Ruokonen (shoutout to him for making it look so gloriously '80s), this gem blends children’s tunes with pop beats. And honestly? It slaps.
Let’s get one thing straight—this isn’t your typical “leave it on repeat while folding laundry” kind of record. No, no. This is the soundtrack to bouncing around the living room in socks that are definitely too slippery for wooden floors. The genres here are listed as Children's and Pop, but really, they should’ve added "Nostalgia Overload" and "Kitchen Disco Ready."
Now, let me zoom in on two tracks that hit differently. First off, we’ve got "Lohikäärme-Puff (Puff The Magic Dragon)", which—I mean, come on—is an absolute bop. There’s something about hearing Puff’s tale in Finnish that makes you feel like you’re sitting cross-legged on a mossy rock somewhere deep in the forest. Every time I hear those opening chords, I’m transported to a world where dragons aren’t mythical—they’re basically your cool older cousin who knows all the best hiding spots. The melody sticks to your brain like gum under a school desk, but in the best way possible. You’ll find yourself humming it hours later, wondering if maybe life could use more magical dragons after all.
Then there’s "Tiku Ja Taku," which feels like someone took pure joy and turned it into sound waves. It’s playful, quirky, and utterly unapologetic. Imagine being five years old again, running through sprinklers in the backyard without a care in the world—that’s what this song does to you. The rhythm is infectious, like catching giggles from your best friend during naptime. Honestly, I dare anyone to listen to this track and not at least tap their foot. Spoiler alert: You won’t succeed.
Other highlights include "Peppi Pitkätossu (Pippi Långstrump)", which brings everyone’s favorite red-headed mischief-maker to life, and "Ritari Ässä (Theme From Knightrider)", because who didn’t want to grow up and drive a talking car named KITT? But even the lesser-known tracks have charm oozing out of them. Songs like "Minttu Sekä Ville" and "Karuselli" might not grab global headlines, but they’re little nuggets of happiness wrapped in catchy melodies.
What strikes me most about this album is how unpretentious it is. These songs don’t try to be anything other than fun, wholesome, and slightly chaotic—kind of like childhood itself. Sure, some of the production screams ‘80s cheese, but that’s part of its charm. It’s raw, real, and refreshingly human.
As I sit here reflecting on Ritari Ässä Lasten Pop Non Stop, I can’t help but think about how music shapes our memories. Listening to these songs now feels like flipping through an old photo album filled with moments you forgot existed. Weirdly enough, though, my final thought isn’t about the music—it’s about sandwiches. Yeah, you read that right. Because nothing says “Finnish kid vibes” quite like jamming to these tunes while munching on rye bread topped with butter and cucumber slices. Don’t knock it till you try it.
So go ahead, give this album a spin. Just don’t blame me if you start randomly breaking into dance moves only your grandma would approve of.
