Current members of the band are Onni Waris (keyboard, vocals), Petteri Halonen (keyboard, guitar, vocals), Lassi Kinnunen (accordion, vocals), Martti Waris (bass, vocals) and Kristian Voutilainen (drums, vocals). Ilmari Koivuluhta (sound technique, logistics) and Pekka Jokinen (graphics, merchandise) are completing the humppa family. These are not in fact their real names; their (fake) first names are their second names, and their (fake) surnames are their mothers' maiden names. Onni Waris and Martti Waris are in no way related, both of their mothers' maiden names just happen to be the same.
According to the band's statements, they play between 80 and 100 concerts in a year, of which only 20 in Finland and 40 to 50 in Germany. While touring in Germany they hid bottles of vodka in various places next to the Autobahn and asked their fans to find them using treasure maps provided by the band.
Albums by Eläkeläiset in Finnish charts (2 albums):
1. Humppaelämää
reach: 14/2003 - 15/2003; peak pos: 23; weeks: 2
2. Humppasirkus
reach: 08/2006 - 10/2006; peak pos: 10; weeks: 3
Songs by Eläkeläiset in Finnish charts (4 songs):
1. Das Humppawerk
reach: 23/2006 - 26/2006; peak pos: 6; weeks: 4
2. Jukolan Humppa
reach: 03/2006 - 07/2006; peak pos: 5; weeks: 5
3. Katkolla Humppa
reach: 11/2003 - 12/2003; peak pos: 6; weeks: 2
4. Keväthumppa
reach: 20/2003 - 20/2003; peak pos: 17; weeks: 1
Päivätanssit
Eläkeläiset Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Aimo parkkitolppaan nyt tunkee markkoja.
Lada ruosteinen on jo melkein ruudussa,
Peilissä wunderbaumi hieman homeessa.
Kiittää tuuria, ei nänhyt koukkuja.
Pelkäs ratsiaa, löi polvet loukkua.
Piti ottaa kotona jo hieman pohjia.
Ehtinyt ei onnikkaan, eit ullut taksia.
( 2X )
Lai-lai-la-lai
Aimo rallattaa.
Lai-lai-la-lai
Päivätanssit.
Päässä kuuma veri kohisee.
Vanha tervakeuhko rohisee.
Harmaa rippipuku, saumat soimina.
Hei c'mon mummot,tulkaa humppaamaan!
( 2X )
Lai-lai-la-lai
Aimo rallattaa.
Lai-lai-la-lai
Päivätanssit.
Ja kun Aimo tsiikaa ympärilleen hän huomaa
Jotta hän on ainoa herra koko tanssisalissa
Jukolauta, arvatkaas mitä?
Tänään nimittäin tulee karjalanpiirakkaa!
Rouva taksikyydin kustantaa
Lada ruutuun jäi lappu tuulilasissa.
Kohta salamoi ja ukkostaa,
Koski kuohuu, juna tunneliin sukeltaa.
( 4X )
Lai-lai-la-lai
Aimo rallattaa.
Lai-lai-la-lai
Päivätanssit.
The lyrics to Eläkeläiset's "Päivätanssit" describe the experiences of a man named Aimo as he attends a daytime dance event. At midday, Aimo rushes to pay for parking, thankful that he didn't get caught with any violations. He had to leave home early to get warmed up for dancing, but he missed the bus and couldn't find a taxi. In the club, Aimo is excited and energized, feeling his blood boil with the rhythm of the music. He's wearing an old suit that's worn at the seams and his lungs are wheezing from a lifetime of smoking. Aimo encourages the older women at the club to come dance with him, as he is the only man there. He feels a sudden burst of joy as he realizes that today they are serving Karelian pies at the club.
The song paints a picture of the joys and challenges of attending daytime dances. These gatherings were popular in Finland during the 1950s and 1960s and catered to the elderly population, often featuring live music and ballroom dancing. The fact that Aimo feels like the only man at the club suggests that many of the men of his generation may have passed away or are unable to attend because of health issues. Aimo himself seems to have health problems, as evidenced by his smoker's cough and the need for him to warm up for dancing. Despite this, he remains enthusiastic and joyful about life.
Line by Line Meaning
Kello puolta päivää raksuttaa
The clock ticks. It's already midday
Aimo parkkitolppaan nyt tunkee markkoja.
Aimo is trying to find some coins to pay for the parking on the post.
Lada ruosteinen on jo melkein ruudussa,
The rusty Lada is almost in the parking spot.
Peilissä wunderbaumi hieman homeessa.
Aimo sees the wunderbaum air freshener in his mirror, which is a bit moldy.
Kiittää tuuria, ei nänhyt koukkuja.
He's grateful for his luck, didn't see any speed traps.
Pelkäs ratsiaa, löi polvet loukkua.
He was afraid of a police raid and his knees got weak.
Piti ottaa kotona jo hieman pohjia.
He had to drink some alcohol before leaving home to loosen up.
Ehtinyt ei onnikkaan, eit ullut taksia.
He missed his lucky chance and there were no taxis available.
Lai-lai-la-lai
Laughter and singing starts here as Aimo joins in.
Aimo rallattaa.
Aimo is humming along to the music.
Päivätanssit.
It's time for daytime dancing.
Päässä kuuma veri kohisee.
His hot blood is pulsating in his head.
Vanha tervakeuhko rohisee.
His old lungs are wheezing.
Harmaa rippipuku, saumat soimina.
He's wearing a grey confirmation suit with seams that show his age.
Hei c'mon mummot, tulkaa humppaamaan!
He's calling for the old ladies to come and dance with him.
Ja kun Aimo tsiikaa ympärilleen hän huomaa
When Aimo looks around, he realizes
Jotta hän on ainoa herra koko tanssisalissa
that he's the only gentleman in the whole dance hall.
Jukolauta, arvatkaas mitä?
Goodness gracious, guess what?
Tänään nimittäin tulee karjalanpiirakkaa!
Today they are serving Karelian pasties!
Rouva taksikyydin kustantaa.
A lady is paying for his taxi ride.
Lada ruutuun jäi lappu tuulilasissa.
A note was left on the windshield of his Lada.
Kohta salamoi ja ukkostaa,
Soon there will be lightning and thunder.
Koski kuohuu, juna tunneliin sukeltaa.
The rapids are raging, and a train dives into a tunnel.
Contributed by Cameron C. Suggest a correction in the comments below.