Before winning the Finnish Idols, Pakarinen worked as a forklift driver. She also had previous musical experience in a band called Rained. In the finale of Idols, held on January 9th, 2004, Pakarinen got 431,000 (60 per cent) of the total of 713,000 votes. Jani Wickholm got the remaining 40%, or 282,000 votes. For winning the Idols, Pakarinen got a check of 30,000 euros and a recording contract with BMG Finland. In the finale Pakarinen performed Tina Turner's "Simply the Best", Bangles' "Eternal Flame" and a song made for the Idols' winner, "Tulin voittamaan" ("I came to win").
Pakarinen's debut single was an English version of the song "Tulin voittamaan", titled "Love Is Like a Song".
It was released in the February of 2004 and rose to #1 on the Finnish single charts.
Pakarinen's debut album "When I Become Me" was released in June, 2004.
It never reached the number one position, but stayed as number two for several weeks.
The album has sold nearly 60,000 copies. Both the debut single and the debut album have earned 'platinum' status.
In September 2005, Pakarinen's second album "Stronger" was released. It also rose to #2 on the Finnish album charts, but it hasn't sold as much as the first album.
On February 17th, Hanna was chosen to represent Finland in the 2007 Eurovision Song Contest, to be held in May in Helsinki.
Her 3rd album, "Lovers", was released on Valentine's Day, 2007. The album includes an extended version of her Eurovision Song Contest song, Leave Me Alone.
Lovers
Hanna Pakarinen Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I wanna take off and run without a single trace, I do
I suppose this time it'd be worth to stick here for you
I've been walking alone in this lonely room, haven't you
I've been watching the stars and their heartache gloom, haven't you
Now you've come into my life and I'm not sure what to do
I've coached myself to run from the likes of you
This wall is falling, you came without a warning
You came out of the blue, you tore my curfew
Your eyes they floor me, you came with out a warning
You came to my rescue
Just like lovers do
For seven weeks it's all roses and no thorns, so good
You drown me in posies of all sorts, all good
And we're so in love that I feel like I was reborn
As you make me part of your life, sentiments are sworn
This wall is falling, you came without a warning
You came and made us two, but the change, it came too soon
Your eyes ignore me, I came without a warning
It soon all felt untrue
Who the hell I cry
I'm getting way too tired
Too many times I've come across this same old plight
Just another barfly, just another smooth eyed sly
Why to cry? Why?
This wall is falling, you left without a warning
You left with your tattoos, in my heart there's one for you
Your eyes ignore me, you left without a warning
You left out of the blue
This wall is falling, I should've seen it coming
I should've seen it coming, it never lasts, I knew
Your eyes they bore me, look at me I'm running
I'm running away from you
Just like a lovers do
The song Lovers by Hanna Pakarinen is about the fear of falling in love and getting hurt. The lyrics depict the singer's inner conflict as she struggles to open up to someone new after experiencing heartbreak in the past. The first verse is a desire to escape and run away from the fear of getting hurt again. But then she realizes that the person she is with might be someone worth sticking around for. She describes the feeling of uncertainty and hesitation when entering a relationship with someone new. She has guarded herself against getting hurt again but is now in a place where she might be ready to take that risk.
The pre-chorus lists the singer's loneliness and how she has been guarding herself emotionally. She feels that the person who has entered her life has torn down her walls without any warning. The chorus speaks about how love changes everything, and even though it might be scary, it's worth it. The second verse talks about how the start of their relationship is perfect, and they are both in love. However, things take a turn, and she feels like it's all falling apart. She questions the idea of falling for someone, getting attached and then left alone again. The bridge is the realization that the person has left her, and she is back to being alone again.
Line by Line Meaning
I wanna hide from the sun, wanna end this chase, I do
I want to escape from the pressures of reality and stop constantly pursuing something beyond my reach.
I wanna take off and run without a single trace, I do
I want to disappear without anyone knowing or trying to stop me.
I suppose this time it'd be worth to stick here for you
This time, I am willing to stay because I value our connection and believe it's worth the effort.
I've been walking alone in this lonely room, haven't you
I have been feeling lonely and isolated, and I wonder if you've ever felt the same.
I've been watching the stars and their heartache gloom, haven't you
I have been contemplating the pain and heartache of others, and I wonder if you have ever done the same.
Now you've come into my life and I'm not sure what to do
Your entrance into my life has left me feeling uncertain and confused about what to do next.
I've coached myself to run from the likes of you
I have trained myself to avoid people like you and the potential pain that comes with getting close to someone.
This wall is falling, you came without a warning
My emotional walls are crumbling because you entered my life unexpectedly.
You came out of the blue, you tore my curfew
You came into my life unexpectedly, breaking through the protective boundaries I had set for myself.
Your eyes they floor me, you came with out a warning
Your captivating gaze has disarmed me and caught me off guard, leaving me vulnerable to my feelings for you.
You came to my rescue
You saved me from my loneliness and despair by showing me love and affection.
Just like lovers do
Our relationship is evolving into something deeper and more intimate, like the love between two people.
For seven weeks it's all roses and no thorns, so good
Our relationship has been perfect and free of problems for the past seven weeks.
You drown me in posies of all sorts, all good
You shower me with affection and gifts of all kinds, making me feel loved and appreciated.
And we're so in love that I feel like I was reborn
Our love is so strong and transformative that I feel like a completely new person.
As you make me part of your life, sentiments are sworn
As we become more committed to each other, we pledge to honor and cherish our feelings and our relationship.
You left with your tattoos, in my heart there's one for you
You left me with only memories and a permanent mark on my heart that represents our connection.
You left out of the blue
You exited my life unexpectedly and suddenly, causing me confusion and distress.
I'm getting way too tired
I'm becoming exhausted and worn out from the emotional rollercoaster of our relationship.
Too many times I've come across this same old plight
I have experienced this same heartbreak and disappointment repeatedly in my life.
Just another barfly, just another smooth eyed sly
You are just another charming person who flirts and leads others on without any real commitment or loyalty.
Why to cry? Why?
Why should I bother getting emotional and invested in someone who is likely to leave me again?
This wall is falling, I should've seen it coming
I'm not surprised that my emotional barriers are crumbling, and I should have anticipated this outcome.
It never lasts, I knew
I always knew deep down that our relationship was not built to last, despite my hopes and efforts.
Your eyes they bore me, look at me I'm running
Your once charming and captivating gaze now bores me, and I am running away from the pain and disappointment of our relationship.
I'm running away from you
I'm distancing myself and cutting ties with you because I can no longer handle the emotional turmoil that comes with being involved with you.
Contributed by Callie I. Suggest a correction in the comments below.