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.
Tell Me What to Do
Hanna Pakarinen Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Lately, I've found myself too many times from Lost and Found
Lately, I've only felt good when there's dancing around
Lately, when I wake in the morning, in my head there's this ticking sound
Tick-tick, tick-tick
Tell me what to do now if I go crazy
Tell me what to do to get my act back together before I'm crazy
'Cause I can't go on
No, I can't go on like this
Lately, I've done my best not to loose my head
Lately, I can tell by the word of mouth the things I've left unsaid
Tell me what to do now if I go crazy
Tell me what to do now if I'll go mad
Tell me what to do to get my act back together before I'm crazy
'Cause I can't go on like this
Tell me what to do now if I go crazy
Tell me what to do now if I'll go mad
Tell me what to do to get my act back together before I'm crazy
'Cause I can't go on
No, I can't go on like this
Hanna Pakarinen's song "Tell Me What To Do" is a plea for guidance and direction from someone. The singer seems to have lost her way and is feeling lost and unsure of herself. She has been spending days lying on the ground and feeling lost and disconnected from her surroundings. She explains that she has only been able to find some relief when dancing, and even then, her mind is full of racing thoughts that sound like a ticking sound.
The chorus of the song asks for help, as the singer is feeling like she is on the brink of losing her sanity altogether. She begs someone to tell her what she needs to do to regain her focus and get her life back on track. She is afraid that if she doesn't get help quickly, she won't be able to carry on living her life.
The song seems to be a poignant meditation on the fragility of mental health and the importance of seeking help when we need it. The lyrics are honest and raw, and many listeners may be able to relate to the feelings of desperation and uncertainty that the singer is expressing. The song ultimately leaves us with a powerful reminder that sometimes, we can't make it on our own and must be willing to ask for help.
Line by Line Meaning
Lately, I've spent too many days dead on the ground
Recently, I have been feeling low and unmotivated for an extended amount of time.
Lately, I've found myself too many times from Lost and Found
I have been feeling lost and unsure about my direction in life.
Lately, I've only felt good when there's dancing around
My spirits have only been lifted by engaging in activities that bring joy and happiness, such as dancing.
Lately, when I wake in the morning, in my head there's this ticking sound, Tick-tick, tick-tick
I wake up each morning with a constant feeling of anxiety and stress that makes me feel like time is running out.
Tell me what to do now if I go crazy
I need someone to give me guidance or advice on how to handle my mental health if I feel like I'm losing control.
Tell me what to do now if I'll go mad
I need someone to provide guidance or advice on what steps to take if I feel like I'm going insane.
Tell me what to do to get my act back together before I'm crazy
I need someone to provide me with a plan or strategy to regain control of my life and mental health before it becomes too overwhelming.
'Cause I can't go on, No, I can't go on like this
I am at a breaking point and cannot continue to live my life feeling lost and overwhelmed without help.
Lately, I've done my best not to lose my head
I have been trying my hardest to keep my thoughts and emotions in check and not spiral into a negative mindset.
Lately, I can tell by the word of mouth the things I've left unsaid
I sense that there are things I have not voiced aloud that others have picked up on and are discussing amongst themselves.
Contributed by Mila K. Suggest a correction in the comments below.