The band consisted of Gösta Sundqvist, Risto Paananen, Juha Karastie and Niklas Nylund. Sundqvist was the leader of the band, he composed and wrote all the band's songs as well as being the vocalist. Sundqvist was also an interesting character, he rarely gave interviews or appeared on television, although he hosted a radio program for YLE, the Finnish national broadcasting company.
The band's music relied heavily on Sundqvist's tragicomedic lyrics and catchy choruses. The best example of the band's style is the song "Teuvo, maanteiden kuningas" ("Teuvo, the king of the highways"). The song tells the story of a reckless driver dreaming about being a rally driver. Other famous songs include "Rin Tin Tin", a bitter-sweet reminiscence of a long lost romance, "Unelmia ja toimistohommia" ("Dreams and office work"), "Pohjois-Karjala" ("North Karelia") and "Itkisitkö onnesta" ("Would you cry of happiness"). Many people rate Sundqvist's lyrics the best pop lyrics in Finland, and even a tv-play based on the characters of his songs was produced and broadcasted in Finnish TV.
The band was extremely popular, and many of their songs are sung by Finns in karaoke bars. Leevi was also famous for never performing live. On August 15, 2003, Sundqvist passed away at the age of 46, and the band decided to call it a day.
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CAROLINA
Leevi and the Leavings Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
En ymmärtänyt miksi muutuit, sitä ihmettelen vieläkin.
En tekosyitä tahdo kuulla, niitä keksin kyllä itsekkin.
Ei tarvitse sun turhaan luulla, että yksin olen iltaisin.
Caroliina missä sinä hengaat? Mä sinun vuokses valvon yöt.
Caroliina sinä se vaan svengaat ja minulle kai jätät nämä kotityöt.
vaikka yritänkin lasten tähden olla kotona mä iltaisin.
En tiedä miksi mulle suutuit, ehkä jotenkin sua loukkasin.
En ymmärtänyt miksi muutuit, sitä ihmettelen vieläkin.
Caroliina missä sinä hengaat? Mä sinun vuokses valvon yöt.
Caroliina sinä se vaan svengaat ja minulle kai jätät nämä kotityöt.
Caroliina missä sinä hengaat? Mä sinun vuokses valvon yöt.
Caroliina sinä se vaan svengaat ja minulle kai jätät nämä kotityöt.
Ei Caroliina, ei se peli vetele.
The song "Carolina" by Leevi and the Leavings is about a man who is left at home while his partner, Carolina, goes out and parties. The singer is confused as to why Carolina is acting this way towards him and wonders if he did something to hurt her. He contemplates going out and partying himself but feels guilty because he wants to be a responsible parent and stay home with his children. The chorus repeatedly asks where Carolina is and laments the fact that he is left at home to do all the household chores while she is out having fun.
The lyrics of the song do a great job of capturing the feelings of confusion and helplessness that can come with being in a relationship where one partner is constantly going out and partying. The singer clearly wants to address the issue with Carolina, but he doesn't know how to or even if he should. The repeated use of Carolina's name creates a sense of longing and sadness for her, and the fact that he is left at home doing all the chores adds to the sense of unfairness and resentment he feels towards her.
Overall, "Carolina" is a poignant and relatable song about the ups and downs of relationships and the difficulties that can come with trying to balance personal desires with responsibilities to our partners and families.
Line by Line Meaning
En tiedä miksi mulle suutuit, ehkä jotenkin sua loukkasin.
I don't know why you got mad at me, maybe I somehow offended you.
En ymmärtänyt miksi muutuit, sitä ihmettelen vieläkin.
I didn't understand why you changed, I still wonder about it.
En tekosyitä tahdo kuulla, niitä keksin kyllä itsekin.
I don't want to hear excuses, I can come up with them myself.
Ei tarvitse sun turhaan luulla, että yksin olen iltaisin.
You don't have to imagine that I am alone in the evenings.
Caroliina missä sinä hengaat? Mä sinun vuokses valvon yöt.
Carolina, where are you hanging out? I stay up all night for you.
Caroliina sinä se vaan svengaat ja minulle kai jätät nämä kotityöt.
Carolina, you just dance and leave these household chores to me, I suppose.
Ehkä minäkin diskoon lähden tai iltapäivätansseihin, vaikka yritänkin lasten tähden olla kotona mä iltaisin.
Maybe I'll also go to the disco or afternoon dances, although I try to stay home for the sake of the children in the evenings.
Ei Caroliina, ei se peli vetele.
No Carolina, that game doesn't work.
Contributed by Nora J. Suggest a correction in the comments below.