There is a commonly held legend surrounding Estonia and its Baltic neighbours regarding the role of singing in this region’s history. A quick Google search on Estonia will likely bring up numerous documentaries about the “Singing Revolution,” highlighting how the collective power of singing helped secure Estonia’s freedom. Having grown up in Australia listening to Estonian singers on stage at the community hall, around the bonfire at our Children’s Summer Camp, or even on YouTube, where I’d listen to recordings from the late ’80s by the underground Australian-Estonian choir group ‘Kiri-uu’, I’ve witnessed firsthand how deeply singing is woven into the fabric of Estonian lives. Now, living in Tartu, I can’t help but notice that the stereotype is true: Estonians genuinely love to sing!
Whether it’s the young rebased (freshmen) embarking on their first year of their bachelor’s at Pirogov Park, korporatsiooni liikmed (fraternity and sorority members) clutching their songbooks as they belt out “Tartu marss” or “Kas tunned maad” or rahvatantsijad (folk dancers) caught in a regilaul (runo song) trance as they dance across the stage, there’s no shortage of born singers here—whether they openly admit it or not. When I first arrived in Tartu, I spent many Thursday nights at a bar called Seik, taking full advantage of the open-mic nights with my fellow välis-eestlane (foreign Estonian) and international friends. As summer shifted to autumn, events run by ESN, Lege, Tartu Karaokeklubi, Genialistide klubi, and Mülä came and went, yet opportunities to hear Estonian songs remained few and far between.
Unfortunately, private booth karaoke is not the staple as it is in other countries such as Japan or South Korea. Here open mic nights are your best/worst friend and Estonian crowds can be hard to please, so I wanted to know what locals consider their most iconic songs – whether at karaoke, at home, or in the shower, when no one else is listening or watching.
At karaoke you’re guaranteed to hear the classics ”Gimme, Gimme, Gimme”, “Take Me Home, Country Roads,” “Sweet Caroline,” and “Dream On”. Now and then however, you might be lucky enough to stumble across a rare gem from the Estonian karaoke canon, playing direct from YouTube on the big screen in all of their 240p glory. My first encounter with this local lexicon was a song titled “Bemmi kummid” by 42GO, a staple of the “so-bad-it’s-good” genre of Estonia’s cultural cringe. Something about it stood out amongst a night of imported pop, where everyone in the room suddenly sang along with renewed attention, no subtitles needed.
Pressing my Esto friends further on these secret songs, more and more tunes emerged that I had never heard before with equally absurd music videos to match (see: ‘Šokolaadist jänes’ by Meie Mees). Beyond Ott Lepland and Curly Strings exists a much deeper nostalgic and contemporary folk genre that tickles my inner folklorist. So, I did some research and fieldwork and came back with two playlists on Spotify and YouTube.
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/4d6wz3xIWSuyyOPZGSAlvH?si=cd06d58412c64ed7
I put together a Spotify playlist featuring 140 iconic tunes that people across the country nominated as their favourite, iconic and cringiest songs they would sing. To get this list, I reached out far and wide, asking Estonians of all ages, professions, and from every corner of the country (and the diaspora too) to share their go-to anthems. The result? A mix of hits that’ll have you laughing, singing your heart out, or cringing (in the best way). A quick shout out to dear friends Tuuli and Lizett (and honorary Estonian Anna from America), whose love for karaoke and culture inspires me. So, whether you’re preparing for a karaoke night or just need to brush up on your Estonian, this playlist has you covered. Check it out and see if your favourites made the cut!
YouTube: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLFGnmLfGI_MoIRiedx2aCS5wuyY1RACLO&si=pHvJOW9mWQCpWjlB
As mentioned earlier, not all of these songs can be found so easily online. While Spotify and Apple Music are great, some just aren’t available on those platforms—and that’s where this YouTube playlist comes in. It’s packed with iconic, nostalgic tracks that truly deserve their moment in the karaoke spotlight – including Estonia’s only Eurovision win ‘Everybody’ (2001) by Tanel Padar & Dave Benton. Content warning: some of these songs do contain explicit language, so keep that in mind before you hit play around your older Estonian neighbours!
I’ve also taken the liberty of translating the lyrics of the top five iconic songs from the playlist that I think everyone should know. Know of any other songs that should make the list? Comment below and we can add them to the list!
Leekiv armastus ‘Blazing Love’ (2003) by Genialistiid
Võin mängida sinuga saunas.
Võin lebada sinuga teki all.
Kuulud Florasse või oled Faunas.
Pole tähtis, oled tõele nii lähedal.
Võin kukkuda just nagu kivi.
Võin diktoriks hakata ETV’s
Palun ütle, mis on sinu nimi?
Mina olen mees.
Ma ei löö sind, sest ainult mina tean,
mis sul päriselt haiget teeb.
Sa ei usu mind, kuidas ma su sisse näen.
Ja see ehk ongi hea, või… ?
Võin olla päev läbi su kõrval.
Võin helistada kaubanduskeskusest.
Võime kõõluda maailma serval.
Võime rääkida tühistest asjadest.
Võin olla su mina ja teine.
Ma võiks olla su akude laadija.
Ja võib-olla su hommikueine
või kraadiklaas.
Ma ei armasta sind, sest ainult mina tean,
kuidas see haiget teeb.
Sa ei aimagi, mis minust sinu sisse jääb.
Ja see ehk ongi hea, või… ?
Ma ei armasta sind, sest ainult mina tean,
kuidas see haiget teeb.
Sa ei aimagi, mis minust sinu sisse jääb.
Ja see ehk ongi hea.
I can play with you in the sauna
I can lay with you under the blanket.
You belong to flora or are fauna.
It doesn’t matter; you’re so close to the truth.
I can fall just like a rock,
I can become an announcer on ETV.
Please tell me, what’s your name?
I am a man.
I don’t hit you, because only I know
what really hurts you.
You can’t even guess, what stays inside you of me
And maybe that’s for the best, or…?
I can be beside you all day long,
I can call from the shopping centre.
We can swing ourselves on the edge of the world,
We can talk about pointless things.
I can be your me and your other,
I could be the charger of your batteries.
And maybe your breakfast,
Or thermometer.
I don’t love you, because only I know
How much it hurts.
You have no idea what stays inside me when I’m with you.
And maybe that’s for the best, or…?
I don’t love you, because only I know
How much it hurts.
You have no idea what stays inside me when I’m with you.
And maybe that’s for the best, or…?
Ma olen Tartu ‘I am Tartu’ (2010) by Paha Polly
Me vahel laiub paarsada kilomeetrit
musta lõhnavat asfaltteed
sa oled kivist ja mina olen puust
kuid suuri sõnu kuuleb mõlemate suust
Ma olen Tartu ja sina oled Tallinn
ma olen Tartu
ma olen Tartu ja sina oled Tallinn
ma olen Tartu
Jah, minu jaoks su linn on tõesti liiga suur
vaid kaugelt vaadata su poole vist ma julgen
ning sinu jaoks mu linn on kitsas nagu puur
nii kumbki meist siis oma linna jäägu
Ma olen Tartu ja sina oled Tallinn
ma olen Tartu
ma olen Tartu ja sina oled Tallinn
ma olen Tartu.
Su linnas pidutseb glamuur, on kõrge lend
ning tähtsaim sõna seal kindlasti on trend
boheemid minu linnas tegutsevad endiselt
siin kõrgelt hinnas kottis kampsun on ja tennised.
Ma olen Tartu ja sina oled Tallinn
ma olen Tartu
ma olen Tartu ja sina oled Tallinn
ma olen Tartu
Su hinge tahaksin küll ära osta ma
igavesti peita selle oma seinakappi
ei vaataks kunagi sa, kus on Tallinna
ning alatiseks jääksid siia mulle appi
Ma olen Tartu ja sina oled Tallinn
ma olen Tartu
ma olen Tartu ja sina oled Tallinn
ma olen Tartu
Between us stretches a couple hundred kilometres
Of smelly, black asphalt road.
You are of stone, and I am of wood,
Yet big words can be heard from both of us.
I am Tartu, and you are Tallinn.
I am Tartu.
I am Tartu, and you are Tallinn.
I am Tartu.
Yes for me, your city feels far too big
Only from afar, I dare to look towards you.
And for you, my city feels tight, like a cage;
so each of us stays rooted in our own city.
I am Tartu, and you are Tallinn.
I am Tartu.
I am Tartu, and you are Tallinn.
I am Tartu.
Your city revels in glamour, soaring high,
and the most important word there is surely “trend.”
Meanwhile, the bohemians in my city carry on as always—
here, baggy sweaters and sneakers are highly prized.
I am Tartu, and you are Tallinn.
I am Tartu.
I am Tartu, and you are Tallinn.
I am Tartu.
Oh, how I wish I could buy your soul,
hide it forever in my wardrobe.
You’d never glance back to where Tallinn lies,
and you’d stay here with me, always by my side.
I am Tartu, and you are Tallinn.
I am Tartu.
I am Tartu, and you are Tallinn.
I am Tartu.
Pärlipuudja ‘Pearl Diver’ (1996) by Karavan
[Refr.] Kuuma päikese eest,
merre sukeldun ma
liuglen lainete sees,
puhkan soolases vees.
Pärlipüüdja olla võiks,
kui kord ehtsat pärlit näen
Kuuma päikese eest, oooo,
korraks peitu veel poen.
Kas tõesti näen ma viirastust
näkineid seal kullases rüüs
tal päiksepärg on ehteks peas
ja kõnnib nõtkelt lainte peal.
Samas vahtu kaobki ta
talle järgi sukeldun ma,
pea ees –
leidsin ma, leidsin ma, pärli tõelise veest.
[Refr.] Kuuma päikese eest…
Pärlipüüdjaks nüüd ma jään,
kui pärli kätte saan.
Kuuma päikese eest, oooo,
korraks peitu veel poen.
[Refr.] Kuuma päikese eest…
Pärlipüüdjaks nüüd ma jään,
kui pärli kätte saan.
Kuuma päikese eest, oooo,
korraks peitu.
[Refr.] Kuuma päikese eest…
Pärlipüüdjaks nüüd ma jään,
kui pärli kätte saan.
Kuuma päikese eest, oooo,
korraks peitu veel poen.
[Instrumentaal]
Korraks peitu veel poen,
korraks peitu veel poen…
[Chorus] Diving into the sea
to escape the hot sun,
I glide among the waves
and rest in the salty water.
I could be a pearl diver
if I ever see a true pearl.
From the hot sun, oooo,
For a moment, I’ll hide.
Am I really seeing a mirage?
A mermaid in a golden robe,
A sun-shaped wreath adorns her head.
She walks gracefully on the waves.
And then she vanishes into foam –
So I dive in after her,
headfirst –
and I found, I found, a true pearl in the water.
[Chorus] Diving into the sea…
I could be a pearl diver,
if I ever see a true pearl.
From the hot sun, ooooh,
I’ll hide away for a moment.
[Chorus] Diving into the sea…
I could be a pearl diver,
if I ever see a true pearl.
From the hot sun, ooooh,
I’ll hide for a moment.
[Chorus] Diving into the sea…
I could be a pearl diver,
if I ever see a true pearl.
From the hot sun, ooooh,
For a moment, I’ll hide.
[Instrumental]
For a moment, I’ll hide.
For a moment, I’ll hide.
Kaelakee Hääl ‘The Voice of the Necklace’ (1996) by Ivo Linna & Maarja-Liis Ilus
[Refr. I] Tead millal olen rahul,
pihku kui maailm mahub.
Hoida kinni võin tuult.
Hing mässab tormivahus,
Kui on lahus
Veel suudlust ootav suu
Kui, hetkel on valus
Tahan sulle mõelda vaid.
Muud ei ma siis palu,
Ka su pilk kõik öelda võib.
Kee merekarpidest sul
teen oma hääle panen,
Sinna laulma üht viit
Kaugel kui olen ära,
Ei mu pärast
Sa hirmu tunne siis.
Kui, kaotan su silmist,
Pärlikee järgi sind püüan.
Hääl, laineist või pilvist,
Juba kaugelt hüüab mind.
[Refr. II] Kui olen kurb ja nutan
soovin, mu juurde ruttad
Kee su kaelas on märg
Juhtub, et mind kui jätad
kee sult võtan,
Siis tuhmub selle värv
Haaaa-aaaa…
[Refr. I] Tead millal olen rahul,
[Refr. II] Kui olen kurb ja nutan
…
Juhtub, et mind kui jätad,
kee sult võtan
Siis tuhmub selle värv
[Chorus I] You know when I’m satisfied,
then the world is in my hands,
And I can hold the wind,
My soul is caught in storm,
When we’re apart
and I cannot kiss you.
When I’m ever hurting
I only want to think about you.
I ask for nothing else,
Even your gaze can say it too.
I’ll make an amber necklace
I’ll put my voice into it,
To sing a song for you.
When I am far away,
when I am gone,
Do not worry about me
When I lose you from sight,
Your necklace leads me to you.
The voice of waves and clouds,
Calls me from far away.
[Chorus II] When I am sad and crying,
I wish you’d hurry to me,
Your necklace is now wet.
And if you leave me,
I’ll take the necklace from you
And its colour will fade.
Haaaa-aaaa…
[Chorus I] You know when I’m satisfied…
[Chorus II] When I am sad and crying,
…
And if you chose to leave me,
I’ll take your necklace
And its colour will fade.
Viimne ratsu ‘The Last Steed’ (1997) by Keeris
Loojangule vastu kappab üksik hobune,
kuhu viib küll tema tee,
kas tal pole peremeest?
Kiirest jooksust sasitud on uhke ratsu lakk,
tolmune on sile nahk, kauneis silmis valuvahk.
[Refr.] Miks nii on, sind ei vaja keegi enam nüüd,
ja kas on kõiges selles kõiges sinul üldse süüd,
et meil kõik masinate abil tehtud saab,
aga sind inimene varsti unustab?
Koplist pääsnud, aina otsib oma kodu veel,
alles jäänud on küll tee, aga maja pole see.
Põrnitseb sind sajasilmne kivihiiglane,
just kui sulle selgeks teeks, et sa oled viimane.
[Refr.] Miks nii on …
[Refr.] Miks nii on …
Loojangule vastu kappab üksik hobune.
Kuhu viib küll tema tee,
kas tal pole peremeest?
Galloping towards the sunset rides a lone, untethered steed,
Where could his journey lead?
Has he no master to heed?
Through the rushing winds,
his manes a tangled flow,
Dusty skin, his coat aglow,
In kind eyes the pain on show.
[Chorus] Why is it,
That no one needs you anymore,
Is it true, that the world
has shut the door on you,
Machines now handle all that you once knew,
And soon, humanity will forget about you.
Escaping the paddock, he still seeks his home,
The road remains, but the house is gone.
A hundred-eyed stone giant stares his way,
As if to tell him that, “You’re at the end of your days”
[Chorus] Why is it…
[Chorus] Why is it…
Galloping towards the sunset rides a lone, untethered steed,
Where could his journey lead?
Has he no master to heed?
Photos in text: Lachlan Bell
Cover Photo: Eurovision Broadcasting Union
Leave a Reply