1965 Finland: Viktor Klimenko - Aurinko laskee länteen (15th at Eurovision Song Contest in Naples)

Описание: 1965 - Finland
Performed by: Viktor Klimenko
Music by: Toivo Kärki
Lyrics by: Reino Helismaa
Conductor: George de Godzinsky
Language: Finnish
Placing: 15th (0 points)

Viktor Savvich Klimenko (born 24 November 1942) made himself known as the "Singing Cossack".
He was born in Karelia, to a Russian Kuban Cossack father, Savva Klimenko, and a Russian mother, Olga Glotova. A few years after his birth, his family moved to Finland. There, he became a musician and appeared in several films, mostly appearing as himself. The Eurovision Song Contest 1965 was his first appearance outside of Finland; his song didn't earn any points in the competition.

In 1970, Klimenko released the album Stenka Rasin across Europe. The album, containing Russian songs, went gold in the Finnish market—the first record to do so in Finland. Later, it was certified platinum. This success was followed by a decade of concerts around the world. Klimenko had nine more gold records and one more platinum record.

In 1973, he played in the Norwegian "comedy-humour-musical" Kofferten (Swedish: Ryck mig i vaskan), a co-operation between Sveriges Radio, BBC, YLE, and NRK. Klimenko rebranded himself as a Gospel singer in 1980, after having a personal religious revelation.

He released numerous albums of spiritual music; Jesus is Lord (Swedish: Jesus är Herre) from 1981 sold gold in both Finland and Sweden.

Klimenko played a Russian officer in the 2008 horror film Sauna. He said he agreed to the film because it dealt with Christian themes. The previous film role was in Matti Kassila's suspense film Vodkaa, inspector Palmu (1969), where Klimenko played entertainment artist Seppo Sonkavaara. In 2016, Klimenko also played a Russian character in the movie The Man Who Looks Like a Killer.

Lyrics:

Aurinko laskee länteen

Aamulla aurinko nousi taivaani kirkasten
Purppurapilvissä sousi täyttymys unelmien...

Nyt aurinko laskee länteen, saapunut ilta jo on
Aurinko laskee länteen, aurinko rakkaudeton

Uskonut illan en koskaan saapuvan äkkiä näin
Kunnes näin sinisen linnun lentävän etelää päin

Näin sen ja ymmärsin sen: Poissa aika on rakkauden
Kun aurinko laskee länteen

Onneni auringon luulin taivaalle seisahtuneen
Kunnes näin sammuvan välkkeen kuohussa tulisen veen

Näin sen ja ymmärsin sen: Poissa aika on rakkauden
Kun aurinko laskee länteen
Kun aurinko laskee länteen


ENGLISH:

The sun sets in the west

In the morning the sun rose, brightening up my sky
The fulfilment of dreams rowed in the purple clouds...

Now the sun sets in the west, the evening has already arrived
The sun sets in the west, the loveless sun

I never thought that the evening would arrive so soon
Until I saw a blue bird heading south

I saw it and I understood it: The time of love is gone
When the sun sets in the west

I thought the sun of my happiness had halted in the sky
Until I saw a fading sparkle in the foam of fiery water

I saw it and I understood it: The time of love is gone
When the sun sets in the west
When the sun sets in the west