Valijarvi, R-L; (2017) Representations of Finland in contemporary Finnish popular music. In: Tuomarla, U and Piechnik, I and Biro, B, (eds.) Finland Suomi 100: Language, Culture, History. (pp. 283-302). University of Helsinki: Helsinki, Finland.

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Abstract

The purpose of this paper is to study representations of Finland in contemporary Finnish popular music. Finland’s self-image and concerns are reflected in the popular music of the time and it is important to take stock and self-evaluate as Finland turns 100. Theoretically, this study relies on Cultural Studies in the sense that it views nations as being continuously reproduced through texts and other discursive actions. The data consists of 21 songs of different genres of popular music and released between 1999 and 2016. The method combines qualitative Relational Content Analysis and Critical Discourse Analysis. I identify and exemplify commonly occurring themes with extracts from the songs. The themes are then analysed with regard to their cultural, historical and economic context. I relate the recurring representations to the themes identified by Malmberg’s (1999) journalistic analysis of the content of pop song lyrics. I also comment on the intertextual connections between the Finland and Finnishness presented in the songs. My study shows that Finland is represented in Finnish popular music through the following themes: an ironic take on depression and alcohol, marginalisation, patriotic landscapes, glorified countryside, materialistic and meaningless lives of millennials, Finns and the world, gothic dystopia, political protest, and everything is okay.

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