Värttinä - Matalii ja mustii

[@ohsweetwoods]

i have a feeling that varttina unknowingly gained a number of a serious fans when they licensed this song to arthur.

[@StuartKoehl]

My wife and I were hooked immediately. I think we have every CD they ever put out.

[@wolfwriterRodger]

Count me as one of them!

[@ijm1261]

What network executive's sister's daughter had to find this for it to land on Arthur and be cemented in the hearts and minds of millions of 90s kids and babies forever? 😭

[@taylor-ruth.]

I think the same thing constantly. Must’ve been someone Finnish on the staff, this was pre-internet and wasn’t widely available in the US at all.

[@ijm1261]

@@taylor-ruth. had to of been

[@ijm1261]

@@taylor-ruth. or someone really well-traveled

[@stevenkramer6217]

And from what I’ve heard the lyrics are actually not really safe for kids. That makes it even more bizarre. Though to be fair, you never hear more than one or two words.

[@jjy2kc]

I vaguely remember hearing a story where one of the producers was just a music shop junky and would browse shops to see what they might like and this one made an impression. This album was released in 93, re-released in 98, and that Arthur episode was released in late 1998. Basically, the 90s version of using the algorithm until you find something you like.

[@1993TheDuke]

Like many American millennials, I heard this song as a kid on Arthur. We had the Arthur cassette tape with songs from the show. This was one of those songs, and it was my favorite. I forgot all about it until a few days ago when I started doing some digging. I don't speak the language but this is incredible. I am absolutely in love with Varttina now.

[@scratchpad7954]

I have it on CD, but I legitimately did not know they released the soundtrack on audio cassette, although there was a plainly evident hint on the disc label. As I looked up the discography of the Arthur soundtrack, the last one was released in 2001 on, of all days, 9/11, likely during the terrorist attacks that day. I have the first album released in 1998.

[@noratheelk3729]

I’m gen z and **I** heard it on Arthur lol

[@velvetpilot2008]

Arthur had a tape with music on it?! My God, I only knew of the episode this is in.

[@BananaSchoolBus]

No, I think it's "Snowy Snowy Slushy Slushy"

[@hectorleon465]

Goodbye Vaster Norland... Lol

[@ravengurl92]

I was brought here by Arthur. I always thought this song was catchy when I saw it on Arthur but had no idea it was a real song until now, 16 years later

[@BishopKAD5]

Wow! So its not just me haha

[@elsakristina2689]

yep!

[@BrocktonLazarus3397]

ravengurl92 same

[@matteusconnollius1203]

ravengurl92 You realize everyone was brought here by Arthur.You're not special.

[@EneriGiilaan]

Unnamed Hufflepuff male #713: I was not ... I had no knowledge of Arthur before doing some research after wondering 'who/what the heck is this Arthur everybody is talking about in relation to this specific Värttinä song?'

[@314rft]

I only learned today that "The Binky Song" from Arthur is indeed real.

[@MrsAckerman104]

This song will forever live the hearts of 90's kids! :D

[@matthewtorok-smith1967]

One of my favourite episodes of Arthur as a kid and I still love Arthur. This song is awesome though!

[@neilnevins]

HAVE SOME BINKY FROZEN VEGETABLES

[@rickysaenz676]

Hey what about vlorg?

[@MrDDA01992]

Mmmmmmmmmmm. Turnips.

[@calvinlam7272]

Wait! What about louge?

[@MrDDA01992]

I love that "Arthur" show,@@calvinlam7272. It's my best favorite.

[@3k_sam29]

What about the BINKY BREAD MAKER

[@joshjucutan]

The ooweeooweeooweeoo took me on a trip through time to the past. Chills. Literal chills.

[@sthomasdesigntalent]

Arthur is so ahead of its time, it predicted the use of holograms for concerts and now it's reality!

[@MJN_SEIFER]

These holograms look so realistic!

[@haleyfisher2095]

you win

[@coolunusual]

I understood that reference

[@jacobmassey3897]

​​@@haleyfisher2095you can choose from the bread maker, t-shirt, wheelbarrow or frozen vegetables (now with extra turnips)

[@malcolmjohnson6095]

😂😂😂

[@cocaptainbluesgaming6999]

LOL

[@girl1213]

Over 20 years, and I still don't understand it, but Arthur introduced me to it and it's still a fun son to listen to.

[@randomrazr]

wonder why this chose this out of everything else out their

[@fhaseq5104]

I never knew this was a real song when I watched the Arthur episode. Now at 29 years old I am listening to this and I'm not disappointed. 😁

[@CartoonsAndGameShows]

Nintendo should've used this song to make commercials for Wii U.

[@thatmoviekid7]

Lol

[@JHEStudios]

same as they should've used Will Smith's song for the Switch commercials

[@JelloImpact]

That’s legendary

[@acanpc333]

It's a real song!!! 15 years later I find this out! Wow haha I always loved this song!! Kiitos Suomi!!

[@lauram5054]

This song has been my jam since 1999 when it was on Arthur.

[@wsp6439]

it was? what episode

[@Dragonfire1911]

@@wsp6439 Binky Rules

[@andrew55656]

Whoever thought of putting this song on Arthur was a fucking genius

[@Freaky_Tarentino_Film_Student]

The singer in the blue dress gets so into it, look at all the energy she is putting in. Awesome music video.

[@aryanson]

I like the spikey haired blond in the newer version of the band, there have been many member changes over the years

[@yamdd7821]

Sari Kaasinen is the name. One of the founding members. Left the band in 1996.

[@emilyglass5313]

Yeah she is. That to me, as someone who sings and has done drama, is essential. You keep the audience engaged by showing you are having fun with what you are singing instead of looking bored or by showing the exact expression needed for any and all performing arts.

[@brandondias5622]

Good god, I never knew this was a real song, let alone by a respectable Finnish folk band! Probably because all I ever heard in the episodes were the "oo-wee-oo-wee-oo" parts. Finnish folk, what a random fad to catch on in Elwood City.

[@DrSurprise]

oh wow! this song was in an Episode of Arthur! i actually remember the episode! how time goes so fast! i never thought that the band would sound like this, i thought the song was slow like on Arthur and i actually imaged the band younger

[@freddyramirez09]

As unusual as this may sound, after a long day at work, I rolled a joint, smoked it and listened to this on repeat for 2 hours. It is a fantastic way to spend a Thursday night.

[@BetaMaxx_]

I love how Arthur made it look like a pop song....XD

[@wsp6439]

What episode of arthur is it

[@BetaMaxx_]

@@wsp6439 I can't believe I'm replying to a reply to a comment I made half my life ago but it was season 3 episode 6

[@wsp6439]

@@BetaMaxx_ thx so muh

[@Mari_Ember]

@@BetaMaxx_ Still watchin Arthur till this day

[@ggrey5990]

I love Värttinä... they seem like wonderful people and I feel like I've grown up with them even though I live in the UK and know no Finnish at all!

[@nazchowder]

They all look so genuinely nice and kind-hearted.

[@slimjenkins9728]

I was today years old when I learned this was a real song from a real band

[@DharmaGirl07]

I love this song! Hooray for Arthur and Finnish people.

[@lilyreynolds1832]

yayayaya!! im finnish and i love arthur:)

[@bttffreak4]

I love how the one girl in the glasses is really getting into it! You go girl! Arthur Rules! :D

[@YoursTrulyThe1Pony]

No Binky Rules!!!

[@MNGoldenEagle]

That's Sari Kaasinen, who went on to do her own solo career for awhile. She's pretty awesome.

[@archibaldcabebe6062]

I see what you did there.

[@Apocalypse4162]

Wow I have a new level of respect for this song. Im glad I was curious enough to look more into it beyond Arthur

[@kokujin126]

Arthur made me love this song!!! so many memories of watching that show!

[@starlightmemories78]

i heard this on arthur when i was little and i thought it was the most amazing song ever! i remember pretending i was an irish step dancer and would dance to it. i dont think its irish though...

[@Cellomaster1234]

Ah, can't say that the lyrics match up with that particular episode of arthur, I think that storyline came a little later.

[@dzvxo]

Omg this is on the show Arthur! On the episode "Binky Rules"

[@playsbass1969]

sure is meet binky

[@TheSupremeZach]

thanks for bringing me here from the arthur comment

[@playsbass1969]

YAVW

[@playsbass1969]

yes meet binky

[@ricardohuff8774]

This is so catchy so this is the whole song, thanks Arthur.

[@metalgearsolid420skatekrew]

Just a real Varttina fan rolling through, never heard of this Arthur show.

[@davidmcgoorty8809]

Listening to this song on the Arthurs Series Finale day. Plus it is Snowy Snowy Slushy Slushy

[@charlesalfaro794]

BINKY RULES!

[@MysteryAndroclese401]

Binky Rules! No not THAT Binky, THIS Binky! :-)

[@adithyam3202]

What binky

[@charlesalfaro794]

Love that episode!

[@mollyhowieson9969]

Everything about this video and this song makes me so happy.

[@jbog1618]

At least she looks happy to be there! This is vintage Värttinä at its best. Love it! Thank you Pridjez! Your videos are great!

[@EmmyTheSwift]

Arthur brought me here :'D

[@lilsenmai]

did NOT know this was a real song until today

[@DZEMAG]

"Looks like you owe an additional billion Dollars"

[@Melcat96]

“What about my autograph?”

[@calvinlam7272]

Binky taxes?!?! Ick!!!

[@Jamiehuntington20]

First heard this song on Arthur when I was little. Binky Rules/Meet Binky Season 3

[@TurquoiseStar17]

Like many here, I first heard this as a kid because of Arthur. My day was made when I learned it was a real song ❤

[@isitcookingsir1]

this song is pretty fire tbhh

[@dogman15]

They sounded like a bunch of kids, and now I find out it was a bunch of grown women?

[@realnutteruk1]

I saw them live at Womad in Reading, sometime that the beginning of the century.... had forgotten about them until the Algorithm pushed some other Finnish folk on me.... Glad to be back!

[@1ghenny]

Very sweet! Mari Kaasinen is especially cute in her white flowered dress =)

[@MarkZammitronic]

"I heard the group is Finnish. Maybe we can call the United Nations."

[@ijustgottahotdog]

I always wondered why did they pick this song for an episode of Arthur?

[@EneriGiilaan]

The song was on their first international success album "Seleniko" which topped the charts of "World Music"-genre around the world in 1992. Perhaps someone in Arthur's production team was interested in the genre and picked this from there?

[@Freaky_Tarentino_Film_Student]

Eneri Giilaan I asked Marc Brown on Twitter. Maybe he knows.

[@ijustgottahotdog]

What did he say then?

[@Freaky_Tarentino_Film_Student]

Terry Matson he hasn't answered me yet.

[@ijustgottahotdog]

Then please tell me when he does.

[@alspence]

It's the Finnish Spice Girls! ;) Seriously, that made my day.

[@EneriGiilaan]

Wonder no more it's literally "Low and black" meaning "Small and dark" in the context. The concept of the song is a group of girls visiting another village where they mock the local girls: "they are small and dark - just like the crows in their own village" and mock and tease the local boys - while boasting about their own looks, ability to take booze and sexual daring. Its not necessarily a children's song ;)

[@Kousaburo]

I can't stop listening to this.

[@ianpavelko3827]

I'm 23 years old, I was born and raised in Elwood City, and can clearly say this: BINKY RULES!

[@eanbarrett6736]

We have the same name, I spell it weird tho :/ Binky rules! No, not that Binky.

[@MysteryAndroclese401]

It had been 12 years since I last listened to this song. I do not know what prompted me to search for this, but now I can't stop listening! (I also looked up the translation of the lyrics!) (I can see why they only used the clip at 1:38)

[@toxicsoulproductions4212]

😬😬😬

[@ChampstylesTLT]

“No, I think it’s Snowy Snowy, Slushy Slushy!”

[@golddracat]

96% of the comments: Arthur 2%: The Wii U 1%: the actual song 1% something else

[@TheLights045]

My God! Look at those dresses! I never thought I'd see those again! I've just discovered Värttinä, and wow! They're great!!

[@PapayaKiss]

The lady getting down on the accordion though

[@Gutigwolfe]

Omg I jokingly was singing ooowee oooweee owwee into my phone and cant believe this is an actual song...

[@TuomasLahteenmaki]

Interesting to see Minna Rautiainen singing this (the girl in the middle) - she was no longer in the band when they actually recorded this song.

[@RedStrikerBeetleborg]

What are the names of the girls from left to right?

[@TuomasLahteenmaki]

Sari Kaasinen, Sirpa Reiman, Minna Rautiainen, Kirsi Kähkönen and Mari Kaasinen. Sari and Mari are sisters.

[@charlesalkula8014]

My favorite Värttinä song!!

[@opiatequeen]

Binky :-) I love Arthur, still my favorite kid TV show

[@nicksilverstein1193]

When I first heard this on Arthur, I thought: 1. The only words were "Wee o wee o wee o wee o" 2. That this was just some random "song" written for the show that literally just went "wee o wee o wee o wee o"

[@meowkie]

:D Yay!! I had this song stuck in my head for TWELVE YEARS!!

[@Rainey2255]

Arthur brought me here! Love this version better than the Arthur version, ha!

[@thearea51raidwasboring]

The Arthur version was basically 1:52 repeated

[@Rainey2255]

Lol yeah

[@BumberenzoTheFireTruck]

1:42 What every emergency vehicle in Finland sounds like:

[@FCCAGut]

This episode of Arthur came on today at my house :D It’s actually on right now :D

[@JavanHamiltonTV]

“Arthur” brought me here. 💯 #OldSchool

[@ikuineneltanin383]

so wonderful is 0:50 it makes me want learn to play tin whistle

[@EneriGiilaan]

1990 according to the the credits on the "Archive Live" DVD (from where this is from). It is a bit surprising - I would have guessed late 1991.

[@MrsAckerman104]

I'm feeling like a little kid again!!! :D Yeah for Arthur and Varttina!

[@EneriGiilaan]

No. It's a Finnish band Värttinä and the song is "Matalii ja mustii" (coarse translation: "Short and dark" - but actually hard/impossible to translate accurately to English as the words are in form of plural partitive case).

[@HarryPotter87]

"Arthur" introduced us Americans to Varttina!

[@ErikZarins]

BINKY RULES

[@rickysaenz676]

Erik Zarins its funny how binky denies about the vandalism on school propeldy but it said that name said so itself

[@kidcray-z6070]

I'm here for the ooooh weee ooooh weee ooooh weee ooooh weee!!!!!

[@ImJustSayin2014]

I proudly watch Arthur even now :]

[@kadytheredpanda]

I've been looking for this song FOREVER.

[@JaredAnthony]

This is from Arthur! I love this song!

[@thenewageriseth]

Arthur!!! So many memories!

[@johnbroadhurst2463]

100% Of People Said It's From Arthur 100% Of People Said Wii U Jokes

[@EneriGiilaan]

@purplehairponcho PART-1. The name is directly translated as "Low and Black", which would be the meaning in modern Finnish also, but the meaning is more accurately conveyed as "Short and Dark". The setting is a group of girls visiting a neighboring village. They mock the local girls: They are low and black as balls of tar cloth or just like the crows are in their own village.

[@elsakristina2689]

I'm guessing the village in the song is supposed to be near a coal mine or something? idk

[@EneriGiilaan]

@purplehairponcho PART-4. In the end they sing that: there comes a handsome lad and he is in a trouble as he can't decide which one to select as there are so many of us (beauties). I guess this is pretty much accurate description. It is partly interpretation as some of the concepts are archaic. E.g, "tervatallukka" could be a "tar shoe", using an archaic word for shoe, but I can't fathom would would that be, so I took the more onomatopoetic interpretation.

[@elsakristina2689]

Even though these are dialectal words, since they're archaic, is there any time period you assume they might have been used in? I know you told me and I've read that this song originates from the Mari people in Russia. Maybe, if the lyrics were translated, the girls tried to add the most fitting "village words" they could find, or if they didn't know the original lyrics, maybe they just went with whichever "story" they thought matched the tune and translated it into their dialect.

[@LayRoyalty]

My little 6 year old self been trying to find this songs for years. My gosh

[@mariahrose210]

wow. i never thought from watching arthur, that this what the actual song would sound like.

[@JavTheRipper]

The Arthur episode is actually on tv right now!!!

[@orujitox]

Es una pasada me trae muchos recuerdos, son geniales!!!!!

[@dogman15]

@EneriGiilaan: On the Arthur TV show, they were depicted as four young adults, with at least one guy. Of course, they did turn out to be a virtual band (Binky) and I think their instruments included a keyboard but no violins or accordions.

[@alika207]

Omg, this live version is even better than the studio version! I love the whistle!

[@ggrey5990]

Please could you upload the rest of this concert? The sound, the performance are wonderful!

[@EneriGiilaan]

As far as I can tell this clip is not from any concert - they probably performed just this one song in some TV show. However I'm not sure - and it would surely be nice if I would be wrong on this ...

[@ggrey5990]

Thanks for the reply!

[@EneriGiilaan]

I did provide a synopsis of the song about year and a half ago. It is in five parts, which can be found about 17 comment pages down from here. In short it is a group of girls visiting neighbour village where they mock the outlook of the local girls, mock and tease the local boys and boast about their own beauty, (sexual) daring and capacity to take booze. The lyrics are quite straightforward in places - but are actually not intended to be taken too seriously.

[@tantalla7]

Thank you! Very interesting information :) I know how this group is looks like now, but in this video the first time I saw them in the past :)

[@Melcat96]

Hit it up, Skeezix! I’m in Nadaville!

[@CrazyShakaZulu]

heard this on Arthur.. good times

[@BenLiteral]

Oooh ee oooh ee oooh ee... LOL! #arthur

[@BitterSweetBritt]

We now finally know the name of the song!

[@KaylaJohnson1995]

Arthur brought most of us here 😂

[@Kari166]

ARTHUR BROUGHT ME HERE. :DD

[@YoursTrulyThe1Pony]

Binky Rules!

[@Boredclub2ndgen]

Because the "ui ui ui ui ui" part is so damn catchy lol