Irwin Goodman

Who was Irwin Goodman?

Irwin Goodman was a popular Finnish rock and folk singer. In the late 1960s he was widely known as a protest singer. He recorded over 300 songs, most of which were his own compositions, with lyrics written by Vexi Salmi. Irwin Goodman started as a protest song singer in the folk boom of the mid-1960s, his humorous songs, often mocking the authorities, became favorites of the Finnish people; to such extent that small "Irwin singalike" contests are continuously arranged by some pubs for entertainment. Goodman had continuing troubles with Finnish tax authorities and had ever-worsening problems with alcohol. His escapades were eagerly followed by sensationalist magazines such as Hymy.

Goodman died of a heart attack while on the way from Vyborg to Hamina, Finland. The story of his life was turned into a feature film, Rentun Ruusu, in 2001.

Irwin's most famous songs include "Poing Poing Poing", "Haistakaa Paska Koko Valtiovalta", "Rentun Ruusu", "Ei Tippa Tapa", "Työmiehen lauantai", "En Kerro Kuinka Jouduin Naimisiin" and "Tyttö Tuli". He won the Syksyn Sävel contest twice.