Antti Yrjö Hammarberg (14 September 1943 – 14 January 1991), professionally known as 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 the extent that small Irwin singalike contests are still held 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" (1971), "Haistakaa paska koko valtiovalta" (1976), "Rentun ruusu" (1988), "Ei tippa tapa" (1966), "Työmiehen lauantai" (1965), "En kerro kuinka jouduin naimisiin" (1965) and "Tyttö tuli" (1978). He won the Syksyn Sävel song contest twice.
Common themes in his songs were poverty, taxes, drinking and alcoholism ("Ei tippa tapa", "Vielä yhdet", "Kieltolaki", "Homma käy", "Työmiehen lauantai", "Rentun ruusu" - approximate English translations: "One drop won't kill you", "I'll have another one", "Prohibition", "It's OK", "The workman's Saturday", "The poor man's rose") and problems with money ("Raha ratkaisee", "Kun ei rahat riitä", "Meni rahahommat pieleen", "Manu vippaa muutama markka" - approximate English translations: "Money is the solution", "When you don't have enough money", "I failed the money job", "Manu, lend me a couple of markkas"). He protested the government with songs like "Juhlavalssi" ("Celebration waltz"), and "Haistakaa paska koko valtiovalta" ("The whole government can go fuck themselves").
In 1971, Irwin released an album featuring the actor Esa Pakarinen. His 1972 album Kohta taas on joulu consists of Christmas carols. The later songs ("Suruton nuoruusaika", "Maailma on kaunis", "Ai, ai, ai, kun nuori ois" and "Viimeinen laulu") were often darker in theme than the songs of the 1960s and 1970s.
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Some of their strengths
Irwin Goodman has many admirable traits.
Based on spiritual traditions from around the world, they are someone who can be described as Imaginative, Extroverted, Responsible, Kind, Passionate, Curious, and Creative.
Smart and Sophisticated
According to Mysticism’s Astrology tradition, Irwin Goodman is someone who is a smart, sophisticated, and organized person who displays kindness and grace in every day interactions, and who also has a passionate soul. A person who looks for jobs that tend to reflect their identity.
Adaptable and Versatile
Based on Daoism’s Ba-Zi or ‘Chinese Zodiac’ tradition, people who know Irwin Goodman well know them as someone who can be adaptable, flexible, and polite, like a flower or a sapling.
Imaginative and Sentimental
According to Hinduism’s Jyotisha or ‘Vedic Astrology’ tradition, many would also describe Irwin Goodman as someone who is imaginative, sentimental, and in touch with emotions.
A person who has extremely good memory and analytical skills, likes to make sure that everyone gets along, enjoys all kinds of situations and people, has a talent for travel and languages, and who makes lifelong friends.
Vigorous and Friendly
Based on the Mayan Tzolk’in or ‘Mayan Astrology’ tradition, Irwin Goodman is someone who has a vigor and energy that applies itself to all life's activities and endeavors, and a knack for forming family-like structures, groups, and communities.
They are also someone who is confident and creative, and who has a love for starting new projects, inventing new things, and giving back to the community.
Altruistic and Purposeful
According to Judaism’s Kabbalah tradition, Irwin Goodman tends to be someone who has a desire to be of service to a higher calling and who is always trying to perfect things. Who can be practical and polished, reserved and methodical, and who tends to trust internal judgment before trusting anyone else at face value.
Some of Irwin Goodman's challenges
While Irwin Goodman has many strengths, nobody is perfect. They also have some challenging traits they need to manage.
For example, Irwin Goodman can be Difficult, Perfectionist, Indecisive, Unrealistic, Arrogant, Status-seeking, and Irritable.
Difficult and Perfectionist
One of Irwin Goodman's key challenges is that they are someone who can be difficult and too much of a perfectionist.
Irwin Goodman must also exercise caution as they can have a hard time reconciling wants and needs, and can be short-tempered and aggressive, and can have difficulty dealing with responsibility, authority, or criticism.
Irritable and Moody
Irwin Goodman is someone who can be irritable and moody, have a tendency to experience self-doubt, be too secretive, can take too many risks, and who can have an extreme approach to managing personal finances.
Critical and Bossy
Finally, Irwin Goodman also can be too focused on the small details of life, try to control whatever is happening, and be finicky and demanding.
