When this song came out, I remember my eight-year-old self hearing it on the radio and starting to cry. I did not understand a single word in English at the time, nor did I have any idea how devastating a breakup can actually be - but I immediately grasped the deep sadness and heartbreak in this song. For me this is Abba's real mastery and the reason why their music still feels so relevant today: they create such a dense emotional fabric out of music, singing and lyrics that it overwhelms you in some moments without being able to fully analyze and understand why... And that's what only great art can do.
I was about the same age, riding in the back of my parents car. Their marriage was on the rocks, they would divorce a few years later. I knew English well, but not heartbreak. It spoke to me, the same as you. I cried, but didn't know why. Now I know, and still I cry.
@@MikeLyons2011 there are a lot of people who have stated a similar discription on hearing Abba's music.They sometimes want to cry but not being able to explain excactly the reason why.Sometimes you can listen and be both happy but also feel the need to cry at the same time.Nostalgia maybe.Such a great impact.It 'pierces right through you'''.
I love Frida's backing vocals. So glad that you mention it. Many only say how great Agnetha is. And she is but they don't hear Frida. Great reaction and one of the best abba songs.
Frida does the backing vocals (with Agnetha) and the guys too.I once heard in utube, a demo tape of their backing vocalsto this song as well as Bjorn's singing a small solo part in the end during the recording proccess in the studio and got blown away!So much beauty hidden underneath that isn't that audible.Someone can end in tears by just listening the 'ah ah ahs'.It's like the perfect 'make up' in the soundscape.Abba's b.vocals is the most complicated riddle in phonetic- discography.
I am certain that sometime Björn and Benny received plenty of magic from above - being able to see, hear and feel - putting these fantastic songs together! Two fantastic musicians, also given a gift, and then two amazing singers! These melodies, arrangements, the perfect mix of people!! What is it? Heavenly! Thanks for sharing your positive videos, we love it! Greetings from Sweden.
Fantastic song fantastic music and lyrics fantastic lead vocal by Agnetha fantastic chorus by Frida Benny and Bjorn. Fantastic masterpiece and fantastic reaction of you like always and thanks so much to promote the magic of ABBA to a new génération
By this time in their career, ABBA were worldwide superstars, and they took pop music perfection to unimaginable heights. Fans were used to greatness, and ABBA delivered every time. ABBA's appeal transcends borders of countries......cultures.......generations...........and time. I have a book, with a title that sums it up well: "ABBA The Ultimate Pop Group".
It’s so great for me nowadays, to under the lyrics. When I listened to Abba, I was a little schoolgirl growing up in East Germany. I still enjoy listening to Abba and it brings back dear memories 🥰
Please do " When All is Said and Done" next! Those are the two "divorce" songs. This song dealt with the split between Agnetha and Bjorn. WAISAD dealt with Frida and Benny's breakup. Both are sad, but in different way.
Agnetha had a soft based voice but at the same time could sound punchy and convincing in story telling songs.Thank you man for choosing Abba.You just watched the kind of music we previous generations grew up with.Abba is a beautiful part of our childhood and adulthood.For many of us they are inseparable from our lives.
@@malcolmbrown7683 oh my!I just saw your comment malcomlbrown and corrected!I was in such a rush and since English isn't my mother tongue i 'misstyped' the other word.THANX!
@@christianoazzuro6711 That's OK. Don't like to correct the English of those for whom English is not their first language but this was too funny to ignore!
'a soft based voice but at the same time could be punchy'...That's really rather uncommon and not so easy to find.Right now i can only think of a Dutch female singer Sharon Del Adel from Symphonic metal band Within Temptation.Impo samples of such vocal effect can be heard in songs such as her cover to 'Vandaag', or her band's recordings in 'Stay my ground','Overcome','Angels',''Memories',just saying.
One of the best songs ever and Agnetha is an angel and nice to hear Fridas great backgroundvocals. Great reaction as always. You have about 35 more great ABBA-songs left to react to :)
Great breakdown Luke. I agree whole-heartedly with everything you said. Agnetha's heart-ache is fully on display here, and it is a treasure to have had her share it with us to create an exceptional peice of pop perfection. Abba IS pop perfection. They do sad and bouncy like no other. Nobody does it better. Love your sweet expressions Luke. It's the one thing I look forward to the most. And LOVE the way you're loving Abba. Peace baby!
Hi, Luke! Great reaction by the way 👌 Björn's lirics + Agnetha's lead vocal + Björn & Frida's backing vocal + Benny on Keys = ABBA'S MASTERPIECE ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Please More ABBA 🙏 Greetings from Chile 🇨🇱👍
Yes, sir. You did it justice and you posted a well informed and nice contribution to the meaning of the song and the musical parts breakdown, etc. I hate it when ppl react and don't take the song seriously or don't have a clue about the singers or what they're about, very uninformed and shallow reactions of this song out there. Especially the couples ones. 🙏! Thanks, man. Very deep and proper. ❤️❤️❤️
Told you ABBA is Goat of pop at your first reaction to them Luke! This is the divorcesong ever. Heartbreaking songs are one kind of hits they had. My Love, My Life and One Of Us are two other ones. Agneta is such amazing storyteller, I think. If you want more uptempo - check in Gimme, Gimme, Gimme, Take A Chance On Me or Lay All Your Love On Me - all fantastic stuff. Cheers!
masterpiece.....melody, story-telling, voice......good to have these songs in these difficult times....we need melodies, sad songs, good musicians......and the magic of good music....ABBA always have known it
It's just so bitter-sweet. A miracle of emotional brutality, a flaying. With a few flicks of the wrist you're laid bare. So beautiful and sad and relatable. Just a perfect song performed amazingly well.
Wonderful reaction ! .. I've seen many reactions to this classic ABBA song, and yours is among the very best .. You showed such a great understanding of everything, lyrically and musically, about this very sad but beautiful masterpiece .. Really enjoyed your analysis and observations .. Cheers, Wayne
This is abba's masterpiece and agnetha's fave,she went full torch singer soprano in this ! Faith Hill tried to sing this with Benny,even though she is a good singer she should never have done it,it sounded terrible and agnetha made it look so easy! Agnetha has to be the most alluring woman,the beauty,that soprano voice and so relatable and down to earth what's not to like She still has that strong delicate soprano voice now..her voice adds the zing that makes abba the best.
I agree with you about Faith Hill. She doesn’t have the pipes for the song. If Benny wanted a country vocalist to sing “Winner”, Martina McBride or Trisha Yearwood would have been better choices, IMO. Both vocalists possess the powerful voices needed to give that song justice.
You are probably my favorite reactor to watch. You keep it professional and are engaged in the songs. It is pleasant to watch you and listen to your analyzing of the music and lyrics as well.
Hello, thanks for your new reaction to ABBA songs, another of my ABBA Top5 (with Waterloo, S.O.S., Dancing Queen & Don't shut me down) ABBA in the begining two swedish couples: Agnetha (blonde singer) & Björn (guitarist songwriter) Benny (pianist songwriter) & Anni Frida (brunette singer) both couples separated before the breakup of ABBA in 1982: Agnetha & Björn at end of 1978 Benny & Frida at begin 1981 "The winner takes it all" (1980) is one of the Best Songs by ABBA and the Most sad and emotional too The best lyrics by the guitarist Björn and the greatest performing with the amazing Interpretation of the lead singer Agnetha Fältskog and her soprano voice The lyrics is a fiction about a divorce, it is not about Their real life, although it is obviously influenced by Their own experiences and the realization of the legal divorce between Agnetha & Björn in the middle of 1980, even though They were no longer a couple or lived together more than a year and half ago, at the end of 1978 In fact, the song was more nearly in time to the split of Benny & Frida as a couple, only a few months later It have an Official Video with more than 110 millions views in UA-cam, was filmed on July 12 (1980), is a Masterpiece as the song (it shows the blonde singer Agnetha alone so sad and remembering happy times, and the others members so nice together, a perfect example of contrast feelings It's the first ABBA vídeo with images in black and white about Their previous history, to introduce us in the context; I think it's their best official video but just as a great performance by Agnetha is seen in these video, almost like a dramatic actress, transmitting the sorrow, anguish and pain, there are also videos in the back room of the filming, which show the four cheerful and fun)que "The winner takes it all" return ABBA to the Top of the charts, gives ABBA their eighth #1 in UK after almost two years and half Also was the fourth and last Top10 to ABBA in U.S (pick at #8 in 1981) and #1 in US Adult Contemporary too "The winner takes it all" was voted the Best ABBA song by the British fans, and is the favourite ABBA song to the blonde singer Agnetha and now in the new Voyage concerts at London the encore song is... "The winner takes it all" For a new reaction I suggest You "Super Trouper" (1980) the following single and last #1 in UK with the lead voice of the brunette Frida (so you could see the different voices in ABBA) I wish to You a greatest weekend my best regards from Buenos Aires , Argentina 🇦🇷 South América
EVERY SINGLE DAMNED VIDEO you're here with your unnecessarily long winded comments. For everyone else and for far better information, please visit ABBA's official websites.
Most emotional song ... don't know how she pulled this off.. Still makes me tear up 😢😢 knowing that they were divorcing! She just wanted to spend more time with her child
Thanks for the ABBA, Agnetha really does a great job with this - probably her best song. But you have to remember Bjorn wrote all these words and even wanted to sing it. He gave it to her because he knew she could do it better. What a divorce song. Another good one is "Slipping Through My Fingers". Agnetha sings it but It's about Bjorns feelings about their 7 yo daughter Linda. Theres a great live video from "Dick Cavett meets ABBA". Both couples had divorced by that point. The whole little mini concert has such a sad vibe but it's great.
Your reaction is possibly the most passionate (you're the only one to use the perfectly chosen word "piercing" about this song) I've seen in this kind of videos. You're a winner, Luke ! ^^^
Hey Luke.. just 'discovered' you, and I love your comments, especially the ones on ABBA 😍 Here's a suggestion: why not jump from the 70's/80's ABBA to today's... and have a listen, have a reaction to thé comeback-song, released last year and up for two grammy-awards this year.. 'Don't Shut Me Down' !!! 40 years after and they still sound exactly as they did way back when.. 'Don't Shut Me Down' has all the ABBA-magic in it and made us all travel back and forth in time.. this song is AWESOME! Btw; you should definately visit the ABBA-Voyage concert in London, as you are becoming such a big fan of theirs right now, there you can exprience how it was for us to experience them at that time when they, and we, were in our 20's and 30's! You're going to love, love, love it! 😍 Keep up the good work! All the best from the Netherlands, and me, Alexander
I always think how surreal it must be to live out a breakup with your former partner onstage with you, rehashing it out melodically time & time again. Both Abba & Fleetwood Mac were so vulnerable and honest in thier writing /preforming through the messy & heartbreaking times.
Some really great diversity in there music.. here's some , " Hole in your Soul", "Me and I", "Hey Hey Helen", " The Piper", "Kisses of Fire"... Great songs, Love ABBA!!... Try these..
I love love LOVE this deep dive you took into the song. Melancholy is a chord that many people like to avoid but funny how it speaks to you after you've gone through heartache. Very perceptive of you to pick up on all the nuances, knowing what was going on within the group. As sad as these songs can be this is perhaps one of the best examples of how cathartic a song of loss can be. Can't wait to see you take on more abba. Happy New Year HBK ❤💕
I think there was real pain in her face (especially at 6:06 )in this video as they were getting divorced during this time frame. I can feel my heart getting squeezed every time I hear this song. We've all been there at one time or another. This was her time unfortunately.
I recommend a Spanish singer, her name is Diana Navarro with the song "El perdón" She has a very particular voice. And she always transmits with those characteristic melismas she has. Diana is also very versatile when it comes to singing different styles. The truth is that she is a very versatile singer. Best regards.
New listener here. Excellent, very in-depth reviews! Just finished listening to your reactions to Linda Rondstat (Blue Bayou) and 3 of ABBA's songs (Money, Money, Money; The Winner Takes It All and Mamma Mia). Will continue my journey on your channel...thanks. 💚😊💚
ABBA is an incredible group with incredible songs. The heartache of a broken marriage/relationship. We can relate to this (especially those of us who were kids when this came out, but are adults now with failed relationships behind us!) Thanks for the reaction!
Björn did later admit it was written in an emotional (and drunken) state thinking about the end of their relationship. Abba were never teeny bopper pop stars, but married couples who wrote about the pain and struggles in relationship - which is why they still resonate all around the world. I was a teenager during the height of Abba, and along with the likes of Queen and Meatloaf (and Suzie Quatro!) they did make up the audible wallpaper of those heady years.
Captivating song, captivating singer ... what more can I say? BTW, this and the Day Before You Came were about the only two ABBA songs that did not have a chorus.
ABBA are super-great in many styles; but they are the best of all times in break-up songs. They have several hits about the end of a couple and this is the most heart-breaking of all them. Even if someone had the hardest heart in this world, they cannot help but be overwhelmed with emotion, sadness, tears when Agnetha utters those two lines in the lyrics: "But tell me, does she kiss - Like I used to kiss you?". My friend, you are great; you are doing some fantastic comments and reactions with the ABBA stuff. But you cannot stop the song right in the middle of this most poignant moment. All the effect that builds up during the song is dulled. If you really want to show your appreciation for this masterpiece, please re-record without pausing at that point.
I remember, from my youth (Swedish) but didn't think much. Found here. Good thing you didn't talk too much while the music was playing. Love your thoughts/reflections. They match mine well. I remember that Agneta and Björn were a couple. I know (watched a Swedish documentary) that Björn wrote the song for Agneta when they were going through a divorce! It makes me admire their professionalism. At the same time, it gives a greater dimension. She puts her soul into the song, the song her soon-to-be ex-husband wrote the lyrics for her! WOW!
Your reactions are excellent, I relive that period. Try something live, they just put several clips on the ABBA channel....and for Agnetha, I think the most emotional performance is in the Dick Cavett show- ``Slipping through my fingers''
Bjorn wrote this song about his and Anna's divorce. How she could sing this song knowing it was how he was feeling is beyond me. I don't know if he was pissed or not! You're still too young to appreciate the heartbreak of being with one person for over a decade or more (and often with children). Personally I recognise the words in this song. I hope you never do. But putting all that aside I must say as a new sub, you're doing best work. I subbed last week and am loving your content. Cheers from Australia ✌️🇦🇺💙😁
ABBA is the only group that can make you cry and smile at the same time. At 5:05 on the phrase "I apologize..." Benny brings the guitar in a third above the melody pitch that Agnetha is singing and then descends stepwise. Just magical! A less talented arranger would have had them start on the same note.
Difficult to decide as they did so many great songs, but think this is the pinnacle for me. And of course Agnetha is rather beautiful in this video 😚 Great reaction yet again 👍👍
Good, knowledgeable reaction Luke. Arguments will always prevail about whether it was about her own divorce at that time but her ( soon to be ) Ex-husband: Bjorn, who admitted it might have been done subconsciously but I think that is understating it, logically. Agnetha did brilliantly singing this about "her" while being next to her Ex Husband who wrote it and got her to perform it.
Yes that's right.Bjorn had kinda denied this being specifically about their divorce despite the story being so closely related and kinda inspired by a seperation but he was more open to talk about it lately and finally admitted that this was half fiction half reality.As you said it he 'subconsciously' got motivated and pictured his own story with Agnetha.
@@Isleofskye In a book titled 'Abba in their own words' Agnetha had kinda stated that despite a consciously,mutually determined civilized divorce this not an easy thing to take.As she had said you can't live with someone for 8 years have children and not get affected.I recall her excact phrase 'It hurt!it hurt badly".Also Bjorn had issues after their seperation feeling lonely and disorganised.Lyrics to the unsuspiciously moody uptempo disco paced 1979 track 'If it wasn't for the nights' is about his own situation after the divorce.As they both said they grew apart during this mariage and despite trying really hard to save it they failed.
Classic masterpiece and very much a lot of people’s favourite ABBA song. Powerful vocals from Agnetha but the background vocals from Frida help to make this one of their best.
Oh I love that @kimbozw whoever you are!That's it! thank you for posting the link.Had heard this somewhere months ago.From 2.56sec the harmonies in your linked video got me down on my knees!It's heavenly. Bjorn can also be heard doing the lead near the end.(There was also another clip where his lead was 'front centered' and clearly audible-possibly showing Agnetha how to do it- but i can't find it).
This is a breakup song and very well sung as always, it really hurts, very poignant, another masterpiece of them and this time referring to two members of the group. 5:20 - 5:35 chill all over my spine
Great background infos at the end. I'm not an ABBA fan (some would disagree), I say I'm a ABBA music fan and that's for me a difference, if I remember correctly I heard or read that the title is inspired by the US electoral system (Bjorn). Yes, if I'm tired, stressed and unapologetic, then then the statements are correct. Talking to each other and finding compromises is more realistic. But for me absolutely a masterpiece. Did you notice: it's always the same piano riff, just varied differently, in a way genious. An other ABBA lyric shocker from last year's album: I Can Be That Woman. Briefly samedi 6-11-2022 heard first the song: what is this text, hell? ... Tammy dog ... internet research: Tammy Wynette ... alcohol addiction .. in the band ... in my environment ... tears ... how addicted am I actually and to what ... tears ... and heard again and again. Only ABBA could/can do this in a simple pop song - so emotional, but so lifelike. Days later a Bjorn statement: only inspired by Tammy, not biographical, most fiction; last spring: Bjorn specification/fans know it.
1:40/2:09-2:30/4:47 till the end...Tall, suntanned blonde,blue eye-shadowed Swedish angel walking alone by the harbour,dressed in red.Looking so magnificent,yet so visibly heartbroken, vulnerable and fragile.You just wanna wrap your arms around her for a big deep hug,never letting her go again.If that performance doesn't move you,then check your heart to be sure it's still beating.
This is all about Agnetha divorcing Bjorn. He wrote the lyrics about himself though, but let her sing it in the studio. It must have felt somewhat absurd..
I adore ABBA and Agnetha's and Frida's voices but I have a question? They are Swedish but when they sing there is no accent or at least almost neutral. Same things happen to some strong English accents when they sing, virtually no accent. No complaints I just wonder does anyone have an answer to this? Is there something about singing that mitigates an accent? Just wondering?
Thanks for probably the best reaction/analysis video on this song I have heard. But shouldn't we expect that from someone who might be Bob Dylan's son? Yes, I was there at the same time as all these Abba songs came out back in the day.
Can you Google how to pronounce Agnetha? It is more like Ag net ya but I am not smart enough to express it. Your reactions are among the best on YT. Your ability to hear the entire song is truly refreshing. Frida does an amazing background here. Please react to Andante, Andante. It is the most sensual song ever recorded because the words are expressed in the voice. Amazing. Here, TWTIA, Agnetha shines. In Andante, Andante Frida shines.
Good Call. Obviously for Best Group we always "Bet Without The Beatles" but ABBA/Queen and The Bee Gees over 40 years and 1,000 songs written by Barry for The Bee Gees and many others are right up there from 1965 onwards...
@@Isleofskye Speaking for my self i respectand acknowledge The Beatles(my fathers gen) for being pioneers but can't be emotionally connected to them cause Abba speaks to me in such a tremendous degree that overshadow every other group's impact.Bee Gees are also part of ma childhood so i also have a soft spot for the guys too.Esp Barry's voice(and Andy's) also do 'smth' to me as well as Olivia's does.
When this song came out, I remember my eight-year-old self hearing it on the radio and starting to cry. I did not understand a single word in English at the time, nor did I have any idea how devastating a breakup can actually be - but I immediately grasped the deep sadness and heartbreak in this song. For me this is Abba's real mastery and the reason why their music still feels so relevant today: they create such a dense emotional fabric out of music, singing and lyrics that it overwhelms you in some moments without being able to fully analyze and understand why... And that's what only great art can do.
I was about the same age, riding in the back of my parents car. Their marriage was on the rocks, they would divorce a few years later. I knew English well, but not heartbreak. It spoke to me, the same as you. I cried, but didn't know why. Now I know, and still I cry.
That line “someone way down here looses someone dear” just kills me every time
@@MikeLyons2011 there are a lot of people who have stated a similar discription on hearing Abba's music.They sometimes want to cry but not being able to explain excactly the reason why.Sometimes you can listen and be both happy but also feel the need to cry at the same time.Nostalgia maybe.Such a great impact.It 'pierces right through you'''.
Beautifully said :)
But tell me Does she kiss... Like I used to kiss you... Does it feel the same... When she calls your name... 😪😪
Abba are THE band who make you dance with tears in your eyes!
Abba always number one !
This song makes me sob 😭😭😭 It’s just so raw and emotional. Truly perfection.
I love Frida's backing vocals. So glad that you mention it. Many only say how great Agnetha is. And she is but they don't hear Frida. Great reaction and one of the best abba songs.
Frida does the backing vocals (with Agnetha) and the guys too.I once heard in utube, a demo tape of their backing vocalsto this song as well as Bjorn's singing a small solo part in the end during the recording proccess in the studio and got blown away!So much beauty hidden underneath that isn't that audible.Someone can end in tears by just listening the 'ah ah ahs'.It's like the perfect 'make up' in the soundscape.Abba's b.vocals is the most complicated riddle in phonetic- discography.
Frida's voice is amazing!
I am certain that sometime Björn and Benny received plenty of magic from above - being able to see, hear and feel - putting these fantastic songs together! Two fantastic musicians, also given a gift, and then two amazing singers! These melodies, arrangements, the perfect mix of people!! What is it? Heavenly! Thanks for sharing your positive videos, we love it! Greetings from Sweden.
Merry Xmas you all up there.Thank you for ABBA.
You can't express it any better than this.
Fantastic song fantastic music and lyrics fantastic lead vocal by Agnetha fantastic chorus by Frida Benny and Bjorn. Fantastic masterpiece and fantastic reaction of you like always and thanks so much to promote the magic of ABBA to a new génération
By this time in their career, ABBA were worldwide superstars, and they took pop music perfection to unimaginable heights. Fans were used to greatness, and ABBA delivered every time. ABBA's appeal transcends borders of countries......cultures.......generations...........and time. I have a book, with a title that sums it up well:
"ABBA The Ultimate Pop Group".
It’s so great for me nowadays, to under the lyrics. When I listened to Abba, I was a little schoolgirl growing up in East Germany. I still enjoy listening to Abba and it brings back dear memories 🥰
Please do " When All is Said and Done" next! Those are the two "divorce" songs. This song dealt with the split between Agnetha and Bjorn. WAISAD dealt with Frida and Benny's breakup. Both are sad, but in different way.
Agnetha had a soft based voice but at the same time could sound punchy and convincing in story telling songs.Thank you man for choosing Abba.You just watched the kind of music we previous generations grew up with.Abba is a beautiful part of our childhood and adulthood.For many of us they are inseparable from our lives.
Adultery, LOL! I think you mean adulthood.
@@malcolmbrown7683 oh my!I just saw your comment malcomlbrown and corrected!I was in such a rush and since English isn't my mother tongue i 'misstyped' the other word.THANX!
@@christianoazzuro6711 That's OK. Don't like to correct the English of those for whom English is not their first language but
this was too funny to ignore!
@@malcolmbrown7683 lol!You kinda protected me so you did the right thing to ring my 'alarm' bell.
'a soft based voice but at the same time could be punchy'...That's really rather uncommon and not so easy to find.Right now i can only think of a Dutch female singer Sharon Del Adel from Symphonic metal band Within Temptation.Impo samples of such vocal effect can be heard in songs such as her cover to 'Vandaag', or her band's recordings in 'Stay my ground','Overcome','Angels',''Memories',just saying.
Beautiful woman was a beautiful voice.
One of the best songs ever and Agnetha is an angel and nice to hear Fridas great backgroundvocals. Great reaction as always. You have about 35 more great ABBA-songs left to react to :)
Loving your ABBA journey!!!!
Really great reaction! I enjoy it completely! You touched the soul of the song!
This is nothing else than a masterpiece.
Great breakdown Luke. I agree whole-heartedly with everything you said. Agnetha's heart-ache is fully on display here, and it is a treasure to have had her share it with us to create an exceptional peice of pop perfection. Abba IS pop perfection. They do sad and bouncy like no other. Nobody does it better. Love your sweet expressions Luke. It's the one thing I look forward to the most. And LOVE the way you're loving Abba. Peace baby!
Hi, Luke!
Great reaction by the way 👌
Björn's lirics + Agnetha's lead vocal + Björn & Frida's backing vocal + Benny on Keys =
ABBA'S MASTERPIECE ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Please More ABBA 🙏
Greetings from Chile 🇨🇱👍
The queen of heartbreak: Agnetha. Listen to I can be that woman from their 2021 album Voyage. She still has it all
Yes, sir. You did it justice and you posted a well informed and nice contribution to the meaning of the song and the musical parts breakdown, etc. I hate it when ppl react and don't take the song seriously or don't have a clue about the singers or what they're about, very uninformed and shallow reactions of this song out there. Especially the couples ones. 🙏! Thanks, man. Very deep and proper. ❤️❤️❤️
Told you ABBA is Goat of pop at your first reaction to them Luke! This is the divorcesong ever. Heartbreaking songs are one kind of hits they had. My Love, My Life and One Of Us are two other ones. Agneta is such amazing storyteller, I think. If you want more uptempo - check in Gimme, Gimme, Gimme, Take A Chance On Me or Lay All Your Love On Me - all fantastic stuff. Cheers!
masterpiece.....melody, story-telling, voice......good to have these songs in these difficult times....we need melodies, sad songs, good musicians......and the magic of good music....ABBA always have known it
My all time favourite Abba song and for those who have seen Abba Voyage, this song gives me goosebumps towards the end. ❤❤❤
The brilliant "The Visitors" started the amazing show and this song ended it. Goosebumps especially at the end of the song. Wow!!!
It's just so bitter-sweet. A miracle of emotional brutality, a flaying. With a few flicks of the wrist you're laid bare. So beautiful and sad and relatable. Just a perfect song performed amazingly well.
Wow 🤩 btw loving your ABBA journey. There are so many gems.
Wonderful reaction ! .. I've seen many reactions to this classic ABBA song, and yours is among the very best .. You showed such a great understanding of everything, lyrically and musically, about this very sad but beautiful masterpiece .. Really enjoyed your analysis and observations .. Cheers, Wayne
This is abba's masterpiece and agnetha's fave,she went full torch singer soprano in this ! Faith Hill tried to sing this with Benny,even though she is a good singer she should never have done it,it sounded terrible and agnetha made it look so easy! Agnetha has to be the most alluring woman,the beauty,that soprano voice and so relatable and down to earth what's not to like
She still has that strong delicate soprano voice now..her voice adds the zing that makes abba the best.
I agree with you about Faith Hill. She doesn’t have the pipes for the song.
If Benny wanted a country vocalist to sing “Winner”, Martina McBride or Trisha Yearwood would have been better choices, IMO. Both vocalists possess the powerful voices needed to give that song justice.
Agnetha’s singing is stunning, but her acting in this is brilliant as well
That was a fine reaction and analysis.I so much enjoyed watching you enjoying this Luke.Thanx again for the Swedes.
This track is the last one on the ABBA Arena Concert. Masterpiece!
You are probably my favorite reactor to watch. You keep it professional and are engaged in the songs. It is pleasant to watch you and listen to your analyzing of the music and lyrics as well.
Hello, thanks for your new reaction to ABBA songs, another of my ABBA Top5 (with Waterloo, S.O.S., Dancing Queen & Don't shut me down)
ABBA in the begining two swedish couples:
Agnetha (blonde singer) &
Björn (guitarist songwriter)
Benny (pianist songwriter) &
Anni Frida (brunette singer)
both couples separated before the breakup of ABBA in 1982:
Agnetha & Björn at end of 1978
Benny & Frida at begin 1981
"The winner takes it all" (1980)
is one of the Best Songs by ABBA
and the Most sad and emotional too
The best lyrics by the guitarist Björn and the greatest performing with the amazing Interpretation of the lead singer Agnetha Fältskog and her soprano voice
The lyrics is a fiction about a divorce,
it is not about Their real life, although it is obviously influenced by Their own experiences and the realization of the legal divorce between Agnetha & Björn in the middle of 1980, even though They were no longer a couple or lived together more than a year and half ago, at the end of 1978 In fact, the song was more nearly in time to the split of Benny & Frida as a couple, only a few months later
It have an Official Video with more than 110 millions views in UA-cam, was filmed on July 12 (1980), is a Masterpiece as the song
(it shows the blonde singer Agnetha alone so sad and remembering happy times, and the others members so nice together, a perfect example of contrast feelings
It's the first ABBA vídeo with images in black and white about Their previous history, to introduce us in the context; I think it's their best official video
but just as a great performance by Agnetha is seen in these video, almost like a dramatic actress, transmitting the sorrow, anguish and pain,
there are also videos in the back room of the filming, which show the four cheerful and fun)que
"The winner takes it all" return ABBA to the Top of the charts, gives ABBA their eighth #1 in UK after almost two years and half Also was the fourth and last Top10 to ABBA in U.S (pick at #8 in 1981) and #1 in US Adult Contemporary too
"The winner takes it all"
was voted the Best ABBA song by the British fans, and is the favourite ABBA song to the blonde singer Agnetha
and now in the new Voyage concerts at London the encore song is... "The winner takes it all"
For a new reaction I suggest You
"Super Trouper" (1980)
the following single and last #1 in UK
with the lead voice of the brunette Frida
(so you could see the different voices in ABBA)
I wish to You a greatest weekend
my best regards from
Buenos Aires , Argentina 🇦🇷
South América
EVERY SINGLE DAMNED VIDEO you're here with your unnecessarily long winded comments.
For everyone else and for far better information, please visit ABBA's official websites.
Most emotional song ... don't know how she pulled this off.. Still makes me tear up 😢😢 knowing that they were divorcing! She just wanted to spend more time with her child
One of my favourite songs of theirs. The sound is very reminiscent of the structure of the typical French "chanson" style.
It does a wonderful job of conveying the desperate squeeze of hurt feelings and wounded pride when it's all done, and there's no more to do.
I can never get enough of this song, the lyrics at the end. Thank you for another great video reaction!🇸🇪❤🇬🇧
Thanks for the ABBA, Agnetha really does a great job with this - probably her best song. But you have to remember Bjorn wrote all these words and even wanted to sing it. He gave it to her because he knew she could do it better. What a divorce song. Another good one is "Slipping Through My Fingers". Agnetha sings it but It's about Bjorns feelings about their 7 yo daughter Linda. Theres a great live video from "Dick Cavett meets ABBA". Both couples had divorced by that point. The whole little mini concert has such a sad vibe but it's great.
AMEN!
Your reaction is possibly the most passionate (you're the only one to use the perfectly chosen word "piercing" about this song) I've seen in this kind of videos. You're a winner, Luke ! ^^^
Hey Luke.. just 'discovered' you, and I love your comments, especially the ones on ABBA 😍
Here's a suggestion: why not jump from the 70's/80's ABBA to today's... and have a listen, have a reaction to
thé comeback-song, released last year and up for two grammy-awards this year.. 'Don't Shut Me Down' !!!
40 years after and they still sound exactly as they did way back when.. 'Don't Shut Me Down' has all the ABBA-magic in it
and made us all travel back and forth in time.. this song is AWESOME!
Btw; you should definately visit the ABBA-Voyage concert in London, as you are becoming such a big fan of theirs right now,
there you can exprience how it was for us to experience them at that time when they, and we, were in our 20's and 30's!
You're going to love, love, love it! 😍
Keep up the good work! All the best from the Netherlands, and me, Alexander
I always think how surreal it must be to live out a breakup with your former partner onstage with you, rehashing it out melodically time & time again.
Both Abba & Fleetwood Mac were so vulnerable and honest in thier writing /preforming through the messy & heartbreaking times.
Some really great diversity in there music.. here's some , " Hole in your Soul", "Me and I", "Hey Hey Helen", " The Piper", "Kisses of Fire"... Great songs, Love ABBA!!... Try these..
I love love LOVE this deep dive you took into the song. Melancholy is a chord that many people like to avoid but funny how it speaks to you after you've gone through heartache. Very perceptive of you to pick up on all the nuances, knowing what was going on within the group. As sad as these songs can be this is perhaps one of the best examples of how cathartic a song of loss can be. Can't wait to see you take on more abba. Happy New Year HBK ❤💕
♥ this song! I recently had this as #3 on list of top 10 sad love songs requested for another reactor channel 😳
I've been waiting for this one!!!!!!!! ❤️
I think there was real pain in her face (especially at 6:06 )in this video as they were getting divorced during this time frame. I can feel my heart getting squeezed every time I hear this song. We've all been there at one time or another. This was her time unfortunately.
I recommend a Spanish singer, her name is Diana Navarro with the song "El perdón" She has a very particular voice. And she always transmits with those characteristic melismas she has. Diana is also very versatile when it comes to singing different styles. The truth is that she is a very versatile singer. Best regards.
New listener here. Excellent, very in-depth reviews! Just finished listening to your reactions to Linda Rondstat (Blue Bayou) and 3 of ABBA's songs (Money, Money, Money; The Winner Takes It All and Mamma Mia). Will continue my journey on your channel...thanks. 💚😊💚
ABBA is an incredible group with incredible songs. The heartache of a broken marriage/relationship. We can relate to this (especially those of us who were kids when this came out, but are adults now with failed relationships behind us!) Thanks for the reaction!
Björn did later admit it was written in an emotional (and drunken) state thinking about the end of their relationship. Abba were never teeny bopper pop stars, but married couples who wrote about the pain and struggles in relationship - which is why they still resonate all around the world. I was a teenager during the height of Abba, and along with the likes of Queen and Meatloaf (and Suzie Quatro!) they did make up the audible wallpaper of those heady years.
Captivating song, captivating singer ... what more can I say?
BTW, this and the Day Before You Came were about the only two ABBA songs that did not have a chorus.
ABBA are super-great in many styles; but they are the best of all times in break-up songs. They have several hits about the end of a couple and this is the most heart-breaking of all them.
Even if someone had the hardest heart in this world, they cannot help but be overwhelmed with emotion, sadness, tears when Agnetha utters those two lines in the lyrics: "But tell me, does she kiss - Like I used to kiss you?".
My friend, you are great; you are doing some fantastic comments and reactions with the ABBA stuff. But you cannot stop the song right in the middle of this most poignant moment. All the effect that builds up during the song is dulled. If you really want to show your appreciation for this masterpiece, please re-record without pausing at that point.
This is ABBA's best song.
I remember, from my youth (Swedish) but didn't think much. Found here. Good thing you didn't talk too much while the music was playing. Love your thoughts/reflections. They match mine well. I remember that Agneta and Björn were a couple. I know (watched a Swedish documentary) that Björn wrote the song for Agneta when they were going through a divorce! It makes me admire their professionalism. At the same time, it gives a greater dimension. She puts her soul into the song, the song her soon-to-be ex-husband wrote the lyrics for her! WOW!
Your reactions are excellent, I relive that period. Try something live, they just put several clips on the ABBA channel....and for Agnetha, I think the most emotional performance is in the Dick Cavett show- ``Slipping through my fingers''
Bjorn wrote this song about his and Anna's divorce. How she could sing this song knowing it was how he was feeling is beyond me. I don't know if he was pissed or not!
You're still too young to appreciate the heartbreak of being with one person for over a decade or more (and often with children). Personally I recognise the words in this song. I hope you never do.
But putting all that aside I must say as a new sub, you're doing best work. I subbed last week and am loving your content.
Cheers from Australia ✌️🇦🇺💙😁
Agnetha just gave 110%
No one has overpassed Agnetha's delivery to this song.
Agnatha looked so beautiful but bereft of any happiness in this video.
Love Abba... Cute song and video... Xp
This is the best Abba song. End of discussion.
ABBA is the only group that can make you cry and smile at the same time. At 5:05 on the phrase "I apologize..." Benny brings the guitar in a third above the melody pitch that Agnetha is singing and then descends stepwise. Just magical! A less talented arranger would have had them start on the same note.
Well made and written classic song.
"Spectators of the show, always laying low", so, so true.
Difficult to decide as they did so many great songs, but think this is the pinnacle for me.
And of course Agnetha is rather beautiful in this video 😚
Great reaction yet again 👍👍
Good, knowledgeable reaction Luke.
Arguments will always prevail about whether it was about her own divorce at that time but her ( soon to be ) Ex-husband: Bjorn, who admitted it might have been done subconsciously but I think that is understating it, logically.
Agnetha did brilliantly singing this about "her" while being next to her Ex Husband who wrote it and got her to perform it.
Yes that's right.Bjorn had kinda denied this being specifically about their divorce despite the story being so closely related and kinda inspired by a seperation but he was more open to talk about it lately and finally admitted that this was half fiction half reality.As you said it he 'subconsciously' got motivated and pictured his own story with Agnetha.
@@alexioverdo5225 Tes,I think this was the case,my friend..
@@Isleofskye In a book titled 'Abba in their own words' Agnetha had kinda stated that despite a consciously,mutually determined civilized divorce this not an easy thing to take.As she had said you can't live with someone for 8 years have children and not get affected.I recall her excact phrase 'It hurt!it hurt badly".Also Bjorn had issues after their seperation feeling lonely and disorganised.Lyrics to the unsuspiciously moody uptempo disco paced 1979 track 'If it wasn't for the nights' is about his own situation after the divorce.As they both said they grew apart during this mariage and despite trying really hard to save it they failed.
This song is so sad 😢,I always start to cry,every person can be found in this lyrics of lost someone...
Y AR S CUTE... LOVE .... From Michel.J from Sweden / Stockhom City 🤗🥰🎅🎄👍...
I ❤ the ABBA timeless music
Classic masterpiece and very much a lot of people’s favourite ABBA song. Powerful vocals from Agnetha but the background vocals from Frida help to make this one of their best.
im inlove with u at first sight!
check out the hidden harmonies in the background of the song on this mix - ua-cam.com/video/PJGiGF5WT6g/v-deo.html
Oh I love that @kimbozw whoever you are!That's it! thank you for posting the link.Had heard this somewhere months ago.From 2.56sec the harmonies in your linked video got me down on my knees!It's heavenly. Bjorn can also be heard doing the lead near the end.(There was also another clip where his lead was 'front centered' and clearly audible-possibly showing Agnetha how to do it- but i can't find it).
Song is just unreal !
I would have said, so real.
This one and Chiquitita are my absolute favorites, although I actually love all their work.
The God's of Pop ❤️
Great reaction to my favourite song, thank you.
This is a breakup song and very well sung as always, it really hurts, very poignant, another masterpiece of them and this time referring to two members of the group.
5:20 - 5:35 chill all over my spine
Great background infos at the end. I'm not an ABBA fan (some would disagree), I say I'm a ABBA music fan and that's for me a difference, if I remember correctly I heard or read that the title is inspired by the US electoral system (Bjorn). Yes, if I'm tired, stressed and unapologetic, then then the statements are correct. Talking to each other and finding compromises is more realistic.
But for me absolutely a masterpiece. Did you notice: it's always the same piano riff, just varied differently, in a way genious.
An other ABBA lyric shocker from last year's album: I Can Be That Woman.
Briefly samedi 6-11-2022 heard first the song: what is this text, hell? ... Tammy dog ... internet research: Tammy Wynette ... alcohol addiction .. in the band ... in my environment ... tears ... how addicted am I actually and to what ... tears ... and heard again and again. Only ABBA could/can do this in a simple pop song - so emotional, but so lifelike.
Days later a Bjorn statement: only inspired by Tammy, not biographical, most fiction; last spring: Bjorn specification/fans know it.
This was the first ABBA song I ever heard and the first album I ever bought was Super Trouper.
Benny & Bjorn are up there with Lennon & McCartney, and the Gibbs brothers in terms of songwriting duo's.
Another great reaction, really enjoying these.
1:40/2:09-2:30/4:47 till the end...Tall, suntanned blonde,blue eye-shadowed Swedish angel walking alone by the harbour,dressed in red.Looking so magnificent,yet so visibly heartbroken, vulnerable and fragile.You just wanna wrap your arms around her for a big deep hug,never letting her go again.If that performance doesn't move you,then check your heart to be sure it's still beating.
I think like Pete Waterman, that "winner takes it all" is the ultimate break up song,
This is all about Agnetha divorcing Bjorn. He wrote the lyrics about himself though, but let her sing it in the studio. It must have felt somewhat absurd..
yes sad song, many canb realte to it, big hit, whn aga read v lyrics she creid as she knew v song ws writen about her.
"...videos that turn into stills because it's over."
It was Really The End of ABBA, it's so tragic 💔
I adore ABBA and Agnetha's and Frida's voices but I have a question? They are Swedish but when they sing there is no accent or at least almost neutral. Same things happen to some strong English accents when they sing, virtually no accent. No complaints I just wonder does anyone have an answer to this? Is there something about singing that mitigates an accent? Just wondering?
Sad song😢😢
Bro, ur super right with ur take about the meaning
One of my favourites too. However, I'm still waiting for you to hit upon my favourite.
Thanks for probably the best reaction/analysis video on this song I have heard.
But shouldn't we expect that from someone who might be Bob Dylan's son?
Yes, I was there at the same time as all these Abba songs came out back in the day.
Good reactions... Pretty boy hehe... Xp
The Mozarts of today
Can you Google how to pronounce Agnetha? It is more like Ag net ya but I am not smart enough to express it. Your reactions are among the best on YT. Your ability to hear the entire song is truly refreshing.
Frida does an amazing background here.
Please react to Andante, Andante. It is the most sensual song ever recorded because the words are expressed in the voice. Amazing.
Here, TWTIA, Agnetha shines.
In Andante, Andante Frida shines.
@@jornborgholm3135 much thanks.
I saw this...at first she says it normally and then she makes it easier...
ua-cam.com/video/5HJmW8EY8m0/v-deo.html
👍
I think you’re more than a little smitten by Agnetha ❤️
What man isn't ! .. She's totally adorable 🥰
The name is pronounced Angneta, not Anyeta. Swedish is - contrary to popular myth - not at all like French.
React madonna american life director's cut uncensored ❣
i would love to know what you think of karen carpenter
1 best group of the world The Beatles 2 ABBA 3 Queen. or 2 Queen and 3 ABBA :-) as you want
Good Call.
Obviously for Best Group we always "Bet Without The Beatles" but ABBA/Queen and The Bee Gees over 40 years and 1,000 songs written by Barry for The Bee Gees and many others are right up there from 1965 onwards...
@@Isleofskye Speaking for my self i respectand acknowledge The Beatles(my fathers gen) for being pioneers but can't be emotionally connected to them cause Abba speaks to me in such a tremendous degree that overshadow every other group's impact.Bee Gees are also part of ma childhood so i also have a soft spot for the guys too.Esp Barry's voice(and Andy's) also do 'smth' to me as well as Olivia's does.
@@alexioverdo5225 That Makes perfect sense, my friend.:)