ABBA - Spanish vs. English Backing Vocals Analysis
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- Опубліковано 3 жов 2024
- Something that has always bugged me about the Spanish versions of ABBA's songs, specifically the ones recorded directly for the Gracias Por La Musica album is the emptiness that is present with the vocals. By that I mean that Bjorn and Benny oddly did not record any backing vocals like they normally would have done with the original English versions. Instead, Frida would sing the lower harmonies and in particular, Bjorn's backing vocals in Knowing Me, Knowing You. As beautiful as the Spanish tracks are, with Bjorn and Benny missing from the mix, the sound just doesn't sound complete. While Agnetha and Frida are ABBA's main vocalists, Bjorn and Benny's backing vocals are a major component to getting that rich ABBA sound. So today I decided to compare the backing vocals in a few specific songs where Bjorn and Benny's lack of vocals is quite noticeable. So yeah, that's basically it. I hope you enjoy. :3
I believe it’s because the boys were away in Barbados to write new music (for Super Trouper) when the girls stayed in Sweden to record Gracias Por La Musica with only Michael Tretow
Such beautiful harmonies in different AND difficult voice layers.
Great issue! Always wondered about the lack of the boys in the spanish songs. It's really a pitty B & B didn't care to much about the Gracias por la Música album. I agree, doesn't sounds the same esp. Fernando, Conociéndome Conociéndote and Mamma Mía. I always also suspected that Frida was replacing the Björn harmonies. She did a great job!! Thanks for posting this video!
The most striking difference can be found on Dame Dame Dame. Agnetha was obviously not willing to do these high and screeching backing vocals again.
Well I always preferred the Spanish versions of some of these songs over the English. Partly because "Gracias Por La Musica" was the 1st ABBA album I owned but also because the vocals were not as overdubbed so many of the harmonies sounded clearer. For instance "Chiquitita" (chorus) is gorgeous, as is "Fernando" and "Al Andar". Also the harmonies in "Conociendome, Conciendote" (especially Agnetha's harmonies) are clear & really stand out. The harmonies are clearer to me. I also did not realize "Hasta Manaña" had such beautiful harmonies and this is another song where I prefer the Spanish version as well.
Sounds like the boys were present in Gracias Por La Musica. I could here Benny clearly in the mix
I always thought that the background vocals of Fernando and Knowing me Knowing you were by Björn and Benny in the Spanish versions 😮😮
Yes only ladies sang on this project. The backing tracks are the same but the earlier versions with some over dubs not present.
Lovely. 🥰