ABBA part two! This week I'm counting down my 20 favorite ABBA songs. As It Should Be Instagram: / asitshouldbepodcast AISB podcast: www.himalaya.c... My other channel: / shortsleave
Awesome rankings, Paul! My favourite ABBA track is “Angeleyes” from “Voulez-Vouz” (1979). This song and the album, “Voulez-Vouz”, are pop masterpieces. Also, the music video for “Chiquitita” was filmed on a snow-covered mountain in Switzerland. Have a terrific day, Sir!
Hooray! Someone else who hears the Pink Floyiness of Eagle. I would like to mix "Learing to fly" with Eagle. Fernando spent 13 weeks at #1 in Australia, so it was added to the Arrival album here, between Why did it have to be me and Tiger. You can find lots on ebay (RCA/Victor label). I hope you dive into some other singles. The day before you came, Under attack, Gimme gimme gimme, Summer night city, Should I laugh or cry. I'm sure you would have played Happy Hawaii! Keep listening to The Visitors song, it has such a War of the worlds soundtrack sound. Great job on both videos.
FERNADOwas n01Downuder for 14 weeks, n kept this record for decades until Ed Seeran beat it with a 15 weeks residency.Of course it may not count the same way.Abba's was pure/real targeted sales on vynil,i think that's of a stronger importance.
Wonderful to walk through the Massive catalog of ABBA with you. I admired ABBA, but only got to know them through a double greatest hits album in 1979. You are an amazing guide. Enjoy all of your insights. Thanks
The first album I ever ever bought in my entire life was the Greatest Hits fold-out with the couples sitting on a bench. I assumed "Dancing Queen" was on it (forgot to READ THE COVER FIRST, rookie mistake), was disappointed it was not, but then fell in love with the album anyway. I was in first grade, bought it at a Two Guys or Korvettes in NJ, Cannot fathom leaving off "Winner Takes It All"! It's a tour de force and genuinely moves me every time. For me: 1. Dancing Queen, 2. So Long, 3. The Name of the Game (I love the weirdness in the melody of the verses and how it shifts around) 4. Ring, Ring 5. The Winner Takes It All 6. Waterloo 7. Take a Chance on Me 8. SOS 9. I Do I Do I Do I Do I Do (exact same experience, did not like it as a kid, love it now and often have it running through my head) 10. Bang a Boomerang. Runner up "Gimme Gimme Gimme" (and adore what Madonna did with it). Loved "Fernando" as a kid and now it doesn't do much for me, but of course it's an objectively great song. And yes, "Knowing Me Knowing You" is awesome. Soft spot for the weirdo, uneven "Rock Me." -- Suzen
@@ComedyFilmFunnel I love the P Fam (look out for an album ranking video at some point), but for some reason I just can't get into People Need Love. That may change...
@@AsItShouldBePodcast Disillusion is good. Some other tracks I like from "Ring Ring' are the title track, "Another Town, Another Train", "He Is Your Brother", and "Nina, Pretty Ballerina".
Very interesting order. Thank you for sharing. It's great to see such unusual songs as your favorites. What I find surprising is that in your top 20 song list you do not include The Winner Takes It All. The Winner Takes It All is the favorite ABBA song by Björn and by Agnetha, Björn even thinks it's the best song they ever wrote. (On a side note, Frida's favorite ABBA song is either Fernando or I Let The Music Speak as she likes both a lot, in third position for her is I Still Have Faith In You. Benny, while he definitely likes The Winner Takes It All too, he thinks My Love, My Life is one of his best compositions. He features only 6 ABBA songs on his solo "Piano" album (out of 21 songs featured) and My Love, My Life is one of them.) Personally, which you may find surprising, I do not at all rank Dancing Queen in my top 20. It's not a bad track, but by far not my favorite. I like ABBA's more "experimental" songs better, like You Owe Me One, Elaine, Should I Love Or Cry, I Am The City, Kisses Of Fire, The Day Before You Came and Keep An Eye On Dan, or their more like a musical sounding songs such as I Let The Music Speak, Move On, I Wonder, I'm A Marionette and Cassandra. But I also really like My Love, My Life, which to me is such a gentle, tender yet vulnerable song. And I agree with you that Agnetha should have written more songs for ABBA. For her own album's too. She has such a unique harmonic in her songs. And yes, Disillusion is a great example. She once said in an Interview, asked as to why she only wrote one song for ABBA (actually it is two songs if you include I'm Still Alive which appeared on the Live At Wembley Arena album), that this was not because she felt she could not write good songs, but she felt defeat against the power of Björn and Benny's songwriting. She felt she could not really compete against those two geniuses. What a shame... I'm Still Alive is a really good song too. It surprisingly pairs well with My Love, My Life, I find.
I come from your other video, in which you ranked the ABBA albums, and I left you my comment and I ranked there It is very interesting to see your review and choices to make your Top 20 among all ABBA songs We all have our personal tastes and opinions. Of yours I'm surprised that of the last 3 ABBA albums you only include one song ("Just a notion") or only 3 of the last 4 (with "Chiquitita" & "Happy new year") I start from the basis that it is very difficult to make a choice and a precise order among so many good songs that ABBA has in its catalog I think that there are '7 ABBA Wonders' that are masterpieces, 10 pts, almost one per album, in chronological order: Waterloo SOS Dancing Queen The name of the game Chiquitita The winner takes it all Don't shut me down and then another 13 great songs, just one rung down, 9 pts, also in chronological order: I've been waiting for you Mamma Mia Fernando My love my life Knowing me knowing you Eagle Take a chance on me Thank you for the music Super trooper One of us Slipping through my fingers I still have faith in you Just a notion with all of them I could make my Top 20 (and I have a lot of very good songs left that are 8 pts, including several that you included, like Ring ring, Bang a boomerang, I do I do I do I do I do, Tiger, Happy new year) Thank you very much for your review Kind regards from Buenos Aires, Argentina
Thank you again, Eduardo! Yeah, there were many I had to leave off but, as I always say, you can only have 20 songs on a 20 song list. There are many more songs I like on the later albums I just don't prefer them over the 70s tracks on my list.
another comment Trying to make the ABBA Top 20, my Top 7 is more clear: #1 SOS (1975) here I stop more There is a saying that goes something like this: 'getting to the top is relatively easy, the hard part is staying there' ABBA, after the colossal impact of Waterloo at Eurovision, endured for a year and a half the stigma of the 'one-hit wonder' if "Waterloo" was ABBA's world Baptism, "S.O.S." It is your Confirmation, that they are here to stay "S.O.S." kicks off an incredible run of 18 consecutive UK Top 10 singles, equaling Beatles record of previous decade "S.O.S." is The Masterpiece" among all the masterpieces of ABBA: dramatic piano introduction, Agnetha's emotional and broken voice, and a powerful chorus transitioning into a rock section, all in 200 seconds #2 Dancing Queen (1976) the overall excellence starts with a piano glissado, disco atmosphere and a half chorus at full power and the rest is a glorious evolution of brilliant music and the wonderful combination of soprano and mezzo voices of Agnetha and Frida #3 Waterloo (1974) in my personal opinion, the most important song of the decade, because it put Sweden in the musical consideration, changed the Eurovision contest and launched ABBA to compete equally with the powerful British and North American markets. "Waterloo" was recorded in 4 languages (Swedish English German French) ABBA's first worldwide hit "Waterloo" is also brilliant in less than 3 minutes, with a sweeping beginning, a captivating chorus and the unbeatable vocal duo of Frida and Agnetha. in my opinion, "Waterloo" was to #ABBA what "She loves you" to #TheBeatles #4 The Winner Takes It All (1980) ABBA's saddest song, combines a raw and devastating lyrics with a sustained melody and a backing choir for the best vocal performance of Agnetha Voted by British fans as the best ABBA song, it is surely the Best Heartbreaker Song Ever #5 The name of the game (1977) very difficult to choose in "The Album", the masterpiece of ABBA's versatility I think this is her most complex song, due to the richness of her arrangements, the successive changes of time and rhythm, and the alternating voices of Agnetha and Frida in leads #6 Chiquitita (1979) with royalties donated to UNICEF in the International Year of the Child, beautiful guitar introduction and the great piano ending, the sweetness of Agnetha's solo and one of the most powerful and joyful choirs of ABBA Chiquitita was a success in Latin America, getting ABBA to record it in Spanish and overcome its initial success, so the following year ABBA will make an album with their old hits recorded in Spanish. #7 Don't shut me down (2021) the song that comes to break the mold recorded in 2017/18, initially as one of two songs for the show with the ABBAtars, it ends up being the shining pearl of an unexpected new ABBA album after 40 years of absence Agnetha's introductory solo is an anthology, the piano glissado and the catchy rhythm, the return of the 'third voice' to the chorus, a second part that grows in strings and arrangements, and a final epic and triumphant powerful chorus, to say that the magic of ABBA is timeless, and put ABBA definitively on the Podium of the Greatest in Music From here, anyone can be #8 or #20, they are all excellent: 1975: Mamma Mia & I've been waiting for you 1976: Fernando, My love my life & Knowing me knowing you 1977: Eagle, Take a chance on me & Thank you for the music 1980: Super trooper 1981: One of us & Slipping through my fingers 2021: Just a notion & I still have faith in you Kind regards from Buenos Aires, Argentina
Dude, I've been enjoying a lot of your videos lately. Don't always agree with you if I'm honest but so what, I greatly appreciate your passion and insight. And I've learnt a fair few bits too, even about bands I know very well. My top 20 ABBA songs would have to include Summer Night City, On and On and On, When All is Said and Done, and The Day Before You Came. In addition to heavyweights like Waterloo, Dancing Queen, and SOS. Favourite deep cuts include Gonna Sing You my Lovesong, I'm a Marionette, and Lovers (Live a Little Longer) -- all sung by Frida. Plus nearly everything off Voulez-Vous.
Yes ! It's amazing that you didn't select, "the winner takes it all", maybe not rock enough for you, but it seems to me a small masterpiece. Disco songs like " summer night city ", Gimme gimme gimme (a man after midnight) ultra dynamique, en rock "Hole in your soul" and style "brodway", "thank you for the music" , where Agnetha shows her talent, her naturalness in the interpretation. I will not say that they are my favorites, it depends on my state of mind.
My favourite is the live version of The Way Old Friends Do, without all the studio effect. Those voices, those accordeons, I thought those was the best things I heard 2nd The Day Before You Came I guess. I relate to it at a very personnal level
I agree with most of your top 20 ABBA songs but I highly disagree with Dancing Queen. It would NOT be in my top 20 list. I hate that song. It’s so overplayed and over reacted to in youtube. I agree with Knowing Me, Knowing You. That’s one of the songs I listened to as a kid. Oh, never apologize about reacting to too much ABBA. There are many ABBA fans who ended up discovering your channel just for reacting to ABBA, me included.
Enjoyed hearing your top 20 very much. Hearing you mention it made me think I would love to see the iconic 'Greatest hits Vol 1' reissued on vinyl when it's 50th anniversary comes round. It would be great if each ABBA member added an extra track of their choice that they thought should be included or was overlooked.
'ICONIC".Yes that was it.This album was no1 for 11 weeks in uk.Sold over 2,6million(real) copies at the time and became 2nd best selling album of the '70s decade under Simon/Garfankels BOTWater.It's like a music envelope that wrapped a whole era within.Mainly chappter 1 of that decade right before the disco blasting. As for it's iconic photoshot in the wooden bench for the cover sleeve...what can i say.Still get impacted while looking at Agnetha's gloomy mood and Bjorns' indifferent attitude while his reading this paper ignoring her.ha,ha!
Interesting take on the music.. totally agree on So Long… but still think Just A Notion did not match the overall atmosphere of Voulez Vous.. they were in snow in Switzerland as part of a show recorded up in the mountains.. Andante Andante from Super Trouper has the next schlageresque Latin folk approach and so did Cassandra one of the last songs to be recorded in 1982…. Tiger is at the end and so is So Long the other rocker. They did it differently with Hole in your soul but then again it was the last regular song before the mini musical… so they tended to put the rocks songs at the end… at least at the beginning… if I remember correctly when writing Happy New Year Frida and Benny were still a couple…
Talking about breakup tracks - on The Album, there’s “One Man, One Woman”. This is 100% a breakup track, and it’s so close to the mark that they got Frida to sing it rather than Agnetha. But yeah it’s not as depressing in outlook as their later albums.
I just watched both videos back to back. I had a great time! The Chiquitita video was filmed outside, there's a video of the Jackson 5 on the same location, and you can see more of it. :) Regarding the singles, and extra ABBA songs, like the ones that came right after The Visitors but didn't complete an album, and some others, I would suggest you to check all of them (maybe you have but they weren't mentioned in this or the other video, except Fernando and the ones from the Ring Ring era like Merry-Go-Round): - Crazy World (1975) - Happy Hawaii (1976) - Summer Night City (1978) - Dream World (1978) - Gimme! Gimme! Gimme! (A Man After Midnight) (1979) - Lovelight (1978-9) - Elaine (1980) - Put On Your White Sombrero (1980) - Should I Laugh Or Cry (1981) - I Am The City (1982) - Under Attack (1982) - You Owe Me One (1982) - The Day Before You Came (1982) - Cassandra (1982) Those last 5 ones would have become ABBA's 10th album if completed around 1982-1983. Check all of them out, there's a lot of hidden gems, and some of my favourites. :)
I’m not at all surprised at your top five-I think anyone who watched your album video could see those picks coming. For me, the big pleasant surprise was Hey, Hey Helen. I really like that one…
Thanks for this Paul, really enjoyed hearing your selections. The nature of ABBA's music is that each time you revisit one of their 100+ tracks it is instantly elevated into your favourites list. That's what makes picking a top 10, 20, ... or whatever so hard. ATM my top tracks include I Am the City, One Of Us, SOS, Lay All Your Love On Me, Eagle, Summer Night City, Chiquitita(Spanish version) ... should stop before I end up naming 50...
Good choices; I also enjoyed ABBA's glam rock songs and would place "Knowing Me, Knowing You" at the top of their catalog. Some other songs that are worthy of top 20 consideration:"Move On", "Summer Night City", "Hole In Your Soul", "Gonna Sing You My Lovesong", "That's Me", "If It Wasn't For The Nights", "The Visitors", "The Day Before You Came", "Mamma Mia" and "Super Trouper".
I have so many favorite ABBA songs and all remind me of my kind selfless mother who passed away March 11. ABBA was her favorite group in the 70’s. I love and miss you Mom ❤️❤️
About “Just A Notion” - the entire instrumental backing track is new, as are the vocals right at the end “ I think it's more than a notion; in a moment the dream is about to come true”.
My 10 Favorite ABBA Songs 1. One Of Us 2. Dancing Queen 3. The Winner Takes It All 4. Waterloo 5. Dance (While The Music Still Goes On) 6. My Love, My Life 7. Take a Chance On Me 8. I've Been Waiting For You 9. Suzy Hang-Around 10. (tie) Angeleyes Soldiers
@@AsItShouldBePodcast I love so many ABBA songs. It was very hard to choose a favorite. I love the chorus in particular, and I appreciate where it goes lyrically.
My top twenty, from earliest to latest: Hasta Manana Honey Honey SOS I Do I Do I Do I've Been Waiting for You Fernando Knowing Me Knowing You That's Me Why Did It Have to Be Me Thank You for the Music Just a Notion (1978 version) Chiquitita Gimme Gimme Gimme (A Man after Midnight) Super Trouper The Winner Takes It All On and On and On Happy New Year Two for the Price of One Should I Laugh or Cry? The Day before You Came
As a kid when I first heard Chiquitita on a.m radio, I though they sang Kick Your Teeth Out. I was lucky to be at their famous rain soaked Sydney concert in 1977 as a kid.
Abbas ones of those bands that no matter what your ranking its completely understandable. I respect that they completely embrace feminity, big emotions, I love that so much. I appreciate that so many of your picks are album cuts cause their album cuts are as good as their singles imo. If I had to pick a single favorite ABBA song then That's Me would be the one but it's borderline impossible
That's Me is definitely a deep one, and an unusual to have at #1. But yeah, the minute you think you've decided then another great one comes to mind. Luckily we have them all!
Good video. Interesting selection of songs. What you say about Abba songs, whether they are in your top twenty or not, is spot on. A top twenty is asking a bit much. That would be a real head scratcher. So here's my top 5. What's up with no Summer Night City in your list? It rocks! 1. Knowing Me Knowing You 2. Name of the Game 3. SOS 4. Mamma Mia 5. Summer Night City
Hello Paul I`ve watched this and your Abba albums ranking videos and enjoyed them both very much! Like yourself I tend to favour slightly a number of the early tracks. Here`s a useless piece of trivia for you regarding the song `Tiger`. I was fortunate to see Abba live in 1977 and 1979. In 1977 at the Royal Albert Hall, London they opened with `Tiger`. I don`t know which of the two girls got it wrong but on the opening line of the first verse one of them sang the correct opening line and the other sang what sounded like the opening line of the second verse. It was probably nerves I imagine! Anyway the show was flawless from that point on though so no damage done! Useless trivia I know but just thought I`d mention it as it`s one of your favourite songs of theirs. Best wishes and I shall look out for further videos from you. In fact I`ve just had a quick look at your list of videos which I can see includes AC/DC and the Beach Boys amongst others! 👍
Surprisingly, after your "Ranking the ABBA Albums" clip, I finally found something in common with you. We share about ten of our top twenty ABBA songs, including the #1!
Enjoyed this review, I agree with your top two choices. Concerning ABBA The Movie it was released to coincide with release of ABBA The Album. The Movie was a hit worldwide, to finish the year in the top ten highest grossing films. Why not America ? not sure, seems like I read that it was tested here and the powers to be didn't think it would go over well in the US. I remember as a '70's teen reading about the movie being made and soon to be released. I was so excited being an American ABBA fan, however it never showed up here in the States. Luckily five years later, early '80's, I met a lady who worked at our local small town cinema and asked her if she could find out the deal with the movie. Surprisingly the manager inquired and was able to get a copy of the film to show for two weekend nights as the late show. I was overjoyed and after watching it the first night I asked the manager to turn up the volume for the second night, he did do it and the music was so loud, really rocked the theater, the Australian concert scenes were great. The opening concert number was TIGER and the film captures the mass hysteria of Aussie ABBA fans in 1977. If you've never seen it, you should check it out on Blu-ray.
Knowing me knowing you is also my favorite I fall in love with ABBA with that song,Cool stuff Eagle ,The Day before you came,Put on your white sombrero
The Tiger video! So campy and precious. Nothing tongue in cheek about it, they really thought they were being bad-ass. I never saw the video during its hey day. I found it maybe 8 years ago. OMG, how I would have drooled over this back in 1977 when I was 14 yrs old. Look at those hot babes! But in 2013 it was more like “ oh look…..it’s Gangsta Frida and Drag-Netha.” Still a fantastic video and one of my top 10 songs. Thanks for bringing it some well deserved attention.
Yet another list of ABBA songs where my favourite song is nowhere to be seen. Must be over 20 lists now and I have only ever seen two reaction videos to it. I had no hope predicting your choices, I found no pattern to them. Which I guess made it interesting.
Great list - here's my Top Ten: 1. Eagle - yep, ABBA do prog and nail it! 2. The Visitors - on some days, this is my number one and just edges out 'Eagle'. 3. Knowing Me, Knowing You - perfect, perfect song, simple as that. 4. So Long - truly joyous, like a supercharged 'Waterloo', and with a sensational outro. 5. Lovelight - that riff! That riff coming in over the chorus near the end! 6. Hey Hey Helen - glam-stomp-tastic. Have always adored this song. 7. Head Over Heels - the architecture of this song is simply amazing. Vastly underrated happy-sad classic. 8. Me and I - ebullient, uplifting, masterly. 9. Slipping through My Fingers - unbelievably poignant. Songwriting on the highest level. 10. I Still Have Faith in You - simply can't listen to this without my eyes misting over.
Awesome rankings, Paul! My favourite ABBA track is “Angeleyes” from “Voulez-Vouz” (1979). This song and the album, “Voulez-Vouz”, are pop masterpieces. Also, the music video for “Chiquitita” was filmed on a snow-covered mountain in Switzerland. Have a terrific day, Sir!
You're not the first person I've seen rank Angeleyes at #1. It's definitely a fan favorite!
It wasn't really a proper music video, I think it was just done for a TV show.
"Just Like That" was another song they didn't like and was never released.
Hooray! Someone else who hears the Pink Floyiness of Eagle. I would like to mix "Learing to fly" with Eagle. Fernando spent 13 weeks at #1 in Australia, so it was added to the Arrival album here, between Why did it have to be me and Tiger. You can find lots on ebay (RCA/Victor label). I hope you dive into some other singles. The day before you came, Under attack, Gimme gimme gimme, Summer night city, Should I laugh or cry. I'm sure you would have played Happy Hawaii! Keep listening to The Visitors song, it has such a War of the worlds soundtrack sound. Great job on both videos.
FERNADOwas n01Downuder for 14 weeks, n kept this record for decades until Ed Seeran beat it with a 15 weeks residency.Of course it may not count the same way.Abba's was pure/real targeted sales on vynil,i think that's of a stronger importance.
Yes! Learning to Fly is a much better example of Eagle's Floydishness
Wonderful to walk through the Massive catalog of ABBA with you. I admired ABBA, but only got to know them through a double greatest hits album in 1979. You are an amazing guide. Enjoy all of your insights. Thanks
Thank you! :-)
The only person to truly insult Bennys voice is well Benny…
Well, Benny is WRONG! ;-))
ABBA is most pop group in the world!!!!!
The first album I ever ever bought in my entire life was the Greatest Hits fold-out with the couples sitting on a bench. I assumed "Dancing Queen" was on it (forgot to READ THE COVER FIRST, rookie mistake), was disappointed it was not, but then fell in love with the album anyway. I was in first grade, bought it at a Two Guys or Korvettes in NJ,
Cannot fathom leaving off "Winner Takes It All"! It's a tour de force and genuinely moves me every time. For me: 1. Dancing Queen, 2. So Long, 3. The Name of the Game (I love the weirdness in the melody of the verses and how it shifts around) 4. Ring, Ring 5. The Winner Takes It All 6. Waterloo 7. Take a Chance on Me 8. SOS 9. I Do I Do I Do I Do I Do (exact same experience, did not like it as a kid, love it now and often have it running through my head) 10. Bang a Boomerang. Runner up "Gimme Gimme Gimme" (and adore what Madonna did with it). Loved "Fernando" as a kid and now it doesn't do much for me, but of course it's an objectively great song. And yes, "Knowing Me Knowing You" is awesome. Soft spot for the weirdo, uneven "Rock Me." -- Suzen
Oh, forgot "People Need Love" which is such a great Partridge Family-sounding song.
Ha! Well, you came out ahead anyway!
@@ComedyFilmFunnel I love the P Fam (look out for an album ranking video at some point), but for some reason I just can't get into People Need Love. That may change...
@@AsItShouldBePodcast Oh, heck yes to a ranking of P Fam!!!
@@AsItShouldBePodcast Disillusion is good. Some other tracks I like from "Ring Ring' are the title track, "Another Town, Another Train", "He Is Your Brother", and "Nina, Pretty Ballerina".
Very interesting order. Thank you for sharing.
It's great to see such unusual songs as your favorites.
What I find surprising is that in your top 20 song list you do not include The Winner Takes It All.
The Winner Takes It All is the favorite ABBA song by Björn and by Agnetha, Björn even thinks it's the best song they ever wrote.
(On a side note, Frida's favorite ABBA song is either Fernando or I Let The Music Speak as she likes both a lot, in third position for her is I Still Have Faith In You. Benny, while he definitely likes The Winner Takes It All too, he thinks My Love, My Life is one of his best compositions. He features only 6 ABBA songs on his solo "Piano" album (out of 21 songs featured) and My Love, My Life is one of them.)
Personally, which you may find surprising, I do not at all rank Dancing Queen in my top 20. It's not a bad track, but by far not my favorite. I like ABBA's more "experimental" songs better, like You Owe Me One, Elaine, Should I Love Or Cry, I Am The City, Kisses Of Fire, The Day Before You Came and Keep An Eye On Dan, or their more like a musical sounding songs such as I Let The Music Speak, Move On, I Wonder, I'm A Marionette and Cassandra.
But I also really like My Love, My Life, which to me is such a gentle, tender yet vulnerable song.
And I agree with you that Agnetha should have written more songs for ABBA. For her own album's too.
She has such a unique harmonic in her songs. And yes, Disillusion is a great example.
She once said in an Interview, asked as to why she only wrote one song for ABBA (actually it is two songs if you include I'm Still Alive which appeared on the Live At Wembley Arena album), that this was not because she felt she could not write good songs, but she felt defeat against the power of Björn and Benny's songwriting. She felt she could not really compete against those two geniuses. What a shame...
I'm Still Alive is a really good song too. It surprisingly pairs well with My Love, My Life, I find.
I come from your other video, in which you ranked the ABBA albums, and I left you my comment and I ranked there
It is very interesting to see your review and choices to make your Top 20 among all ABBA songs
We all have our personal tastes and opinions.
Of yours I'm surprised that of the last 3 ABBA albums you only include one song ("Just a notion") or only 3 of the last 4 (with "Chiquitita" & "Happy new year")
I start from the basis that it is very difficult to make a choice and a precise order among so many good songs that ABBA has in its catalog
I think that there are '7 ABBA Wonders' that are masterpieces, 10 pts, almost one per album, in chronological order:
Waterloo
SOS
Dancing Queen
The name of the game
Chiquitita
The winner takes it all
Don't shut me down
and then another 13 great songs, just one rung down, 9 pts, also in chronological order:
I've been waiting for you
Mamma Mia
Fernando
My love my life
Knowing me knowing you
Eagle
Take a chance on me
Thank you for the music
Super trooper
One of us
Slipping through my fingers
I still have faith in you
Just a notion
with all of them I could make my Top 20
(and I have a lot of very good songs left that are 8 pts, including several that you included, like Ring ring, Bang a boomerang, I do I do I do I do I do, Tiger, Happy new year)
Thank you very much for your review
Kind regards from
Buenos Aires, Argentina
Thank you again, Eduardo! Yeah, there were many I had to leave off but, as I always say, you can only have 20 songs on a 20 song list. There are many more songs I like on the later albums I just don't prefer them over the 70s tracks on my list.
another comment
Trying to make the ABBA Top 20,
my Top 7 is more clear:
#1 SOS (1975)
here I stop more
There is a saying that goes something like this: 'getting to the top is relatively easy, the hard part is staying there'
ABBA, after the colossal impact of Waterloo at Eurovision, endured for a year and a half the stigma of the 'one-hit wonder'
if "Waterloo" was ABBA's world Baptism, "S.O.S." It is your Confirmation, that they are here to stay
"S.O.S." kicks off an incredible run of 18 consecutive UK Top 10 singles, equaling Beatles record of previous decade
"S.O.S." is The Masterpiece"
among all the masterpieces of ABBA:
dramatic piano introduction, Agnetha's emotional and broken voice, and a powerful chorus transitioning into a rock section, all in 200 seconds
#2 Dancing Queen (1976)
the overall excellence
starts with a piano glissado, disco atmosphere and a half chorus at full power
and the rest is a glorious evolution of brilliant music and the wonderful combination of soprano and mezzo voices of Agnetha and Frida
#3 Waterloo (1974)
in my personal opinion, the most important song of the decade, because it put Sweden in the musical consideration, changed the Eurovision contest and launched ABBA to compete equally with the powerful British and North American markets.
"Waterloo" was recorded in 4 languages (Swedish English German French)
ABBA's first worldwide hit
"Waterloo" is also brilliant in less than 3 minutes, with a sweeping beginning, a captivating chorus and the unbeatable vocal duo of Frida and Agnetha.
in my opinion, "Waterloo" was to #ABBA what "She loves you" to #TheBeatles
#4 The Winner Takes It All (1980)
ABBA's saddest song, combines a raw and devastating lyrics with a sustained melody and a backing choir for the best vocal performance of Agnetha
Voted by British fans as the best ABBA song, it is surely the Best Heartbreaker Song Ever
#5 The name of the game (1977)
very difficult to choose in "The Album", the masterpiece of ABBA's versatility
I think this is her most complex song, due to the richness of her arrangements, the successive changes of time and rhythm, and the alternating voices of Agnetha and Frida in leads
#6 Chiquitita (1979)
with royalties donated to UNICEF in the International Year of the Child,
beautiful guitar introduction and the great piano ending, the sweetness of Agnetha's solo and one of the most powerful and joyful choirs of ABBA
Chiquitita was a success in Latin America, getting ABBA to record it in Spanish and overcome its initial success, so the following year ABBA will make an album with their old hits recorded in Spanish.
#7 Don't shut me down (2021)
the song that comes to break the mold
recorded in 2017/18, initially as one of two songs for the show with the ABBAtars, it ends up being the shining pearl of an unexpected new ABBA album after 40 years of absence
Agnetha's introductory solo is an anthology, the piano glissado and the catchy rhythm, the return of the 'third voice' to the chorus, a second part that grows in strings and arrangements, and a final epic and triumphant powerful chorus, to say that the magic of ABBA is timeless, and put ABBA definitively on the Podium of the Greatest in Music
From here, anyone can be #8 or #20, they are all excellent:
1975: Mamma Mia &
I've been waiting for you
1976: Fernando, My love my life
& Knowing me knowing you
1977: Eagle, Take a chance on me
& Thank you for the music
1980: Super trooper
1981: One of us &
Slipping through my fingers
2021: Just a notion &
I still have faith in you
Kind regards from
Buenos Aires, Argentina
Thank you for the thoughtful comment, Eduardo! It appears we have many of the same favorites.
Dude, I've been enjoying a lot of your videos lately. Don't always agree with you if I'm honest but so what, I greatly appreciate your passion and insight. And I've learnt a fair few bits too, even about bands I know very well.
My top 20 ABBA songs would have to include Summer Night City, On and On and On, When All is Said and Done, and The Day Before You Came. In addition to heavyweights like Waterloo, Dancing Queen, and SOS. Favourite deep cuts include Gonna Sing You my Lovesong, I'm a Marionette, and Lovers (Live a Little Longer) -- all sung by Frida. Plus nearly everything off Voulez-Vous.
Yes ! It's amazing that you didn't select, "the winner takes it all", maybe not rock enough for you, but it seems to me a small masterpiece. Disco songs like " summer night city ", Gimme gimme gimme (a man after midnight) ultra dynamique, en rock "Hole in your soul" and style "brodway", "thank you for the music" , where Agnetha shows her talent, her naturalness in the interpretation. I will not say that they are my favorites, it depends on my state of mind.
Yeah, I prefer ROCK tracks like Disillusion, My Love My Life, Fernando. You know, that hard rockin' heavy metal stuff. That's my thing, man.
Thanks for this Paul! Great list of tunes for me to check out again!
Totes, dude
You lost me on your opinion of THE WINNER TAKES IT All in your album reviews. Sorry hard to get past that. But you are cool to do this.
Oh jeez...
If It Wasnt for the Nights. This is so real. Great song.
Eagle, Dancing Queen and Super Trouper, also Spanish versions of Move on and Andante Andante.
My favourite is the live version of The Way Old Friends Do, without all the studio effect. Those voices, those accordeons, I thought those was the best things I heard
2nd The Day Before You Came I guess. I relate to it at a very personnal level
Knowing Me Knowing You, Money Money Money, Super Trouper, Fernando, prefer the Frida led songs.
I agree with most of your top 20 ABBA songs but I highly disagree with Dancing Queen. It would NOT be in my top 20 list. I hate that song. It’s so overplayed and over reacted to in youtube. I agree with Knowing Me, Knowing You. That’s one of the songs I listened to as a kid. Oh, never apologize about reacting to too much ABBA. There are many ABBA fans who ended up discovering your channel just for reacting to ABBA, me included.
Enjoyed hearing your top 20 very much. Hearing you mention it made me think I would love to see the iconic 'Greatest hits Vol 1' reissued on vinyl when it's 50th anniversary comes round. It would be great if each ABBA member added an extra track of their choice that they thought should be included or was overlooked.
'ICONIC".Yes that was it.This album was no1 for 11 weeks in uk.Sold over 2,6million(real) copies at the time and became 2nd best selling album of the '70s decade under Simon/Garfankels BOTWater.It's like a music envelope that wrapped a whole era within.Mainly chappter 1 of that decade right before the disco blasting. As for it's iconic photoshot in the wooden bench for the cover sleeve...what can i say.Still get impacted while looking at Agnetha's gloomy mood and Bjorns' indifferent attitude while his reading this paper ignoring her.ha,ha!
@@alexioverdo5225 The different Swedish cover was something special too!
@@geordieboy8945Oh wow!That was "freaking" weird too!Was also such a grrr8t artwork and very funny.Pretty imaginative!"Spooky-cartoonish"!!!
Interesting take on the music.. totally agree on So Long… but still think Just A Notion did not match the overall atmosphere of Voulez Vous.. they were in snow in Switzerland as part of a show recorded up in the mountains.. Andante Andante from Super Trouper has the next schlageresque Latin folk approach and so did Cassandra one of the last songs to be recorded in 1982…. Tiger is at the end and so is So Long the other rocker. They did it differently with Hole in your soul but then again it was the last regular song before the mini musical… so they tended to put the rocks songs at the end… at least at the beginning… if I remember correctly when writing Happy New Year Frida and Benny were still a couple…
Talking about breakup tracks - on The Album, there’s “One Man, One Woman”. This is 100% a breakup track, and it’s so close to the mark that they got Frida to sing it rather than Agnetha. But yeah it’s not as depressing in outlook as their later albums.
very weird top20 list. i think my fav song is Super Trouper ...followed by the usual... lay all your love on me, ...
What do you think of "Hole in your soul" from The Album ? The bridge are just amazing (just as in "Tiger") .
I just watched both videos back to back. I had a great time! The Chiquitita video was filmed outside, there's a video of the Jackson 5 on the same location, and you can see more of it. :)
Regarding the singles, and extra ABBA songs, like the ones that came right after The Visitors but didn't complete an album, and some others, I would suggest you to check all of them (maybe you have but they weren't mentioned in this or the other video, except Fernando and the ones from the Ring Ring era like Merry-Go-Round):
- Crazy World (1975)
- Happy Hawaii (1976)
- Summer Night City (1978)
- Dream World (1978)
- Gimme! Gimme! Gimme! (A Man After Midnight) (1979)
- Lovelight (1978-9)
- Elaine (1980)
- Put On Your White Sombrero (1980)
- Should I Laugh Or Cry (1981)
- I Am The City (1982)
- Under Attack (1982)
- You Owe Me One (1982)
- The Day Before You Came (1982)
- Cassandra (1982)
Those last 5 ones would have become ABBA's 10th album if completed around 1982-1983. Check all of them out, there's a lot of hidden gems, and some of my favourites. :)
I’m not at all surprised at your top five-I think anyone who watched your album video could see those picks coming. For me, the big pleasant surprise was Hey, Hey Helen. I really like that one…
Yeah, I did leave a giant trail of breadcrumbs there. ;-)
Love ABBA and if you get a chance go and see ABBA Voyage in London. Outstanding.
Thanks for this Paul, really enjoyed hearing your selections. The nature of ABBA's music is that each time you revisit one of their 100+ tracks it is instantly elevated into your favourites list. That's what makes picking a top 10, 20, ... or whatever so hard. ATM my top tracks include I Am the City, One Of Us, SOS, Lay All Your Love On Me, Eagle, Summer Night City, Chiquitita(Spanish version) ... should stop before I end up naming 50...
Ha! Yeah, it can be really tough. Thank you!
Good choices; I also enjoyed ABBA's glam rock songs and would place "Knowing Me, Knowing You" at the top of their catalog. Some other songs that are worthy of top 20 consideration:"Move On", "Summer Night City", "Hole In Your Soul", "Gonna Sing You My Lovesong", "That's Me", "If It Wasn't For The Nights", "The Visitors", "The Day Before You Came", "Mamma Mia" and "Super Trouper".
I have so many favorite ABBA songs and all remind me of my kind selfless mother who passed away March 11. ABBA was her favorite group in the 70’s. I love and miss you Mom ❤️❤️
About “Just A Notion” - the entire instrumental backing track is new, as are the vocals right at the end “ I think it's more than a notion; in a moment the dream is about to come true”.
One of the best groups ever.
Surprised there was nothing from The Visitors made your list. It is my favorite album.
I'm surprised too because I think that albums is great.
My 10 Favorite ABBA Songs
1. One Of Us
2. Dancing Queen
3. The Winner Takes It All
4. Waterloo
5. Dance (While The Music Still Goes On)
6. My Love, My Life
7. Take a Chance On Me
8. I've Been Waiting For You
9. Suzy Hang-Around
10. (tie) Angeleyes
Soldiers
Very unusual #1 pick!
@@AsItShouldBePodcast I love so many ABBA songs. It was very hard to choose a favorite. I love the chorus in particular, and I appreciate where it goes lyrically.
My top twenty, from earliest to latest:
Hasta Manana
Honey Honey
SOS
I Do I Do I Do
I've Been Waiting for You
Fernando
Knowing Me Knowing You
That's Me
Why Did It Have to Be Me
Thank You for the Music
Just a Notion (1978 version)
Chiquitita
Gimme Gimme Gimme (A Man after Midnight)
Super Trouper
The Winner Takes It All
On and On and On
Happy New Year
Two for the Price of One
Should I Laugh or Cry?
The Day before You Came
Not a bad song on the list! But then it's not very easy to find bad ABBA tracks...
@@AsItShouldBePodcast Oh, yes! I dig most of their stuff.
Your Abba knowledge is excellent. " eagle" should have been a single.
Eagle was released as a single, at least it was in the Netherlands and I presume other countries as well.
As a kid when I first heard Chiquitita on a.m radio, I though they sang Kick Your Teeth Out.
I was lucky to be at their famous rain soaked Sydney concert in 1977 as a kid.
Ha! That's great! "Kick your teeth out" is possibly the best mondegreen I've ever heard.
Abbas ones of those bands that no matter what your ranking its completely understandable. I respect that they completely embrace feminity, big emotions, I love that so much. I appreciate that so many of your picks are album cuts cause their album cuts are as good as their singles imo. If I had to pick a single favorite ABBA song then That's Me would be the one but it's borderline impossible
That's Me is definitely a deep one, and an unusual to have at #1. But yeah, the minute you think you've decided then another great one comes to mind. Luckily we have them all!
@@AsItShouldBePodcastDamn right!
Me and i???? Shouf lasf or cry?????
What about them? They're not on my list. Deal with it.
Good video. Interesting selection of songs. What you say about Abba songs, whether they are in your top twenty or not, is spot on. A top twenty is asking a bit much. That would be a real head scratcher. So here's my top 5. What's up with no Summer Night City in your list? It rocks!
1. Knowing Me Knowing You
2. Name of the Game
3. SOS
4. Mamma Mia
5. Summer Night City
Hello Paul I`ve watched this and your Abba albums ranking videos and enjoyed them both very much! Like yourself I tend to favour slightly a number of the early tracks. Here`s a useless piece of trivia for you regarding the song `Tiger`. I was fortunate to see Abba live in 1977 and 1979. In 1977 at the Royal Albert Hall, London they opened with `Tiger`. I don`t know which of the two girls got it wrong but on the opening line of the first verse one of them sang the correct opening line and the other sang what sounded like the opening line of the second verse. It was probably nerves I imagine! Anyway the show was flawless from that point on though so no damage done! Useless trivia I know but just thought I`d mention it as it`s one of your favourite songs of theirs. Best wishes and I shall look out for further videos from you. In fact I`ve just had a quick look at your list of videos which I can see includes AC/DC and the Beach Boys amongst others! 👍
Surprisingly, after your "Ranking the ABBA Albums" clip, I finally found something in common with you. We share about ten of our top twenty ABBA songs, including the #1!
Enjoyed this review, I agree with your top two choices. Concerning ABBA The Movie it was released to coincide with release of ABBA The Album. The Movie was a hit worldwide, to finish the year in the top ten highest grossing films. Why not America ? not sure, seems like I read that it was tested here and the powers to be didn't think it would go over well in the US. I remember as a '70's teen reading about the movie being made and soon to be released. I was so excited being an American ABBA fan, however it never showed up here in the States. Luckily five years later, early '80's, I met a lady who worked at our local small town cinema and asked her if she could find out the deal with the movie. Surprisingly the manager inquired and was able to get a copy of the film to show for two weekend nights as the late show. I was overjoyed and after watching it the first night I asked the manager to turn up the volume for the second night, he did do it and the music was so loud, really rocked the theater, the Australian concert scenes were great. The opening concert number was TIGER and the film captures the mass hysteria of Aussie ABBA fans in 1977. If you've never seen it, you should check it out on Blu-ray.
Knowing me knowing you is also my favorite I fall in love with ABBA with that song,Cool stuff Eagle ,The Day before you came,Put on your white sombrero
The Tiger video! So campy and precious. Nothing tongue in cheek about it, they really thought they were being bad-ass. I never saw the video during its hey day. I found it maybe 8 years ago. OMG, how I would have drooled over this back in 1977 when I was 14 yrs old. Look at those hot babes! But in 2013 it was more like “ oh look…..it’s Gangsta Frida and Drag-Netha.” Still a fantastic video and one of my top 10 songs. Thanks for bringing it some well deserved attention.
you are well informed, Tiger is the opener on the live show in Australia,Abba the movie
Yet another list of ABBA songs where my favourite song is nowhere to be seen. Must be over 20 lists now and I have only ever seen two reaction videos to it. I had no hope predicting your choices, I found no pattern to them. Which I guess made it interesting.
This might change when you discover all the track that are not on albums
When I was a kid, I always thought they said "Ollie Oxen Free" as well!
A thoughtful reflection! Thank you!
Great list - here's my Top Ten:
1. Eagle - yep, ABBA do prog and nail it!
2. The Visitors - on some days, this is my number one and just edges out 'Eagle'.
3. Knowing Me, Knowing You - perfect, perfect song, simple as that.
4. So Long - truly joyous, like a supercharged 'Waterloo', and with a sensational outro.
5. Lovelight - that riff! That riff coming in over the chorus near the end!
6. Hey Hey Helen - glam-stomp-tastic. Have always adored this song.
7. Head Over Heels - the architecture of this song is simply amazing. Vastly underrated happy-sad classic.
8. Me and I - ebullient, uplifting, masterly.
9. Slipping through My Fingers - unbelievably poignant. Songwriting on the highest level.
10. I Still Have Faith in You - simply can't listen to this without my eyes misting over.
Great stuff. You got "Hey Hey Helen" in there! Nice!
Top no 1 choice. Knowing Me, Knowing You has always been my favourite. Great, powerful story telling pop song.
Knowing Me, Knowing You fans unite!
Love your rankings! Eagle is my favourite, Angeleyes my 2nd. Two very different songs 😆
Ha! Yes, very different. But that's one of the things I love about ABBA, that they have so much different stuff.
Voulez Vous is the Best Song Ever written arranged or produced PERIOD.
Oh, okay.