I Listened to a LEGENDARY Band I LOATHE for 3 Days…Did It CHANGE MY MIND? | Professor of Rock
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- Опубликовано: 19 апр 2024
- Coming up, it’s a group that I swore I’d never feature on this channel. ABBA is one of the biggest bands of all time, with nearly 40 Top 10 hits across the world. After taking the 70s by storm, they broke up in the 80s. But by the 90s there was this pop culture campaign that put them right back in the spotlight. And today ABBA is stronger than ever. Honestly, I don’t know why but I’ve never liked their music. Call me crazy. But for today’s episode, I’m conducting an experiment… I’m doing a deep dive into ABBA’s career (along with one of their biggest hits Take A Chance On Me) to see if maybe I’ve been wrong all these years. But that’s a big “if.” ... Still, if any song has a chance to flip the script, Take A Chance On Me could be it. I gotta admit, this track is so catchy it just might be a gateway into the rest of their catalog. So, will I or won’t I change my mind? There’s only one way to find out. The experiment kicks off… NEXT on the Professor of Rock.
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So today, I might be going against my better judgment here… that’s because I’m featuring a group that honestly, I’ve never really liked. And as many of my biggest critics have noted… I like everything! Ha ha. I really don’t, but we’ve never covered this band in-depth on the channel. But I’ve gotten a lot of requests to tell their story, so I thought maybe it’s time to give these guys another listen. So I’m taking a chance here and telling the story of ABBA’s second-highest charting US, from their 1977 LP, ABBA: The Album - Take a Chance on Me. Don’t ask me why I don’t like ABBA. It’s not something I can really explain… Their music has just always driven me mad. My wife and kids love them. Well, I’m willing to be open-minded. So here we go.
In the 1970s ABBA emerged as a legitimate pop phenomenon. I mean, like ‘em or not, there’s no denying the facts. This boy-girl foursome from Sweden garnered massive global acclaim throughout their career, and afterwards. Known for their infectious melodies and catchy hooks, ABBA crafted a catalog of mostly cheerful pop hits. With an eye for the dance floor, their music easily transitioned to match the disco craze of the era and then kept pushing ahead into the 80s.
The beginning of the ABBA story dates back to Sweden, nearly six decades ago. In June 1966, musicians Björn Ulvaeus and Benny Andersson met for the first time. Björn was a member of the Hootenanny Singers, a popular folk group, and Benny, played keyboards for Sweden's premier 60s pop ensemble: The Hep Stars. The two wrote their first song together a few weeks later. By the end of the 60s the two were partners and composers, having shifted their priorities away from their respective bands. 
Развлечения
Poll: Name a legendary band or artist that for whatever reason...You can't stand?
They're not legendary, but I just can't stand Oasis.
Lynyrd Skynyrd
Jimmy Buffett
Mutley Crud no talent and they mime
Mariah Carey doesn’t sing she wails. And she murdered Without You
Depeche Mode robotic synth band. They are NOT ROCK
Nirvana
Imagine you’re are a 58 year old woman and you hear “Dancing Queen” Suddenly you’re transported back to your youth and your whole world filled with possibilities! For a moment, you are free!
Yep that’s how I feel!
Same for this 58 years old guy
So right👍
And "winner takes it all."
We've all been there, when a relationship falls apart.
It's a sad song, but it's powerful.
funny when hanging out shlep.gear with friend dj 80s dance club one would always request the song so he had to play then clubgoers had a dance they would do like a broadway show everyone sang along vcu was right down the street had many dancers breakers art students everyone loved the song no matter how cheesy it was
Pete Townshend once said that "Knowing me, knowing you" was the finest song about divorce he had ever heard. That's good enough for me. This old school rock and roller loves ABBA.
I've read that Pete also called S.O.S. the greatest pop song ever written.
@@t.o.408 S.O.S. is the one they truly knocked out of the park.
@@Spo-Dee-O-Dee Agreed. It's easily my favorite of their songs.
I posted the same about SOS! I became a huge fan!
I lovd ABBA, and am a huge Townsend fan, so I agree with your sentiment!
My mother, in her final years, suffered from dementia. Music is magic to dementia patients. ABBA, in particular, always brought a smile to my mothers face.
She passed recently. I always loved ABBA, and will always be grateful for their music and the smiles and happiness it brought to my mother.
My father also severely deteriorated mentally. A few months before his death ca. 2 years ago, I came over James Blunt "Monsters".
A song of a son telling his father all is OK, you done your job and you done it well, now it's time for uw, the next generation, to chase the monsters away.
"I turn off the light and close the door" - that hits hard...
James Blunt wrote it when his father urgently needed a new kidney (as he had donated one long ago).
They took the video with his dad sitting beside him. The legend goes that when they were through, the whole crew had tears in their eyes, while James' dad, a veteran, said "What is wrong with you? I'm not dead!"
And they found a new kidney for him.
Already years ago, there was the song "I wish I would have thold him in the)"Living Years" that made me think (too little).
And a few days after my father's death, I came over Judith Durham singing "Danny Boy". I do not even know why. And wondered about the many RIPs that were in the comments, that made me curious. And it really was so, she had died on the same day as my father.
But it is good to hear that your mother still had something that made her feel good. Sadly, the emotions that remain in this stage are to often fear and anger.
The greatest pop band of all time. I don't regard The Beatles as a pop band.....they're just the greatest band of all time.
I do prefer ABBA over the Beatles, but let's face it, pop is short for popular, and the Beatles were more popular. They had 20 number one hits in the US. They would have had more, but in April 1964 they held every spot in the Top 5, thus preventing a couple of their own songs from getting to #1. So they definitely produced their share of "pop" music. I do think the ABBA ladies had more emotional & beautiful voices though.
My mother is suffering from dementia as well. She is 80 and has a light case of it. As much as I love her, however, I would not tolerate one second of ABBA. Meatloaf describes this situation in another cringy unlistenable pop smash called, I think, "I Won't do That".
Everyone has the right to an opinion. And they are a little bubble gummy.
An old metalhead friend of mine got dragged kicking and screaming to see Abba perform on their 1979 Canada/US tour. He says to this day it is the best concert he's ever seen. It often passes unnoticed that Abba's backing band featured some of Europe's best musicians, including the legendary bassist Rutger Gunnarsson, drummer Ola Brunkert, and guitarist Janne Schaffer.
Always loved the tight and staccato drumming on Mamma Mia.
60 yr old rock/metalhead here and I've always loved ABBA! And just remember, you can't spell SABBAth without ABBA! 😎
I see what you did there...
As an old fart metalhead myself I con cur 😊
I'm an old news talk radio guy.
Well, they really leaned into disco. I HATE that.
57 year old English metalhead here. I have always loved ABBA. Musical and songwriting genius.
57 year old English Prog/Psych head here. 100% agreed. Undeniable hooks for days!
Church of the cosmic skull, have you guys watched them on yt? I think you would like it if you are an Abba fan and a metalhead. I'm 58.
@@timscarrow9151 yes, they are awesome.
60 later this year, ditto. Started listening around 76, fantastic songs, fantastic performances
One of my favorite bands from my childhood in the 70s and I've always liked their music. This is no way impedes on my metalhead status.
Abba was inducted into the Rock Hall of Fame in 2010 to the usual outrage from HOF critics. A reporter asked a spokesperson how Abba made it into the Hall and the response was as telling as it was simple: it was the votes of other musicians. It's absolutely true that other artists recognized Abba's incredible songcraft well before critics. People like Pete Townshend, Elvis Costello, Madonna, Phil Collins, Brian Eno, John Grant, Bono, even Sid Vicious have all attested to Abba's influence. A signal event in the band's critical revival came in 1992 when Bjorn and Benny performed onstage with U2. Note that the studio Abba built in Stockholm, Polar, was a pioneering digital studio that produced many of the top acts of the 1980s.
Corey Taylor,David Grohl,Jonathan of Korn,Richie Blackmoore,Ian Gillan,Bjork,Nina Hagen,Bill crogan(Pearl Jam),John Frusciente RHCP to add but a few....
If you are not touched by "the winner takes it all" and "the day before you came" and "lay all your love on me" you are not a human being...
The 70's cannot be told entirely without mentioning ABBA.
Unfortunately
Yes they are instrumental in providing proof that pop crap music existed back then.
Agreed. I too have never warmed up to ABBA. I think their singing is too punchy. too pop. SOS is ok though.
Love em or loathe em but there’s no denying that Benny and Bjorn know how to create a Top 40 goldmine.
And Stig.
They’ve done so much!
Top notch song writers and song craftsmen.
Yup. There's no denying their success in that regard.
Loathe my arse
Anyone passing through Stockholm Sweden should take the time to go through the ABBA museum. I did, and my respect for the band grew.
Sometimes you gotta take a chance
ABBA are probably the greatest pop band ever. They had an unbelievable run of superb tracks.
I'm a metalhead and I love ABBA. Everyone can sing along and dance to ABBA. Every song is an earworm and makes me smile.
I had a boyfriend years ago named Fernando and I would sing him that song. Metalhead as well.
I'm a hard rock musician, and I took a lot of heat for liking this band. I don't care. I proudly embrace my love for this band.
Metalhead for 50 years. I'm right there with you.
Hey, if one of Lemmy's favorite bands is ABBA, then you can love it too!
Same here. Only my close family knows that I like ABBA.
I think Adam is the first guy in the history of the internet to openly say, "I'm willing to change my mind." *cheers!*
willing.
but, didn’t.
🤣
This band offers so many elements of sound greatness. I hope Adam can hear and feel some of them
Except he didn't change his mind.
Brovo for that. Now he must recant that "loathe" word and find appreciation and respect for ABBA. Get it?
@@Lightning613sometimes that is just how it goes.
I'm a metal head, and I loved ABBA back in the day, still do!!
It's easy to dislike or write off ABBA for all the wrong reasons. But at the core of their music - beneath all the flashy glitter and glamour - are many sofisticated, cleverly crafted and timeless melodies.
You may not like their music but from a musican‘s point of view you can‘t deny their craftsmanship and extraordinary abilities to produce hit after hit. As a bass player it‘s especially reflected in their bass players bass lines which are kind of unique and widely recognized as some of the best in pop music of the 70th and 80th.
Rutger Gunnarson and Mike Watson …A+
Exactly 😊 👏 ❤
Absolutely! I can't begin to count how many times I made my fingers bleed trying to keep up with those guys on bass!
I think this describes where I am with ABBA - their songs are like a polished and carefully-presented version of the 'schlager music' they started with in the 1960s. But the presentation is just *so good*. And yeah, the session musicians who supported those recordings absolutely killed it.
Abba is like comfort food. You just cant resist it and it draws you in. They are undeniably superstars. And thier best tracks instantly transport you back in time and has you smiling, bopping and singing along. I love them.
Totally agree with you. And I am a huge Zeppelin guy. But I love ABBA!
haha great point, comfort food
I love The Carpenters and ABBA. The female voices are incredible (all three). I put all three in there because when I first heard ABBA I thought there was one female voice, Agnatha and Freda blended so perfectly. They have a song where Freda leads off saying “…I am the star”, but there isn’t one star in ABBA they are, all four, musical geniuses. Awesome music (Benny), magical lyrics (Björn), and ethereal voices (Agnetha and Freda). I wouldn’t listen to my wife telling me how great they were until I got curious and figured out the words to Dancing Queen, and was hooked.
How can you not like ABBA? I'm a diehard metal and punk fan and I love them.
I salute u!
The way Dancing Queen was arranged blows my mind. It definitely was not written in the standard pop song form. It's Off beat entrance of different parts of the song is borderline brilliance.
As a teenager growing up in the 70s and 80s, anyone who said they like ABBA was treated like a miscast... nobody would accept the band. I was always proud that I am a big fan of ABBA. So, you saying you dislike them is just that. No matter what, no one can deny the band and surprising, this band's music just won't get old.
Can agree with that totally
As a teenage boy growing up in Australia in the 1970s I was the same. It was very "uncool" to like ABBA, but my ears told me that their was something particularly good there, and I went against the mainstream. Years later, and after ABBAs music has hung around much better than anyone else from the 1970s, I'm proud that I picked it early on.
@@stephenhosking7384 we knew fantastic music at a young age. So did others, but they wouldn’t admit it
Growing up in the 70's/80's It was considered very uncool to like Abba . You were made fun of if you liked them here in Seattle, at least.
I had their albums but it wasn’t talked about with my buds.
As a Hard Rocker in my teens, ABBA was absolutely not tolerated, in public.
It was a guilty pleasure that I couldn't share with my hard rock peers.
They were/are ear candy with legs that cannot be denied.
As I grew out of the pressure of my peers I've been able to enjoy their music more freely.
Most of their catalog is fantastic and continues to grow on the listening audience.
I'm still a hard rock/metal aficionado, but I can still spin SOS once in a while and enjoy without the"guilty" part.
Thanks professor!
I'm 52 and a metal head and the hilarious thing about it all was I don't think I've ever met any metal person especially those over thirty that didn't secretly love ABBA lol its like this universal thing , And so many hard rock/ metal acts have covered them .
Perhaps I have too long hated Abba. In fact, for the first time just now? I have listened to them on the video, and appreciate their talent. They can thank Taylor Swift. She makes them seem more tolerable.
like in Tommy Boy when neither of them wanted to change the station form the carpenters
Bravo!!
Your band mates were probably doing the same thing as you 😂😂😂😂.
ABBA was a secret love as a kid. Now I'm old enough to not worry about being "cool". I LOVE ABBA!
Same here. I was a "secret" listener, I sold my ABBA albums to be cool but bought new ones to listen to in secret. In the 80s I didn't care anymore and was an overt, ABBA fan.
Professor,
Thank you for “Taking A Chance” on ABBA. Rock purists have often turned their nose up at ABBA. Graduating from high school in 1975, I was an immense fan of “Hot August Night” Neil Diamond, Queen, 10cc, Cat Stevens and, of course, ABBA. ABBA was my closeted fandom as I regarded myself as a rock ‘n’ roller with broad musical tastes but embarrassed by my love of a pop group. I admire and truly enjoy your deep dives and I give you respect for not expressing mindless hate at ABBA, one of my true musical passions for 50 years!!
No two female vocalists had ever sounded so perfect together and no two have since! One thing that has never changed- those two perfect voices!
Truth!
The B-52's
On an interesting note Elaine Paige and Barbara Dickson who sang the duet “I Know him so well” from the musical “Chess” written by none other than Tim Rice, Benny Anderson and Bjorn Ulvaeus.
Fleetwood Mac, Heart, The Judds, and The Indigo Girls have entered chat.
@@tobycatVAand promptly left
Never underestimate the power of ABBA! Their music is very carefully crafted and well produced. Hooks and melodies that become ear - worms. A force to be reckoned with yesterday, today and tomorrow.
Amen 💃
Both Ritchie Blackmore and Yngwie Malmsteen are huge abba fans.
I listen to extreme music the true underground metal stuff I need my Abba fix every now and than 😊
Yes on the worm holes! If I am at a place playing ABBA I need to cover my ears and hum to myself to prevent a worm hole infection.
Agreed.
My dad was born in 1935, he played country music, was a light heavyweight boxer with fists like hams, he was basically larger than life and louder than God. He was a big, tough man, but put on Chiquitita and he was a Dancing King.
He passed 10 years ago and ABBA will always make me think of my daddy❤
ABBA Music should be required studying for song writers and producers. So much depth, creativity and hooks that will keep you humming for days. Something missing from todays very forgettable pop music.
For me, “Winner Takes It All” is their best and most mature song, dealing with the loss of their relationships. The vocals are absolutely phenomenal!!
It is the only song of theirs I kind of like, and even then in spots of the song it annoys me.
@@nealm6764 I’m the opposite I like just about everything they did. This song was pretty overplayed in the 80s so I am meh about it but I love almost everything they’ve ever ever done.
That, and "Dancing Queen". ❤
I agree, the saddest but best. I can't imagine how painful it was to get through. Fernando, would be my 2nd most favorite..
As the professor said, "It's their most mature song". I agree....and because of this, it's at least bearable.
0:29 'Call me crazy.'
YOU'RE CRAZY!!
😂😅
..hell, everybody ALWAYS called me crazy, so I'll side with Prof.! ...ha-HAAA!
Hey, he asked for it.
You’re crazy Professor.
Crazy! Listen to , "When I kissed the teacher" for innocent fun! Watch the video. It's great!
Probably stems from an early dismissal as a duet-Female singing Pop bubble-gum and MISSING all of their sheer genius words and sounds. Sheer genius
How is anyone with a deep interest in music not able to hear how well composed, brilliantly arranged and incredibly well performed these wonderful ABBA pop songs are? - not to mention their fantastic melodies and catchy lyrics 😊
He's not a 'professor" it's a nickname for sure.I'll stick to what many big rock celebrities say and feel about Abba's pop genius.Their judgement is a force that counts.
Whenever an ABBA song is played at a wedding, people - young and old - go absolutely crazy and hit the dance floor. They were pop geniuses whose music will stand the test of time. ABBA may even outlast The Beatles. Will be fascinating to see what verdict future generations give regarding their place in music history. My sense is ABBA’s reputation is continuing to grow, while the Fab Four’s is ever so slowly fading.
I simply appreciate that you tried. Thank you for taking a chance on ABBA.
Hearing all the other Ones he supports--He has a big understanding/hearing problem. This revelation diminishes my regard for the "Prof of Rock"
@@LarryGum-ib2ys I feel the same way!1 // To me, it shows that he can only accept music if it is in the 80’s genre that he grew up with. // I can understand this. To this day, I cannot make myself like Bob Dylan (80’s child here). But I admit it’s because I’m shallow too! // But professor of Rock doesn’t realize how “American” his mindset really is. That’s what bothers me. The lack of self awareness!
Larry-Gum, come check out my theoretical work on my own page here. It talks about the psychology in the notes!
Your, _Acoustic Rabbit Hole_
The secret to ABBA is dancing to them with other people. The music makes you feel good. This is coming from a UK ex-punk who married an ex-Goth who both love going out in their late 50s to dance for fun, socialise, and exercise at the local disco. It is no more complex than that.
Wow… respectfully disagree. Yes, agree the tunes ring on a simple level but the production is so complex… bass lines jump out to those attuned to it….lot going on there…
@@DoofsterDan Yes, a lot of musicians have complex production, but ABBA's special sauce is the feelgood factor. There's few other bands that can match that. That's the kind of power that brings an ex-punk and an ex-goth in their 50's to a disco. Great image, BTW!
74 year old guy here. I always hated disco, but I always loved ABBA.
You don't like ABBA???? Mindblown!!! They transcend a genre. They ARE music
by the fact that he kept emphasizing the song "take a chance on me" which for me is one of the corniest song from ABBA is just showing how mislead he is. ABBA is legendary, brilliant and timeless. Benny anderson is the mozart of pop music. No debate!
@@Irishb0y You do realize his opinion is just as subjective as yours?
@@whichgodofthousandsmeansno5306 i would listen to more abba songs than just "take a chance on me" for a starter though
@@Irishb0y Perfect response.
They transcend nothing, they are light pop leaning towards rock and never stray.
The fact that you are willing to talk about a band that you don't like shows that you are an objective person when it comes to music. Good for you. Bravo.
What he presented is an insult to ABBA and a world of ABBA's fans
@@LarryGum-ib2ys Oh boy.
Well, some beloved tunes and their producers have been conspicuously absent--like the Partridge Family and Donnie and Marie. Any blind spots showing up here?
@@LarryGum-ib2ys Why don't you find another channel instead of griping about what this channel doesn't cover?
Metalhead here. S.O.S is my favorite. The piano vibe is past haunting. It's brilliant.
Good choice!
S.O.S is amazing! They always turn the hard guitar sound down in their mixes... this one you can hear it. There is an alternate version of "The Name Of The Game" that has the guitar up and it sounds awesome!
Hey fellow rocker here, I’m also a rock musician. SOS is my favourite song by ABBA. Nigel Tufnel from Spinal Tap says it best “something about a minor key, it makes people weep instantly”
The Erasure cover is actually really other-worldly. Also, their cover of Voulez Vouz sound like some sort of dark, underground German techno. Pretty wild.
I thought Eraure's "Take a Chance on Me" was just cheesy novelty, but the other tracks on the EP really shocked me as remakes.
It is not only almost the whole world that understands and glorifies their tunes, even the biggest rock / punk and other genre acts admit they have at least changed their minds about ABBA, if they were not just already been fascinated by their music.
Things always forget, a Swedish band from Sweden dominated the Anglophone pop and rock charts for a decade with songs using really sophisticated English lyrics in English.
I'll wait for the name of an British or American group that did the opposite.
Several Swedish bands with horrible crappy music have done that. Ace of Base for example.
But why would they? There are far fewer Swedes to sell records to than English speakers - it wouldn't be a sound business decision to be British/American and learn a new language to try to corner the Swedish-speaking market. It's a ludicrous proposition.
'The Name of the Game...' That minor to major shift - so resolutely optimistic. Love it.
Its a brilliant song 😊❤
Think it’s my favourite of theirs- forget dancing queen! (Although good, it’s a bit of an ABBA cliche).
Yes, the more I listen to it the more I appreciate the quality of it. Perhaps overshadowed by some of their more famous songs but in my view, as good as anything they did.
Abba and the Scorpions were Europeans smart enough to know that singing in English was the key to success.
Golden Earring and Kraftwerk also sang in English.
Modern Talking & A-ha?
Yes because English is the chain-link language of the world
Fortunately, that has changed to some extent. Falco got big in German, though he did start singing in English with his third album. I liked the previous two mostly German albums a lot better.
@@Nightrelic Well, any artist can make it big in their home country. But the key to greater worldwide success can be singing in English - learning the language if need be.
I think a great way to understand the greatness of ABBA is to identify what happens in each song from different musical perspectives. The perfect choice of tempo in «The Name of the Game» becomes so clear when the chorus hits with the perfect giant 1-4-5-4 chords, plus the change to major key. The way the intro to «When I Kissed the Teacher» fools you into thinking it’s a mid-tempo song, and then suddenly by way of just doubling the beat when the full band comes in it throws you into the air. The way «Mamma Mia» passes from one hook to the next forever. The unbelievable harmonisation of the word «TRY» in «Chiquitita». The actual simplicity of «The Winner Takes It All», just consisting of two alternating melodies from beginning to end.
I was born in '73 so I do remember hearing ABBA a lot growing up. They have a lot of good songs. Total nostalgia for me.
My mother always said. Give credit where credit is due. One can't argue. Love them or hate them.....ABBA is special.
especially bad.
My go to bands are Led Zeppelin, The Police, Fleetwood Mac, The Doors, Pink Floyd and U2 … but there’s always room for The Carpenters and ABBA and much more! Long live the music!
i rate abba way above floyd, coz abba makes people feel happy.
How about The Partridge Family? (they outsold the Beatles for a little while)
@@LarryGum-ib2ys bums on seats is 1 measurement, but hardly the only one.
@@LarryGum-ib2ys the partridge family didnt start until after the beatles split up, however the monkees at one point famously out sold the beatles. but i mean if some director makes a film that does better box office than kubrick- so what? it doesnt make him better now does it.
All good bands.
ABBA is well respected in the rock and metal community. Among them claimed fans of the band where, curt Cobain, Dave grohl, Bono, and the edge, the members of deep purple, Brian may and Roger Taylor of queen. John Lennon is a fan of their song SOS. Metallica James hetfield, Icelandic singer bjork, Elvis Costello, Bob Dylan also profess his love to ABBA when he once made a concert in Stockholm, Jarvis cocker, Corey Taylor of slipknot, lemmy and many more. I feel bad for this so called youtuber called professor of rock.
For me ... "Does your mother know?" is one of my favorite ABBA tunes. But they do have quite the catalog to choose from. Great stuff!! =)
Dude, how could you not love them? Great songs, beautiful girls, catchy tunes, what's not to love?
I love ABBA 😅❤😊
What's not to love about Abba??!??!… EVERYTHING!!! This is a horrible corny ass ballad churning exercise in completed total putridness that as a kid I'd leave well enough alone and try and tune it out as best I could, but at 50 this crap makes me want to drive into oncoming traffic at the highest possible speed!!! Holy geez. how can anyone not hear how thoroughly awful their stuff is???!?!?
In fact, I'm going to try and commit suicide by jumping off the curb this has me so worked up! 🤣
This and Jefferson Starship, especially that "we Built this Sh¡tty", should be erased from all history books out of fear that when an advanced life form finally discovers us they won't mock and make fun of us throughout the galaxy for all eternity!!!
Not hard. Not a fan of high pitch female voices in general, or that genre of pop music, and I'm from that era, so to me it's just annoying. And, as a female, the beautiful girls didn't do anything for me. lol
Annoying songs with annoying voices
I be you like Led Zeppelin...?
The reason why ABBA, was so popular other than their true musical Talent. You had great-grandparents, grandparents, parents and the kids all love ABBA.
G. Gordon Liddy used ABBA as bump music on his radio show. The range of people ABBA appeals to is massive.
My niece loves ABBA because she's heard the songs on her dad's car radio.
All of their songs are pure genius. I haven’t gone more than 2-3 days without listening to them since I got the Arrival tape in 1977. Their voices are angelic. Rock me, Soldiers, Visitors, All is said and done, Me and Bobby and Bobby’s brother, Name of the game, I am just a girl, SOS, Tiger, That’s me, Winner takes it all…just all of them. I wish I still had my blue Arrival t-shirt from ‘77.
Tiger is one of my favorite songs. It's so sinister.
The winner takes it all, One of us and Happy new year are my favorite Abba songs.
I was stationed in Germany in 1975. This band was unbelievably popular in Germany. They were played in every club I went to. Jethro Tull, Rolling Stones, Jeff Beck were my heroes back then. This band became a dancing favorite and they make me smile and move every time I hear them. Thanks for the memories ABBA❤️
In 1975 they were huge in USA clubs too. Fernando was played a lot.
Germany 1970-1974 for me. Great times! I still remember when Waterloo was played live on the Eurovision song contest, on TV. I became a fan from that one song. Never much of a fan of their over-the-top stage clothing, though! 🙂
"The day before you came" is an absolute masterpiece of music. A song with no chorus. Dissecting that song would take a 3-hour documentary.
Agreed! My first thought at "name a song that would convince me.."
It is wonderfully ambiguous - potentially very dark and the music certainly suggests so.
Phenomenal choice. So underrated.
This song is quite different from the cheesy pop of Mamma Mia. Other bands could have recorded it, and no one would know it was an Abba song.
Love that song and the Album The Visitors.
I have every album and love all of them. There is quite a bit of variety on them too.
No band has ever perfected the female voice like ABBA.
Listen to The Visitors album from start to end. That would indicate they are by no means a “frivolous”, “disco” group. That is an amazingly mature and varied album.
Well, ABBA is usually called 'Europop', not 'disco'.
It’s basically their “new wave” album. It sounds years ahead of its time.
I agree. :)
solidiers is one of their best songs of their entire catalog.
Soldiers, One of Us, Slipping Through My Fingers, The Visitors all speak from differing depths depending on where you're personally floating at the moments you brush into them.
I was born in '63 so I grew up listening to ABBA. Initially I kind of liked their music but wasn't a huge fan, but the older I got the more I enjoyed them. Today I absolutely love them.
I was born the same year. :) I never got that into them though, but I do appreciate them now.
I was born in '61 and I never liked "Dancing Queen" But I have always loved "Fernando." I like a lot of their songs though.
Born in the same year. Very pop! Started listening them again starting last year. Amazing number of pop hits.
1961 here! I wonder if Adam would feel the same distaste for their music if it had come out when he was a teen, like we were. That was a fun time for me, and their music reminded me of good times at Summer camp. I never bought their albums though.
Now that I have a lifetime behind me that includes some truly horrific experiences, ABBA's cheerful pop sound is like an antidepressant! I love them now.
Maybe it's like what happened to my mom. In the 30s and 40s, she was going to dance clubs to hear jazz by black artists (she loved Louis Jordan especially) and she won jitterbug contests. Then when she got old, she was listening to Lawrence Welk, the horror!😳
I still love my dark music, such as Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds, but I have to balance it out with some pure pop. My favorite artist to bring my mood up is Nick Lowe. He has such witty, funny songs even when they are about very dark subjects, like "Marie Provost", a song about a failed silent movie actress who died in her fleabag apartment and was eaten by her dachshunds... "She was a winner, but became the doggies' dinner..." (true story!)
Nick had an album released in England titled "The Jesus of Cool", a title that upset Americans so it was sold here as "Pure Pop For Now People". Such a cheeky monkey!😃
I keep asking Adam to do a show about Nick Lowe, especially if he can get an interview! He's a very funny and charming man but he won't be with us forever. I got to meet him in 2002, and I was not disappointed! I have a picture with him, he put his arm around me and gave me a squeeze just as my husband snapped the pic. The look on my face is hilarious!
@@donaldkennedy9573 My boyfriend's BFF and bandmate was named Fernando, he was from Columbia and one of the best guitarists I've ever heard. He got really tired of people making the same lame joke all the time, so he'd walk in the room and say, "Yes, I've HEARD the blankety-blank DRUMS!" 😂
I love Abba, catchy music and memories of my childhood
Funny story, Bjorn and Benny (bought/rented) a small island with a little cottage. They could stay there for days or weeks, while they worked on their new songs. Solitude and friendship build new ideas. Seagulls and waves wouldn't distract them, quiet and one line at a time.
I have always loved ABBA - the arrangements,the harmonies - just love their stuff. Very few groups now could do that opening of Take a Chance On Me...
That opening is genius.
I freaking LOVE ABBA. Always have.
I understand.
Me too.
We do too. About 50% of their stuff😊. Fat sound, sterling voices, nice harmony and catchy tunes.....sometimes.
Abba take a lot of crap because people think their music is corny or something but they are a REALLY talented band. At times they had hauntingly beautiful vocal harmonies and great arrangements that gave way to some very good songs. They were underestimated so much just because people don’t think they’re “cool” or something.
“When I Kissed The Teacher” is brilliant. The jangle guitar intro kicks ass and the bass guitar thumps along with the occasional John Entwistle-esque bass fill.
I am so glad, Professor, that you are willing to feature songs and artists that you may not like. I find that even if you don't connect, you still make it interesting, so please feel free to keep trying on more that may not have been your cup of tea because we may like them. I am so glad you shared Abba with us. ❤
Yes. As a "professor" of rock/music this both respects all your "students" and, especially with background, insight and stories, leads to discovery and broadening of taste.
"The Visitors" a song about living in hiding and afraid, and "Slipping Through My Fingers" a song about how kids grow up too fast are two ABBA gems that never get the same attention as other ABBA hits. ✌️
Slipping Through My Fingers always makes me think of my Mom for some reason. Love that it still makes me cry hearing that song.
I have always liked ABBA. Those two ladies harmonies are out of this world.❤😊
As a 54 yr old man that loves 70s and 80s rock and new wave (I can admit I’m stuck in an era), ABBA wasn’t directly my thing. BUT, my parents, friends of theirs and relatives would play ABBA every party (lots of parties where we slept under the coats on the bed). The only ABBA album I ever listened to as an adult is ABBA Gold having the CDs. For me it’s more a gateway to memory lane, with a couple of songs I do like with some personal meaning “Knowing Me, Knowing You” (a break up), and “Mama Mia” as I took my daughter to see the show live in Toronto when it first came out, and it was fantastic to see in person with her. That is our memory. During the pandemic as I connected to this channel and others going in depth into music (remember the VH1 show “Behind the Music”?), I had an added appreciation for artists and how they put a song together. One group I never really listened to became a recent frequent played song, Boston’s “More Than a Feeling”.
My parents loved ABBA and the song “Fernando” was always my mom’s favorite. After she passed 2 years ago, it always makes me cry.
I understand what you mean, I watched the Queen Christmas Concert in 1975 with my Mum (she passed in early '76), for a long time I couldn't listen to Bohemian Rhapsody without crying🌹🕊
I could have written this exact comment!! Fernando was my mom's favorite and she passed away 2 years ago. I think it reminded her of another favorite of hers, "Don't Cry for me Argentina". Beautiful song, haunting. Thinking about it now, and how much mom loved her some good pop music, makes me cry, too. May those good memories of our moms bring us comfort!
As a teenager in the 70's how could I not be an ABBA fan, it was and is the soundtrack of my youth.
The entire Visitors album is brilliant - from it When all is said and done is probably my favourite, more subtle and nuanced that The winner takes it all.
There are simply too many unforgettables - Knowing me, knowing you; The name of the game; Summer night city; Another town, another train; Rock me; Hey hey Helen; Our last summer ; Under attack; Should I laugh; ... . I never hesitated to buy a whole album because I knew ALL the songs would be good. It's a magic that never fades. When the music is both a happy place and a sad place and a coming home.
Nice to see Hey Hey Helen get a shout out! Great tune! I loved when ABBA got rocky.
My wife and I were married in 1976, It was the height of ABBA's popularity and we have always loved their music. It's funny because some of the music that you feature, I swore that I would never listen to but now I enjoy it. Thanks
Oh ABBA is fantastic. Their songs are far more complex than they sound. Impeccable production, amazing vocals, incredibly incredibly catchy. You might notice that their later albums get increasingly adult and actually somewhat dark. There is some real pathos in songs like "The Day Before You Came", "Like An Angel Passing Through My Room," "The Piper", "The Visitors" and "Soldiers." Even an early song like "SOS" has a heart of darkness within its bouncy bubblegum sound.
My father-in-law was somewhat of a pop star in Sweden in the late 50s. His skiffle band, The Woodpeckers, actually opened for Lonnie Donegan. Anyway, he would never listen to other bands that sound like ABBA (his favorite music is jazz), but he LOVES ABBA. He’s 82 and going strong.
Abba was very un-hip back in the day, but a surprising number of rock fans were closet Abba fans! I find it incredible that Bjorn & Benny could write a song with lyrics found on 'The Day Before You Came' when English is not their native tongue.
In the 60s we called their kind of music "bubblegum" due to groups like the 1910 Fruitgum Company and Yummy x3.
But then eight years later when I heard Waterloo I was hooked. Been a big fan ever since! They are in my top five after the Beatles, Steely Dan, Queen and the Bee Gees.
Fun fact: In the Bible, Abba is another word for God which is the equivalent of Daddy.
Appreciate your honesty. For me, I used to hate them. How could I not? My Dad bought their album. And being a snobby Jazz influenced musician, it's embarrassing. That was until 2000 when things changed. I watched their documentary and was blown away at their work ethics, cultural background, humble beginnings, etc. Since then, I had been a big big fan. Even played their music in my band. Their song writing talent was most impressive.
I'm glad you finally came around. There have been TONS of ABBA covers besides Erasure (Lay All Your Love On Me - Information Society comes to mind). Their impact on Pop/Rock continues over forty years after their breakup. One thing you didn't mention, but clearly showcased in this episode - was their extensive use of "Music Videos" - Long before MTV/VH1. This certainly helped bridge their career and sustain them into a second generation of viewers throughout the 80s.
"The day before you came" is an underrated gem, much darker than most of their other work.
I'm not an Abba fan but that song is indeed superb.
I was going to comment the same thing! It’s a very moody song
The day before you came is one of many Abba gems. It is different for a couple of reasons. Firstly it's sung from the present, but is actually talking about the past tense. This leads the listener to wonder what their current situation is. Has she met someone and thinking about their life before hand? Or has the person been and gone, leaving the singer realising how similar their current situation is to before she came. The other thing about it is that it was nearly all Benny and agnetha and was a great introduction to what the Abba 80s sound would have been like if they had not broken up. I always imagined it should have been a Man singing it, a bit later a band called blamange covered it with a guy singing it, and it sounded great.
@@patricksmith4424 interesting thanks, and yes, Abba do have hidden depths. I actually discovered 'The day before you came' via Blancmange.
Definitely a nice contrast to the bouncy hits I heard. I wish they had the courage to drop or modify the monotonous bouncy beat that runs unchanging through the song. In its essence, the song is a ballad.
Adam, listen again to “SOS” and “Knowing Me, Knowing You.” I think they are pop masterpieces!It’s rare to have two girls sing so well together. The B-52‘s come to mind as well. ABBA’s song writing is just stellar. This is coming from a musician with basically a hard rock background.
Adams loss is our gain who gives a toss he says he doesn't like them there's no way you can fathom some people out.
'Knowing Me, Knowing You' became a spoof TV chat-show here in the UK, with Steve Coogan as a cheesy late-night host, who would make his entrance saying 'Knowing, Me, Knowing You!' to the audience with a 'A-HAAA!' to finish.
SOS is great until the umpah style percussion kills it.
@@rufoscar3 Bob Dylan once told Benny that he thought SOS was the greatest pop song ever written. Don’t know if I agree with that, but it is great. Look up the story!
@@Eric_B It's definitely one of the greatest pop songs ever written! Bob was right.
I remember hearing Abba in the roller rink back in the late 70”s. I was re-introduced to them when the movie ‘Muriel’s Wedding’ was released in ‘94. - they are by guilty pleasure! (I love Bowie, Roxy Music, The Clash, Depeche Mode)
Great video - one of your best! Way back in the 1970s (when I was in my 20s), I started off not caring very much for ABBA. As they were for you, they just didn't seem to be my "cup of tea." But somewhere along the line over the past 50 years, I learned to appreciate them, and now I like them a lot. I hope the same happens for you.
Knowing Me Knowing You is a huge one for me. It took on new meaning after my ex and I split up. We split everything and moved out of the house we shared. One last walkthrough and that song was playing in my head. Thank you for this video. Aside from this memory, I have many good ones singing ABBA’s songs with my daughters in my car. ❤
It was big my last year of playing Babe Ruth baseball up in Massachusetts. I was on my city’s all star team and we were playing a game in a town with a tough reputation. Anyway, I was pitching and there were a couple of really hot chicks sitting in the stands seriously flirting with me. They were waving at me, winking at me. My teammates were even breaking my balls about it! But at 15 years old and thus carless, I knew I had no chance of ever even seeing them again. And I sure as hell wasn’t taking a bus or a train! Yet, today, whenever I hear that song, I think of those two hot chicks and what might have been!
The winner take it all is the one for me . The rest make me happy , that one makes me want to cry
During the 1970s it was really uncool for a male teenager to like Abba - but our sisters loved them. It took me to the late 80s (or later) to realise how fun ABBA were and to appreciate the superlative quality of their musicianship.
I was a fan of ABBA as a preteen and I got ripped on consistently although the guys in my class admitted the girls were very good looking
Rubbish. It was uncool not to like ABBA in the 70s. Most lads just fancied Agnetha.
Exactly, at least here in the United States. Maybe the band was more accepted in Europe, but American boys in the 70s and early 80s would get mocked for liking ABBA.
@@paulonius42 Same in Canada. You could drool over them, but liking their music would more likely than not get you mocked and labelled as the dreaded (for the time) "G" word.
@@paulonius42…that is how it was back in the day in the good ole USA. Its sentiment still lingers to a degree. It was all about rock with its grit, angst and toughness that had anchored itself to the US airwaves. Growing up in the SF Bay Area in the early 70’s then shuttling between London, Luxembourg, Manila and Tokyo in the late 70’s to the 80’s has definitely enriched my taste in music.
I get it. You're a classic rock fan and proud of it. ABBA was not one of my favourite bands as a teenager in the 70s. As I matured throughout the years, however, I finally understood what ABBA was all about...FEEL GOOD MUSIC! Something I very much appreciate in my senior years. My wife, and also my high school sweetheart, was always an ABBA fan. She's always right. When will I ever learn? 😊
When I bought my copy of the "Take A Chance On Me" 45 in the summer of '78, I remember being most fascinated by the synth sounds in it which reminded me of rubber bands. :-)
Two expert song writers and two great singing voices that blend together perfectly - what's not to like?
I understand!
The harmonies!
I absolutely love ABBA. Those 4 were so top tier that it hurts. They have so many songs that are pure works of art, just magic. Any musician worth their salt will tell you how great they were. ABBA deserves every accolade and praise they get, they earned it. Plus, they ALL speak multiple languages!
"Knowing me, knowing you" is my fave ABBA song
I am 66 years old here in the year of 2024 but when I listen to Abba, it takes me back to my youth. I think that is true of a lot of music. Abba in my opinion is truly one of the world's greatest music groups.
Me too, on all of your points. (Well, nearly 66.)
When I was a kid, Mamma Mia was my favourite song. My mom's song was Fernando. Imagine how shocked I was when myself and my mom found out these songs were from the same band. They appeared on TV and she yelled at me to watch the TV. I kind of knew then that they had to be something very special to be loved by 2 different generations at the same time. I may have been very young, but I knew what they did was not normal. Then Abba decided to dabble in dance music and their first attempt was Dancing Queen, arguably the greatest dance track of all time. Most knew at this point that they were the undisputed champions of pop music. No one doubted that, whether you liked them or not. And when they broke up, they did it again, the greatest breakup song of all time. I'm from NZ and Abba were huge here as they were in Australia. In the US, you may have a completely different opinion.
Theres a breakup song that was their last Hit called One of Us that always hits me in the feels.
They passed me by
All of those great romances
You were, I felt, robbing me
Of my rightful chances
My picture clear
Everything seemed so easy
And so I dealt you the blow
One of us had to go
Now it's different, I want you to know
One of us is crying, one of us is lying
In a lonely bed
Staring at the ceiling
Wishing she was somewhere else instead
One of us is lonely, one of us is only
Waiting for a call
Sorry for herself, feeling stupid, feeling small
Wishing she had never left at all...
As a kid, I thought she was saying "And so I dealt you the blow / When a bus had to go." Whoops!
Two of the most beautiful voices ever heard on this earth. Agnetha and Anna-Frid are both next level talents.
I grew up in the early 70’s, they were always on the radio, maybe that’s why I love their sound.
They always sound like it is Christmas in the 1970s.
@@fredo1070 I’m just glad I grew up during the seventies, lot of great music came out.
@@polymorphism1966 me too! Late seventies were such a great period.
Growing up, I had such a HUGE crush on Agnetha Fältskog. Everytime I saw her on TV, or in a picture, I was in love. ABBA was a band I always liked. To me, their best song was, "The Winner Takes It All". SUCH a powerhouse of a song. Absolutely love these guys. Glad to see them get a measure of love on your channel today! :)
I thought she was cute too... But now that I'm older when I watch their videos I think Anna- Frid was the truly beautiful one.
@@frankmarsh1159 - I thought they were both beautiful, but Agnetha was more than just cute to me. She was my Goddess! lol
She was the most attractive, easily.
@@frankmarsh1159 Not to be shallow but (yeah it's shallow) I think Agnetha aged better than Anna Frid
Agnetha was my first crush too! I was soooo infatuated with her! ❤❤❤
"The Winner Takes it All" and "Chiquitita" were always my favorite ABBA songs... You can tell that the persons who wrote them truly understand the struggles of a hard break up.
Seeing that wonderful Ocean Blue album in the rack, I hope someday you could feature them in your show. More people need to hear their music. Thank you, and more power indeed 😎🥂
how can anyone not like ABBA. they are amazing, singers, writers, musicians.. they defined a generation.. well maybe more in the UK/EU And Australia..
Metalhead here. Gimme! Gimme! Gimme! Always makes me smile. Hell I’m grinning just thinking about it
Have you heard Yngwie Malmsteen's cover of "Gimme! Gimme! Gimme!"?
Gimme Gimme Gimme is amazing. While a lot of disco songs are hot garbage, this song has enough funkiness to transcend the genre and become an absolute classic. That nasty bassline and those soaring strings are pure magic.
@@joshtiscareno1312 ......................and I LOVE that sinister guitar intro!
Professor, thanks covering Abba. Even if they aren't your cup of tea they certainly had an impact on music and are worthy of an episode. Frankly there's no one better to cover them than to you.
62 year old lover of rock, soul, R&B, some disco and *some* country. And I absolutely love ABBA.