What an absolute joy to listen to this is. Absolutely wonderful. Thank you for watching. If you could Subscribe, that would really help me grow the Channel. Peace and Love 💋
Latest years i've heard in the net lots of ABBA's backing tracks /demos and alstheir phenomenal backing vocals and how they were recorded.And what their hidden ingredients were.And after decades of being a lifelong fan i still couldn't believe my ears digging out all these amazing lil details that created thier sparkling aura.That was like an adventurous journey to paradise.Chills!They never ceaze to amaze me.I also give credits to their sound engineer Michael Tretow was also a hard working genius.Hatts off.Abba is fabba and still theres noone to touch them in their field.
The magic of ABBA. Still as strong after 40+ years and many thousends times listening their songs. (Even more...So much layers of everything!) Briliant composers, producers and vocalists. (Not forgetting the great musicians tributing to this. Most base parts in ABBA song are phenomenal!) Not only their hits but every album track!
A glorious recording.A diamond of mellow pop music purity from a fantastic multi-platinum album.Total heavenly earbliss and one of Abba's finest for me..
I love ABBA. A group of incredibly tallented people and that extends to their backing musicians. I get what you mean about the drop at the start but I feel the music is as great in it's own way. I love the drumming and the bass. And the harmonies that follow are beautifully done I loved this.
As a saxplayer in a band, which every once in a while performs on a theatre stage, where they like to blind you with their going full throttle white lights, I must say, this "washing out important parts of our music"- effect comes really close to what I feel then. I realize this for the first time, as you mentioned it here, thank you 😊👍! And then - maybe this is another proof of ABBA being masterful on so many levels...
What a beautiful analysis of this wonderful song. I absolutely agree on all points. And it delights me enormously that someone translates what I feel listening to this popular masterpiece.😃😃😃
Super Trouper always crosses my path from time to time over the past 44 something years literally since my childhood days...with a beautiful funky weird bass line...Rutger Gunnarson 4ever!
Here in America, the song failed to crack the Top 40, but as an ABBA fan I love this song, and the whole "Super Trouper" album. I consider the album a timeless masterpiece. Maybe because I am originally from Western Europe, may possibly be a reason I can appreciate their "European sensibilities" in their style of music.
I feel as though the freeze-frame effect in the music video, towards the end, is a kind of breaking of the 4th wall, and a lovely typical ABBA/Swede silliness that is adorable and accurately intentional, and could only look uncool in some contemporary pedestrian sensibilities.
I hate the freeze-frame effect. ABBA has been issuing new lyric videos for many of their hits, utilising superb graphics with some of the original footage. I hope they leave out those shots when if they produce one for "Super Trouper". Love the chorus and the instrumental bridge, which creates the feeling of being in some kind of joyous yet melancholic fairground.
No, I know what you mean about the intro, it loses a bit of energy after the acapella part. It’s almost as if the acapella part was tacked on very late in the process. It could be, I think it’s quite common to finish up a complex vocal arrangement and feel it’s too beautiful to just be buried in the mix of everything else. The second thing you point out is something I think Bjorn and Benny pioneered: Muting the reverb during the first half of the chorus. It keeps the chorus fresh all the way through, while adding focus to the first half. It also heightens the effect of the reverb when it does return in all its lushness. (They use the exact same production technique in the Chess song One Night In Bangkok - and it works just as perfectly there). I think they probably looked at things they could take out from the first half, in order to create that contrast with the second half, and finally their eyes wandered to the fader for the reverb return and they had a eureka moment. Very clever. And very tasty.
It happens at “LIGHTS” (of “Tonight The Super Trouper LIGHTS are gonna find me”. ) In November 1980, I had that moment with the hair on arms, back of neck crimple up, just there is the “ID” of ABBA . The rest of the song acts as the Super Ego keeping the Ego at bay only to lose the battle again in the second verse, with a second drop, but ever so slightly not as profound, it’s almost like it was written to be played on repeat forever.
Yes! You are so right about that. There is something about their sound that is like listening to some sort of aural drug and it's so strong in the 'lights' moment. I remember it hitting me back then just as it does now. You can hear the identity of ABBA in that one moment, that's such a good way of putting it. So many layers to it. They are godlike level of genius.
Thank you so much for taking the time to do this. I´ ve been an Abba fan since the 70`s hearing them from the radio for the first time. Would you do something like this with SOS and/or The Day Before You Came?
Thank you for taking the time to comment buddy. I do bounce around a bit from artist to artist but yes SOS is a great track. I’ll check out The day before you came also. That’s a new one on me
@@produceathome TDBYC is one their masterpieces. In all it`s simplicity, with just Benny playing syncths and Björn playing some guitar and then of course the drums, it is such a fantastic story telling song with brilliant vocals by Agnetha and Frida`s operatic backing vocals, one of my all time favorites by them. Or by anyone.
Thanks - that did make me listen to the song in another way. Especially interesting to hear about the different instrumentations and productions when switching from the verses to the chorus. However, my favorite part of the song is not the drop, but the third verse - it's so tender and beautiful, esp. the singing is wonderfuld. I could listen to it as much as you could listen to the drop 🙂
Nice one mate and fortunately I do like all of that song. Drop is excellent but the song is so so good. It’s a joy to listen to. So we’ll put together and performed.
Nice video. One thing i wish you'd mentioned: - the bass line does a lot of work before each chorus begins. After meandering about in the verse it will drop down and strike a low, open string before going a little wild, and only then will in settle into the rhythmic chorus line. I think that those open strings pack a powerful punch.
Hi Dave, this is Grahame from Haarlem, The Netherlands. Iv'e just discovered your great channel, and being a fan of the 70/80's music era, (I'm 77yrs old btw), there's two songs/videos that I would really like your opinion(s) on: 1) The band "Rumours of Fleetwood Mac" playing live in Gateshead. 2) "Hey Little Girl" from the Australian group 'Icehouse'. There will be more if you so wish. Rgds, Grahame
Hi Grahame and welcome buddy. I will check out number 1. Never heard of number 2 so I’ll have a look at them also. Thanks for the suggestions. I have one for you. Pick any song from these guys who I consider to be the best cover band I’ve ever heard: youtube.com/@TheClassicRockShow
here's a mix of the song where you can hear what is normally hidden in the background of the finished recording. enjoy! - ruclips.net/video/zxczu3Ubdrk/видео.html
Great video. Would love to see you review some of ABBA's other songs, as they are exceptional song writers. It might be particularly interesting for you to review their latest album released last year. I Still Have Faith in You was nominated for Recording of the Year, and I think you could have a field day with that track.
I like ABBA a lot but I don’t think they accomplished another drop into a chorus quite this good until their recent “Don’t Shut Me Down”… possibly “The Visitors” came close. What makes Super Trouper unique is how they actually pulled back on a lot when it hits the chorus. It even sounds like the reverb is pulled down on the vocals on the first half of the chorus then turned back up when the bells come in.
Great video! I'm definitely going to keep an eye on your channel. I hope you'll consider reacting to more ABBA songs. 'The Name Of The Game' would be great for an analysis, it's perhaps their most sophisticated song. So what is your favorite ABBA song? All the hits are obviously great, but they've got so much more. My list of underrated gems would be something like this: - I'm a Marionette - I Let the Music Speak - Eagle (album version) - The Way Old Friends Do (album version) - The Day Before You Came - Summer Night City (full-length version) - I Have a Dream - I Wonder (Departure) - My Love, My Life - I've Been Waiting for You - My Mama Said - Watch Out - Disillusion - Hole in Your Soul - Should I Laugh or Cry - Our Last Summer
@@produceathome Nice, then you've got some great tunes to discover. You'll be surprised how wide their musical range is, they weren't afraid to experiment.
Great analysis of this fantastically produced classic! Could you give some of your thoughts on the production of Cliff Richard with the song Devil woman? I've always thought the production there is kinda intriguing.. and very cool 🙂
Plinky-plonky? Glockenspiel! And there are no simple notes. It's how they work on top if the chords. In this song the chorus opens with suspended chords.
In this instance, it's the art of building up the Verse with lots of instruments, reverb, harmonies etc. towards the end of it then dropping into the Chorus with a lot of that removed. A way of telling the listener that this is the 'hook' or the bit it's been building to. A drop from lots to not a lot. Dance/Trance music does this to great effect.
@@domenicosacco5845 in this song it’s the dropping of most of the instruments and effects from the verse when the chorus hits so that the chorus really punches out
As a super fan of ABBA this song was not one of my favorites never was never will be not sure why in the US I don't think it charted that well and was not a huge hit it probably did better in England but I don't turn it off if I hear it but it's not one of their songs that I love to hear
Charter number one over here in the UK and I think number 1 in the US dance chart but yea I agree they’ve done better. I really do like the song and I have to admit, when I hear any ABBA song I have to listen to 10 more on the trot lol
This song in the US only peaked at number 45 on that Billboard top 100 I don't know about the dance chart so by 1980 their popularity at least in the US was fading. Don't get me wrong the song is okay but they wrote so many other ones that were 10 times better still love the band to this day and I always will
@@genewebb2837 ST single was too 'European' for the USA market.'The Winner takes it all ' single faired better there from the same album (USA TOP 10).Don't worry i don't get ya wrong Gene.We all have our rightful preferences,lol.Super Trouper was also No1 in other European markets such as Spain,Holland,Belgium,Ireland,etc to name but a few and even top 3 in Mexico amongst the countries that faired well.In the USA i think it was No1 in the USA dance chart as a maxi single with On and On/Lay all your love on me,while the album was also the best seller of 1980 in UK where it got a place in the Guiness book for the most pre-saled album in history there ever.( 1 million copies).
What an absolute joy to listen to this is. Absolutely wonderful. Thank you for watching. If you could Subscribe, that would really help me grow the Channel. Peace and Love 💋
The song is a thing of beauty.
Latest years i've heard in the net lots of ABBA's backing tracks /demos and alstheir phenomenal backing vocals and how they were recorded.And what their hidden ingredients were.And after decades of being a lifelong fan i still couldn't believe my ears digging out all these amazing lil details that created thier sparkling aura.That was like an adventurous journey to paradise.Chills!They never ceaze to amaze me.I also give credits to their sound engineer Michael Tretow was also a hard working genius.Hatts off.Abba is fabba and still theres noone to touch them in their field.
Super Trouper is an almost mystical production.
Phenomenal analysis. I truly enjoyed watching it. Thank you 💯 Isn't it always thrilling to explore the complexity and debth of ABBA songs?! 🤩
The magic of ABBA. Still as strong after 40+ years and many thousends times listening their songs. (Even more...So much layers of everything!) Briliant composers, producers and vocalists. (Not forgetting the great musicians tributing to this. Most base parts in ABBA song are phenomenal!) Not only their hits but every album track!
This has groovy and unique bass line in chorus.
I want to go fishing with Benny and Björn, because they have the best hooks. 😎
Amazing production 😯😍😍😍😍
ABBA is a songwriters masterclass
It's a beautiful heartwarming record ❤
A glorious recording.A diamond of mellow pop music purity from a fantastic multi-platinum album.Total heavenly earbliss and one of Abba's finest for me..
I always know about this. But great to hear you. Take care.
WOW! What an incredible, detailed review!!! Thank you. So many 'reaction' videos go through the motions, but you really gave some depth 👏👍❤️
Thank you buddy for saying that. I like to breakdown songs and share knowledge. I could have talked for a few hours on this track
@@produceathome you are so welcome. I love this song but you've given me a new dimension to it, 43 years after release.
I love ABBA. A group of incredibly tallented people and that extends to their backing musicians. I get what you mean about the drop at the start but I feel the music is as great in it's own way. I love the drumming and the bass. And the harmonies that follow are beautifully done I loved this.
Agreed mate an awesome song. Thanks for commenting buddy
As a saxplayer in a band, which every once in a while performs on a theatre stage, where they like to blind you with their going full throttle white lights, I must say, this "washing out important parts of our music"- effect comes really close to what I feel then. I realize this for the first time, as you mentioned it here, thank you 😊👍! And then - maybe this is another proof of ABBA being masterful on so many levels...
It is genius. Such an incredible beautiful sound. They drop everything away in Mama Mia for a similar effect.
Thanks for commenting buddy and yea I think they do it a lot it other tracks which is just wonderful
Brilliant analysis! Professional
One of my favorite Abba songs.
Great review, you make me listen to this masterpiece differently now!
Thank you buddy. Lots of goodies in that one.
Super Trouper was my gateway drug to everything ABBA.
Very good reaction! Very interesting also for an non-musician like me. Can't wait for your next reaction to an ABBA song!!
Thank you Pal 🫡
What a beautiful analysis of this wonderful song. I absolutely agree on all points. And it delights me enormously that someone translates what I feel listening to this popular masterpiece.😃😃😃
You're a legend thank you! Glad you enjoyed it buddy.
Super Trouper always crosses my path from time to time over the past 44 something years literally since my childhood days...with a beautiful funky weird bass line...Rutger Gunnarson 4ever!
Here in America, the song failed to crack the Top 40, but as an ABBA fan I love this song, and the whole "Super Trouper" album. I consider the album a timeless masterpiece. Maybe because I am originally from Western Europe, may possibly be a reason I can appreciate their "European sensibilities" in their style of music.
Thanks for the insight buddy and for taking the time to comment. Much appreciated
@@produceathome 😊You're very welcome❗And warm greetings from across the pond.🌊
Great review!! :)
This was really interesting. Thanks!
I feel as though the freeze-frame effect in the music video, towards the end, is a kind of breaking of the 4th wall, and a lovely typical ABBA/Swede silliness that is adorable and accurately intentional, and could only look uncool in some contemporary pedestrian sensibilities.
I hate the freeze-frame effect. ABBA has been issuing new lyric videos for many of their hits, utilising superb graphics with some of the original footage. I hope they leave out those shots when if they produce one for "Super Trouper". Love the chorus and the instrumental bridge, which creates the feeling of being in some kind of joyous yet melancholic fairground.
Dynamics is what it has
Yup. When recordings weren’t part of the ‘loudness wars’ we have today. Brilliant.
No, I know what you mean about the intro, it loses a bit of energy after the acapella part. It’s almost as if the acapella part was tacked on very late in the process. It could be, I think it’s quite common to finish up a complex vocal arrangement and feel it’s too beautiful to just be buried in the mix of everything else.
The second thing you point out is something I think Bjorn and Benny pioneered: Muting the reverb during the first half of the chorus. It keeps the chorus fresh all the way through, while adding focus to the first half. It also heightens the effect of the reverb when it does return in all its lushness. (They use the exact same production technique in the Chess song One Night In Bangkok - and it works just as perfectly there). I think they probably looked at things they could take out from the first half, in order to create that contrast with the second half, and finally their eyes wandered to the fader for the reverb return and they had a eureka moment. Very clever. And very tasty.
It happens at “LIGHTS” (of “Tonight The Super Trouper LIGHTS are gonna find me”. ) In November 1980, I had that moment with the hair on arms, back of neck crimple up, just there is the “ID” of ABBA . The rest of the song acts as the Super Ego keeping the Ego at bay only to lose the battle again in the second verse, with a second drop, but ever so slightly not as profound, it’s almost like it was written to be played on repeat forever.
Yes! You are so right about that. There is something about their sound that is like listening to some sort of aural drug and it's so strong in the 'lights' moment. I remember it hitting me back then just as it does now. You can hear the identity of ABBA in that one moment, that's such a good way of putting it. So many layers to it. They are godlike level of genius.
Got this album for Christmas when I was 10. Loved ABBA since I was 2. ❤️ Will you do The visitors? Thank you for a great video.
I’ll definitely have a look at The Visitors. Thanks for the recommendation
What a great video. So detailed and joyful to watch. Thank you!
❤️🅰️🅱️🅱️🅰️❤️
Thank you buddy for watching and for your kind words. Much appreciated 🫡
Thank you so much for taking the time to do this. I´ ve been an Abba fan since the 70`s hearing them from the radio for the first time. Would you do something like this with SOS and/or The Day Before You Came?
Thank you for taking the time to comment buddy. I do bounce around a bit from artist to artist but yes SOS is a great track. I’ll check out The day before you came also. That’s a new one on me
@@produceathome TDBYC is one their masterpieces. In all it`s simplicity, with just Benny playing syncths and Björn playing some guitar and then of course the drums, it is such a fantastic story telling song with brilliant vocals by Agnetha and Frida`s operatic backing vocals, one of my all time favorites by them. Or by anyone.
Thanks - that did make me listen to the song in another way. Especially interesting to hear about the different instrumentations and productions when switching from the verses to the chorus. However, my favorite part of the song is not the drop, but the third verse - it's so tender and beautiful, esp. the singing is wonderfuld. I could listen to it as much as you could listen to the drop 🙂
Nice one mate and fortunately I do like all of that song. Drop is excellent but the song is so so good. It’s a joy to listen to. So we’ll put together and performed.
most interesting thank you. I'm not well versed in music but have always realized there is much going on in an Abba song.
Thank you buddy. There is so much more going on! Great to explore.
Nice video. One thing i wish you'd mentioned:
- the bass line does a lot of work before each chorus begins. After meandering about in the verse it will drop down and strike a low, open string before going a little wild, and only then will in settle into the rhythmic chorus line. I think that those open strings pack a powerful punch.
Hi Dave, this is Grahame from Haarlem, The Netherlands. Iv'e just discovered your great channel, and being a fan of the 70/80's music era, (I'm 77yrs old btw),
there's two songs/videos that I would really like your opinion(s) on:
1) The band "Rumours of Fleetwood Mac" playing live in Gateshead.
2) "Hey Little Girl" from the Australian group 'Icehouse'.
There will be more if you so wish.
Rgds, Grahame
Hi Grahame and welcome buddy. I will check out number 1. Never heard of number 2 so I’ll have a look at them also. Thanks for the suggestions. I have one for you. Pick any song from these guys who I consider to be the best cover band I’ve ever heard: youtube.com/@TheClassicRockShow
oh... Ice House.. 🤔Not many mention them. I have a sweet spot for A man of colours. Absolutely beautiful tune.
It's fascinating that for each time the chorus begins, more instruments are removed until it only becomes bass, synth and vocals the third time.
Yea. When you dig in to it there's a hell of a lot to discover. Great song. Thanks for commenting buddy
here's a mix of the song where you can hear what is normally hidden in the background of the finished recording. enjoy! - ruclips.net/video/zxczu3Ubdrk/видео.html
Great video. Would love to see you review some of ABBA's other songs, as they are exceptional song writers. It might be particularly interesting for you to review their latest album released last year. I Still Have Faith in You was nominated for Recording of the Year, and I think you could have a field day with that track.
Thank you pal and yes I’ll definitely be reacting to more. There’s a lot of ABBA I’ve yet to hear. Thanks for the suggestion also buddy!
I like ABBA a lot but I don’t think they accomplished another drop into a chorus quite this good until their recent “Don’t Shut Me Down”… possibly “The Visitors” came close. What makes Super Trouper unique is how they actually pulled back on a lot when it hits the chorus. It even sounds like the reverb is pulled down on the vocals on the first half of the chorus then turned back up when the bells come in.
Thanks for watching buddy
Great video! I'm definitely going to keep an eye on your channel. I hope you'll consider reacting to more ABBA songs. 'The Name Of The Game' would be great for an analysis, it's perhaps their most sophisticated song. So what is your favorite ABBA song? All the hits are obviously great, but they've got so much more. My list of underrated gems would be something like this:
- I'm a Marionette
- I Let the Music Speak
- Eagle (album version)
- The Way Old Friends Do (album version)
- The Day Before You Came
- Summer Night City (full-length version)
- I Have a Dream
- I Wonder (Departure)
- My Love, My Life
- I've Been Waiting for You
- My Mama Said
- Watch Out
- Disillusion
- Hole in Your Soul
- Should I Laugh or Cry
- Our Last Summer
Thank you mate. There’s so much to ABBA tunes. It would be rude not to. Thanks for the suggestion
@@produceathome Haha, you're quick :-) I was still updating my comment. Looking forward to more videos.
There’s a lot I haven’t heard in that list 🤔
@@produceathome Nice, then you've got some great tunes to discover. You'll be surprised how wide their musical range is, they weren't afraid to experiment.
Thanks for the nice analysis, thumbs up, great tune, good choice....by the way how about "on and on and on" as you mentioned! 👍
Thank you buddy. I could really talk about this song all night but didn’t want to bore everyone lol I do tend to go on 🥱 and on and on
@@produceathome lol, but you know there s an ABBA song called "on and on and on" 👍
@@arnejuergens7457 ah ok. Got it now lol. Not heard that but will have a listen. Man there’s loads of ABBA I have to catch up on. Can’t wait
@@produceathome 👍
Do you know what a Super Trouper is? It’s the follow spot that features in the video.
Great analysis of this fantastically produced classic! Could you give some of your thoughts on the production of Cliff Richard with the song Devil woman? I've always thought the production there is kinda intriguing.. and very cool 🙂
Thank you mate. Devil Woman is a cracking tune I’ve heard many times. Thanks for the suggestion
Just wondering, what headphones you are using?
Hey buddy. They are Sennheiser HD 600's. All the gear I have is on this vid: ruclips.net/video/9lPDJSZNQVc/видео.html
Plinky-plonky? Glockenspiel! And there are no simple notes. It's how they work on top if the chords. In this song the chorus opens with suspended chords.
Plinky Plonk is a professional term 😂
@@produceathome 😅
What is meant by 'drop'?
In this instance, it's the art of building up the Verse with lots of instruments, reverb, harmonies etc. towards the end of it then dropping into the Chorus with a lot of that removed. A way of telling the listener that this is the 'hook' or the bit it's been building to. A drop from lots to not a lot. Dance/Trance music does this to great effect.
Trooper?
Thank you!
You think is it 4 on the flour?
Yup
@@produceathome and, precisely, what's the drop?
@@domenicosacco5845 in this song it’s the dropping of most of the instruments and effects from the verse when the chorus hits so that the chorus really punches out
@@produceathome listen to Mamma Mia song, too. Precisely, at the chorus.
Trouper. Not Trooper. 🙂
Thanks Pal!
As a super fan of ABBA this song was not one of my favorites never was never will be not sure why in the US I don't think it charted that well and was not a huge hit it probably did better in England but I don't turn it off if I hear it but it's not one of their songs that I love to hear
Charter number one over here in the UK and I think number 1 in the US dance chart but yea I agree they’ve done better. I really do like the song and I have to admit, when I hear any ABBA song I have to listen to 10 more on the trot lol
Actually the single was a huge Hit in Europe.Also a big no1 solid seller in the 2 bigest European markets UK/W.Germany.
This song in the US only peaked at number 45 on that Billboard top 100 I don't know about the dance chart so by 1980 their popularity at least in the US was fading. Don't get me wrong the song is okay but they wrote so many other ones that were 10 times better still love the band to this day and I always will
@@genewebb2837 ST single was too 'European' for the USA market.'The Winner takes it all ' single faired better there from the same album (USA TOP 10).Don't worry i don't get ya wrong Gene.We all have our rightful preferences,lol.Super Trouper was also No1 in other European markets such as Spain,Holland,Belgium,Ireland,etc to name but a few and even top 3 in Mexico amongst the countries that faired well.In the USA i think it was No1 in the USA dance chart as a maxi single with On and On/Lay all your love on me,while the album was also the best seller of 1980 in UK where it got a place in the Guiness book for the most pre-saled album in history there ever.( 1 million copies).
I agree that the vocal start is so promising and the music coming in is disappointing.