ABBA: Benny Andersson - PIANO MAESTRO!!

Swedish pop group ABBA's Benny Andersson is an outstanding pianist. In this video we discuss his style and how incorporates elements of classical, folk and various other styles which gives ABBA's music its distinctive, emotional and unmistakable sound.
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[@VaughnGeorge]

Swedish pop group ABBA's Benny Andersson is an outstanding pianist. In this video we discuss his style and how incorporates elements of classical, folk and various other styles which gives ABBA's music its distinctive, emotional and unmistakable sound.

[@Magnus_Loov]

You probably have seen the man himself discuss it in 2017 when Benny Andersson were releasing his piano album and, in a very down to earth toned down way, try to analyze what made the Abba sound, the Abba sound. kzbin.info/www/bejne/m2KtY3SmrJt4aK8 The piano playing with his emotional touch and fantastic flow that seems to come so naturally like as if he was born on a piano. The part where he says that there is a distinctive part of the songs that have something else in it that is probably Swedish in some kind of melancholic way, the special folksy and parts etc. As a Swede I kind of can hear that. Also that he is an admitted huge fan of Bach and even plays some Bach songs in there. But lets not also forget that all the absolute crop of the cream Swedish musicians/studio musicians, arrangers, engineers (the term for producer in the 70:s) were involved in the productions throughout Abbas career. Mikal B Tretow (Engineer/producer)was extremely important for the Abba sound with all the voice layering techniques, for example. Something Benny probably learnt a lot from and got really good at by himself later on. As he also probably did when collaborating with all these people. Like the classically trained Staffan Scheja or Björn J:Son Lindh etc. Or guitar contributions from "Janne Schaffer" who in turn in the Swedish radio "Summer" podcast told the story when he met Toto that were inspired by his album when the band were producing their album in the late 70:S, for example. Björn J:son Lindh and Schaffer made a great instrumental, "Brusa högre lilla Å!" ("Sing louder little river!" which has that Swedish melancholic sound to it: kzbin.info/www/bejne/nYemanypZbxkmNU (simply a masterpiece as it builds up to the "crescendo " towards the end. And, same drummer as one of the drummers used by Abba too) It all seemed like it was a fantastic open mind sharing of ideas with extremely musical people who also seemed to be very bright and at the same time not caught up in the ego world of stardom so they actually went on and got better and better at their craft and expanded their musical horizon! The humble and toned down "down to earth" part is probablh something that was crucial to that!)

[@vidingsjo]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/iKK2iYp7rct5brs Benny plays old Swedish folk music

[@vidingsjo]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/pIHYk3yQp7J4r5Y Svenska Engelska He is also a master of accordion and Swedish folk music

[@martinekstrom6303]

You’re spot on about the analysis about the ending of chiquitita. It’s folk music. Benny is rooted in Swedish folk music. Here he is on accordion playing folk music that he of course have written.He can play any instrument. kzbin.info/www/bejne/h6qtZGyMlMl8htU

[@DaddyOProductions]

first time on your page. u made a mistake. GARFUNCkAL Did not write . While Garfunkel was not a songwriter. no issues just pointing it out.

[@jacksonmiked]

Benny is the Schubert of our times. And he works hard at his craft for hours at a time. He would have made it anyway but we are fortunate he became part of such a fantastic team as ABBA. There is the miracle of how the ladies’ voices complement each other in the mix, and how well they were able to act out the songs in their performances. And Bjorn is a gifted lyricist, fine rhythm guitar player and the extrovert the band needs.

[@VaughnGeorge]

I will go with that!! VG :-)

[@hamishmorgan100]

For the record Bjorn composed the winner takes it all on his own

[@bandybrakman6933]

@@hamishmorgan100 No, he "only" wrote the lyrics. Benny is the composer to ALL of ABBA's music.

[@Magnus_Loov]

@@bandybrakman6933 No, they actually composed together. Björn didn't only write the text. They sat together, Benny on Piano and Björn on guitar and they wrote the music together. Yes, many keyboard parts are Bennys but Björn had a lot of input on the music too.

[@Maitatron]

Maybe Bjorn wrote a part of the music of the winner takes it all and not only the lyrics, but the other songs were Benny Anderson on music. I say this cause i've read an article from 1975 or 1976 (don't remember the year exactly) where Bjorn confessed that he never wrote a single note of music for ABBA and was always worrying what to write as lyrics.

[@facundocorradini]

Benny is the main composer of ABBA's music, and we can all agree his a freaking genius. A true master of balancing complexity and simplicity. That's not to undermine the other members' contribution, Bjorn's lyrics were great (specially towards their _newest_ records) and the girls handled harmonies at a level only comparable to the Bee Gees or The Beatles. And they also had the right associate musicians and engineer that took it to the next level. But Benny provided the foundations on which everything else was built. He's amazing.

[@Captain_Rhodes]

check out the roches first album. if you like harmonies they were world class

[@anthonycbrown1952]

I'm still not clear who makes the post-production decisions in ABBA. For example, I read they use multiple tracks of the ladies vocals to give that broader and more intense sound we love when they sing together. I agree, the Bee Gees and ABBA stand out as two groups that excel at harmonization. Fun fact: Have you seen the live show where ABBA sings to a Bee Gees song (Shadow Dancing)? YT Video: 'Olivia! ABC-TV Special with Andy Gibb & ABBA - Ultra Rare TRUE STEREO !'

[@Mario-xr3jo]

The Beatles never achieved that level of harmonies that ABBA managed to achieve. Just compare the number of vocal tracks in songs from ABBA and those of the Beatles.

[@dennislindqvist8443]

@@Mario-xr3jo The number of tracks is probably more about the technology that was available at the time of recording. And not least how each band wanted to sound. Lennon in particular, liked the minimalist while ABBA often preferred that wall of sound. But his favorite "pop" song was actually SOS.

[@kyleday5026]

also the women also had a hand in arranging how they would sing etc.

[@StockholmNightlife]

Benny Andersson a true genius and a big reason why ABBA is ABBA!!! I have the privilege to have met Benny at a relatives funeral back in 2007! A very humble guy with a big heart!! ♡ Thanks Vaughn!!! =)

[@demonhoopa]

I don’t think I could keep my eyes dry in the presence of any member of that group. Which is odd as they’re not my FAVORITE group. Yet I think I’d be fine meeting Elton John or a surviving Beatle. ABBA’s music creates such an emotional attachment and reminds you of “better times”, even though said times weren’t necessarily better. But all memories that are accompanied by ABBA music are lovely ones.

[@jay_ooh]

"I sound like a real ABBA fan boy...I make no apologies for that!" Absolutely classic, THE BEST haha

[@lassel1644]

Finally someone who understands the greatness of M.r Benny Andersson. Seen in the all time greats perspective.

[@VaughnGeorge]

Thank you Lasse!! Glad you found the channel !! VG :-)

[@agb007agb]

The funny thing with ABBA is that it still sounds like it could have been recorded yesterday. So timeless!

[@MonetILU]

Classical piano music of high quality is timeless.

[@punchingpillow]

With Benny's brilliance in mind, it's easy to underestimate the influence of the other members. It's the combination that makes their music stellar.

[@frozen_78]

It would be a dream come true to hear some multitracks of ABBA's songs. All the layers, the vocal dubs. There are so many hidden sounds, melodies in their tracks. I love their music, the catchiness in the songs. The drama, the emotions in Agnetha and Frida's voices - just amazing. I can't imagine my life without ABBA..

[@scottchristy]

Thanks for making this video. I have always felt that Benny's piano playing has been under appreciated. I don't think I've ever heard anybody else talk about it.

[@scottchristy]

and another thing.... I fucking love ABBA :)

[@VaughnGeorge]

Thank you Scott!! I am glad you enjoyed that !! VG :-)

[@VaughnGeorge]

Too right brother !! VG :-)

[@itoilinks]

Ulrika A. Rosén, listen to her playing ABBA songs on piano. Benny right there! There is a playlist with 30 ABBA songs.

[@nilswestman4013]

In my opinion Slipping through my fingersbis the most beautiful melody line of them all. Every part of the song is brilliant. Very classical inspired.

[@robyoung9968]

My mother loved ABBA, she was 93 when she passed, I was one of the few among my peers that loved their music. They transcend even today. The come back album proved the talent and adoration lives on after all these years apart. I’m so happy you’re a fan Vaughn. You play beautifully. A fine tribute to Benny.

[@laurettawalker6512]

And new music from BennyAnderssonOrchestra 2024!❤

[@davidjohnpaul7558]

The man is an absolute genius....

[@OperaJH]

Yes, Benny is one of the greatest melodists ever and I’ve always noticed that he arranges like a classical composer. He’s also ever aware of the fact that he has singers to place in his music. And they are all always and ever, totally genuine; which is why Benny’s music is honestly musical and musically honest.

[@mgbchoralmusic6443]

Benny Andersson came out with a piano album a couple of years ago simply called "Piano". He selected works from all of his repertoire that he felt worked best as piano solos. Songs are from ABBA, Chess, Kristina, and his solo Swedish work. Great album. You won't hear the regular ABBA hit son this album, non SOS, no Dancing Queen....more ballads.

[@StuartQuinn]

A splendid version of The Day Before You Came is on that album. There are lots of solo piano arrangements of that song on KZbin, but you'll notice that they all start to use Benny's arrangement once Piano has been released.

[@laurettawalker6512]

Yes! Love it! And now a new song released in April 2024, from their new BennyAnderssonOrchestra album soon to be released.

[@laurettawalker6512]

Great review! You capture the wonder of Benny's composing!

[@mikosoft]

It's exactly the same with me. I'm also an amateur self taught musician and the more I know the more I can appreciate the musicianship of Abba. We played Mamma Mia with our band and first off, it's not at all simple to play but once we got it it's an enormous blast and a total crowd pleaser. Everybody dances when we do that song. Complex yet approachable, few have mastered this combination like Abba did.

[@ToreHansen]

He is also one of the best composers the last 50 years, in the pop genre....

[@spjotvold1]

Maestro Benny! :-) He is responsible for a lot of ABBA's musical appeal, being the harmonies or subtle countermelodies. He and ABBA put melody and harmony first to make pop music in the right sense of the word. Great songwriter, arranger and performer! You can get a bit bored with some ABBA songs being played over and over and done in karaoke, as with other music, but that doesn't take away the fact that they are beautifully crafted and deserve their place in music history!

[@user-mb1ts7zj8z]

Benny is the best pure pop composer of the modern age in my opinion. I know every song he composed. It's a pity most of those songs were recorded in Swedish, so 99,9% of the population won't even bother to listen to them. But I can assure you, if you do, you won't be disappointed. Because many songs he recorded with BAO are just as good as the 2 new Abba songs just released. Just listen to Summa Summarum or Bara Bara Du for example.

[@user-mv6he6gl8m]

Doing a Bach maybe? His favourite composer that was forgotten for a very, very long time...

[@user-mb1ts7zj8z]

@@user-mv6he6gl8m Bach is indeed his favorite composer

[@jensscholz]

What Benny does to not distract the voices are two things (or two and a half): The first is playing broken chords instead of full ones, which still gives you the whole chords to clearly identify the key at hand, but they don't block all the other instruments and especially not the voices, but gives them a kind of soft flowing carpet on which the main melodies of the voices are placed. The second is that he fills the gaps and pauses of the melodies with echos and variations of the melody we just heard, often one or even two pitches higher, emphasising the melody and by that letting the voices stand out even more, because they work as jumping points for the next phrase. The half is (and i think you almost said this in the video when you talked about how the pattern determines the tempo on the chiquitita part): The piano makes the tempo. This is different from most pop and rock groups, where the tempo normally is governed by the rhythm section of drums & bass (but Abba are not the only ones - Jim Steinman does it with all his songs, too). By doing that, the voices are not as bound to the rhythm as they are on tracks with a stricter tempo. The aforementioned carpet of single tones of broken chords allow them to stretch and pause and set in a bit sooner or later than the actual bar and that gives the voices the opportunity to stand out, even if the arrangements of ABBA songs have far more layers than usual pop songs (and that's why Jim Steinmans songs can have these many more layers, too).

[@warwickhewitt8844]

I find a lot of music over the last decade doesn't rely on melody much anymore but simple chord progressions dressed up with over produced cut and paste software. Hopefully the new ABBA album is a success and maybe will influence the next generation of artists and producers to produce a new era of great melodic music?

[@VaughnGeorge]

Let’s hope so!! ABBA are keeping the sincerity in music alive !! VG 🎹👍😎

[@user-mv6he6gl8m]

Considering that he grew up with the accordion and don't read music makes him even more special. Musical genius is truly fitting.

[@radmiladjurica9050]

I am not an ABBA fan... but.... when I worked as a hotel entertainer in Greece about 20 and some years ago, ABBA was the favourite band for almost all English tourists, especially middle-aged women. We used ABBA on many occasions and it was always a good choice, a secure choice. One night a family of English tourists, mainly women, created a train through the hotel resort, it went all over the hotel resort and lasted all night long...The DJ had to go for ABBA songs because that was the sure win for tourists... using ABBA was always successful. All women in the hotel, tourists with children and families on Holliday no matter of the age knew all the words. It was amazing. A sure getaway for tourists of all ages. The hotel entertainment also included British English entertainers with just a few of us from Europe, and we had no clue that ABBA is popular in Great Britain. It was an amazing experience. And one group of British tourists, all women with families and children in the hotel, once asked us to organize an extra fun going to a nearby nightclub with full monty male strippers. Once we got there, the women asked for ABBA songs for the stripping show, which completely confused male strippers, because the songs were not very suitable for their show. They tried, but it went absolutely hilarious at the end...that was also the night to remember...it was pretty difficult for them to do their show with this music. And no one later felt embarrassed if their children would ask about it but telling of course just a bit of it, not the details about full monty dance. That was really funny, the kids asked me to tell them what was like at the nightclub because moms did not want to tell particular details about the show but they knew that there was something that moms kept quiet about. Anyways ABBA is still good getaway music for all ages, especially on Holidays:)

[@penponds]

What a fun story! Thank you for sharing Radmila ;-)

[@MusicEssentials]

I think, what makes Benny's compositions (and the recordings of them) so special is also, that they lack any "cynicism". They are made with care, because he treats his audience with respect. This is also a reason why ABBA's music has endured, because when you listening to them, you as a listener experience something pure, that was made from the heart, with love, for you to listen to and enjoy. ABBA's music is manipulating you emotionally, but with the intention to lift you up and inspire you. When you listen to his music, you can feel its humanistic nature.

[@christophersimons128]

It's like home baked bread, the variations in texture and "imperfections", are precisely what make it perfect. Truly, less is sometimes more.

[@BeatMax2023]

I love Abba especially because of their great piano parts. Its timeless music you can allways listen too. Benny is a great composer and pianist!

[@demonhoopa]

I’m an old metal head. It’s nice to find someone who agrees with me about ABBA’s brilliance. Was beginning to think I was crazy lol.

[@bennyandersson-topic15]

thanks for your love and support I'm so happy to have a great fans like you

[@jasfan8247]

Both Pete Townsend and Ritchie Blackmore said Abba was their favorite!

[@Lavo68]

Always a fan, but I appreciate Benny’s writing genius so much more as an adult. As kid if I pulled down my kiss posters for ABBA, I would have faced endless ridicule from my older brother’s friends😂 So much ABBA resistance in the earnest depressing 1970’s, Great art stands the test of time. The two new tunes are so poignant , it’s looking like a happy ending for the eternal music of ABBA.

[@tuijakarttunen9164]

His album Piano is amazing. I love the piano version of The day before you came. It really highlights the beauty of the melody of that song. Please analyse I`m a marionette. You should also check Intermezzo no 1.

[@Arthur.H.Studio]

agress about "the day before you came".. great piano version.

[@dynjarren8355]

I’m surprised he was not classically trained from childhood because he is a fantastic player and songwriter. I like his classical flourish’s and I like how his piano adds a touch of classical style to the songs. A Brilliant player and he seems to be having a lot of fun as well. Since he’s enjoying himself then it’s contagious and you end up enjoying yourself as well. Their music has lasted and will last forever as great pop music. Bravo Benny and Bjorn! And Agnatha and Frida! They are magical! The stars were aligned when they all met and got together to make music.

[@ChatNick]

Great pianist. I'm ABBA fan since 1974. after Eurovision winning with Waterloo. Rest is the history. Their almost every song is a real masterpiece of music.

[@MannvonWelto]

Benny Andersson is a Story Teller and he is telling his Storys in a emotional way through the Melodie he is playing.

[@danbike9]

"My love of Bach is deep, strong, and everlasting." - Benny Andersson, Piano (2017)

[@djmaffe]

One of the this worlds best musician 👌🎶

[@mi_7967]

Benny Andersson = brilliant musician!

[@kenw.1112]

If you do not like ABBA you DEFINITELY have something wrong with you. Abba had the ability to reach a audiance over a wide age group. The new music is very impressive. After 40 years and they are still strong .

[@VaughnGeorge]

I absolutely agree with that Ken!! VG 🎹👍😎

[@bennyandersson-topic15]

thanks for your love and support I'm so happy to have a great fan like you

[@bennyandersson-topic15]

thanks for your love and support I'm so happy to have a great fans like you

[@leokimvideo]

I feel Benny has looked very carefully at the way Liberace played. Lots of extra in the playing while keeping it completely musical.

[@dynjarren8355]

Benny may not formally educated but he is incredibly talented and his piano playing is brilliant! Fantastic flourishes and melodies! Benny and Bjorn were incredible songwriters as well. Good Analysis and I like how you demonstrate it on piano.

[@Cotte2000]

Great video. I'm from Sweden and play piano, but i have never thought of ABBA in this way. Thank YOU for the music.

[@VaughnGeorge]

Thank you too!! VG :-)

[@harrycallahan9764]

Once you had Benny on the piano, Bjorn with a variety of guitars and 2 gorgeous girls magnificent in everything they sing it just had to be an unstoppable force

[@kocho4242]

Could you please do also "I still have faith with you"? I think it may be even more very interesting from song's structure analysis point of view. I saw reactions on that song and many people are crying. That is also prove of ABBA's genius. Their music affect people's emotions so much. In past 20 years, I didn't see anybody crying while listening to pop music. Maybe because modern pop music is made of digital plastic? Too much focus on sound engineering and drawing music in midi editor, too less on catchy melodies and real instruments. Because of that, 99% of modern music has no soul. People may live without compression and high level of signal, but music without catchy melody simply sucks and nobody remembers it after few listenings.

[@skroll71]

Brilliant! Thank you for this video. Loved seeing the placements on the keyboard. ABBA will never be thebsame - and that is meant in a positive manner!

[@K0Tik82]

Impatiently waiting for the series! This is the stuff i need so much! Thank you! For the music :-)

[@stefanhaller3273]

If I could play Piano as you do Vaughn, I would aready be happy :-). The brilliance of Benny is undeniable. A good Piano player can already make a difference to, how music sounds in your ears, and what emotion it transports to your heart. Sometimies I get sad that I've never had a chance to learn it for myself.

[@owen2193]

Thx u so much for this kind of videos. U dk hie much o enjoy abba's songs and brilliant ppl around em

[@bankabaver4583]

The boy is God himself! Go Benny 🔥

[@jesperlykkejensen14]

Thanks for doing DM and ABBA videos! Love this channel and the Patreon channel even more now! Benny and Bjørn are just musical geniuses. ...and yes, I've never listened more ABBA, since I was a uncertain teenager, than now. Funny how I understand the music completely different now, with all the years gone by!

[@daveaskew2105]

Brilliant playing.......huge ABBA fan.....

[@ricardoelorza613]

Hola from Spain!! I 100% agree with you. He's a genius. An unassuming one, humble and down to earth. You can really appreciate his craft in the Piano album. No overdubs, multi layered sophisticated production... no wall of sound at all. Just naked, pure... great music. The theme selection is pretty somber, slow paced but great. You can see clearly both his evolution as a composer and the melting pot he's always been known for. From the West End musical tone of the amazing I Let The Music Speak to the classical Flikornas Rum. I bought the sheet music book from the album. The moments of joy this man has given me through the years are countless. What's even better, there are more around the corner!!!!

[@williampaganucci1084]

Enjoyed the video Vaughn. I'm a big ABBA fan. Chiquitita is one of my favorites. Many of their less known songs are great too. Off the top of my head, I like Hasta Mañana, Why Did It Have To Be Me, and Angel Eyes.

[@5966ramesh]

Lovely Video. Thanks Vaughn. Your playing is too good.

[@VaughnGeorge]

Thank you my friend !! VG

[@christianoazzuro6711]

Just THANK YOU for this video.

[@VaughnGeorge]

You are very welcome Sir!! VG :-)

[@bobbyyounger7632]

You are spot on Vaughn ! classical pop music....SOS was the song that hooked me on ABBA when I was 13, a fan ever since. Benny is a keyboard wizard. No doubt Wolfgang Amadeus would have been an ABBA fan !

[@5966ramesh]

We all grew up with ABBA. Benny is a genius. Real Piano Maestro. I can watch his videos playing piano endlessly. True inspiration to me. If God permits, May be in my next life, I wish to play Piano like him.

[@punchingpillow]

I don't know any other pop song that spreads it's opening melody over three instruments: guitar, piano and horns. Brilliant. (Chiquitita)

[@matiabba]

Great job! ❤️

[@sunilsolanki]

I was hugely surprised... But it doesn't surprise me. Lololololol love you Vaughan!

[@jeanninecherene8168]

I love listening to you play. Thank you for the music Vaughn.

[@bennyandersson-topic15]

thanks for your love and support I'm so happy to have a great fan like you

[@yencoCom]

Thank you for this and covering more ABBA music in the future. I'm looking forward to it. I've always been rather fascinated and in awe by Benny's compositions and it is fantastic to hear someone who is enthusiastic about breaking them down and analyzing them. I am not a great piano/keyboard player and not the best at reading sheet music. My own compositions I've created/recorded and put up on SoundCloud are definitely inspired by ABBA (and in particular Benny) but are rather simplistic and just a hobby and nowhere near the same level of sophistication. I was excited to buy the sheet music that goes along with Benny's "Piano" album when I heard it is a direct transcription of what he is playing on that album and it is nice to know that if I hear something on that album and I say "Oh! This part sounds so interesting! What exactly is he doing there?" that maybe I can very slowly figure it out thanks to that notation (but that said, looking at it written out actually freaks me out a bit at the complexity so that is something of a double edged sword). To have someone doing this sort of thing on video is awesome and such a joy to watch.

[@DickeFix]

Vaughn George: Thank you for your two videos, giving a competent and openhearted tribute to the music of Abba and Benny Andersson. I agree with you on all points. Benny Andersson will be remembered not only as a pop song writer but as one of the great composers of our time. He has a lot of common with the great classical music composers. For instance, his composition "Flickornas rum" reminds me of Schumanns Kinderszenen and the Chess theme is reminiscent of the Adagio by Albinoni. But Benny's compositions span almost all genres. Apart from the music of Abba and the musicals Chess and Kristina from Duvemåla, he has also made evergreens like "Kära syster", "Vår sista dans" and "Du är min man" for the traditional dance floor. He has also made compositions for accordion, inspired by Swedish folk music, for instance "Födelsedagsvals till Mona". I agree that Benny´s compositions always preserve the melodic flow through all unexpected key and rythm changes. It sounds so natural in the end but I realize it must be a lot of work and creativity behind it. The same applies to the many instrumental layers and musical decorations that are so characteristic for Abba's music. Another trademark of Benny´s music is the bitter-sweetness which makes the music soulful and a bit sentimental but without making it schmalzy. It is the same type of nostalgic contemplating melancholy that I adore with Chopin. Even in uptempo pop songs like Dancing Queen or Summernight City you can find this touch of sadness. I don´t know why Nature (or Evolution or God) gave us humans music as an universal language and why some people like Benny got the divine gift of composing it. I guess we just should be grateful and say: Thank you for the music!

[@MrACangusyoungDC]

Properly rated as a composer and as an arranger and melody performer; in Sweden. Underrated worldwide. But like with Eddie Van Halen, way too few have realised that Benny's sense of rhythm and groove is absolutely astonishing. That eurodisco rythm was born in his hammering on the piano. But uniquely, he of course also chooses to step aside into that flow of classical music as well sometimes. I don't know anyone quite like him in that way. Always loved him. And right now, when I bought black friday deals of Synth emulation VSTs, he's also one of my main inspiration for synth tone and arrangements.

[@jasfan8247]

Nice, both players are naturals. Benny did all the learning on accordion. He never read a note. Just like Eddie who played classical piano concerts as a kid just by ear! (no one noticed he faked he was reading)

[@MrACangusyoungDC]

@jasfan8247 I've got to mention that I have since this comment fallen very much in love with Rutger Gunnarsson, which played bass on the vast majority of ABBA songs, very much the fifth member - (ABBRA?). HE IS EXTREMELY GROOVY! It's so funny because he was so timid and Swedishly humble. There's fantastic KZbin video of him picking up his old Fender Jazz for the first time in many years, and without anyone asking, he started to play along to Dancing Queen in the background. He is so unmistakably incredibly groovy in that video. A 10-year-old could see that and understand that that is the definition of infinite groove. He was a perfect companion for Benny's piano groove. Incredible groovy isn't heard by everyone, in the context of a full complex mix of instrumentation like Dancing Queen, but everyone definitely feels it, and of course, everyone knows that ABBA songs feel beyond great.

[@jasfan8247]

@@MrACangusyoungDC Completely agree to that! His bass is the oil. I have seen that video too, very nice. Good reminder. In fact just the other day I heard "My Mama Said" from the early period where the bass takes over the whole song. Another gem!

[@rhonda868]

Always loved his amazing piano playing...he's most excellent!!

[@prynner]

I'm glad you mentioned Chiquitita because I've been particularly blown away by the glorious piano sounds of that song and the end bit is glorious!!

[@j.j.1064]

ABBA what can you say? Musical genius at the highest level. I remember there night of Eurovision I burnt the kitchen down as I watched them because I'd left the chip pan on the stove. It truly was my Waterloo. Fire brigade the lot. I blamed ABBA for being so good. Irony was the next day I had to sail to Scandinavia. All I could think about was those damn chips and ABBA distracting me. My consolation was it made a lifetime of after dinner anecdotes.

[@alexandrakunz8495]

Love the way you describe Benny; the complexity in his composition reminds me of Mozart; Benny is a real master!!!!

[@emiliomazzeo4286]

HI VAUGHN, THANKS FOR YOUR ANALYSIS OF ABBA MUSIC - I REALLY APPRECIATED YOUR INSIGHT - YOU GAVE ME SOME NEW THINGS TO THINK ABOUT

[@Arthur.H.Studio]

Firstly.. LOVE the sound of "Neon Views".. I want it. Now. Yes, Benny is a natural genius in his writing and approach to music in general. Have you listened to his "Piano" collection? Man, he even got me into his folk music a few years back "Benny Andersson's Orkester". (Though I'm very comfortable with listening to a massive variety of genres) I've heard him say in an interview that he listens to classical, and you're on point.. if I'm not mistaken, he claims Bach is never-ebding inspiration. Anyway.. enjoying your vids!

[@syracusemusic1539]

If you don’t like ABBA we can’t be friends 😉 Mite need to listen to ABBA’s, whole catalogue boss man

[@dennisbell9639]

Very well done,thank you.

[@VaughnGeorge]

Bless you Dennis !! Thank you !! VG😎🎹👍

[@philcarter2362]

Thank you Vaughn for helping me understand why Abba is Abba. They may be see as "pop", but indeed their music reaches way deeper.

[@dennisalexis4198]

They were BRILLIANT and you also did very well In your explanation jolly well done👍👍

[@VaughnGeorge]

Thank you Dennis!! VG:-)

[@0504Revati]

Thanks for this little insight. Benny is a true genius. Sadly I can't play any instruments, I can only try to explain how ABBA's music affects me. It's always beautiful, melodic, flowing so easily and somehow comforting. I like SOS very much, both the original and the cover by Erasure. I'm looking forward to the ABBA song analysis series.

[@VaughnGeorge]

You're welcome!! VG :-)

[@musicislifeformetoo]

A review series of ABBA. Juhuuuuuuuuu!

[@timcarlyle5583]

Hi Vaughn, I’m not a keyboard player, I’m a live sound engineer & have been working as such since 1975. I still run a production business in Australia. What Benny does with his tempo is called Rubato or tempo rubato, which literally means ‘robbed time”. In popular music we call it ‘Swing’ & this will never be achieved by a machine. Like the time old adage “it don’t mean a thing if it ain’t got that swing”. I like though thoughts on his over playing doesn’t compete or interfere with the vocals. When I mix live sound, which is completely different from studio sound, I prepare my sound system’s tuning like clearing of a book shelf with many shelves. As I begin my construction I layer parts on each shelf. This is called separation. If it swings, if you have good separation, if you allow space, then great musicians like Benny, Bjorn, Anni-Fred & Agnetha can have the roam of that entire shelf. Benny & Bjorn do this beautifully in the production of these songs, which of course they mix & produce. I’m 66 & have never been a fan of ABBA, I have never given their music much credence, until now that is. These 2 new songs are magic, I can’t stop crying, the power of it all is fantastic & this is being done by a group in their 70’s. I think these new songs will become the Anthem of the elderly & there is going to be a revolution.

[@Wloppish]

I think Benny said in an interview he primarily listens to classical music.

[@VaughnGeorge]

That's right and you can hear it in his melodies too!! VG :-)

[@ricardoelorza613]

There's a video of Benny receiving an award where he plays Chess and has to cut short because his hands shake so much (nervous) he couldn't play. So human!! Love the man

[@rogeryoung3573]

Benny is an absolute genius - they all complement each other so well but Benny I feel is the real driver behind the group. Pure class.

[@ridgebackdk]

the genius in abba as a band . everything did what it needed to do . their music is a perfect lesson in each instrument serving their role ... while not guitar music , when you really listen the guitars are busy.. the bass is holding everything together and with the drums push the melody along ... the keys and piano and strings just sit under the vocals... its a lesson in how to write/play/produce pop songs ....

[@Vates104]

The opening to the Chess Theme is so melodically beautiful and Benny plays it with sensitivity and perfect timing.

[@eduardomejias-barrera2004]

Benny is Fantastic and a very professional musician in all the musical spectrum. The Song you can't pronounce is "Chiquitita" (Spanish word for "little girl " or "little one"). I like to see your channel and listen to your comments but I think that you should do 'some little research' prior recording your episodes on KZbin and speak about a music group with little knowledge or about the song you have chosen to talk about. You look great on the screen, Sound great on the speakers so it's not much what you have to do to make your YT channel something more fun and with the right info without stops and apologies. One of your fans ... Edu from Down Under---

[@VaughnGeorge]

Ahhhh Gracias Eduardo!! I really appreciate your kind words!! Thank you Sir!! VG :-)

[@anterooinas4334]

@@VaughnGeorge I must say that I enjoy listening to you and watch your videos ( This was the second one). Coming from Finland English is not my native language but I really do understand quite easily everything you talk in these because your pronounce words so well. Chiquitita remembered wrong in this video is only funny :-)

[@VaughnGeorge]

@@anterooinas4334 Kiitos !! Glad you are enjoying the content !! I have family in Finland, beautiful country !! I hope you have subscribed!! VG :-)

[@johanna6050]

Pronounced chicky tee ta, not chicky kee ta.

[@bennyandersson-topic15]

thanks for your love and support I'm so happy to have a great fans like you

[@allgood6760]

ABBA is TIMELESS.. Thanks from NZ 👍🇳🇿

[@lesalmin]

ABBA is something for everyone and many things for some.

[@christianoazzuro6711]

!!!!Can i use this phrase in time!I will give you credits btw.

[@lesalmin]

@@christianoazzuro6711 No need for credits. 😀

[@bettybee9591]

Benny is an uneducated musician. He has never written down a note. Self-educated. George Martin, Beatles manager once said "ABBA is the blueprint of pop music. It can not be done better"

[@joergtagesrandzeit8807]

george martin wasn’t their manager, but producer. and he never said this about abba

[@Ken5244]

Cite your source for your claim that "Benny is an uneducated musician" and that "he has never written down a note."

[@pauls064]

@@Ken5244 Benny himself…. He has said he took a couple of music lessons in school and immediately quit because it bored him to death. He never learned theory formally.

[@freddys-wing9574]

Benny is a genius

[@bennyandersson-topic15]

thanks for your love and support I'm so happy to have a great fans like you

[@niklaslundh8944]

Can't help it but love these things and what it means musicly etc. Looking forward to breakdowns of their songs, Good job VG. PS. Don't back down on your melodic playing if it's what makes you tick, it's creative sparks IMO and stand up for it if that's what you really feel a song should sound like.

[@samcoleman605]

Great video, and good to hear another South African!

[@kevhynaleks2631]

Benny Anderson is that to Sweden as Grieg to Norway and Sibelius to Finnland. I think - about his music - his absolute favourite is Mozart. Just simply this brightness in his music very close to the brightness in Mozart's music..... I never forget first time I heard "As Good as New" I thought I mixed my CDs and I put there accidentaly a Mozart Symphony (if you know how that song starting)... And there is the Abba Requiem, with very clear musical reflections to Mozart's Requiem: "The day before you came". The chorus parts dark harmonies are almost directly coming from the Lacrymosa title of Mozarts masterwork... Benny said few yaers ago to a newspaper that he just hear classical music, especially Bach. Bach is the core of all the music later emerged, including the "precious pop" as Beatles, Queen. - they also used calssical music elements in their music. I think ABBA's very close relations with the classical music through their genious composer, Benny Andersson is obvious. And still true that sentence: you cannot skip the real music, if you want to step forward than the average modern pop/rock emptyness. And the real music is the classical music. And after this absolutely true what you said: if you don't like ABBA, you don't like music!!!

[@diogoxavierrodrigues7712]

Vaughn... I Sincerely & Totally Agree with you. 👍🤗

[@gullermoneira8414]

No se mucho de musica pero el piano en abba era muy caracteristico y siempre me parecio que tenia un sonido de "musica clasica" , gracias por publicar .

[@andrewsly3183]

Thanks Great video

[@dimahkhan5203]

the day before you came is to my knowledge the biggest masterpiece by ABBA.

[@VaughnGeorge]

It certainly is!! VG :-)

[@123billydog]

Nice disection and Benny is of course a genius. The man sits at his piano 9-5 five days a week just waiting for a melody to pass from his brain, to his figers, to his keys. He likened it to 'waiting for a dragon to come out of the cave'. As a boy growing up in Sweden he was exposed to many different genres of music, folk, classical, pop etc as well as the european types of music. The German schlagger, the French and Italian chansons... The melody once found then has to be arranged and given lyrics. Thats were in the ABBA format Bjorn, Agnetha and Frida come into the equation.On Benny's solo recordings you still get strong melodys but in a much smaller pop landscape. But had ABBA continued recording after 1982, I'm in no doubt many songs that finished up in Chess, Kristina Fran Duvemala, Hjalp Soakes or with Gemini, Josefin Nilsson or Benny Andersson's Orkester, many of those songs would have become ABBA songs....they just didnt want to be ABBA for 39 years.

[@bvazdiniz]

ABBA has it’s own way of managing to make everything sound simple and sophisticated, mellow and uplifting, sad and happy all at the same time… it’s incredible… geniuses!!!

[@horatiualexandrescu1527]

ITS own way, not it's

[@bvazdiniz]

@@horatiualexandrescu1527 sorry… although I’m no English teacher, I’m just a Brazilian who speaks some English… but, to be honest, this one mistake I blame on my iPad autocorrections. Anyway, cheers from Brazil.

[@baconair]

ChiquiTITA! 🙂

[@antoninsebera152]

ABBA is great. Each hit have different chord combinations and harmonies. In times like this musicians try figure out new sound and relally new song. Everithing fresh and new. Todays musicians are not hit masters but sh*t masters :-D

[@alanhill4849]

fantastic player

[@reinaldofernandez1192]

Benny is indeed a MUSICIAN -- a great one!

[@VaughnGeorge]

For sure !! VG

[@jayk5694]

Where do you find the music sheets for these songs, if you don’t mind sharing? Great video as always!

[@VaughnGeorge]

Hey my friend , I’m not reading this , I can’t read music . I’m sure there is sheet music out there for these songs but what you are hearing/seeing here is my interpretation. VG🎹👍😎

[@stevesandstrom6267]

I love your energetic and knowledgeable videos. You are a great music analyst. Keep up the good work!

[@VaughnGeorge]

Bless you Steve !! Thank you Sir!! VG :-)

[@stevesandstrom6267]

@@VaughnGeorge You're welcome. You're the best. Just went patreon (first time ever). Thanks for the inspiration!

[@VaughnGeorge]

@@stevesandstrom6267 thank you so much !! I will see you inside there!! VG 🎹👍😎

[@gloraditch6915]

Great interpretation. His arrangements almost have a Overture or Concerto style.