ABBA Knowing Me Knowing You | REACTION

[@neilloughran4437]

One of the best pop records ever made. Tons of hooks, lovely vocals and THAT bassline... magical video... I remember watching this on TOTP in UK back in the day... hard to believe almost 50 years have gone by.

[@lo_souza]

I think you finally understand what ABBA was all about. ABBA’s music is very upbeat and uplifting but also very sentimental with lyrics that are both melancholic and nostalgic. ABBA songs have different meanings to people... To some - who focus on the melody - they’ll happily clean their house or dance at a wedding with not a single care in the world. To others - who focus on the lyrics - they’ll relate to something bad in their lives, sit in a dark corner and cry about it. I think was genius how ABBA catered to people’s different moods with the same song, but I also understand that their music is not for everybody. Also, ABBA fans are crazy, the only thing they agree... is to disagree! “You can DANCE! You can CRY! Having the time of your LIFE.” ✌️

[@mikesmithson6805]

In 2024, the ABBA album Arrival was selected for preservation in the United States National Recording Registry by the Library of Congress as being "culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant.

[@HaleysTusk]

Bono & The Edge of U2 were ABBA fans: People Magazine 2023 “Bono appeared alongside The Edge on BBC Radio 2's Piano Room, where he and his U2 bandmate revealed their love for disco greats ABBA, even performing a cover of the mega-hit "S.O.S." "We're big fans of this band, this Scandinavian band, and appreciators of their work in a way that grew on us over years,"

[@christianoazzuro6711]

Yes,and he/they stated far more words actually.Bono was disarmingly honest and emotional during this interview while refering to Abba and he sounded kinda vulnerable.They were a cherished part of his teenage life.

[@EnzFab73]

People making fun of a video made in 1976 will always be funny to me; I mean, compare it other videos from that time period & ABBA doesn't come out looking too bad. They even had Oscar nominated director Lasse Hallström direct most of their videos including this one. This is prior to MTV. A completely different time and era in music & even the 80's had it's fair share of cheese. & those acting like ABBA were the only 70's band that wore funny clothes & stage costumes should take a good look at that decade where absolutely no one fared any better in the music scene. Anyways, this song is classic. There is nothing about the song production that is subpar. Not the vocals or backing vocals, not the harmonies, not the band. Nothing. This is top tier.

[@alexioverdo5225]

Top tier , absolutely!

[@mattleppard1964]

@@EnzFab73 One of the best pop songs of all time. Still as fresh for me as it was when I was a kid.

[@alejandrosantanaborquez917]

I have listened to a lot of music in my life (I am 52 years old) from many places, many rhythms and styles, and I have decided that my favorite band is ABBA. And this, in particular, is my favorite song, since it was rhythmically recorded in my head when I was a child in the 70's... Thank you for your reactions, and I hope to see you reacting to ABBA songs again in the future... Songs like 'The winner takes it all', 'The day before you came' (a song without a chorus... not corny at all😊), or something fun like 'Take a chance on me'. Take care ✌️ Love ❤️ from Chile 🇨🇱🤗👍

[@theDML2112]

This is my FAVORITE ABBA song !!!

[@alexioverdo5225]

I think my favest Abba video.

[@mightyV444]

I love it also because it reminds me of my childhood 😀 They had been my first favourite group then, and I still love them today 😊

[@mattleppard1964]

@@mightyV444Me too (as usual). I was 4 when Waterloo hit the big time.

[@mightyV444]

@@mattleppard1964 - I was 4 in '74, too! 😀 ABBA had appeared on my 📡 only two years later, though. With 'Dancing Queen', 'Eagle' and 'Knowing Me, Knowing You' 🙂

[@mattleppard1964]

@ My parents had the first gatefold Greatest Hits, but it was Dancing Queen that hooked me in 🙂 Born in 1970, then. Good year to be born!

[@donny1960]

You can stop any time with the ABBA put downs. It is obvious that classic Pop is not for you. Also, you are just on the wrong side of history. ABBA made their mark before you were even born. They sold millions and still are.

[@JustinPanariello]

@@donny1960 thats fine lol. Its not a matter of right or wrong side of history. Music is subjective. I dont care if every single person in the room likes it. If i dont im not gonna just go along.

[@mattleppard1964]

@@JustinPanarielloFair enough. You gave it a go 😊

[@carlosazul2]

This "corny" band it's only one of the best selling acts of all time, you are hearing and reacting to them, so you cant deny they are good! Don't judge what is "good" and "bad" it is always reductive and a prejudice attitude.

[@Muckylittleme]

You aren't supposed to feel the heartache. It is very ABBA with upbeat music hiding a darker underlying message, very common in their songs, although they did some actual ballads. It is funny you say you can't hear the emotion in their voices though or pick up on the harmonies. Anyone can like or dislike any band or music but you seem a bit snobbish in your musical appraisal TBH.

[@EnzFab73]

Exactly. Not all songs about breakup have to be ballads. I guess he's never heard "The Winner Takes it All" because when ABBA did heartbreak, they did it extremely well. Better than most I would say.

[@delorangeade]

It's as close to a perfect record as you can get. I like the video as well. They are no more corny than Queen, but it comes from a European aesthetic not an American one. No blues influence here, which ordinarily would be a turn-off for me, but not when it comes to ABBA. It doesn't sound upbeat to me at all. I do get the melancholy in the song, specifically in the vocals. they just let the words and music do the work without over-emoting in the performance. It wouldn't work if they did.

[@HaleysTusk]

It seems you liked my comments about the lack of blues/soul roots in ABBA’s music from your past ABBA videos without reading it. It’s why you, as an American listener can’t connect with their music while it touches many millions in the last half century across the world except America, and that’s fine. This is why IMO Thomas’ decision to have you listen to their earliest songs was a disservice to their discography. I understand why he listed what he did, it’s just if you had to choose 3 songs, the early stuff will influence your opinion of their music going forward 🤷🏻‍♂️

[@Tom-ek7hc]

Justin knows some other ABBA songs too. I'm pretty sure he has performed Dancing Queen, Take a Chance on Me and SOS? It's not like he doesn't know any others. I don't think ABBA suits his tastes, but you can always donate and ask him to react to some?

[@HaleysTusk]

Kurt Cobain & Krist Novecelek of Nirvana were ABBA fans From an article in the Guardian August 2011: “Cobain loved the Bay City Rollers as much as he loved the punk rock of Half Japanese and Beat Happening. He loved the chest-beating swagger of Black Flag, the cute girl pop of Shonen Knife, the hair-flailing noise of his Sub Pop contemporaries, and Abba.”

[@christianoazzuro6711]

David Grohl too.He even toured and gave interviews wearing the ABBA golden logo t-shirt.Benny got aware of his love 'n posted a brief clip wearing smth relevant to him and played a FF tune on his piano widesmiling.

[@rasvanniekerk6297]

I so disagree with you! And yes you are missing the magic of ABBA. But each to their own. Maybe you should give them a second chance by listening to THE VISITORS or THE WINNER TAKES IT ALL.

[@nicholassmith479]

Now this is one of their better songs. Winner takes it All might be the more emotional breakup song since it was released when the band or the couples were breaking up.

[@RaynorBear]

"The Winner Takes It All" is probably their most emotional song. In the official video, Agnetha looks like she is about to burst into tears towards the end. Another emotional song of theirs is "Slipping Through My Fingers"... which, if you listen to the lyrics, will usually make any mother tear up... and some fathers too.

[@evedavey2475]

❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤

[@kristianmapage9742]

Thx, Nevertheless musically it seems rich, the number of timbres with the superimposition of voices, the changes, breaks, of the intro, first verse, chorus, then a bridge, guitar chorus part, and so on. It's okay, perhaps, not to watch the video, which I also find very creative and obviously inexpensive

[@Lisa-M]

I don't think you can make a judgement about ABBA when you have heard only three songs of their SECOND album plus Knowing Me, Knowing You. That's really unfair. I wish somebody will do a donation request for 'The Visitors'. Nothing corny or cheesy with that song.

[@Newworldman66]

Alan Partridge AHA!!!

[@mightyV444]

I watched the clip of him playing air bass to Gary Numan's 'Music For Chameleons' only earlier this week! 😁

[@mattleppard1964]

@@mightyV444 Not my words. The words of Shakin’ Stevens.

[@marcodebrabander5751]

Most of the critics from then did came around in the end (decades later..) and admitted they were wrong.. Snobism was a big part of there 'opinion' I guess. You can dislike pop or the smooth productions and still see the quality of their skills.

[@Tom-ek7hc]

I'm sorry to have put you through this, Justin 😂. Some music just doesn't click with people, simple as. I appreciate you giving it a go. Perhaps someone else can donate and suggest an ABBA song that you might really enjoy - though I am somewhat doubtful.

[@JustinPanariello]

its all good its not like that at all, you don't need to feel bad. I suppose if any one should its me but also i don't lol. Music is subjective. There are people that don't like hearing that someone doesn't like their favorite band/artist. Can't wrap there head around it... 'you must be wrong'. Obviously this isn't the case. Some music grows on you. Sometimes when you are digging through music you find the music that really hits you and that is an awesome feeling. And some music just isn't for you lol. It's all good.

[@Tom-ek7hc]

​@@JustinPanariello At least there is some material for your comments videos.

[@The_Jupiter2_Mission]

It's all just corny. Whenever I listen to something that is not on my radar or not my thing, I try to do a bit of research before hand. Look at the cultural context of the time that it was made to understand it more musically and visually. Get a sense of why it was so popular then and now. I may come away still not liking it to my taste, but I can say at least I get it and appreciate it. I would not just dismiss it.

[@mikesmithson6805]

I don't mind the sour critics of ABBAs output throughout their existence, they are always proved wrong. They're the 2nd biggest selling group in the history of popular music, only the Beatles outsold these swedes. They're very respected in the rock community, Bono of U2 is a fan, so are Kurt Cobain and David grohl of nirvana. John Lennon praised one of their records, so are the members of led zeppelin they chose to record one of their albums in ABBAs recording studio.

[@ekerowillow1610]

Nah, not buying your so-called reaction whatsoever.

[@evanhughes1510]

Please do the iconic ABbA song dancing queen. Disco/70s cllassic

[@mightyV444]

That's one of the few ABBA songs he'd already known before doing the recent reactions 😉

[@MarkRichter-j2l]

is that a Grateful Dead shirt you have on, Justin???

[@JustinPanariello]

@@MarkRichter-j2l yes

[@MarkRichter-j2l]

@@JustinPanariello Ive been a HARDCORE head since my 1st show 11/11/85 seen 5-800 dead related shows GD/Other Ones/The Dead/Furthur/Ratdog/Phil&friends/Dead&Co/etc

[@mattleppard1964]

Well, I had to watch… just to listen to a much-cherished song yet again. ABBA are not to everyone’s taste, of course. Same as Floyd, Bowie, Elvis, Madonna, and even The Beatles. And every other band, song, and so on. But ABBA were in a lot of people’s childhoods (and mine) and that beautiful nostalgia wallow is hard to beat. Plus the music is brilliant in its category ❤ We had no music vidoes back then except on 70s TV. It’s the music that counts. I’d do this without videos, to be honest. Huge distraction.

[@genecase9464]

ABBA was so cheezy in the 70's that no self-respecting hard rock/progressive rocker would give them a second thought...Waterloo and SOS were my two favorite ABBA songs back then. LOL 😁😬

[@HaleysTusk]

Turns out many musicians of that era liked ABBA’s music, they just didn’t announce it publicly because US audience didn’t like it 🤷🏻‍♂️

[@HaleysTusk]

How about Ritchie Blackmore, Dio & Cozy Powell? “during a recent Instagram Live video. In the process, he also revealed a time when he and Rainbow bandmates Ronnie James Dio and Cozy Powell all revealed to each other that they liked ABBA.” As Blackmore tells it, he, Dio and Powell were hanging around and drinking at a chateau around a fire. This was around the time they were recording 1978’s Long Live Rock ‘N’ Roll. As they were all drinking and attempting to write songs, Powell cuts in to say he has to “own up.” Blackmore and Dio were intrigued and confused as to what their drummer was talking about. And then, Powell admits to liking ABBA, which led to both Blackmore and Dio to both say how much they liked the pop band. This then led Powell to fetch his ABBA records he had at the chateau, and they all just sat around and let those records play. Blackmore said, “We should have been writing our own songs, but it was much better to listen to ABBA.”

[@mightyV444]

Don't ever check out The Smiths then, Justin! The majority of their songs are a mix of happy-sounding music and sad, dark lyrics! 😅 😉

[@JustinPanariello]

i love that song heaven knows im miserable now lol

[@mightyV444]

@@JustinPanariello - Perfect example of what I was talking about! 😄 And yeah, great song indeed! 🤩👍

[@richardfurness7556]

The only Abba hit single I can stand listening to, mainly because it sounds as if Todd Rundgren might have produced it - though I suspect he'd have edited out the 'uh-huh's and replaced them with a bit of his own wizardry.

[@lesblatnyak5947]

Dance party sing along song with that Euro feel. That lack of word emotion comes from the fact that it's their second language. Kapish 🤪

[@mightyV444]

Also, "No two pairs of ears ever hear the same music"! This song has never sounded actually happy to mine! 🙂

[@SnowDogisVictorious]

I should have also mentioned that I didn't stop feeling ashamed of liking ABBA and the Bee Gees until well into my fifth decade on this earth. Probably that's what happens when your formative years were the mid-70's to mid-80's and your first favourite bands were Rush, Triumph, Van Halen, etc...

[@ono1dij]

So, you are not going to react to "The Name of The Game", "The Winner Takes it All" or "The Visitors"... What a pity, you are going to stay with what you think now, and it is not like that, a pity that you do not listen to at least those three

[@alexioverdo5225]

Never mind it's rather obvious he wouldn't relate.He's a classic US rocker. i guess Different taste and perception?.

[@ono1dij]

@@alexioverdo5225 yes, but I'm sad with this final thoughts

[@alexioverdo5225]

@@ono1dijI understand you but ,you shouldn't. it's his rightful taste and choice.Don't forget there are some squillions in the planet who connect to Abba,while others don't.Join the side you feel you can relate.

[@ono1dij]

@@alexioverdo5225 Yes, I know that people have different types of tastes!!! You are not understanding what I am saying, it makes me sad that he is left with that feeling, there are many examples of ABBA songs that he may like much more, that's all.

[@alexioverdo5225]

@@ono1dij Ok i see and on the one hand i feel this way too, but my point was that after this i personally doubt this might make him reconsider .I feel he already thinks it was kinda waste of time, kinda 'Abba?ok no big deal".I'll just pass to some next reactor who might enjoy this.Btw if u asked my choices for him then would have also been TNOTG/EAGLE/I am a Marionette and of course 'The Winner..." too."The Visitors" is excellent but don't think he would mind or get this..

[@markferrett700]

So funny watching you laugh at this..😅😅....although the song is a great one...the video is cringeworthy!!!😮

[@christianoazzuro6711]

BTW Elvis Costello's fave Abba song.Not really a proper video clip but a low budget '70s promo film that ended being an iconic "facial shot" oriented classic by awarded director Lasse Hallstrom.'Cringeworthy" or not this was impactful back at the time.A no1 for 5 weeks (despite being the 3rd single off the ARRIVAL LP) and after this was screened it also brought them back at the top of the album's chart again for another 9 weeks.CHER got inspired by this video for the cover photo of her 2018 album tribute.

[@Muckylittleme]

It is like people who like jetfighters laughing at Biplanes TBH, shows a lack of understanding and respect of what came before. ABBA were making music videos before music videos were a thing. Without Biplanes there are no jets, everything comes from something, and ABBA were pretty influential both musically and culturally and still have relevance today.

[@markferrett700]

​@@christianoazzuro6711The Wurzels got to no.1.......so did Clive Dunn!!!!!!

[@alexioverdo5225]

@@markferrett700 LOL!Wuzzles and Dunn ain't Abba for sure.

[@Elisabet-w7k]

What is cringeworthy about it?

[@SnowDogisVictorious]

I always found emotion in the "breaking up is never easy, I know, but I have to go" refrain. Definitely shouldn't have watched the video though. Melodrama was seriously camp.