First Time Reaction Blancmange The Day Before You Came (Cover) | Dereck Reacts

[@paulecrosby2006]

I like this version nd I'm still a big fan of Blancmange. ♥ But yes the original by ABBA is a Hauntingly beautiful Masterpiece. ♥

[@ciaranmcgreevy4941]

The linn drum really enhanced the sound on this and the reverse reverb effect when he sings the line "the train back home again " is fantastic detail in the production

[@RealBlast3]

I had never heard this cover of one of ABBA's masterpieces and I absolutely loved it! I remember Blancmange from their song/video that was featured in the '80s classic movie, 'Flight of the Navigator' - "Lose Your Love". They were an amazing band. I think this cover managed to be both faithful but also innovative at the same time and I loved his sort of intense/theatrical/campy vocal delivery as well as the slightly sped up tempo they brought to this version and their unique instruments. I'm adding it to my own playlist. Great choice, Patreon subscriber!

[@discogareth]

This did better in the UK than ABBA’s version. Weird to think that now these days especially as ABBA versions is finally getting the recognition it always deserved.

[@suz5862]

The ABBA song is riddled with so much melancholy you would be forgiven to think that the day which came was neither welcomed or good. The Blancmange version celebrates the joy of love as a simple release from mediocrity.

[@annesmith2259]

I love this version.. love the ABBA version as well .. both are awesome ❤️

[@mickeefreeman2898]

I know what you mean = blancmange appreciated it ..bit didn't better it = but all good intentions ! . Respect ❤

[@willswomble7274]

It is a brave person who takes on this highly charged masterpiece, but I feel they do it respectfully and pretty well. Interesting to have a male singing it, too.

[@DawnSuttonfabfour]

Love this version and so did Abba which is why she agreed to be in it! Living on the Ceiling is a great track by this band. I think the lyrics are the same.

[@simonjackson8804]

Always had a soft spot for Blancmange - it probably won't be your kind of thing, but - along with "Living on the Ceiling", which was their breakthrough, sitar-influenced UK Top 40 hit (reaching number 7 in 1983), I really love "Feel Me", which precedes "Living on the Ceiling"...one of the maddest lyrics I've ever heard. When you get to it in this cover, the substitution for "Marilyn French" is "Barbara Cartland", who wrote a huge number of rather average romantic novels, and was otherwise famous for being Lady Diana Spencer's step-grandmother

[@jerrycote659]

BTW you were reading the ABBA lyrics because in the Blancmange version he references reading “something by Barbara Cartland or something in that style”, the ABBA version says “something by Marilyn French or something in that style”

[@kimbozw1808]

... and Meryl Streep's version from 2018 or so speaks of Margaret Attwood. And changes the reference to the tv show DALLAS to a more updated choice.

[@JF-sh2sm]

@@kimbozw1808 Yes I think it was House of Cards

[@Borusa1976]

That's right - to deal with the romanic fantasy world in the books - to deal with the lonely singer......

[@jenwendy7]

I loved Blancmange so much! Can't believe I'm watching a reaction to them all these decades later.

[@jerrycote659]

It’s pronounced Blah-mah-zhe which is the closest I can phonetically spell it out. First of all, you have to realize when this cover was released which was when the UK synthpop new romantic music was at its peak and they gave the song what at the time was a more up to date treatment but keeping true to the original as well. They (Blancmange) were huge ABBA fans and recorded this with total respect and homage to the originators. They themselves have some excellent songs of their own including “Living On The Ceiling”, “Blind Vision” and what I think is their best song “Don’t Tell Me” which I highly recommend you consider for a reaction video, you’ll be glad you did.

[@mrb018538]

No it isn’t 😂 It’s pronounced Bluh-monj if you were to do it phonetically. Where the heck has blahmahzhe come from?!

[@markbaker2826]

OK its pronounced "Blam-Mange" like "An-Yetta" and the story is. they were on tour and were homesick and even though AbbA aren't English they associated England with ABBA so did this cover ! which i think sounds kinda Bangra ??

[@happyhawaii0711]

Interesting that this version was more successful in the UK than the original. ( Blancmange no.22/ Abba no.32). Tanita Tikaram did a cover in 1998 for her album "The Cappuccino songs".

[@mikekaraoke]

Derek your pronunciation when saying-Blancmange was comedy gold!! 😂🤣 Also i disagree with you about this version, i think it is just as good as the original! Another cover video you should do is the A-ha cover version originally done by-The Everly Brothers-Crying in the Rain- both versions were obviously hit singles. A-ha's version was a hit in many countries like-UK, Ireland, France, Belgium, Germany, The Netherlands, Switzerland, Austria, Norway(their homeland), + just about a hit single in Canada.

[@paullangdon3628]

Yes very funny. I guess French is not Derek's strength

[@anthonyrogers4137]

Greetings from Australia, Dereck 🐨🦘🦜✨ In the context of the time this cover came up (2 years after ABBA's final recordings, plus ABBA weren't 'cool' or even accepted by the masses by the mid-1980s), this version may have secretly been a homage to ABBA (I have no idea if the two guys from this group were ABBA fans), but it's also slightly tongue-in-cheek (as the masses thought it was 'cool' to not take ABBA seriously, and even send them up - but not endearingly); thus, he isn't actually intense; he *seems* to get intense as the song goes on - but that's for effect, as he gets towards the part where he sings "Barbara Cartland" instead of "Marilyn French", which is also another another tongue-in-cheek moment, as Barabra Catland was a successful British writer of over-the-top romance novels that were aimed at women, and her own world was very over-the-top camp with pink lounge-wear, pink boas, small pet dogs and champagne 😉 I've tended to see his laugh at the end to show that he's either not taking himself too seriously or ABBA seriously (again, because it was 'cool' for the masses to not like ABBA by the mid-1980s). Blancmange did have a good single, about a year or two before, called 'Living On The Ceiling', which has a good tune and beat (which I prefer much more than their ABBA cover), and it uses synths: kzbin.info/www/bejne/h4jCnmuinb-Vh7M Cheers 👋✨😃

[@DereckReacts]

Welcome!! and Hi there! 😀

[@marianmolcan314]

It's very hard to cover ABBA. One of the best attempts is Angel Eyes by the Czars. They chose a completely different approach to it and it worked.

[@johnnyrich1]

Oh this is a real conundrum. I'd forgotten Blancmange even did this. I'm not a great fan of it. Its not like their other stuff. Though I think you were a little obscured by thinking that they had changed Abbas lyrics which they followed pretty much I'm total. But ultimately its a forgettable cover of a song done better by the original but is in a catalogue of what is actually many amazing pop songs. Blancmange were a great pop band, underrated at the time who never took themselves seriously. It still makes me smile that their second album was called Mange 2 ( like mange tout the vegetable - ok I'll get my coat). Blancmange is pronounced bler-monj by the way. You should give songs like. "That's love that it is" , "Blind Vision" or "Living on the Ceiling " a listen, proper pop tunes with excellent synths ! . While I'm here, there are plenty of abba tribute acts. Bjorn Again were the most popular here in the UK. In fact they did Erasure covers after Erasure did their Abba Ep. I'd say don't write off either Blancmange or Erasure in the strength of a dodgy Abba cover. And as an openly LGBT band in the 80s, Erasure were really part of the foundations that lets all of us be as open and accepted as we are today and are worth a look at.

[@Astons_Martin]

A good one imo! Thanks for reacting on this Dereck👍

[@m.menneke8513]

No one can beat Agnetha.

[@supastah68]

Frida’s Aven en Blomma.

[@m.menneke8513]

No thanks

[@fordcorsair]

ABBA wrote to Blancmange saying how much they liked this cover and giving them permission to use any parts of their video they wanted to - that's why Agnetha makes an appearance...

[@michaeli7380]

A teen were around 1998 to2005 they were given 15 ABBA tracks by ABBA then they bought there own content out they were fairly successful on tours

[@Leaveitoutlove12]

It’s a masterpiece by ABBA and a fantastic version by Blancmange infact Abba wrote to Blancmange saying B’mange’s version was better.

[@Astons_Martin]

And sunday-covers seems to be a good institution on your channel! Please keep it up‼

[@Earcandy73]

Yep, I remember when this was a hit. 1984 was a spectacular year. I don’t blame you for liking the ABBA version better though. We all felt that way. This is like a karaoke cover.

[@malcolmbrown7683]

Nothing like as good as ABBA. No shock there!

[@thierryvachez2241]

Blanc mange is so great an un usual!

[@RaniOsnat]

The Blancmange song to review is Living in the Ceiling - you’re guaranteed to go bananas over it!

[@j0hnf_uk]

'Bla-monj', would be a more accurate way of pronouncing it. It literally translates from French to mean, 'white eat.' A dessert made with milk and some kind of flavouring, if my memory serves me right.

[@gregturnbull3565]

Hi Derek. I look forward to your catch-ups every day. Especially your reactions to ABBA. Check out Kylie and Danni Minogue’s cover of The Winner Takes It All.

[@billybunter6659]

Blancmange - Living On The Ceiling is also a really good track.

[@catschorus4684]

Interesting you think it's cheesy - it wasn't at the time and it doesn't appear to be now. I think you completely misjudged this actually. They were a serious band.

[@ciaranmcgreevy4941]

The 12" Extended Mix is even better

[@fedorshefer1634]

No darling NOOO! You can't beat ABBA with this...

[@standersson6420]

Next Abba cover Portishead SOS. A very different and interesting version with "sad" music matching the lyrics.

[@scooter2501]

I think its as good as the ABBA version. It was also a bigger hit in the UK charts. The ABBA version was kinda like their last hit & only reached #32. they were on their last legs. Its a myth they went out on top. They were suddenly swamped by all the cool new wave electronica groups of the early 80s. ABBA were never really cool like that. Your Nan loved them. The hits dried up. Then they quit. I think this version was top 20 a couple of years later.

[@laurabretlopez9819]

Awesome music

[@hildegardkurku3504]

Hi Dereck!I want say what i feel .But not in English itis to bad my English.Es ist nicht schlecht gemacht.Aber und da kommt der Fan in mir durch,nichts und niemand kann Abba übertreffen!Ich hoffe Dereck,du kannst es irgendwie übersetzen lassen!Deine reacts sind so sensibel und liebenswürdig!Mein Herz geht auf,wenn ich dich reden höre😍😍😍😍🎉

[@fannyy4076]

Morissette Amon 'Could you be Messiah to me' please! 😭

[@MrBillygoat77]

This version is slightly more up beat and the whole premise of the song is he/she couldn't remember anything except pain ...he /she "assumed all the things" she/he must have done without actually remembering as life was boring and worthless....but then she/he came back. Try listening to "living on the ceiling" by the artist it is magical and great to dance to.

[@markjones7777]

Hi Derek its pronounced blamonge (c is silent, g is sh). Blancmange is a pudding in the uk similar to custard.

[@discogareth]

Only one lyric change. Barbara Cartland instead of Marilyn French.

[@markcreek487]

If you want a good cover of an ABBA song. you can try and look for the A teens or ABBA teens as they were originally going to be called. Also any of the songs from the two Mamma Mia soundtracks but they should sound great as Benny and the original musicians played a big part in these recordings.

[@TangoEliott]

I am a Beatles and ABBA bigot. No one can do, for me, what they did to a song. I have listened to dozens and dozens and in this particular case the sense of frailty and vulnerability is gone. Completely gone. He rushed thru it for me. So it is a no go for me. And please understand I love Linda Ronstadt's Tumbling DIce (Stones) and Desperado (Eagles) and thought they were better than the original. But this does nothing for me. If I had heard this song first before ABBA I would not have liked this song. So that is just my opinion. Not a fan.

[@dugjxn]

While I agree originals are usually best, however Lakeside’s I Want To Hold Your Hand was completely different and amazing.

[@TangoEliott]

@@dugjxn I will check it out again. Thanks

[@rayandlee1969]

Correct me if I'm wrong, but Linda's assembled band (who wrote Desperado) were musicians who toured with her and after a year or two, they decided to become a band in their own right, eventually calling themselves The Eagles. Both artists recorded the song in 1973, though Linda was performing it onstage prior to either release. So while Linda was singing their song, could it be said The Eagles did a cover of her recording? Or am I just scrutinizing too much? lol

[@TangoEliott]

@@rayandlee1969 Henley and Frey were in Linda's backup band and she supported their desire to form a band.

[@123billydog]

Blancmange were very trendy in the UK than ABBA were in 1982...although in all seriousness in their 10 years together very few 'serious music critics' took ABBA seriously at all and usually disreguarded then as trivial ad lightweight. I think the Blancmage version was intended as a homage as the guys were fans but, for me it completely misses the depth of what Bjorns lyrics were actually about. This was never meant to be an easy song to understand and Blancmange simply play it that the arrival of this new lover is a great life changing thing. It wasn't, the song is a lament. Originally title 'The Suffering Bird'. Its a tragedy not an optimistic hopeful song.

[@emattdat10]

good version. Wonder how he got ABBA to go for this. Also, this version is not as captivating as ABBA.

[@sirterence1]

I highly recommend that you listen to this amazing cover of "The Winner Takes It All," by Joey Niceforo. It is perhaps the most emotional and beautiful cover and interpretation, with a full orchestra, that I have ever heard. Knowing how much you like the ABBA version, I am willing to bet that you will be moved and enjoy this one. Great choice for your cover Sundays? I think so... :-)

[@mjkotsol6515]

I'm with you Dereck I just love Abba version. I call this is parody of this song .I don't dislike the song but Dereck hard to take this very seriously.

[@whenindoubt1000]

Misses the haunting and dread of the original...it just is. Kind of meh.

[@Cybus2006]

There's also a classy cover by Meryl Streep with Benny on piano, an extra track on the "Mamma Mia: Here We go Again" soundtrack (not a track from the movie, just something they threw in for the fans) - worth checking out!

[@danfrost3043]

Good cover & very respectful of them so include clips from the original video. When you get a chance maybe check out "Twist In My Sobriety" by Tanita Tikaram, she has the most amazing voice and the song is so chilled.

[@robertdinmore1971]

You should react to Westlife’s version of I Have A Dream, their version actually was the last UK number 1 of the millennium.

[@mrfantastic8451]

Only one cover of this ABBA song is good for ears. And this is Meryl Streep cover from the Mamma Mia: Here We Go Again soundtrack. It's just so moving and beautiful and I just love it 🤩 You should really check it out 😍🥰😁

[@nickmorrell3559]

Good version ....difficult song to do

[@lisacrane3143]

Not a patch on ABBA

[@marcodebrabander5751]

This sound much less sophisticated then the original. The ABBA productions are so good they cant be beaten! This sounds shrill and a little messy to me.

[@zeeldaazoonk]

You must try : don't tell me 👍👍👍

[@Flatwoodsdad]

If your going to do a cover of this one well check out Benny Andersson's one from his "Piano" CD. He play's it as he wrote it. Still haunting and without the studio tricks.

[@dreasbn]

They had to stick accurately to the original.If not they would have needed the permission to do it, because it would be more than "just a cover". It did nothing to me back then and still doesn't. Some might have to do with the fact that - at least for me - it were female lyrics and shows that Björn was good as giving women the right words to sing. I think that it's the factor that a guy is singing you believe the words to be "not that good".... Interesting. And for my taste he was overdoing it with dramatic theatrical singing. Exactly what Agnetha was sort of "forbidden" by Benny and Björn. Don't sing it with your best vocals... Benny said in an interview. And that's what brings the melancholy and rawness and depth to the ABBA version. They are perfectionist. Blon-(g) Monj (like in BoNNN JJJJJour in French)

[@vithouse8037]

You are not so open minded about Abba covers you miss the point that for the 80s/90s generations that Abba was only a 70s band, people like Erasure or Blancmange gave a new rebirth and interest to Abba in new orients difficult cause you not living the 80s/90s.

[@upfrontbear74]

You need to react to AMBERIAN DAWN - Lay All Your Love On Me & Hidden Citizens with Silent Running, I Ran (So Far Away), It's a Sin & [I Just] Died in Your Arms & these ones from the Voice UK Cody Frost -- Lay All Your Love On Me, Christina Marie Vs Nathan Amzi - The Power Of Love, Liam Tamne - This Woman's Work, Bo Bruce - Running Up That Hill, Ash Morgan's - Never Tear Us Apart, Karl Michael - No More I Love Yous & Emmanuel Nwamadi - Another Day In Paradise & The Sweetest Taboo

[@thierryvachez2241]

The song LOSE TOUR LOVE is the best

[@TrevorBurgess63]

React to Waves by Blancmange.

[@rugby1971]

blamonge, pronounce it like that, its a pink milk pudding here in the uk, the only lyrics are different is the name of the author of the book he read, barbara cartland

[@kwaobenti]

I know this version has its fans, but I'd say that if I want to listen to this song, then I'd want to listen to Abba's version every time!

[@andymolina2993]

Plzzzz check out a song called The Telephone Call by Kraftwerk. Like to see your reaction

[@anthonyl.6879]

Good video but old. For new and actual singer. One name: Lucy Thomas. Song: Hallelujah

[@samueldevulder]

Whaat ? A video on Sunday. How this is cool, but you need to rest Dereck.

[@resireg]

Derek, please react to Bonnie Tyler's Faster than the speed of Night, the album version

[@danfrost3043]

That's an absolute classic.

[@andymolina2993]

Try pronouncing blancmange with a silent C and N

[@stansolo4138]

Not even ABBA could cover ABBA .... they are that great

[@RavennaAl]

It’s missing something........... and by something I mean Agnetha’s melancholy voice and Benny and Bjorn's haunting melodies. Not very many can pull off a cover of ABBA, Cher is the only name that comes to mind.

[@annemisako1033]

Can i hear Patric Cowley? T: JUKI in Finland

[@opicatchu2164]

Good cover but it's almost impossible to cover an ABBA song !!! That cover run's better than the ABBA's original version in UK single chart (and it's for me the bigger mistery of the 20th century 🙄😉)

[@eggy1962]

Imo, not as good as original, but their own songs... Dont tell me...and... Living on the ceiling ...are ones to check out

[@josmith4173]

It’s pronounced Bla - mange 🤣

[@ronamsterdamnl3216]

A Big No No

[@Lofote]

Sounds awful to be honest, compared to the original with its very nice electronic sound. Don't like this cover. Also a male voice generally doesn't fit here in my opinion.

[@cheyennebritbrat]

bla monje

[@stephanievantielen5615]

Sorry but there are some songs that are not aloud to be touched. This is one of them. And sorry to say, this version is an insult to ABBA!

[@guteronkelpeter]

He has a penchant for Indian - and this can be heard in the song ! But very well done. Unfortunately a flash in the pan.

[@pepbelone]

Just a horrible cover and that's it.

[@fordcorsair]

BlaMonj

[@amarillagriffin7427]

Sorry Agnetha's version is far far better than this version.

[@sirterence1]

I always liked this cover. It is a different reaction to the original, emotional ABBA version and changes the feel of the song. It appears, in this video, that from his perspective, it has a happy ending. The ABBA one, seems much more melancholic and sad, as the vocals and instrumentation is darker, But the original ABBA version is an absolute masterpiece. It is one of my top five ABBA favorites. On pronunciation of this band, It is pronounced blah-mange like the ending in oraNGE. (It is French. Here is a link dictionary.cambridge.org/us/pronunciation/english/blancmange.) Also, most ABBA oficianado's pronounce ABBA - ahhh-buh. The band themselves often refer to it this way. In America, it is common on radio for DJ's to pronounce it this way - ahhh-ba. . (www.pronounceitright.com/pronunciation/abba-4787) I hope this helps! Love your passion for music and ABBA!