Poll: What is your pick for the SADDEST song of the Rock era?
@peterd.99785 ай бұрын
Papa - Paul Anka
@Code.Name.V5 ай бұрын
Red Sovine - Teddy Bear
@christineml14765 ай бұрын
"Separate Lives" by Phil Collins and Marilyn Martin
@randyduncan46725 ай бұрын
Richard Harris, MacArthur Park. Gotta vote for BeeGees I've Just Gotta get a Message to You.
@rogerdeahl96295 ай бұрын
Heard It Through The Grapevine I Will Always Love You Knowing Me Knowing You. Marvin Gaye wrote a ton of sad songs. Especially when paired with his soulful voice.
@Kurtdog635 ай бұрын
The vocal harmonies really stood out with ABBA. They sounded like an entire choir singing, not just four people.
@xxlilly_playsxxkiz99805 ай бұрын
Right? The decentralization is one of the best parts about them.
@judikingsman61325 ай бұрын
Plenty of overdubs. But I don't care. I ❤ ABBA
@Denozo885 ай бұрын
@judikingsman6132 even in live performances they still harmonize well
@Kurtdog635 ай бұрын
@@judikingsman6132 Everybody's voice had the "chorus effect" turned on. ha
@jurgisvalancauskas40064 ай бұрын
That's wall of voices. They made a lot of overdubs
@gregb64695 ай бұрын
ABBA's songs, especially the latter ones, are songs for adults, not teeny-boppers. The more one listens to them, the more one appreciates them, for the meaningful lyrics, the great melodies, and the perfect harmonic blend of the two girls voices (has there ever been a female duo who sang together so well?).
@brotherkellymatthewbarnes88824 ай бұрын
abba's songs are all psyops.
@gregb64694 ай бұрын
@@brotherkellymatthewbarnes8882 -- The tinfoil hat brigade has chimed in.
@DemonsCrest14 ай бұрын
beegees were 3 guys that sang in harmony. but they were all family so it kinda makes sense how they could sing so good together
@alexioverdo52254 ай бұрын
@@DemonsCrest1 Well yes u got a point really.i know that for some reason,siblings do have a great skill to easily connect and harmonize in a fab way.Possibly kinda "instictively"?Dunno.A recent example i heard is also Dutch trio OGN3.Harmonies as if it's the audio.
@DemonsCrest14 ай бұрын
@@alexioverdo5225 yes, they share genetics, plus beegees practised since they were young. i never trust any audio done today though, now that it can be autotuned or even AI trained :o
@davidorr86455 ай бұрын
Abba's music has stood the test of time
@efraim33645 ай бұрын
Frida did a solo album afterwards, Phil Collins was a beast on those drums
@RickDanner4 ай бұрын
great way to put it its brilliant and Agnetha well she is insanely gorgeous
@ProwlingTiger12 ай бұрын
Love them or hate them _(though I am surprised ABBA have any haters but each to their own),_ no one with any sense can deny Agnetha's and Anni-Frid's ability to harmonise so perfectly between them, Benny and Bjorn are great song writers and musicians, for example the key changes in many of their songs are not simple, lots of people struggle to do ABBA songs, as while they may look and sound simple, they are actually quite hard to do, seen a lot of even professional singers struggle to get anywhere near the level of Agnetha and Anni-Frida so even if someone isn't a fan of ABBA's songs, they can still respect the skill behind those songs.
@RedPyramid-lf4sb20 күн бұрын
@efraim3364 That, I remember, and Phil Collins WAS a beast on the drums. He also did the backing vocals on one of her songs.
@davidorr864520 күн бұрын
@@efraim3364 i believe the song your looking g for is called "there's something going on". I love that album.
@worldwithout725 ай бұрын
The brilliance of the Professor is that he only recently became a fan of Abba and he already has so much knowledge of the band and their songs.
@derueoloughlin86725 ай бұрын
Amazing is Adam !
@stevekirkpatrick16125 ай бұрын
Knowledge and appreciation converge with fandom. I have no fandom for Abba, neither do I have knowledge. But I appreciate their position in the history of music. And I would rather listen to Dancing Queen than Tiny Dancer.
@OttoByOgraffey5 ай бұрын
Google is your friend
@mikesmithson68054 ай бұрын
He's source is mainly Wikipedia
@worldwithout724 ай бұрын
@mikesmithson6805 So what if it is? He still has to remember that information we'll enough to do these videos without missing a beat. That alone takes a lot of time, preparation, and brain power to do when you do the volume of videos he does.
@coyote42375 ай бұрын
Never understood people who hated ABBA. The music was always good.
@andrewmorgan18194 ай бұрын
You obviously didn't have a brother that played the same side of an album all day, over and over ad infintum! 😂
@coyote42374 ай бұрын
@@andrewmorgan1819 No, I did not. lol
@happyday-yx7mx4 ай бұрын
I never understood why people liked ABBA.
@vivdiva4 ай бұрын
Who hates ABBA??
@picnic664 ай бұрын
@@happyday-yx7mx It's not rocket science. People liked ABBA because ABBA were likable people, and people liked a ton of ABBA's music because the music was easy to like.
@jenniferedwards17525 ай бұрын
In my divorce, the winner DID take it all. I was left destitute. This song hits me so hard.
@ProfessorofRock5 ай бұрын
I'm so sorry to hear this! Peace to you!
@LaManteca765 ай бұрын
I hope you're doing much better now.
@thomas27825 ай бұрын
that sucks
@duromusabc5 ай бұрын
Lawyers say divorce today works in favor of the wife - but destroys the husband - alimony hurts the husband especially
@Marketsolo5 ай бұрын
Yes, I also was left destitute, stolen from, cheated on..and still struggling. Even the house- who My grandmother gave us the down payment fmto buy it.
@michaelwallace31055 ай бұрын
Knowing Me Knowing You is another great breakup song of theirs... and one of my all-time favorite songs.
@earlgrey6915 ай бұрын
'One man,one woman' has a similar vibe imo,very poignant and classy.KMKY is an awesome tune.
@shawne72285 ай бұрын
I was thinking of that song as well. Excellent song but kind of sad
@ProfessorofRock5 ай бұрын
I almost covered that one too!
@ProfessorofRock5 ай бұрын
Thanks!
@ProfessorofRock5 ай бұрын
No question!
@michaelraiger6235 ай бұрын
I’m with you professor. I hated ABBA because I was a rock fan in the 70s. I’ve been listening to their music on vinyl. They are musical geniuses. The lyrics to many of their songs are brilliant, even though they aren’t native English speakers. There’s a reason they are so popular. Their songs are great! It’s pop music at its best.
@cc1k4355 ай бұрын
Sometimes, it takes someone from another cultural background to explain things succinctly. ABBA had a unique perspective that was missing in music, imo. I can't imagine that time and any time since without them! ❤
@jerrycote6595 ай бұрын
Perfectly said! ❤ABBA❤
@fivestring65ify5 ай бұрын
I couldn't have said it better than that. Thank you.
@sblagg5275 ай бұрын
To me ABBA is the rare band that fills in a gap between pop and rock. They were talented enough to surpass bubble gum pop crap status, they just didn't record hard enough music to fit into the rock category.
@xxlilly_playsxxkiz99805 ай бұрын
I agree. Their songs are memorable.
@NelsonMontana12345 ай бұрын
I always thought of ABBA as a saccharin sweet pop junk with cheesy shtick. Then I played bass in the MAMA MIA show which had all the parts transcribed exactly, and I came to realize they are songwriting geniuses. Memorable, melodic and beautifully arranged with perfect parts and infectious hooks. And the bass player was KILLER. I developed new found respect for these brilliant craftsmen.
@ProfessorofRock5 ай бұрын
Thanks for sharing!
@christianoazzuro67115 ай бұрын
Benny/Bjorn had to revisit the original ABBA masters in order to refresh threir minds on the way they had originally constructed their own songs before MM!Such a mass of hidden details under the surface.Abba made complicated seem deceptively plain.
@xxlilly_playsxxkiz99805 ай бұрын
Awesome! What was it like playing in Mamma Mia?
@NelsonMontana12345 ай бұрын
@@xxlilly_playsxxkiz9980 It was a lot of fun. And challenging. Those bass charts were not easy!
@alexioverdo52255 ай бұрын
Many who didn't think that much of them and their work finally reconsidered when they came to play or do an ABBA cover.There was plenty of genius hard work woven around those monumental recordings also regarding the technical tools available at their time.
@chrisblyth6716Ай бұрын
Agnetha always managed to put the depth of emotions in any of the abba songs making them relatable.
@Whisper_2925 ай бұрын
I'm glad you gained an appreciation for ABBA. They have such an amazing catalog.
@ProfessorofRock5 ай бұрын
Definitely!
@xxlilly_playsxxkiz99805 ай бұрын
Me too! I knew you would come around.
@michaelrochester485 ай бұрын
You mentioned Neil Sedaka and breaking up as hard to do. He had something to do with the creation of the very first ABBA hit, ring ring.
@Nexando4 ай бұрын
Yep, amazing catalog, but requires many different angles and ways to actually perceive it! Something, that two musicals, a movie, varied covers, Voyage, soon 5.1 immersive format to most and even this video... actually help a lot.
@tymax67515 ай бұрын
"Slipping Through My Fingers" is a familiar experience for many parents. Meanwhile, I can hardly get through "One Of Us" without shedding a tear.
@larissaleal41495 ай бұрын
"Slipping through my fingers". Another emotional song wrote by Bjorn about the growing up of his daughter and the feeling of losing her childhood because of the divorce with Agnetha. It's worth it to listen this one, professor.
@teal_panda_84345 ай бұрын
This one is so underrated too imo
@Goddybag4Lee5 ай бұрын
Agnetha Fältskog delivered it also perfectly with her voice. And up to this day Björn Ulvaeus says that he still loves Agnethas voice the most. What a legacy of a marriage going through a hard divorce ending up in friendship.
@MikeGraceJediDad5 ай бұрын
Exactly 💯
@lordpowell20005 ай бұрын
Abba is an international treasure. I’m glad you gave them another chance.
@darlawrence92955 ай бұрын
I was a fill-in sound tech for the ABBA musical at Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas. The more I worked that show the more I appreciated ABBA.😊
@jeffreymcfadden9403Ай бұрын
I was at Mandalay Bay and saw the musical. About 2005?
@jennybates5 ай бұрын
The Winner Takes It All is THE most heartbreaking song of the ABBA era.
@ProfessorofRock5 ай бұрын
Amen!
@FM-ig3th5 ай бұрын
Another sad one "Dance (While The Music Plays)" is equally heartbreaking.
@fivestring65ify5 ай бұрын
Knowing me Knowing you is a sad one too.
@xxlilly_playsxxkiz99805 ай бұрын
Definitely.
@mitchfrank485 ай бұрын
Knowing Me, Knowing You is, in my opinion, a better so g than Winner Takes It All
@davidschweder49625 ай бұрын
One of the most impressive songs in modern music history. Benny and Bjorn need to be recognized as the great songwriters that they are.. Thanks for sharing this, Adam!
@trinaq5 ай бұрын
Thank you for giving ABBA a chance, Adam. They might not be everyone's cup of tea, but I can thank my mother and Mamma Mia for introducing me to their songs.
@ProfessorofRock5 ай бұрын
Very cool!
@xxlilly_playsxxkiz99805 ай бұрын
Same here.
@legman14765 ай бұрын
You, as a purveyor of pop rock music history, not liking ABBA is baffling to me. Perfect pop melodies and singable parts from the instruments like no one else. The recordings also pound out heavy and full ..., without ever being "Remastered." I never called ABBA a "guilty pleasure." For me, that was Bread. ABBA is phenomenally talented. I'm glad you came around.
@patrickluchycky11724 ай бұрын
Yep. Well said.
@Beecher_Dikov4 ай бұрын
Abba sucks...
@thomasfrye89964 ай бұрын
Well said
@thomasfrye89964 ай бұрын
But what's wrong with bread?
@RB-cz5jn4 ай бұрын
Not liking abba hello
@dominicbiondi40975 ай бұрын
I'm 60, and grew up with AC/DC, The Who, The Cars, Tom Petty, etc...but I have also always LOVED ABBA. From ear candy like SOS, Waterloo, and dancing Queen, to more adult and mature songs like this one and Knowing Me, Knowing You...what amazing songs. Hey Prof: have you seen Bjorn's interview with Rick Beato on Beato's channel? So damn good.
@christianoazzuro67115 ай бұрын
GRRREAT interview.Bjorn is humble,clever and has such a big friendly ability no matter the legend he is.
@geezeusskatan5 ай бұрын
I wished that the interview was with Benny instead. To hear his analyses on cords and harmonies
@christianoazzuro67115 ай бұрын
@@geezeusskatan I right now read a comment by a fellow fan noticing what they guys had said in a BBC radio interview in May '79 during promotion for their new then VV album.The interviewer observed that the backing vocals in the chorus of 'Does your mother" sounded 'sped up" possibly on purpose.The guys replied that no 'sped up" trick was used during their recording in this and reasured that .They even praised Frida and Agnetha for being capable to sound like whatever you wanted them to!
@Nexando4 ай бұрын
@@christianoazzuro6711 At the time, in my early teens, I actually played "Does your mother know (that you're out)" from the long play album sped up at 45 RPM... the chorus felt as pure magic! that way.
@lisalu9104 ай бұрын
I'm 60 and never listened to AC/DC, The Cars or Tom Petty growing up! I guess they were technically around in the 1970s, but I still associate those groups with the 1980s - and I was in my 20s by that time.
@jfp175 ай бұрын
ABBA again??!! The class has spoken, and The Professor has listened!
@ProfessorofRock5 ай бұрын
That's right!
@LarryGum-ib2ys5 ай бұрын
@@ProfessorofRock The Professor of Rock has now graduated into a wider appreciation for musical genius and talent.
@Nexando4 ай бұрын
🖐
@trinaq5 ай бұрын
This is probably the most emotional break up song ever. At least Bjorn and Agnetha were professional enough to continue working together after a tough divorce.
@ProfessorofRock5 ай бұрын
So true. Heart breaking for sure!
@georgeharris68515 ай бұрын
Well, the whole album, Rumors, was pretty much mostly breakup songs.
@christianoazzuro67115 ай бұрын
...'but tell me,...does she kiss,like i use to kiss you?...does it feel the same when she calls your name?".... As another fan said 'Honestly,that's A shot to the heart! " not to mention Agnetha's performance that 's as disarmingly vulnerable as much as a suffering wounded little bird.
@Raggmopp-xl7yf5 ай бұрын
@@georgeharris6851 LOL - I was going to make just THIS point.
@Play_fare5 ай бұрын
Singing this song so often for so many years would be like emotional masochism. Professionalism aside, emotions can come to surface even when the intimate relationship has been long over. Still my favourite ABBA song, maybe because the emotions are so strong and raw after all these years.
@JamesDavis-sh9gh5 ай бұрын
I knew you'd come around. You can never escape ABBA. ✊
@ProfessorofRock5 ай бұрын
Ha ha! You got me!
@NotKev20175 ай бұрын
@@ProfessorofRock Welcome to the music world of ABBA! Their harmonies are what I heard first and have stuck with me since.
@fivestring65ify5 ай бұрын
@@NotKev2017They are the the total package
@tanyachristensen53304 ай бұрын
I definitely escaped Abba. It CAN be done
@jeromethiel43234 ай бұрын
@@tanyachristensen5330 Abba only WANTS you to think that.... .> ^-^
@richalderson60695 ай бұрын
One of the things that makes this song so special is that it's the same chord progression all the way through, yet it manages to never be boring or sound repetitive and captures such real emotions and feelings. Masterpiece.
@donwarrington49165 ай бұрын
Tears In Heaven .. Life don't get much sadder than the loss of a child ....
@yak99895 ай бұрын
Oddly enough, this was the song that ABBA hooked me with back when I was a kid. Then, when I went through my own divorce many years later, I was grateful that they did.
@ProfessorofRock5 ай бұрын
Thanks for sharing!
@xxlilly_playsxxkiz99805 ай бұрын
Sorry to hear that.
@yak99895 ай бұрын
@@xxlilly_playsxxkiz9980 Thank you. Life worked out, and I was the winner 👍
@andercert705 ай бұрын
I didn't know that Abba was as drama filled as Fleetwood Mac. Good on you expanding your musical boundaries. Keep on rocking.
@SwanDigEnt5 ай бұрын
I've always felt bad for her in the video, she looks so sad and you know its not acting, you can see it in her eyes.
@butterfly-bw6cxАй бұрын
Watch it again and concentrate on Bjorn as he looks at her.
@RedPyramid-lf4sb20 күн бұрын
The sadness and misery on her face were genuine.
@i.b.bangin19535 ай бұрын
This is why the professor is AWESOME! Even though he freely admits he was not a fan of the particular group/albums/songs, he is open-minded enough to listen and give an informed and compelling analysis! I look forward to my "lesson" everyday!
@LarryGum-ib2ys5 ай бұрын
Ditto
@novelideas15 ай бұрын
I have nothing but respect for you now, Prof. You gave ABBA a real try and figured out why so many people love them. Thank you! If you ever have an opportunity to interview Bjorn or any of the other band members, you will find them incredibly kind and humble. With the amount of thought and research you put into your interviews, I’m sure Bjorn would welcome an invitation to sit down and chat with you. Thanks again!
@DeidreL95 ай бұрын
Agnetha sang her heart out. Bjorn had already moved on, he’d set up house with his second wife pretty fast. Brutal on Agnetha, her divorce devastated her. I love both Annifrid and Agnetha, but Agnetha’s voice packs the most emotional punch ever. Edit: THANK YOU for pronouncing Agnetha’s name right!
@btestware5 ай бұрын
Hey Professor...I'm one of your followers who recommended that you re-visit this song. Was thrilled to see you took my advice, and appreciate the brief nod you gave to those of us who put it out there for you.
@bartbluemusic5 ай бұрын
"The Winner Takes It All" has always been my favorite ABBA song. It is so powerful and filled with feeling. This was when I fell in love with Agnetha Fältskog. Head over heels. :)
@ProfessorofRock5 ай бұрын
Thanks Bart!
@christianoazzuro67115 ай бұрын
Here in Europe Agnetha and Olivia were pop's biggest female blonde crushes for years and years with Debby Harry following closely for the naughty guys,lol.
@xxlilly_playsxxkiz99805 ай бұрын
True top tier masterpiece.
@michaeldiaz62245 ай бұрын
Mine too and at the time, I didn't know it was a breakup song. I thought they're still married at the time.
@stephenhanft12265 ай бұрын
@@xxlilly_playsxxkiz9980 I agree. While "Dancing Queen" has always been my favorite ABBA song, I've always felt "The Winner Takes It All" is their best song and masterpiece. I'm really glad the professor is changing his mind about ABBA. The men wrote terrific songs and the women's vocals were fantastic. I've always loved ABBA and never understood why anyone would hate their music in the first place but everyone has the right to their own individual taste in music and should be respected. However, I think people should try to look at anything with an open mind. The professor did and now he has new favorite songs because of it after exploring their catalog.
@chrisbergmanniii595 ай бұрын
I loved Abba when I was a little kid in the 70s. Then I kind of jumped on the haters bandwagon as a teenager and largely as an adult. Then 20 years ago music started coming out using pitch correct, detuning, programmed drums and computer-generated psudo music I realized the genuine quality of all the 70s dance music, even the silly stuff.
@ProfessorofRock5 ай бұрын
I know what you mean.
@xxlilly_playsxxkiz99805 ай бұрын
You didn’t know what you had back then was much better than what you would have in the future.
@scottmcneely19275 ай бұрын
I always liked what I liked. Never cared about what was "cool" and what wasn't.
@mitsnevets5 ай бұрын
ABBA was big in my late teen years after i graduated high school in 74 and i had a close circle of friends who i hung out with and we all listened to ABBA while riding around as kids did back in those days it was my happiest times and this video brought it all back again , i wish i could go back in time and re live it Thanks for the vid Adam !
@beths999Ай бұрын
I watch a lot of reaction videos done by the younger generation. When this song is listened to by them it is the one song that brings a lot of them to tears. I think almost everyone can relate to the song and it’s lyrics.
@Ryan-tv6cy5 ай бұрын
Slipping through my finger is another incredible lyric and absolutely perfect melody!
@emmonstrex654 ай бұрын
I just listened to this, and wept. Having issues with my grown daughter- we haven't spoken in months (texting, that's all). Sad, but cleansing. Thank you- it's a beautiful song and now one of my favorites too. ❤
@Ryan-tv6cy4 ай бұрын
@@emmonstrex65 you could always call her and let her know you thought of her, I wish you luck ♥️
@lizboo286718 күн бұрын
My love My life :( .. so sad.
@toddkoltes35704 ай бұрын
One of the absolute greatest vocal performances of all time. No questions asked.
@skinnygumbo95555 ай бұрын
Sounds like ABBA is the Swedish Fleetwood Mac
@emmonstrex654 ай бұрын
Yes 💯
@666Wizardsleeve4 ай бұрын
Hope you're not listening to rumours! 😊
@susanpendell42154 ай бұрын
Better than Fleetwood Mac ever was in my ears.
@rpsmith29904 ай бұрын
Bringing up Fleetwood Mac in this context reminds me of a trope about the difference between Taylor Swift and Stevie Nicks. Taylor songs about her ex-boyfriend, Stevie songs about what an asshole has ex is while he plays guitar...
@Phoenixhunter1573 ай бұрын
😂true
@venomslair1375 ай бұрын
The most painful yet beautifully crafted song ever. You can say whatever about ABBA, but Björn and Benny are always in "beast mode" while they're composing.
@specag315 ай бұрын
Composing while drinking. Altered states of minds produces top shelf stuff, sometimes.
@BillGraper5 ай бұрын
Wow, I can't imagine not liking Abba! Some of my absolute necessary songs on my normal playlist are "Dancing Queen," "Take A Chance On Me" and "The Name Of The Game." I actually bought the 45 "The Winner Takes It All" when I was 9. The melody & vocals are so hauntingly beautiful.
@ProfessorofRock5 ай бұрын
Thanks Bill. I"m getting there!
@darlawrence92955 ай бұрын
If you like Take A Chance I think it's impossible not to like Jive Talkin as well. Both songs are musical crack!
@xxlilly_playsxxkiz99805 ай бұрын
My aunt hates ABBA. I’ve been trying to get her to come around with them.
@Nexando4 ай бұрын
In music there are many diverse qualities that could be at play. Yes, I agree that ABBA excel at many in very unique and endearing ways, but this does not make their music all encompassing. Then people could very well be attuned and experiencing in/loving those sides where ABBA was not. Like Jazz, R&B, and also purist styles like folk, rock and others, actually all defined, pure styles would be far from what ABBA did, since their music is precisely full of mixtures. Even inside each of their albums it could be argued that each song belonged to a different musical style...
@jjsmith33485 ай бұрын
Came for the nostalgia; stayed and subscribed for the interesting bits of history never heard before. Nice channel!
@ProfessorofRock5 ай бұрын
THanks!
@dawng.88365 ай бұрын
I played this song a lot while separating from my ex- husband. He didn't cheat, but was a liar & emotional abuser. It helped to let the tears flow, so I could put on a good face for my child.
@xxlilly_playsxxkiz99805 ай бұрын
I’m so sorry that sounds like hell! Glad you got out.
@Out_of_My_Head5 ай бұрын
I'm sorry. I'm glad you were able to get away.
@Leftatalbuquerque5 ай бұрын
Thank you for including ABBA. Their work means a lot to the whole planet.
@craigparse14395 ай бұрын
This is a song that, after hearing it once, I was entranced. I was only in middle school, but I could FEEL the emotion in the song. I especially felt the emotion when Agnetha sang "you've come to shake my hand" and here voice slightly cracked with emotion. That's what I remember from the first time I heard it. Another GREAT song to talk about is SOS.. That song builds and explodes with energy!
@jjjnettie5 ай бұрын
Before the movie "Mamma Mia" there was "Muriel's Wedding". One of the best, funniest and sometimes poignant movies to be made in Australia. ABBA's music is key to the plot and is the soundtrack. It stars Toni Collette and Rachel Griffiths, as well as many well known local actors. It's in my top 10 movies to take to a deserted island list. :)
@m3gthraeryn4 ай бұрын
Oh!!! It’s one of my favourites!! It’s my cheer me up feel good movie! ❤️
@jaimekennedy57503 ай бұрын
And "Pricilla; Queen of the Desert"...
@ChuckHackney13 күн бұрын
@jjjnettie That is one of my favorite movies ever, so poignant and even a bit funny at times, all set yo the music of ABBA...Toni was absolutely brilliant in this.
@LinaGenX4 ай бұрын
How can anyone not love ABBA? They have a song for every occation. Don't shut me down from 2021 feels just like ABBA back in the day
@gioknows5 ай бұрын
When I had my paper route back in the 70's I used to listen to ABBA every day. I just loved their music. I'm glad you came around to them finally, Adam. I never knew why they stopped recording until now. Going to binge on ABBA while I'm gardening today. Cheers from Ottawa, Canada🍁
@xxlilly_playsxxkiz99805 ай бұрын
Yeah, I’ve always wondered why they stopped recording for 40 years too. Cheers 🍻
@shiroibasketshoes5 ай бұрын
@@xxlilly_playsxxkiz9980 Well, it sure wasn't because of divorces. They needed more slow private time and to try new things.
@You-can-fix-it-yourself12 күн бұрын
The harmony of ABBA was on pitch and on cue, always smooth and perfect. That is what makes me listen to them.
@ArthurRChan5 ай бұрын
Happy for you, Professor! Those that refuse to open up their minds to ABBA are only depriving themselves. And as I've discovered over the years, there are even more great songs beyond their hits on ABBA Gold.
@ant43075 ай бұрын
I'm so pleased to see you covering this ABBA gem, it deserves the attention.
@danielwolski8735 ай бұрын
Eagle is one of my favorites from Abba, highly recommended.
@vaskylark5 ай бұрын
Okay I officially love that you gave the Winner takes it all a chance and covered it on your channel! You even told me some things that I'd never heard before and since I've followed Abba since the late 70's I am bigtime surprised that you could teach me anything new about Abba but ya did, so big thanks! :)
@andreasbauer72855 ай бұрын
In independent interviews, both Björn Ulvaeus as well as Benny Andersson consider "The Winner Takes It All" ABBA's best song. And Agnetha Fältskog, as you mentioned, admits it is her favorite ABBA song too. Not merely the melody and lyrics, also the piano part is superbly crafted. It is not merely a piano accompaniment to the singer, but also a melodic counterpart, carrying the melody itself in parts and consequently blending both possible functions a piano can have in a song. Few songs managed such a superbly crafted piano part. This song, for so many reasons, is through and through pure genius.
@lesleywarnock2284 ай бұрын
I have always thought this is the most heart wrenching perfect song about divorce...it was for my Mum & then for me. It still hurts when I hear it 😢 I love ABBA, always have. Literally the perfect pop group. She sang this beautifully, you can hear the pain in her voice
@sabrinagese85715 ай бұрын
OMG 😳 So glad I said something in the comment section of the last video about ABBA! This is my favorite ABBA song. It's so amazingly on point... heart wrenching and you can only understand it if you've been through it. The lyrics are incredible.
@Annie19625 ай бұрын
no matter how often I hear this song, I always tear up. That's how powerful it is
@xxBlazinBobxx5 ай бұрын
Man! Those beautiful voices of Agnetha and Frida! They both bring such life to their songs, even the sad ones! Something about Agnetha and her expressive face and voice while she sings. "Name of the Game" is a favorite for me.
@LarryGum-ib2ys5 ай бұрын
Agnetha is a master song interpreter--facial expressions, movement as well as a super vocalist.
@devonbrooks2465 ай бұрын
Glad to have you on board with being a ABBA fan Adam.
@grahamtowers55135 ай бұрын
Over the years since ABBA, my love & admiration for their music has grown and grown, fabulous songwriters & performers, their legacy is magnificent and will be eternal. Thank you ABBA, love and respect to you all
@johngreener97845 ай бұрын
OK Professor! You won my heart! I am a long time ABBA fan. I was disheartened that you were not a fan, but I understand. ABBA can be an acquired taste or for myself, a "guilty pleasure" !! They got me with S.O.S. with that beautiful piano intro. Then over the years, I found that they would deliver a new album almost every 18 months. When "The Winner Takes it All" came out, I was newly enlisted in the US Air Force and going to DLI (Defense Language Institute) in Monterey, CA. I had a fellow music nerd friend and we would walk down to the music store in Downtown Monterey and look at the Hot 100 Billboard Chart. When "The WInner..." came out, I told him "I think that will hit Number 8". A couple of months later my prophecy came true and my friend thought I was some genius!! Anyway, it is one of ABBA's finest songs.......
@shiroibasketshoes5 ай бұрын
No one should feel guilty for being a fan of the excellent ABBA.
@lisalu9104 ай бұрын
I have mixed feelings about ABBA. Yes, like most people my age I at least have their greatest hits CD, and when I'm in the mood, I really enjoy cranking it up in my car. And now that we have access to videos of their performances on YT, we can enjoy them in a whole new way - for a group like this, the visuals take it to a whole new level. But then, I wouldn't say that I know all their deep cuts, or sit and listen to entire albums. Listening to their pop hits is kind of like an occasional guilty pleasure.
@bobdavis48484 ай бұрын
@@lisalu910 Why feel guilty? The people who should feel guilt in this world are people who harm others, not people with enough taste to enjoy a great pop group. I've been a big fan of ABBA in general since the 1970s. Have a nice day. :-)
@Siansonea5 ай бұрын
To me, I've always seen "The Winner Takes It All" as Bjorn's parting gift to Agnetha. Amid all the pain of the separation, it was him saying "I understand what you're feeling, the weight of what's happened" in the only way he really knew how say it. This has always been a favorite of their catalog. I also really love "Fernando" and "Chiquitita", but they have so many songs that are favorites.
@xxlilly_playsxxkiz99805 ай бұрын
Exactly, and that’s what makes it so emotional.
@LarryGum-ib2ys5 ай бұрын
Imagine: A recently divorced Man being able to write a divorce song from the perspective of the Female. WOW! And she being willing and able to interpret it so very well. WOW!
@tanyarobinson11464 ай бұрын
Fernando is probably my favorite.
@dwmichaels4 ай бұрын
I'm still amazed today at the quality of their songwriting across the board. Such consistency over an album and their discography. You don't have to love the music to recognize the talent of the foursome.
@user-wi9xp2gd8i10 сағат бұрын
Back in the late 70's I didn't like them as well but the more I learned about them the greater I appreciate the music.
@troy2425 ай бұрын
Great vid. Divorce is such a personal hell, until you heal (never fully) and you learn others have felt your pain, and through that pain have become better people. Thank you for sharing.
@johnvoncannon97175 ай бұрын
One of Us is also another wonderfully heartbreaking song by ABBA.
@alisong23285 ай бұрын
In 1981 I bought an ABBA record in Spain where they sing their songs in Spanish. I loved it!
@markrodman69164 ай бұрын
As a guitarist in a hard rock band, ABBA was always my guilty pleasure! The writing of the two geniuses and voices of two angels is a combination that can’t be beat! Not to mention that Frida was my first celebrity crush in 1976 when I was 6 yrs old! I always listen to the ABBA Gold album at least twice a week! It’s just a shame I never got to see them live!
@johnhamilton25885 ай бұрын
Thank you for doing this; it was great! I was one of those who encouraged you to take a look at this song, because it had depth that no other Abba song has. I believe it is possible for those who never cared for Abba's style to listen to this particular track and recognize how truly powerful it is.
@rollingthunder95795 ай бұрын
People say that Abba played " happy pop songs", possibly because they often smiled while performing them ( which in the eyes of many destroyed their rock and roll credibility in the otherwise angry seventies), but if you analyse their hits from 1976 onwards, there was always an undertow of melancholy and heartache to a lot of their hits ( Mama Mia, Knowing Me Knowing You, Eagle, Fernando, Chiquitita, etc) which partly explains why they connected with so many people in the general public. Something that's not often mentioned: they must be amongst the best English-language lyricists of the rock and pop era. Not one throw-away word or fatuous rhyme: every word was precisely and deliberately chosen.
@ProfessorofRock5 ай бұрын
SO true.
@xxlilly_playsxxkiz99805 ай бұрын
Yes, even though they didn’t speak good English.
@fivestring65ify5 ай бұрын
Thanks, professor, for giving ABBA some love. I grew up listening to these guys and gals. I think what I loved the most about them was that they had their own sound. They were able to take pain and sorrow and turn it into pure pop gold. What a talented group of musicians. Knowing me Knowing you was also inspired by one of the couples breaking up. I love your AC/DC shirt.
@MrNeatoMiniStock135 ай бұрын
"The winner takes it all" is such an iconic song, as well as heart wrenching for Bjorn and Agnetha to perform it. I will say that it is also one of my favorite songs from ABBA among several other songs, but Agnetha had such a phenomenal voice to sing this song...not taking anything away from Frida, as she had such a great voice as well. If they were to have done this with both Agnetha and Frida sharing the lead vocals, it might not have the same effect as it does with only Agnetha's solo. I've loved the music of ABBA since I was a kid in the 70's, and even when they came out with "Voyage" 2 years ago, they still sound great together.
@pugil1st4 ай бұрын
Glad you came around. I've always liked ABBA's clean, pure, bright sound.
@mumblesbadly77085 ай бұрын
Prof of Rock, I’m glad that you are coming around to the greatness of ABBA.
@jackmessick28695 ай бұрын
It's always amazed me how they compose in a second language.
@riffraffsrc5 ай бұрын
Hi Adam. I grew up at the height of their career but being a kid and a teen (I graduated in 80') I always thought of them as pop fluff. Didn't really hate them but didn't take them seriously at all because I was a guitar player and into much harder rock. It wasnt until after I grew up and went through the heartbreak of divorce and loss that their songs took on a whole new meaning and a much deeper respect from me. I delved deeper into the catalog and was amazed my the complexity and depth of their songwriting, lyrics and playing. The two main studio bass players they used were simply amazing and had distinct styles that were both fantastic. But it is the emotional depth of "winner" and "knowing" that get me every time. They are now always in my Playlist with an adult appreciation. Now I'm 62 and I don't know where the years went, but when I hear these songs, I'm taken right back first, to when I was a kid and they became popular, and then to the most painful part of my life during and after my divorce. And those feelings both happy and sad come flooding forth. That's what truly great music does. It makes you feel everything all over again.
@haroldhaywardiii92265 ай бұрын
So glad you have given ABBA a second chance. I’ll never forget waiting for my daughter’s graduation ceremony in the football stadium when SOS came on over the PA. My 20 year marriage had been on the rocks for years but suddenly it hit me that it was over. I went and played the song over and over. It was the beginning of a process that took years. In the end I came to an acceptance that it was not meant to be. ABBA has a great ability to share their personal emotions in a way that can help us better understand our own feelings. I’m glad you have given them another chance.
@Bolo20285 ай бұрын
ABBA‘s music has been among my favorites since I was a kid.
@khkartc5 ай бұрын
ABBA had a real knack for writing those “Swenglish” lyrics-using syntax and diction that, though comprehensible (and often extremely evocative of universally felt emotions) no native English speaker would ever have used. Most Americans have no idea what a world-wide phenomenon they were.
@ProfessorofRock5 ай бұрын
Good call!
@xxlilly_playsxxkiz99805 ай бұрын
Swedish and English!
@pattischult94015 ай бұрын
Australia was insane over ABBA! The fact that Agnetha was actually semi- willing to fly to get there for the tour was testimony to how much this band loved the fans!
@splashenful5 ай бұрын
Also, Anni-Frid Lyngstad sang about her divorce from Benny Anderson, right after the break up of ABBA, in a song called "I Know There's Something Going On."
@christianoazzuro67115 ай бұрын
According to lyricist Bjorn that was mainly 'When all is said and done" .He even talked about it with them be if it would be ok to deal with this while the song was in the making, as far as i know.
@tammylewis24085 ай бұрын
Produced by Phil Collins.
@splashenful5 ай бұрын
@@tammylewis2408 Yes. Actually, I can just hear Phil Collins singing that song himself.
@davidward14335 ай бұрын
This was my favorite Abba album and one of favorite songs for sure. Growing up musically in the early 80’s listening to typical guy hard rock, I remained a “closet” Abba fan. I’m glad they’ve remained relevant after all these years! Great job highlighting this deeply touching song..
@davidkendall22725 ай бұрын
Lifetime lover of ABBA and love their music and especially this song!
@drummermomcjs5 ай бұрын
How they sang that together numerous times on stage is absolutely flooring. I have always liked this song and the story just makes me like it all the more. I really appreciate your transparency and your open mindedness to revisit and listen to ABBA with fresh ears and attitude. How better life would be if more people approached life with such and attitude.
@joeb41425 ай бұрын
Cathartic.
@davidsiegfriedklinger24225 ай бұрын
Thanks a million for this video! It made me so happy that you have finally come to appreciate and like ABBA! It actually brought tears to my eyes! ABBA (especially Agnetha) mean so much to me personally!
@computerager5 ай бұрын
I appreciate your open-mindedness, enthusiasm and the effort you put into research.
@MyName-pl7zn5 ай бұрын
In my divorce I didn't take much because the value of a piece of mind and freedom from unhappy times was priceless. She may have "taken it all" but I feel like I'm the winner because I am much happier now. Glad you could start to appreciate abba's pop music there is gold in some of their bubble gum. I was hoping you could do a Linda Ronstadt song or two one day, love 70s music! Great episode professor!
@xxlilly_playsxxkiz99805 ай бұрын
Great way to take something away from it. Some people are happier being single.
@pandainvestments9575 ай бұрын
Thank you for giving ABBA a chance! Behind the costumes and the superficial image they used in their early career are four incredibly gifted individuals. No wonder their music continues to move millions of people all over the world. Beyond their most popular songs you can also find amazing songs like “The day before you came”, “Eagle”, “Soldiers”, “Move On”, “The piper”, “Keep an eye on Dan” and many, many more.
@MP-od1zz5 ай бұрын
Professor, I love your channel and content, but it makes me more happy that you are finally coming around on ABBA and appreciate / enjoy their contributions in the music industry.
@ayedee66815 ай бұрын
Yes. This is such a heartbreaking song. ABBA brilliance. Another brilliant song is The Day Before You Came. A very melancholic song that is a story within itself, no line repeated. The song is about a life lived unfulfilled, a life of normality, one of boredom and tedium. Until she meets that one special person that changes everything.
@LarryGum-ib2ys5 ай бұрын
Just the melodious rhythm is magnificent. But also the lead vocal and the backup vocal. What mesmerizing mood sounds.
@joemonahan29725 ай бұрын
Understand the heartbroken result of a divorce. 2 children devastated to. Sad this song tugs at my heart still 30 years later. Joe from Smyrna Delaware
@xxlilly_playsxxkiz99805 ай бұрын
Sorry to hear that Joe.
@Karamazov125 ай бұрын
This song hits home, i cant explain. One of their very best….ABBA is life itself!
@ProfessorofRock5 ай бұрын
For sure!
@scottburton97015 ай бұрын
"The Winner Takes It All" is one of my favorite songs from ABBA.
@joshl70335 ай бұрын
This is my favorite Abba song. Thanks for dedicating an episode to it.
@Prof_Jeff5 ай бұрын
Glad you've seen the light, Adam. ABBA has timeless songs. "Dancing Queen," "Mamma Mia," and "Waterloo" still get people moving. "S.O.S." and "Fernando" are stellar, too. For a rocker from them, nothing tops "Does Your Mother Know."
@shawnn75025 ай бұрын
Love ABBA and this is their greatest song. Totally epic. If you've ever been through a bad break-up, these lyrics are absolutely gutting.
@photohounds4 ай бұрын
Kudos to all if them. It is a stuperb song, Agnitha's superb vocal performance on it, has made this song a timeless classic.
@geoffstrickler5 ай бұрын
I understand how someone could ignore or “not like” ABBA for stylistic reasons, but anyone who ever listened to the music and especially the vocals can’t help but enjoy it.
@jeffreydillingham76304 ай бұрын
This is a very sad song, but Total Eclipse Of The Heart and Against All Odds really take sadness to a whole new level.
@jradford200117 күн бұрын
Thanks for being so open about your own experience in your life