We React To ABBA - The Visitors

Today we dive into legendary Swedish pop/rock/dance band ABBA. "The Visitors" is the fourth and final single from the album of the same name, released November 1981. "The Visitors" single would be the official last one of their amazing career released on April 5, 1982.
What Do Ya'll Think ?!

[@abbagus1]

AND this was the first ever album on CD. CD history starts with this album

[@suelow7133]

This opens the Voyage show & it's a banging opener!

[@supermellowman4069]

Spot on with that comment. It's the perfect opener.

[@mikesmithson6805]

The synths, especially the drums from this track is 🔥 🔥, and Frida's robotic delivery omy god... ABBAs masterpiece

[@topspin4456]

Insane song and production quality. True masters.

[@anotherview7937]

Frida's voice is inimitable. To me it sounds like a silvery shadow, magical, otherworldly. Noone can replicate it. It's a timbre, range and cadence that is superhuman and used very sparingly in Abba because it is just too powerful. Agnetha similarly had this astonishing vocal capabilities although they were in different in their powers and strengths but both equally exceptionally. When they joined together it was truly like the Christmas glow switched on.

[@chawleyyy]

100%

[@geneedgerton4482]

Agree 100%.

[@anthonysmith8800]

3rd reply agreeing 💯 %

[@guyinnyc1]

Well said, i quadruple it!

[@mikemcdonald8002]

It Is a Masterpiece like you said.

[@fabiomachado9025]

Frida is unique. Ah! Her voice!

[@anthonysmith8800]

This is the opening song of the Abba Voyage concert in London. Perfect choice to start the show with 👍. Fantastic reaction guys. One of the best I've heard for this song.

[@markr1574]

The journey from Ring RIng to The VIsitors is a musical climb I've only seen with the beatles and a few other groups. The Visitors is their best work overall, and it was not a commercial album. They had grown beyond. Also I think Frida's voice is going through a flange? effect usually seen on guitar.

[@hackapump]

I agree about their journey, it is truly remarkable. (Even more so if you factor in where they came from initially, in the 60s, before Ring Ring). However, I think ”not commercial” is overstating it. They stretched their legs and experimented on this album, yes, but they were never not doing perfect pop music, not throughout a whole album. And this is no exception. Just listen to the tracks Agnetha has the lead on. It had disappointing sales, by ABBA’s measure, but I think that was more a sign of the times than anything else. At the turn of a decade it’s usually out with the old, in with the new. And ABBA were always closely associated with the 70s. These days though, I do believe it’s widely regarded as their masterpiece - in terms of whole albums. At least that’s how I view it.

[@josasjosas]

Frida does this without any autotune or whatever. The drums and bass are sick...Great song!

[@paulecrosby2006]

Yes she trained her voice to get that sort of metallic sound , she still has that incredible voice range

[@dancelover020]

@@paulecrosby2006 Oh come on, never heard of a sound effect?! lol!

[@dancelover020]

@@paulecrosby2006 Listen, she is an amazing singer but NOONE can put that kind of effect on their voice themselves. Next thing you're gonna say Agnetha did that effect on her voice herself on Under attack!! lol!!

[@paulecrosby2006]

@@dancelover020 listen to, "I still have faith in you". Under attack is a totally different Song😩 You clearly have no idea what your talking about that obvious but listen to the new record.

[@dancelover020]

@@paulecrosby2006 I know enough. Been a fan for over 40 years. They used a vocoder or something similar on The visitors. But hey, if you believe otherwise, you do you.

[@hackapump]

One of the cool things about this track is you think ”1981, synth-heavy, with repetitive percolating lines, surely there’s a sequencer hammering out the basic synth tracks”. And then you hear it… The tempo is rising. The anticipation of the drummer entering the song is already exciting the tempo, and then they hit and it’s a discernible leap. Meaning every single note we hear was played by a human being. This is a huge reason old recordings are so much more exciting to listen to: They aren’t suffocating from being crammed into a rigid tempo grid, it’s real human beings playing without a click track, letting the tempo live and breath. Just like life itself.

[@mikesmithson6805]

This is a massive club hit in the US back in 82, but radio wouldn't play ABBA so this majestic song didn't chart higher in the singles chart. Totally underrated

[@christianoazzuro6711]

Yes underrated at the time there.Later years it became an acknowledged little masterpiece.

[@baremanK]

This was never released as a single outtake as far as I know

[@fabiomachado9025]

I can't imagine people dancing to the visitors. But I'd surely try it.

[@mikesmithson6805]

@@fabiomachado9025 it's a remix version that is being serviced to the DJs in the US during the 80s

[@fabiomachado9025]

@@mikesmithson6805 oh I get it. Hahaha I makes sense now 🤭

[@gittekoldtoft1198]

Listen to this every day. Masterpiece.

[@sirmacsir7112]

The Visitors is my 2nd fave track.. 'The Day Before You Came' which came out the following year, is THE Masterpiece from them.

[@1967rcafinlandia]

100% everyone sleeps on that one, probably because it was not on the original pressing. Bennys instrumental piano version is excellent too

[@eduardooscar309]

Well, I'm so glad to see you again together with more reactions to ABBA songs "The visitors" (1981) gives me complex and different sensations ABBA was in a delicate personal stage, since they began recording the album right after Benny and Frida's separation. Björn and Benny were with their new partners, and as composers they entered the stage of experimenting, and with the project of writing a musical That is why I think that the title of the song and the album is not accidental, since in addition to being about the dissidents in the former USSR, I think that they speak of themselves as "visitors" of what "was" ABBA originally (in as for them as couples) Even the cover is very graphic: the Four separated and isolated (image that will be deepened in the official video of the future single "The day before you came" in 1982) the song itself is very good in its genre, it has a futuristic air (it could go as a soundtrack in a "Star Wars" movie) Frida does a great job in lead voice, the chorus is good but different from ABBA's more traditional, the use of synthesizers by Benny is majestic, and Björn's lyrics are strong I really like the song itself (8pts), but on the album "The Visitors" I prefer other tracks, the one I like most is the moving "Slipping through my fingers", which was performed live on the TV special 'Dick Cavett meets ABBA' (in case you want to see another side of ABBA) I think that "The Visitors" was a single in a few countries like U S. and is the opening track ot the homonymous album It hasn't a video or TV perfomance, but now in the Voyage Concerts that begin last May 26 in London is the fantastic opening concert For a next reaction, my suggestion is to "Eagle" (full version of almost six minutes) I think that Ty will enjoy these I leave you a cordial greeting from my land Buenos Aires, Argentina, South America

[@suzannejane1035]

Like An Angel Passing Through My Room is amazing - Frida

[@Barzo7]

Wow, this is nothing like ABBA i remember.... Such a split from 70s pop. This song could be a hit today. Great song lads..

[@hovergrl]

Ty is absolutely right. The Visitors is a masterpiece and a track that has been missed by so many people. It’s a shame not many know about it. Other songs that prove their versatility are Eagle, Watchout, Hey Hey Helen, and Lovelight.

[@christianoazzuro6711]

WATCH OUT!Yeah!I'm a big fan of this 'metal glam rock' gem(.Who would believe it's ABBA).

[@Payne2view]

They were far ahead of their time in 1982.

[@radman8321]

The whole album is a masterpiece.

[@Chris-pf8by]

This song has surely aged well. It is nothing short of stellar. Mysterious, complex, dark, danceable. Such pristine recording and production. And hate to say it but the lyrics are as current as ever.

[@johncast6030]

Their best song ever. greetings from Athens, Greece

[@colinmackillop]

My favourite Abba song too. Frida’s vocal is incredible. Supposed to be about Russian dissidents.

[@wawa2]

ABBA did have an electronic edge which inspired many people. Lay All Your Love On Me from the year before might be a good one to check out.

[@web-todi]

The last single they recorded (before their come back after 40 years in 2021) was not The Visitors but The Day Before You Came. It's another iconic synth masterpiece with amazing storytelling, very avantgardistic. If you like the visitors try this one, too.

[@turfsniffer]

There's no such thing as the best ABBA song, because there's so many. This one was class though. Fernando is a good one

[@alexioverdo5225]

WOW!What a reaction.This song was the albums first track and now is the epic opener to their glorious VOYAGE gigs in London where they are already massive!I've read articles from reviewers but also comments from fellow fans, describing the first impression (while watching them raise up on stage to the sound of this track) as literally Thrilling.It's the first exciting shock that caused some viewers having such chills that some of them got teary watching them back again, as if they are there alive and kicking.It's Haunting! FRIDA used her voice in such a way in order to sound 'anguished' and 'stressed' so that she could match the lyrics of the song and be more convincing.(No autotune used in '81).Words to this deal with a political topic and hinted criticism against governers that violated human rights and freedom of speech.Btw after releasing this album, Abba got partially 'banned' in the Soviet Union at the time esp since they appeared on the Polish tv programme 'Let Poland be Poland'..ABBA's THE VISITORS was one of the first albums to be digitally recorded and mixed.It's the bands darkest album and for many fans the most special one.THANK YOU both.

[@pcch7831]

I just saw Voyage for the first time just over a week ago now and yes, when the abbatars are raised up through the floor I basically could not believe my eyes. Chills 10 seconds in to the show. It's a great experience

[@hackapump]

Man, they open with this? What an incredible experience that must be. Especially since they never toured this album, or even played any of the songs live. I understand I'm going to have to pull myself together and catch that show...

[@pcch7831]

@@hackapump Yes it is a must see for any ABBA fan. Honestly the best concert I've seen, it's just a wild experience with the whole light show and then the music and then the abbatars looking so good. I'll be seeing it a few more times for sure

[@alexioverdo5225]

@@pcch7831 I've recently watched in utube a journalist's review on a UK channel i think that even some hours after he jokingly drunk some water he needed to hydrate himself after crying his eyes out while watching this.1,5 million tickets sold already.Btw change of the set list is in near future plans as anounced by the producers since more songs had been prepaired.

[@alexioverdo5225]

@@hackapump kzbin.info/www/bejne/fqKWdZisj9upebssi=CZpaYQb5_5PaFFbf

[@jjhall1963]

It was so amazing to dance to this when it first was released. It was like going to another world. Beautifully eerie and seductive. One of my all-time favorites.

[@theboochronicles6231]

Another master piece from 1980 is "Lay all your love on me" heavy on the synths =)

[@stansolo4138]

Next up " The Day Before You Came " ....... Haunting

[@christianoazzuro6711]

The catchy Gimme!Gimme!Gimme! or even the majestic prog EAGLE (the original ultimate long version of about over 5 minutes with the great guitar solo) some suggestions as next ones plz.

[@Eltonlaleham]

This ABBA song is very sci-fi sounding in billions and trillions of ways

[@robertturner4526]

This song has grown on me a lot over the years. Lyrics so profound.

[@riaanbehr7976]

This is a big fan fave. Other awesome songs from this album are Soldiers, One of us and Slipping through my fingers. But Move on will always be my all time fave Abba song. Folky, tropical and melancholy vibe and Bjorn does the first spoken word verse. Epic song 👌

[@reactionextraction]

Epic song 😎

[@martincharron2399]

One of my favorite ABBA song…so underrated!!

[@josue-joshuacordova3847]

The Visitors era has so many masterpiece. You should react to Under Attack and The Day Before You Came. from 1982

[@evagrahn8781]

Great reaction. Do some more Abba💖🎤

[@reactionextraction]

ABBA RULES 😎😎

[@Sergio-et8yq]

A truly Masterpiece! From every single angle you can examine in this song; you`ll find out pure excellence

[@Eltonlaleham]

This ABBA song is awesome in billions and trillions of ways

[@TWFydGlu]

Visitors was one of, if not the first album to be digitally recorded.

[@Lisa-M]

Yes, it was the first audio cd ever.

[@Mingus8]

How about "Lay all your love on me".. or "summer night city" by them?

[@christianoazzuro6711]

SNC the full version with the slow intro that finally got released in 1994.Live version is fab too..

[@hahatoldyouso]

My favourite ABBA song!

[@altaclipper]

I was listening to this yesterday. And since it was released. I also think it's ABBA's best song.

[@holgerschink1341]

Fantastic and (in my opinion) best album from them....and as always beautiful reaction ! Love your channel, greets from germany.

[@reactionextraction]

Thank you so much! 😎😎 Cheers from Dallas

[@popcult]

Excellent reaction. Now go and see ABBA VOYAGE in London. They start the concert with this brilliant song The Visitors.

[@Lisa-M]

Please listen to "Should I Laugh Or Cry" or "When All Is Said And Done". Two more great examples what Frida can do with her voice. And all without autotune or something else. She sounds different in almost every song in which she has the lead but nonetheless you can recognize it's her because there is something special in her voice that makes it so unique. 🥰

[@lauriechalker3458]

Totally agree! Her voice had so many "layers" she could belt it out, sing a love song, or sing a lullaby. It had a metallic quality when pitched high, power when mid range and as smooth as silk or melted chocolate when low, she could bend it so many different ways and her harmonies were exceptional!

[@Lisa-M]

@@lauriechalker3458 👍

[@chelseacharger]

Many groups have great early albums where their sound is fresh and innovative before going on a long slow dip in quality and inspiration in their subsequent output. By contrast, ABBA's early albums had some terrific songs sprinkled among them but they were an odd mish-mash of Oompah-Poompah, Schlager, Folky tunes and Glam Rock with even a few Reggae influenced numbers thrown in. But they soon hit their stride and didn't let up to the end. Their commercial appeal had dropped somewhat when 'The Visitors' album was released (although it was still a #1 in a number of countries). So the later songs before they took their long 'break' are not so well known to the general public but are still excellent and this album is a favourite of many hardcore ABBA fans. As commented elsewhere, the brilliant 'Voyage' concerts open with a haunting Benny instrumental that segues into the pulsating intro of this song as the avatars appear on stage. It's a jaw-dropper of a moment.

[@alexioverdo5225]

'mish-mash of Oompah-Poompah,Schlager,Folky tune" lol!.Well neverthless that was acceptable and familiar esp in central Europe at those early times.I still like them tooBtw Chelseacharger have you attented the gig?I'm saving money to travel and go with my family and my mates.

[@chelseacharger]

@@alexioverdo5225 I've seen it three times and going for a fourth visit in a couple of weeks time. Once you've seen it, you want to go again. I'm very lucky that I live in London.

[@alexioverdo5225]

@@chelseacharger Oh my!That adds one more 'testimomy' that shows how reaaaally good and what an addictive thing that is!You know when the dates got anounced we missed the 27th of May cause it got outsold very quickly.Then when i saw them in the breaking news attending the premier (May 26th)all 4 of them together again after 40 years, leaving the press room and going out to get photographed with the screaming,queing crowd it felt like a shot to the heart i wasn't there.Thanks for letting me now.

[@chelseacharger]

@@alexioverdo5225 I really wanted to go to the Premiere but that proved impossible for me. The earliest date I bought when the tickets first went on sale was June 2nd, which I was still happy about. But I kept watching the ticket site and one day, Wow, a re-sale ticket for the May 27th appeared. Normally I wouldn't pay over £100 for a ticket but I thought 'There's only ever going to be one 'first public performance' so I luckily saw it. Everybody was hoping the ABBA members would attend that show too but alas No, There are some good ticket deals for early next year. Monday and Thursday performances are where you can find the bargain seats and I've bought a few of them.

[@birgittalagerstrom6264]

Frida made that sound her self.

[@guyinnyc1]

Now for a complete contrast and to show their amazing range. Listen to My Mama Said.

[@willitrelstad595]

Great song! Im a big Abba-fan, but this one....haven't heard it before..and it was very good! And a great reaction again guys😎

[@thecomedyspot11]

So good to see your reactions! This is exactly how I felt about this song aged 16 in 1981 and I played the album every day for quite a while that summer. This is the absolute standout track. I couldn't understand why it wasn't released as a single here in Australia but in any event they had trouble getting any airplay by then. There were two later singles late 1982/ early 1983 from their aborted (at the time) 9th album sessions that also failed in the charts. At least The Visitors is getting the recognition it always deserved as the opener for the Voyage concerts.

[@juanfergomezsgomez704]

The Visitors fue un álbum atemporal,ya con el transcurrir de los años se pudo entender su escénica y darme el gran valor de ser una Obra Maesta. Frida inigualable voz ❤️

[@Urfinchannel]

She trained to sing like this for weeks

[@robertwalters3067]

You obviouly love this song so-o-o-o-o you must listen to Frida again with "I Let the Music Speak". It's even BETTER!!!!! No lie!

[@mongooz24]

My favorite always and so pleased Ty liked it! Closest to new wave they get

[@jneal68]

This song was never given the credit or airtime due when it came out here in the US. Although, it was a major hit later in the 80's for as much as 8 years in the nightclub scene! Patrons would come running to the dj booth asking who did this song and the dance floors where guaranteed to be packed every time it played! I personally believe that kept the song relatively fresh and it could be released again like they did with Kate Bush's "Running up that hill" or even modernized slightly and it would be a monster hit! I would Love t see that happen.

[@ZoeyPaigeLunaPhD]

This album is a masterpiece. It feels like a concept album of musical

[@Bjorn9284]

The track is still a staple on many a midnight dancefloor play list. Great reaction video!✌

[@reactionextraction]

Thx so much Sam 😎😎

[@knemo-ette6039]

Frida practiced for weeks to give her voice a sort of sitar quality for the main part of the song. So that’s not part of the vocal effects. It’s purely her.

[@birgittalagerstrom6264]

Love your reaction! And ofc ABBA 😀

[@reactionextraction]

Thank You Birgitta 😎 We Love ABBA ... pure legends 😎 Cheers from Dallas

[@klausolekristiansen2960]

The last single before the 40 year break was The Day Before You Came/Cassandra. Two of their greatest songs. Highly recommeded. Neither song was on the original version of Visitors.

[@ingvarjensen1088]

No, their last single before the break was "Under Attack" at the very end of 1982, after "The Day Before You Came" 😉

[@joselacao8422]

Frida! Oh my God. Good , good.

[@tonyd3345]

EPIC Masterpiece! Great reaction video. When you jump to the new album released last year, check out Don't Shut Me Down. Recorded when these people are in their 70's!! Another masterpiece and Grammy nominated this year! Happy new year guys!!

[@ewajohansson8398]

...and"ODE TO FREEDOM" ❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤ P L E A S Greetings from Sweden 🇸🇪

[@supastah68]

I Love ABBA

[@linda-sk1fm]

I loved your your reaction, I have actually never listened to the titular song of the Visitors album. I was blown away! Two of my lesser known ABBA favourites are "I'm a marionette" (because it's weird-epic) and "Does your mother know?" (when I first heard it many years ago, I didn't realise at first it's an ABBA song because Björn was the lead singer).

[@ABBADiego]

There was no autotune in 1981.

[@reactionextraction]

not autotune but a vocal effect

[@adestra6840]

Zapp and Roger had their own unique approach that was auto tune ish

[@ursgeiser6570]

Agree, a masterpiece and a banger (pioneer for the 80ies sound) with SOLDIERS (long not know the real topic: unique oppressive drums) and LIKE AN ANGEL may refer to the mood about the starting Cold War, sadley not represent the whole album: for me to musical-like melodies or not finished songs (All Said And Done + Under Attack: good 80ties vibes but I miss a special middle part; also ca 4 songs on Voyage!!!) or skipping ones.. The Bonus Track THE DAY BEFORE YOU CAME - you reacted already - was the last recorded ABBA song and also a masterpiece. Hard question: a few ABBA fans say the album The Visitors is so mature. I had made the experience that some people use this term in situations where I would say "a little be boring". The Bonus tracks are better as some original songs. So different are the tastes. I was also flashed by the opener EAGLE 1977 (take care the long version: synthi pop with a great guitar solo), also unexpected ABBA.

[@williamrothermund7705]

TY you are AMAZING ….YOU KNOW MUSIC LIKE NO OTHER

[@reactionextraction]

Thx, appreciate that very much William 😎😎

[@terrykemp1876]

Anyone who says ABBA was some simple pop band hasn't heard this.

[@wawa2]

Would so love to see you guys react to ABBA again soon. Try "I'm A Marionette" maybe compare the Ghost version to the ABBA version.

[@Bandido894]

The younger generation likes usually more the Visitors album than we lived childhood/teen along with their era.

Back then in 1981 when I heard it on the radio and the DJ said, this is their best song from the forthcoming album I was very disappointed. I never really liked it and thought it was the weakest song on the LP. But I keep on singing it in my mind for decades now. It's really massive and I have so totally changed my mind on this song. The Visitors however is my 2nd favorite ABBA LP though. Thanks for your reaction guys.

[@coachtomas]

It's structure and feel is still quite modern really. I mean it does lapse into more "traditional" Abba in parts. But I can see little things like the style of vocal delivery and rhythm sections that remind me of more current sounds I hear. It is tricky to untangle the web of influences in today's music, but I can tell Abba is in there quite often. Random question but I wonder if Dad has heard any Wet Leg ? great new-ish British indie band - heap ton of 80/90s influences in their songs, quite fun and quirky. ❤

[@reactionextraction]

Have not heard Wet Leg, but will definitely check them out 😎

[@jerrycote659]

In my top 5 ABBA songs. I find this song to be haunting yet melodic and catchy at the same time. It showcases the brilliance of Benny in particular due to the synths which he was really starting to get into with the last two albums (“Super Trouper” and “The Visitors”). I love Frida’s vocals on this track because of how she was able to convey a sense of tension and anxiety which fits the overall sense of panic and fear being expressed through both the lyrics as well as the musical arrangement and stellar production easily ranks as one of their best tracks, if not THE best ABBA song, from a technical production perspective. They pulled out all the stops in the studio when Benny and Bjorn produced this masterpiece. When I read about this song being the one which was opening the ABBA Voyage show it brought a smile to my face because it was recognition of the brilliance of this under appreciated and often overlooked masterpiece. Great choice for a reaction vid BTW. Also, I don’t think this was the last single from ABBA. I believe their last single release before going their separate ways back in 1982 was the song “Under Attack”. A song I personally love, but, sadly does not get the same love from many ABBA fans which really surprises me because it has such a classic ABBA feel to it with the vocal arrangements in particular. It’s a similarly themed song (lyrically and emotionally 😢speaking) as “The Visitors” and would be a good follow up (to “The Visitors”) for you guys to react to. Overall, I thought you really “heard” this song and got it as well. The comments were spot on. One thing that was said though I think wasn’t accurate and that was the comment about Frida’s vocals and auto tune. I don’t 100% know this positively, however, I seriously doubt that Frida’s vocals were auto tuned. Her vocals never would have needed to be altered or auto tuned. Same for Agnetha. Both of these ladies had amazing voices which brought the ABBA songs to life with their naturally complimentary voices, Agnetha’s soprano and Frida’s mezzo-soprano creating that iconic “third voice”.

[@christianoazzuro6711]

HI Jerry.Well when this firstly got released in '81 it sounded too strange in my ears at the time since i was too young to 'digest' it.But It grew on me perfectly over the years and got glad after realizing how other music listeners got astonished by its peculiar sound.So I also felt similar way you did you when it was revealed that this track would be possibly included in the VOYAGE set list.And when it was confirmed that this was the opener i was over the moon.I thought "That's it!that's going to be big!Such a right choice!'I wouldn't have thought of a more suitable one to start this expirimental show .This one and possibly the majestic prog pop-rock 'EAGLE'.I hope this opener will remain as it is even after the future change of the set list that Ludvig Anderson has announced.

[@jerrycote659]

@@christianoazzuro6711 thanks for a great message Christiano. Have you seen the ABBA Voyage show in London? I’m hoping to make it to London next summer (‘23) and of course that would include seeing the “Voyage” show. I hadn’t heard about Ludvig announcing a new setlist. Seems pretty soon to be changing the setlist since the show only opened this past May. So, sounds from your message that “The Visitors” is remaining as the opening. I hope that’s the case because it’s seems so appropriate. I’m going to have to check for the announcement from Ludvig about the setlist. Are you from a country where ABBA was popular in the 70’s-80’s? I’m in the U.S. and ABBA were not that big here during their peak in the 70’s-80’s, but, boy they are really popular here now, more so than when they were at their peak in the 70’s-80’s.

[@christianoazzuro6711]

@@jerrycote659 I grew up partially in central Europe and then moved to the South since decades ago.So Abba were everywhere in this soundscape.It looked like some kind of an 'exotic' Scandi culture phenomenon for us.A big music sun that shone all over those years ,(for years and years).It's in our DNA or smth.As for Voyage ...well haven't seen it yet but i'm preparing to go as soon as possible with a couple of relatives.As for the change of the set list....Ludvig had said sometime ago that the set list will change in time but didn't anounce something more specific.I feel it won't be a drastical change. So the 'refreshment' of the set list won't be too soon i guess.Besides ABBA had prepared more tracks for us during the 'motion capture' proccess.Bjorn had said in an interview that the choice of the songs was a real hard tusk and had to sacrifice 'some darlings' in favour of some others.Also if my memory serves me well, one of the guys (I think it was Benny) was asked smth about why having only 2 songs from their comeback album in the show.He answered smth like that if there were more songs that he would have liked to be included from the VOYAGE lp then one of them would be 'Ode to Freedom'.But i gotta search and re-check this out in order to be more accurate.

[@jerrycote659]

@@christianoazzuro6711 thanks Christiano! Hope you get to London to see the show.

[@abbagodz]

Here in the U.S., 'The Visitors' was ABBA's last Billboard Top 100 single. This, along with 'When All Is Said and Done' went to #8 on the Dance charts here. Atlantic Records did release 'One of Us' and 'The Day Before You Came' here, but neither charted. Typical

[@marcodebrabander5751]

To my knowledge this song was not released as a single. They could have had so much more worldhits if they released more album tracks as single (even the B sides of the singels..) in my opinion

[@alexioverdo5225]

Hi Marco.Actually It was a limited single (A side) release in the USA but a quite, big club hit there at the time with a special extented club mix.

[@marcodebrabander5751]

@@alexioverdo5225 didnt know that thnx!

[@dionisiolavid61]

This song is everything ✨ period

[@bobtrouper]

Think you need to react to The Day Before You Came, or Like An Angel Passing Through My Room.

[@matthewrandom4523]

Their last album was the best one!!!!!!!

[@absolutmichel6]

I just love ABBA.... Over five hundred million records sold and still going on... 🥰🫶🇸🇪👍

[@popcult]

Frida wanted to sound like a sitar in this song.

[@AlexanderVanDelden]

Over here in Europe "Under Attack" was officially their last single, with a re-release of 'Thank You For The Music' later that year in 1982, and 'The Visitors' was never released as a single as neither was 'When All Is Said And Done', but that was quite common in those days that the record companies in different parts of the world deceided to release other singles than everywhere else... Australia had 'On and On and On' as a single, for instance, when no other country had, and in the U.K. instead of going for 'Voulez-Vous ' they deceided to make the B-side, 'Angeleyes', the A-side single... big mistake! 😜😜 The Visitors was released as a B-side over here in Europe to 'Head Over Heels'... minor mistake maybe? 😝😝

[@bachatamusica]

🚫Banned by the U.S.S.R............the Soviets were not kind to ABBA in their "Pravda" newspaper articles, which criticised them viciously. Nonetheless, the album was a success. This was their next-to-last single released in the U.S., but did not make the Billboard Top 40.

[@reactionextraction]

Interesting info there 😎 I wonder why it didn't crack the top 40

[@bachatamusica]

@@reactionextraction 😆The American record-buying public was always tough on ABBA..........but they did have a Top 40 hit from the album "The Visitors", which was the single, "When All Is Said And Done", which peaked at a respectable Nº 27 on the Billboard charts, in the beginning of '82, it was their 14th and last. But, by that time, ABBA's popularity was beginning to decline, where in even in the U.K., their last singles released, "Head Over Heels", "The Day Before You Came", and "Under Attack", barely made a dent in the charts, and just making it in the Top 30. They broke of string of 19 consecutive Top 20 hits in that important territory. But, back home in their native Sweden, they fared a bit better, with some of the last singles peaking in the Top 3 on the Svenskitoppen charts. When they released that album ("The Visitors"), all the 4 members were pretty much all going their own way (😄reminds me of the Fleetwood Mac song, "Go Your Own Way")........with Benny and Björn working with Sir Tim Rice on the "Chess" musical (and subsequent album)......and Frida had moved residence to London to work with Phil Collins on her solo project ("Something's Going On").......and Agnetha was also planning a solo album, which she would release in '83 ("Wrap Your Arms Around Me"). 😅Sorry for my ranting.

[@reactionextraction]

All fabulous information 😎 Guess they all needed time to do their own thing, create their own artistic expression away from each other which is perfectly understandable 👍🏼 ABBA … pure legends

[@bachatamusica]

@@reactionextraction 👍🙂Well said❗

[@supastah68]

Please do The Day Before You Came

[@jjgreek1]

A masterpiece

[@jan_almeida]

Tidbit: "Mario" was also created in 1981 when he appeared as a character of "Donkey Kong". ✌

[@reactionextraction]

Fab info Jan 😎

[@dennisfleming5625]

I agree this is probably one of ABBA's best. It brought EVERYONE to the dance floor in the early nineties.....However, that's not totally why I liked it. Listen to the lyrics. A lot of consensus is the song is about the meeting of a group of government dissidents being raided by military foreces. Since Sweden is close to Russia, many surmised it was about the KGB coming to arrest them. There are tons of songs out there about love, loss, revenge etc......But not too many pop/dance songs about this! Though Cold Play's Viva La Vida (about the mentally ill King George) is another.

[@VideosSmokin]

It's called a voice recorder where they alter their voices.

[@MigsDances]

This is Frida singing. Layered with Frida layering herself. The vocal play backs are just slightly out of phase which cancel out certain frequencies of her richer almost nasaI performance. It would not have worked as well with Agnetha’s more pure ringing vocal qualities. This effect can now be duplicated electronically in real time so it might sound robotic to modern ears. At the time listeners could have perhaps perceived it as airy or whispery, maybe to give the impression of low voices heard through closed doors. The music would suggest this atmosphere too. Or some may have even heard a psychedelic effect. I think it’s all based our modern frame of reference versus the original intent.

[@johanschonewille5675]

Super

[@lisacrane3143]

1981 actually

[@alexioverdo5225]

Yeah Album release 1981.Single USA release 1982.So you're both correct.

[@user-dv2ch7nf4h]

Мне вторая нравилась

[@bobtrouper]

Sure it was a vocoder on Frida's voice.

[@travisbourque]

It’s a song about the Cold War.

[@mcdad55]

I scanned the comments. Does no one know that this is about a person being raided in the Soviet Union and not seeing their friends or family again?

[@herrbonk3635]

I bought that LP in 1981 (not 1982).

[@user-dv2ch7nf4h]

Я слушала, как ваш сын в1984

[@Urfinchannel]

1981 and was not the last single

[@yussepig6629]

Soldiers is better. I Am The City is great too

[@bjorkeskog]

The Russians don’t dare to come here

[@vovindequasahi]

This song is about alien abduction.

[@rdwulf6289]

Yea, right.🤣

[@vovindequasahi]

@@rdwulf6289 Listen to the lyrics man.

[@markr1574]

@@vovindequasahi It's about the paranoia they were experiencing with Russia.

[@christofferlahrin5149]

Love your reactions! They had several singles after this album; they last being Under Attack, although their next to last was their last recorded song; The day before you came, another of their biggest masterpieces, in my opinion. So they began making one more album, but never finished. The Visitors was btw also the first album ever to be recorded digitalt, and of the first, if not the very first ”commercial” (although obviously their least commercial when it comes to the sound, even if it still was sold several million copies) album to also be released as a CD! Greetings from Sweden

[@vovindequasahi]

@@markr1574 That is your interpretation. Good one too! Mine is different. That is what makes a great song.