Week 48: ABBA Week! #5 - Knowing Me, Knowing You

[@ronnowak7049]

The group was standing in flowerpots on wheels for the rotating shots. This group was innovative beyond belief for its time.

[@sirjohnmara]

Yes, Lasse Hallström and ABBA kind of "invented" music videos. You two are very fun, I'm subscribing now!

[@alexioverdo5225]

Cheesy or not this is pure pop artistry for me.They managed through a low budget video to breath out such a strong feeling that was like some shot to the heart.Similar impact was also achieved to "The Winner takes it all" video(But the OFFICIAL one!)Abba was/is really big deal.400 million records sold, 2nd best selling band in history just right after The Beatles!.Abba was the soundtrack of our childhood.Everytime a new Abba album/song was out we felt same excitement,it was reallly big event.5:59 CHER "double-posed" same way Agnetha/Frida did in this video and used this facial close-up shot for the photo cover of her 2018 ABBAtribute album.Their come back/goodbeye " trendblind" album "VOYAGE" last November blasted to No1 in 19 countries after 40 years of hiatus in the streaming era of Adele and Sheeran,There were fans reactions while spotted crying in front of cameras during the live streaming of their 2 new songs last Sept. that were shown all over the globe. Now this is a sheer proof of why they're oftenly described as a phenomenon.GlaD you liked and apreciated this video the right way guys!Thanx a lot for this.And ...C m'on, who wouldn't have liked to be hugged same way by these 2 beautiful angels?!

[@christianoazzuro6711]

To this plain but impactful video,all this magic and flood of emotions just took these 4 exceptional people in a room.Hats off!Iconic.Thank you guys you made my day!

[@philipjackson4668]

ABBA were at the top of the game ,all of their songs and videos are just perfect ,it was great to be around when all their music was first released, they were a fantastic success, everyone talked about the girls ,and how perfect their voices and harmonies went together.

[@robinsantiago2982]

One of the iconics to Abba is the movement they do. That is creatively and dramatically impactful.

[@tonytheriault1186]

I like how the women almost look like they're crying. Thier faces during this song tells most of the story.

[@theresenydahl9531]

Best pop group ever, great song and video, thank you ❤

[@nielsulriksrensen9818]

One of the best songs in pop music, and - yeah - an iconic video, where ABBA really developed not only their freeze frames, but also their profile front shot, which became part of their visual identity (check out Fernando)

[@guyinnyc1]

love this appreciative and insughtful review. this is as you said the holy grail of videos. has been spoofed so much only proving how timeless and enduring it is, and that song, probably my all time favorite from ABBA.

[@chelseacharger]

These ABBA video's were Lasse Hallstrom's early steps on the road to being a Hollywood and Oscar nominated film director. He's now a little embarrassed at some of the gaffs in them but they were shot on a extremely tight budget. A few of them, including this one, were filmed in his own apartment and you can see the creases in the backdrop curtain. And at 9:50 the camera pans slightly to the right too early. But there is a charm in these films and filming on a pittance made for some inventiveness. 'Knowing Me Knowing You' is ABBA's original 'divorce' song yet was written when both couples were still together. Sadly ominous.

[@aperinich]

They were all well and truly broken up before '83. The band effectively ended in '82. Benny and Frida divorced about 18 months earlier. Agnetha and Bjorn divorced in '79. Benny and Bjorn wrote several hits for the band to sing , precisely around the sentiment and topic of their split. Their whole marriages and divorces were rather public and infused into the music. They have children together, one of whom is a producer on their new digitised live show in a purpose built arena in London (ABBA Arena, which opened last week). Their new album was released last November, single reaching #2 in the US Charts, and the album taking #1 in 18 countries around the world, going multi platinum in plenty of territories, and is the highest-selling-vinyl of this millennium. They have always remained good friends, and now they are back, bringing their story to the fore in what is perhaps the most (insert adjective here) comeback in music history. Bravo to the legends and masters of pop perfection.

[@rromancunard]

Thanks again for share, this is my favorite song for the harmony in the voices, the mixes voices and the electric guitar. Very beautiful and elegants specially Anni-Frid ❤️

[@glenngastonjonsson7954]

Many of the videos were directed by Lasse Hallström, in hindsight a guilty pleasure for him. He went to Hollywood and directed, among others, Leonardo Di Caprios break thru film, also starring Johnny Depp and Juliette Lewis, "What's eating Gilbert Grape ?".

[@bobbyhulll8737]

I always get a tear when i hear this song .. and dance at the same time lol

[@simonroblek-sine1491]

Guys check the opening of the ABBA arena in London two days ago, where their digital avatars are on stage With there 70˛s look. Accompanied by a live band. The world's first digital concert in this form. Check out ABBA London Arena opening.

[@VideosSmokin]

Frida & benny got divorced in 1980 and agnetha & Bjorn got divorced in 1979 but disbanded in 1982 and then 40 years later they reunited and released a new album with the first two singles being "I still have faith in you" and "don't shut me down" which you gotta react to as those are great songs.

[@barbarasieverding1754]

The beginning of an excellent week!

[@marcodebrabander5751]

This band is truly exceptional! Not only their known 22 worldhits but far more album tracks are equally good and each one unique in style and (high quality frontier) sound (production)

[@kylecompton3305]

They are pure joy, even the sad songs!

[@bobbyyounger7632]

Thanks guys, really enjoyed your review of this classic ABBA tune ! one of my all time fav songs, I have listened to it a million times over the decades and still to this day whenever I listen to it still sounds so fresh, original...pure perfection. The composition, music arrangement, lyrics, the singing voices, all blend so flawlessly. ABBA were music innovators, making quality music videos 6 years before MTV / VH1, '80's music video broadcasts. Lasse Halstrom directed most of their music videos and today is a world famous movie director with many award winning films to his credit. At one time ABBA had the worlds most technology sophisticated recording studio in which other music acts recorded there; such as Led Zepplin's album In Through The Out Door. ABBA last original album was in 1982 then the group taking a break and doing solo projects. What a long break, fast forward 40 years, the group surprised worldwide fans with a new album VOYAGE....and still innovating with a new form of entertainment, new technology in the purposely built ABBA Arena, a concert like no other with digital avatars, aka Abbatars with a live band, fantastic lighting effects and surround sound.....a must see experience ! All reviews have been top notch ! It would be a great if you two went to London to experience the concert and give a review, share your experience !

[@panbaiye]

What a champion selection of music

[@eduardooscar309]

"Knowing me knowing you" (1976) is one of ABBA's most famous heartthrob songs The lyrics are strong and raw (some say there is a preview of the couple conflicts between Agnetha & Björn) And it has a powerful chorus on Agnetha and Frida, and a nice melody These is an excellent official video, it shows the four of them in separation situations, and plays with the images of the trios The part that stands out the most is the appearance of the image of the blonde Agnetha almost whispering as a reflection of the brunette Frida's main voice "Knowing me knowing you" was five weeks in a row at #1 in the UK, and one of them coincided with the #1 of "Dancing Queen" on the Billboard. (Just this week of April 9, 1977, 44 years ago, ABBA was #1 in the U.S. and U.K. with two different songs from the same album Knowing me knowing you" is one of their hits that ABBA recorded in spanish at 1980, with the tittle: "Conociéndome, Conociéndote", part of their album in spanish language "Gracias por la música" (1980) ABBA recorded in spanish after the colossal success of "Chiquitita" (1979) in Latin American countries

[@paulogaray6666]

Loved your reactions and cinematic commentaries! They were just about the pioneers of music videos, yes, way before MTV. 1977, this was their signature song that defined the 70s. Also signature is melancholy, and how they infuse sadness and happiness duality that hits your soul. Keep reviewing!

[@geofffield7603]

More ABBA - love your reactions.

[@xoffender74]

It’s funny you should mention Mark Hamil. The ABBA VOYAGE concert at their custom built arena in London consists of ABBAtars, which are ABBA today made to look like their younger selves performing a concert with a live band and backing singers. The younger ABBA were gci created by George Lucas’s visual guys. They did something similar to complete Carrie Fisher’s scenes after she died. I went on the third day, Saturday and it blew my mind…. It was visually out of this world. It has had top reviews across the board - nobody has done anything like this before.

[@hahatoldyouso]

You should check out 'SOS' for experimenting with reflective shots!

[@cannedmusic]

the harmonics in this song were amazing

[@paulecrosby2006]

" The day before you came " by them is a hauntingly beautiful masterpiece. They sang their music in five different languages..

[@Galantus1964]

The side shots are ABBA classics

[@marcodebrabander5751]

Funny to know they are in a flower pot that is twirled by employees! The videos were made by Lasse Halmstrom the later famous Hollywood film producer. It is all very low budget (but touchingly innocent!)

[@alexioverdo5225]

Marco thanx a lot for writting this!That's true and i think it's interesting for people to know!Lasse talked about it explaining while laughing at how these shots in the video were obtained.So humble yet so great.

[@Tedelius]

they have beautiful spanish songs as well

[@riaanbehr7976]

Abba were pioneers in the music video area. Seriously talented. You can get their Abba Gold album in Spanish. It's called Oro. They could sing in a number of languages 👌❤️

[@njs2311]

they were one of the first bands to do music videos. one reason was they didn´t want to travel so much and had so many fans all over the world especially in Australia. and some of the early videos were directed by now famous director Lasse Hallström. don´t forget, this was in the 70s

[@josephmckenna4068]

A masterful combination of cheesyness, pathos , and groovy pop.

[@flemmingkristoffersen1896]

You should really try to react to one of ABBA's New songs - "Don't Shut Me Down" from their comeback album from 2021 "Voyage"! A comeback 40 years after their last album "The Visitors" (1981)! The four members are now between 72 and 77 years old and they still sound amazing! I love ABBA! ❤️

[@Mark-zu6oz]

It wasn't a thought bubble. This technique was pretty common in the '70s when they wanted to show another singer, or sometimes they would show the same singer singing the background lyrics. Fortunately, it's use faded over time.

[@michaelhansen2691]

Lasse Hällström (yes the guy later being famous as a movie director - Whats eating Gilbert Grape and so on) was a pioneer in making music videos for ABBA. It was not that common back then, but being from Sweden it wasn't that easy to just turn up on tv across the globe, so they made those videos in order to serve the needs of as many tv shows as possible. You also have to take into consideration that especially Agnetha didn't like much of the life on the stage. She preferred to 'just' work in the studio. oh... btw: Im not sure how many music video Hällström made for ABBA - I just know he was the guy behind inventing the multiple face shots.

[@herrbonk3635]

Agnetha enjoyed the scene/stage. But she was afraid of flying, and hated being away from her kid(s) for days, weeks or even months.

[@paulogaray6666]

BTW this is my first time watching, and I enjoy both your dynamics! Subscribed!

[@VideosSmokin]

3 other great songs by them for you to react to are "eagle - the long version", "tropical Loveland" and "I've been waiting for you". Pure perfection songs in there own ways.

[@pop-esum5125]

Actually - when all is said and done is the video sequel to this, heaps of freeze frames! 😂🤣 But sadly, both couples were divorced by this point (1981)

[@TheColdrush22]

“The redheaded woman and the bearded man were married, and the blond woman and Luke Skywalker were married.” I well might shit my pants. I might die. Holy fuck that made me laugh. I know it’s a cheesy vid, but goddamnit man it’s such a good song. I know you’re not trying to straight out mock, although it kinda deserves it, but it is really really great music too. And 9:56 made me laugh so goddamn hard. I love you guys. In short: I am a new subscriber. And in full disclosure, I am old af if this is the first video I have heard from you, so I’m interested to see what else you have to offer. (And also, Tove Lo is Swedish. And if you don’t know her you should. She bad af)

[@tuijakarttunen7701]

There`s so much more. Please react to Eagle, the long version, Gimme Gimme Gimme ( a man after midnight), The day before you came, Does your mother know/Hole in your soul live from Wembley arena 1979 and I`m a marionette. They are so versatile and always awesome.

[@mclocksley]

The Wembley Live performances are great and the energy of the two songs you mentioned - considering they are at the end of the concert - is fantastic. The Australian 1977 tour videos are really something as well.

[@mauddouglasa]

Agnetha and Björn were married and Frida and Benny were married. Frida then married a German prince lol

[@joeking5310]

The reason they filmed promotional film clips for virtually every single they ever released, was because they were in Sweden, and couldn't travel to everywhere every time they had a hit somewhere. Which was practically everywhere in Europe plus Australia and Japan. There was no such thing as video in those days. They were masters of self promotion, thankfully, so we can still enjoy these performances decades later. Much like the "Live" voyage shows now playing in London. You can watch them live while they are at home with their feet up.

[@priscilabee583]

Abba week 😍

[@addersdewinter7495]

No boys Agnetha and Bjorn divorced in 1978 and Annafrida and Benny Divorced in 1981 and they never played live again after their last concerts in Japan in 1980.. To my mind Abba were more consistently creative than any other band ...ever.

[@tapanim6576]

You two are very entertaining.

[@mickem4322]

Just found your channel and reaction-vids....and I guess the name you need to check up regarding their vids is Lasse Hallström !! He is Legend for doing these vids !! :D

[@gerby17]

They called these promotional videos to promote their songs worldwide.

[@TJdirect]

Originally many of their early videos were not meant for “public consumption” They were used as promo videos use to promote their music to music distributors. Long before MTV there wasTV show called countdown. Which featured the music and bands. However they often struggled find content for their tv show. Often asking record labels for any thing, which as often limited…. EMI who held the rights to ABBA - supplied these ‘demo clips’ for use. Which in turn elevated their profile and popularity of the music. Thus the music video was born… It became a standards

[@erikjeffreys2144]

Great reaction to abba

[@henryjackson6677]

They split in 1982 and that was it until they reformed to make the Voyage album released in 2022 after 40 years

[@John-s7s8s]

A great roller rink song.

[@MissLemonTea]

Each pair in this video are married in real life

[@vovindequasahi]

Maybe focus on this awesome rocking song instead of the freeze-frames? lol The entire idea of the freeze-frames is because they are memories like photographs.

[@goosefarm3602]

subscribed... Grimes- "We Appreciate Power" (Lyric Video)

[@terrykemp1876]

They divorced a few years apart in 1980 and 1981 but haven't performed live since about 1980.

[@RoamHockey]

ABBA not only were great..they were miles ahead of other bands when it came to videos

[@proudarmymom8657]

These four were made up of two actual married couples and they ended up both getting divorced while the band was together and then eventually split up

[@pa6125]

Love ABBA! Lets Lana Del Rey next week! She's amazing! 5. Blue Jeans 4. Ultraviolence 3. Summertime Sudness 2. Ride 1.Born To Die

[@christianoazzuro6711]

yeah!Love Lana too.Good suggestion.

[@polengbay8855]

The winner takes it all Chiquitita One of Us Name of the Game Should I Laugh or Cry Fernando

[@alejandraalvarado4622]

A video from 1976 and you laugh at a bubble!!!! gosh guys, think how fun some stuff of your videos will seem within 46 years

[@runeguardian]

Please, check out Ace of Base and A*Teens as soon as you can. Ace of Base is another Swedish band with great hit songs. And, A*Teens(started as ABBA Teens) started out doing covers of ABBA songs and then started writing and producing their own songs. My favorite A*Teens song is "I Promised Myself" which is an amalgamation of all their prior videos in one as they time travel into the making of their previous videos throughout the video.

[@runeguardian]

Additionally, Floorfiller is a great dance music video.

[@neldablanco1663]

When realize they are actually sad about them separately divorce it's so sad!

[@mirjammehmann8303]

You should also react to "Watch out" from 1974 by ABBA (not very popular), very glam-rock-type of song.

[@Anna-Gunilla1792]

It's a little a shame if the videos makes you not really listening to the music. But I guess the videos are your main thing.

[@pop-esum5125]

Pls react to ‘the day before you came’

[@mparento]

You guys did not want to get moved by the song. It happens more often when two people are commenting instead of one.

[@johanschonewille5675]

Super

[@tiagohardman6306]

We had DOCE in Portugal, one of the first’s girl bands In europe, they were so big that they even had concerts In the USA. They were so ahead of their time, with the Music And clothes, they were very criticized for everything. If you want to check them out one day here are some Music’s “doce”, “ali-babá”, “ok, ko”, “choose again” bem bom”

[@tordimass]

You guys probably dont know what love is! 🙃

[@tentimetex]

As far as i know the band members were cheating on each other behind their backs, and the video expresses that....because they wrote this song about it. So them, turning away from their partner and facing the other one, and rotating...is supposed to portray the complex and troubled relationship they experienced.

[@ian2402]

A load of shit do your research

[@claudiomachado2226]

Comeback haha ♥️

[@brucevaudrien3373]

You do know this was 50 yrs ago.with 50 singles to make the charts and i believe it was abba who at one time owned 8 of the top 10 songs on the billboard charts.in your attempt to clown and downplay probobly the most accomplished band ever maybe you should ask yourself what have you done lately?

[@johngrey9200]

Spunk bubble , oops camera man lol

[@silke3961]

Frida ❤

[@panbaiye]

4:39 school picture

[@donny1960]

They stopped recording as a group in 1981. They did not perform together after that. They did release a new Album last year. 40 years since last Album. There is going to be ABBA performances starting now in London at permanent ABBA arena. But it is Hologram images of the members. Also............There is a saying..."You can fool part of the people some of the time, you can fool some of the people all of the time, but you cannot fool all the people all of the time,” Words to live by.

[@JCWiley2300]

"ab ba" with a short "a", not "ahh-ba". :-)

[@CraigMcKee]

It's pronounced Abba,, not Awbba.

[@lovisalindstrom7920]

This group seem hard for you to react on. Is it becouse your father liked them? It seems you see it just becouse of the videos.

[@supergacela]

LOS JAGUARES DEBIERON GANAR, LOS JEFES DE KANSAS NO ME CONVENCIERON...........ON TOY????

[@sionadamson1842]

Interesting reaction guys, but i think definitely an over-emphasis on the visual images contained in the video, at the expense of the music itself Odd - i mean, this is a musical assessment, right? by watching the accompanying video, yeah of course which was made according to the technological limits of the day (1976) you do talk guys about the music a bit at the end of the presentation, but almost as an afterthought both of you clearly very intelligent, articulate, passionate about music, very likeable but really disappointing in terms of musical reaction or assessment (songwriting, arrangement, vocals, lyrics, instrumentation, production?) of such a magnificent, sublime recording so much there to talk about, but the whole show focussed almost solely on giggling & sniggering at the video

[@harrycallahan9069]

Nothing worse than Yanks bastardizing their name UBBA

[@Yhtbh]

Drake week next please. Also The Weeknd. Canada strong. Drake list: 1. Best I Ever Had 2. Hotline Bling 3. Passionfruit 4. God's Plan 5. Headlines The Weeknd: 1. Blinding Lights 2. Wicked Games 3. The Hills 4. Can't Feel My Face 5. Starboy

[@voxsupreme]

And, remember - this is done on Color Film, not video. So they had to wait a cpuple of days to see the result before they could possibly correct the take. Thank God for Color film! The Colors are so rich and make the images sort of Timeless. You don feel the 45 years time gap. Imagine if this would hav been done on very early low grade, grainy video? Terrible. Iḿ Swedish by the way and saw ABBA live january 1975. Last thought: Björn Ulvaeus, (Sky Walker ...), should be given the Nobel Prize in Litterature for his ABBA Lyrics. Well, if that dude Robert Zimmerman got the prize 2016 for his absolutely overrated lyrics, Björn Ulvaeus is a given for next year. His knowledge of The Human Soul is so deep that itś almost frightening - And he presents it in the pop song format for everybody to Understand and Feel it immediatelly, heart wrencing until we all are tearing up. Isn't that something? Just saying.

[@petegtorcan]

AꓭBA were one of the first bands who took advantage of “promotional films” to promote their songs internationally. They did it to send to different international markets instead of travelling there. Smart!