WOW!| FIRST TIME HEARING ABBA - Knowing Me, Knowing You REACTION

[@royster5649]

60 yr old classic rock fan here. Not afraid to admit, ABBA is awesome , good music is good music.

[@isaackovitz4791]

There are 2 kinds of ABBA songs - good ones and great ones.

[@royaumeuni5730]

This is great.

[@jeffcobb2734]

Brightest most upbeat heartbreak song of all time? Abba were monster pop hit makers!

[@bretcantwell4921]

I compare this with Go your own way.

[@bretcantwell4921]

55 year old who had a weird metal/new wave hybrid period in my tweens and early teens. I loved a few poppy 78-81 ABBA songs and have grown to appreciate much more of their catalog.

[@hannahpumpkins4359]

Remember, this was recorded at a time when there was no pitch correction or Autotune! This was absolutely pure talent.

[@RaeRaeOR]

💯💯💯💯💯

[@NAANsoft]

I won't argue against talent, but there is acutally a lot going on in the production behind. Usually they used a moog to aid strength to the voices, and there is an impressive work using reverb and other effects. But that would of course be nothing, if the singers was bad. And they are definitely not bad!

[@TRguy64]

@@NAANsoft Yes, you are so correct, a good deal of vocal modification occurred within the studio, in ABBA's live recordings their accents are evident, though not within the highly polished studio productions, well other than Voyage. I'm not a vocal tech geek, though do know that many of their recordings had been sped up just a tad as well. I was disappointed they so often chose to lip sync, when instead hearing their live sound had a wonderful richness of its own.

[@birchleaf]

@@TRguy64TV shows back then usually wanted the bands to lip synch, as that was cheaper and easier to produce.

[@TRguy64]

@@birchleaf Yes, indeed most of the performances back them where lip synced to studio recordings, otherwise a lot of work and preparation to attempt to capture the richness of a polished recording. ABBA songs are so rich and layered, but some songs they had nailed live, others not so much, but still I love hearing the dynamics of a live performance! :)

[@marlenabenson]

"Does your mother know?" is one of my favorites of theirs and it has one of the guys taking lead vocals.

[@stevebengel1346]

I love that song, I like the one on the B side of the 45, Kisses of Fire too

[@4508bluesky]

Bjorn singing ‘Rock Me’ is one that I like too..

[@johnfallon3525]

Yep! Make that me too!!

[@cathariney.3877]

Yes, please do “does your mother know” for Bjorn in the lead!

[@SteveInScotland]

Lots of bass in that track too!

[@diane39istockphoto]

EVERYONE loves ABBA...whether they admit it or not. LOVE your reactions!

[@surlechapeau]

Jay & Amber, you'll love their "Dancing Queen", "Waterloo" and "Fernando" !!!

[@billofalltrades2633]

I love Fernando, it was a favorite of my mom's when I was growing up in the 70s

[@Siouxsi-Sioux]

DANCING QUEEN!!!!

[@kenrk]

If they haven't done Dancing Queen yet it definitely needs to be top priority. :)

[@fantasycamp4000]

Dancing Queen!

[@bethshadid2087]

My fave three. Can't believe they haven't done any of them

[@godsspeedify]

ABBA is another level... I don't care what type of style of music you are into too...

[@coffee-xg6my]

I particularly like ths one because Anni Frid does the lead vocal in the verses. Everyone always focuses on Agnetha who is great but Anni never gets the attention she deserves. I love this German-Norweigian beauty's deep rich sultry voice and she seems like a really sweet person. In the early 80s she had a really big solo hit called "I Know There's Something Going On". You guys should react to that one!

[@patriciaalvareztostado8170]

Yes I love Agnetha voice, but people tend to give less price to Anni, I love her voice, I love both sing together but is nice to hear Anni taking the lead,

[@Deborahtunes]

You're right there. And Frida has such a good rich alto vocal...

[@claudiameier9233]

I know there's something going on by Phil Collins. He wrote it for Frida .

[@Deborahtunes]

@@claudiameier9233 ~ Phil Collins did Not write "I Know There's Something Going On". He produced, sang back up, and played the drums. The lyricist for that song is Russ Ballard from Argent fame...

[@aaradia]

I love them both, but I completely agree. She is my personal favorite voice of the two. But again, they are both awesome! Still it is nice to see them react to one of her lead songs.

[@kansaskid8939]

I lost my wife a month and a half ago to leukemia after 45 years of marriage and I can't sleep. We found out Thursday morning and she was gone Sunday shortly after midnight. I am going out to set a post for my new mailbox (yes, at 3:30 am) and I decided to take time to drink a cup of coffee and relax a bit for a bit. Love songs and breakup songs and sad songs all seem to help. I hope you guys are together as many years and more than we were. thanks for showing me what i had. Cancer sucks. Peace kids.

[@omega311888]

my sympathies for your loss! i lost my dad to cancer back in 2008 and i miss him every day!

[@skeeterinnewjersey5256]

Much heart to you, kk. Lost my husband to leukemia in 1996 and ABBA was one of his two favorite groups. So many memories flood back whenever I hear them. Take care of yourself for her.

[@morningglory9288]

Just know your loving wife is watching over you and is with you every minute of the day. ❤ You will be together again someday.

[@aquarius2287]

You still haven’t hit one of their biggest hits, Dancing Queen! That song gets you moving. It’s 🔥

[@sydneym4340]

Not only that, but "Dancing Queen" is the song that introduced ABBA to the world.

[@funkspinna]

A must.

[@sweeney60]

@@sydneym4340no that was Waterloo. But Dancing Queen made them super stars.

[@jp3813]

I thought they already did that one but got deleted.

[@pcch7831]

​​@@sydneym4340not really, Waterloo, S.O.S, Mamma Mia and Fernando all came out before and were hits. Fernando was huge

[@TheRawChuck]

When ABBA was popular a lot of us rockers would talk them down but secretly I really liked them.

[@jackrooks4986]

i am also a closet ABBA fan

[@bretcantwell4921]

Born in 68,;sneered at disco and became a metal head in the early 80s, but loved a lot of disco, Europop and techno songs from that era then and as time went by.

[@StatsJedi]

You REALLY should do their breakout hit "Waterloo" from the European Song Contest.

[@paulthompson4545]

Agreed!

[@moodaymoom2271]

Yep Eurovision Song Contest, definitely one to react too.

[@gdoggatl]

ABSOLUTELY!!👍

[@clivenewman4810]

When they won Eurovision, we in UK gave them nil points for "Waterloo"!

[@christineobrien7707]

Right! That's the one that introduced the U.S. to the joy of ABBA. It was a great choice. It was catchy, bouncy, and had your parents digging it! 👍😎

[@Christine-Golden66]

Who else clicked immediately? 😂

[@suzieredfoxfur6982]

I did!!

[@Uniquemum73]

I did too..LOVE this one 💕

[@jambrunelda]

Me!

[@markgreen4745]

Me, then I realised what I'd done 🤣🤣🤣

[@kristyfenn5216]

Yep!❤

[@shamsrishad7496]

What a beautiful bass work

[@TarotMage]

This song is especially poignant because during the years ABBA were together, Anni-Frid was married to Benny, and Agnetha was married to Bjorn. Both couples ended up divorcing. So when they're singing to each other about breaking up, it foretold their own relationships ending.

[@jai07070]

It amazes me how ABBA creates serious songs and gives them such an upbeat. This touches me because this is what the members are truly going through. Just like, "The Winner Takes it All". One that gets me emotional is, "Dance While the Music Still Goes On ". (Please react) Thanks for being ABBA fans! There are still a hundred or more songs of theirs I love. Benny has more of a lead vocal on the track, "Move On " with the ladies providing backup.

[@malalaz66]

I want to suggest the movie Mamma Mia ( the first one edpecially) for your movie channel. A movie musical with all Abba songs. ( it was on Broadway as a stage play first)

[@davidhuggan6315]

@@malalaz66 And Muriel's Wedding! Full of great ABBA songs and awesome acting too.

[@malalaz66]

@@davidhuggan6315 I haven’t seen that one. I’ll put it on my watch list. 👍

[@davidhuggan6315]

@@malalaz66 Awesome, I hope you enjoy it, classic Australian comedy.

[@Shannanagins14]

It's so easy to get caught up in how talented they are as musicians and how catchy and well produced their songs are that their lyrics often get overlooked. Thank you for noticing that.

[@jamiedianne6778]

If you want to cry, listen to ABBA’s “Slipping Through My Fingers”! It’s about a parent’s child growing up and slowly pulling away to become an adult. I guarantee you won’t have dry eyes at the end! Also, “Waterloo”, “Fernando”, and “Thank You For the Music” are great hits of theirs. Also, you guys need to check out the movie “Mamma Mia”! It’s a musical with Meryl Streep featuring all Abba music. It’s hilarious and fun! ❤

[@alliswell2114]

Mama Mia film is crap

[@georgeprime2249]

I’ve literally this moment suggested ‘ Slipping through my fingers.’

[@gemini802]

​@@alliswell2114yes I didnt like that either cringe esp meryl streep bad move.

[@rasmuswi]

"The Visitors", that last Abba album, with "Slipping through my fingers" on it is my definite favorite album. No huge hits, they broke up soon after the release, but the whole album feels like they grew up. And it's so melancholic.

[@anniegoodrich262]

A way better movie that features Abba tunes front and center is Muriel's Wedding starring a young Toni Collette. It's fire!

[@paulecrosby2006]

You have to do, The day before you came, it's a hauntingly beautiful masterpiece ❤

[@kratoleaf7619]

dude, I am an industrial Ministry Metal head and I like Abba...

[@Chechula1000]

My ABBA favourite. Frida voice is like velvet. Thanks for reacting to this beautiful song

[@davidjones6389]

Growing up an Army Brat in Cold war Germany, even as the Rocker that I am, I had no choice but to become an ABBA fan. They were everywhere! Fairs, Volk fest, carnivals.....

[@ericmorrison9747]

Agreed. I was an air force brat and first heard them in Germany also.

[@gregorygant4242]

​​@@ericmorrison9747Where exactly in Germany ? I have my sister she lives in Munich .

[@ericmorrison9747]

@@gregorygant4242 Near Kaiserslautern.

[@gregorygant4242]

@@ericmorrison9747 Do you still live there or are you in the US now and where? I was born and grew up as kid listening to ABBA in Australia. Now live in Europe , I'm glad I left Australia after what happened in the last 3 years. I've heard Australia has become an authoritarian police state now ! Very very frightening!

[@Wayne-m6f]

Super Trouper is awesome!

[@kellifranklin9872]

While I’ve always been a rocker girl there’s something about ABBA that just draws me in. They have that special ability to draw in fans from every genre of music. Just amazing! I love this song!

[@jonasdahlin8670]

As a rocker On and On and On from Dick Cavett must be one of yourABBA fav, and it's live and the last live show, a 1 000 000 000 usd reunion tour offer could not change that

[@willowway4104]

Perfectly said! ❤

[@patmartin99]

The Sex Pistols rated ABBA, albeit in private, so you are not alone...

[@kratoleaf7619]

dude, I am an industrial Ministry Metal head and I like Abba...

[@alexioverdo5225]

David Grohl,Corey Taylor,Bono,even one of Korn's drummers totally agree with you.All are self confessed Abba fans and love the purity in Abba's pop majesty.

[@Philby17]

Going through these reactions, I hadn't noticed before how many relationship break up songs Abba have. It's so autobiographical of the band, with the ultimate break up song, the beautiful 'The winner takes it all'.

[@scottchapin2323]

My favorite ABBA song. This is true magic in music. When you can take a sad subject, in this case breaking up and put it behind the façade of an upbeat tune. They were also good actors, the expressions in this video is top notch

[@chrisa2310]

I don't think they were acting. They are showing, with the anguish in their faces, while hugging their real-life exes.

[@AgentJamesLee]

Two were really breaking up at this time.

[@helenpeterson]

​@@AgentJamesLeeno they were all very much together here

[@Paladin70]

@@chrisa2310 They were 3 and 5 years away from becoming exes when this was recorded. Recorded 1976 and divorces came in ‘79 and ‘81.

[@tuijakarttunen9164]

@@Paladin70 Yes. Benny and Frida weren`t even married yet.

[@francotraipe2830]

PERFECT SONG !!!!!

[@rayfaircloth8253]

I love ABBA!! I saw their ABBA Voyage concert in London last October. It was awesome!! They have a theater designed just for this show and use avatars of their 1977 selves. It's unreal. You'd think it was them on stage and on the big screens. They did all their hits including "Chiquitita", "Dancing Queen", "Knowing Me, Knowing You", "SOS", "Mamma Mia" and more, as well as some of their songs from their latest album.

[@GillDawe]

I would LOVE to have seen that. Not quite as good as the real thing, but pretty damn close!

[@gooch0607]

Ahaaaa

[@rayfaircloth8253]

@@GillDawe It is still playing in London.

[@sg-yq8pm]

Australia is looking likely to get the second Abba theatre, if we do it will sell out for years, Abba massively popular here.

[@Anton-ss1in]

ABBAtars..

[@richardwhite3041]

Listen to “Does your mother know” and “The Winner takes all”

[@calibrax]

"Don't intermingle with your band members"... seriously? Have you not noticed what AWESOME music comes out of those relationships? Some of the greatest songs in history!

[@screwyootube1]

Yeah, but in the long run, it tends to end poorly. It might be great for making music, but the artists wind up miserable, and sometimes the band doesn't survive the inevitable break-up.

[@monakh_jcf2312]

Breakup Rage (and maybe drugs) was the fuel that made Fleetwood Mac produce one of their best albums

[@Littlebigbot]

Lindsey and Stevie turned Fleetwood Mac on its head with their drama.

[@Smithpolly]

@@screwyootube1 Lots of couples end up miserable. At least, the artists get a good tune out of it.

[@jollyroger1009]

Better to have loved and lost....something like that!

[@leestewart72]

The "Ahh Haaa" is what makes this song for me. A perfect little flourish that ties it all together. ABBA were musical geniuses.

[@markcourson3151]

absolutely- it draws you in further- their songs grab you!

[@johnsampson1096]

@@markcourson3151 That and Lasse's guitar riff!

[@jennifermartin7791]

Love your ABBA shirt! Great song. Sad one, but some people really are better off as friends than lovers. It happens a lot. On another note...You guys really ought to hear "Fernando" - it's absolutely gorgeous. The harmonies are amazing, and it's about a person looking back on her past as a freedom fighter, with her friend Fernando. Very sweet and nostalgic.

[@erywst2106]

Even for an extreme metalhead like myself there is nothing to not love about this band. Their music is so often perfect, and has the ability to catapult me back to my youth and the glorious 70s.

[@tonks1968]

Guys, you must watch the music video to Name of the Game …. Probably my favourite ABBA song ever

[@esclad]

Erasure released a 4-track EP called "Abba-esque" in 1992 covering the songs Voulez Vous, S.O.S., Take a Chance on Me & Lay All Your Love on Me. All became top 10 hits in their own right. The music video's are hilarious too :)) ABBA music is forever addictive.

[@Mr.56Goldtop]

Who ever ABBA's bass player was was fire! He always played really great and interesting bass parts.

[@nickchristoforou7850]

Rutger Gunnarsson was ABBA's bassist. Superb musician.

[@arcadian78]

Bjorn & Benny were very good at writing very depressing lyrics to serious life situations but they were cleverly masked by upbeat and catchy music with absolutely beautiful harmonies.

[@bayareathrasher666]

Bingo. 100%

[@gregorygant4242]

Very very depressing lyrics uplifting harmonies ,as a kid listening to Abba loved their songs but made me very very depressed afterwards !

[@obi-ron]

This was one of their later songs when Agnetha and Bjorn's marriage was ending. Benny and Bjorn are incredible songwriters and composers who have worked together since the 1960s and their ABBA days are now recaptured holographically in the UK at a purpose built venue that has performances by the group's avatars. All of the songs were re-recorded by them specifically for the venue along with a whole new album.

[@freedomisall5620]

Did you do 'Super Trouper'.....check it out Guys! One of their best IMV.

[@rarelycares8416]

For a different vibe from ABBA try "The Day Before You Came", one of the last songs they released before the current era. Very haunting and beautiful.

[@BrendaNelson-ll4ls]

Love ABBA one song y'all haven't done yet is "Fernando" such a beautiful song.

[@shirleyjones9460]

I used to have Dancing Queen on a 45 record. I would lip sync in my bedroom and used a hairbrush for a microphone 😂 I love ABBA so much! ❤

[@mikhalbruns2414]

I love that part when Frida is singing and Agnetha appears whispering the backing voice like a dream. She has always been my dream by the way

[@ginalashley1265]

There isn't much I don't know about Abba. Been a fan since 1976. My favorite band ever. The couples were still together at this time, 1976. They released a new album in 2021. They all still respect each other and get on well

[@kentpeterboman899]

"The name of the game " with Abba has a soo different sound. Think you will LOVE it

[@frankaq3951]

The way they sing their harmonies is awesome!

[@Crazychick64]

The winner takes it All is a hauntingly beautiful song

[@liberaljag]

All their singles are wonderful. So musically terrific, great melodies, clear vocals, layered. Really fantastic song crafters.

[@stevehamilton8824]

ABBA is such a great group. This is a fantastic song. One of my favorite songs by this group.

[@tolun99]

Great melodies, great voices, great arrangements and a unique sound made countless classics from ABBA. What a great band.

[@martinbeermann1214]

Abba is perfection in melodies, Arangements and voices. There music is beautyfull and unice. Therefore there music never dye. ❤

[@thomasludwig6573]

It has been really fun to watch the two of you discover ABBA. For your next song, I highly recommend "The Name of the Game", "Super Trouper", and "Slipping Through My Fingers".

[@brt5273]

Name of the Game is probably my all time fave. I love the vid because both couples are still together and it catches so great playful visual moments

[@raymondadams7570]

love abba, one of my favourites is "does your mother know " sung by bjon

[@kirkcather3670]

You've finally hit it. This IS their best song.

[@Kharis1964]

They were the ultimate pop group, Unique sound totally unmatched even today

[@JoseGarcia-mc8xf]

There is a song of this group that is unfairly underrated called EAGLE....you should check it out.

[@alissawoolfolk]

great melodies and harmonies. BEFORE auto tune and digital mixers and DAWS.

[@Thørkil84]

there is ABBA then all the rest ^^

[@PFNel]

My favorite Abba song!

[@christinelegate8137]

Abba absolutely dominated the charts with their amazing lineup of non stop hits. Thanks for the memories.

[@VanHalensGuitarPick]

Beautiful melancholy. My fave ABBA song.

[@elizabethfranco1284]

There is no bad ABBA song it would be impossible. This was my mother’s favorite and to me one of their most personal.

[@Fenncer24]

Only ABBA could make a Break Up Song so Catchy and Up Beat. They were ahead of the times for music and are considered one of the Best or Best ever Pop group Ever, depending on who you or how others think of them. One of my Favorite songs and Take a Chance. So many more to hear it will take a year to hear them all. They were also a decade ahead with their music videos well before MTV which also helped propel them to global success.

[@guitardedmind]

How is Dancing Queen not a favorite?! You've missed out if you haven't heard this iconic song ❤

[@richardweighill8556]

I envy you hearing ABBA songs for the first time. My favorite has been Take A Chance since I woke up to it in the middle of the night in 1976

[@Drayton226]

Crazy I love Abba so much I memorized every lyric 2 every ABBA song

[@johncarney9049]

Abba are an overlooked powerhouse in music I think. They are the third biggest selling band in the world only behind the Beatles and Queen. They even out sell the Rolling Stones despite not releasing music in 20 years or so, while the Stones were during that time. Not to mention 9 number 1 singles and in the UK at least all 10 albums released went straight to number one. I think that is true for other countries as well. An Absolute power house of a band.

[@watts18269]

Best band ever!!!

[@mattigolx2532]

and now it´s time for Dancing Queen, Waterloo, When all is said and done and we can not wait many weeks for your next great ABBA-reaction :)

[@rmacdougallaliasdogviticus]

Love ABBA. I was just checking your database. I'm shocked. Perhaps the signature song was not there! 'Dancing Queen' give it a chance. 'Fernando' is awesome too. Cheers.

[@Siouxsi-Sioux]

DANCING QUEEN!!!!!❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤

[@yogibarista2818]

In an interview with Bjorn Ulvaeus, he said that the "ABBA" sound is the combination of Frida's metzo, when she is being "pushed" in her upper range, and Agnetha's clean soprano. Apparently, they used to intentionally set the pitch to get that "edgy" quality from Frida's voice, and generate those unique harmonics.

[@Peter_Cetera]

An absolutely unique band. Worldclass!!!

[@jvvoid]

What a great song. Again. ABBA.

[@francisseidel8014]

I say it every time - Benny and Bjorn are brilliant songwriters! They turn their heartbreaking breakups into an unbelievable hit.

[@cliffwheeler7357]

When polls are taken on the fans most loved ABBA songs, inevitably DANCING QUEEN is almost always in the top spot. You must feature it asap, absolute classic.

[@hardboiledharry4061]

Nobody can even come up with how many albums they sold, I've read estimates as high as half a billion, only behind Elvis and The Beatles, seems legit, they were HUGE, the impact they had can not be understated, there's no such thing as a bad ABBA song, for a good 10 years they were THE biggest band on the planet bar none. They make the happiest break up songs ever, it took me decades to realize just how amazing they were, the lyrics are deep and meaningful and good God they're drop dead gorgeous and they have the voice of angels and you're correct, Bjorn and Benny are master craftsmen and created the pulse of the music, just all around amazing and will never be seen again.

[@libbypeace68]

When I Kissed The Teacher and Dum Dum Diddle are two of my favourites. Abba Arrival was the first record I owned - I was so happy, excited and proud to have my very own record, lol - oh and when you opened the cover up it had all the words to the songs - I was in heaven.

[@michelemercier2286]

Arrival is an amazing album to me as well. I had "discovered" them just a year or so earlier (after hearing "Greatest Hits Vol. 1" I was hooked) so I had a few albums, but "Arrival" was my first new one, so I experienced all the anticipation when you know a new album is coming for the first time and then, as you mentioned, the lyrics were right there - which was a new thing. When Voyage came out I first heard the songs watching the lyric videos. So the technology has changed but the experience (a new album, following along with the words while listening at first) was remarkably similar to when I was a kid. I appreciated Voyage and really like it, but Arrival is special to me. "Knowing Me, Knowing You" is #2 on my list of favourite ABBA songs and "Money, Money, Money" is in my top ten. Those two songs alone make it an amazing album but then there is the matter of that other song. The one that was a monster hit at the time, endures as a fan favourite to this day and appears in every thread as a suggestion when there is an ABBA reaction. It will be interesting when Jay and Amber react to Dancing Queen. I'm guessing that even if they haven't realized who sings it, they will have heard it.

[@itsleandertv]

"The Day Before You Came" is also one of my favorites from ABBA.

[@Xiroi87]

No one is suggesting The Winner Takes It All? That one and My Love, My Life, songs about heartbreak and breaking up and some of Agnetha's most memorable vocals are classics.

[@ИринаБондаренко-щ7ч]

Anni-Frid is the best. I love all, that she does. It's so beautiful!!!

[@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 the blonde singer Agnetha & guitarist Björn) And it has a powerful chorus on Agnetha & 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 Agnetha almost whispering as a reflection of 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, 46 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 For a new suggestion, the first heartbroken ABBA song that was worldwide hit: "S.O.S." (1975) the second worldwide hit to ABBA since their victory at Eurovision with "Waterloo" I hope to see you in next reaction to ABBA My best regards to You from Buenos Aires Argentina 🇦🇷 South América

[@JoseGarcia-mc8xf]

Many people won't know this but ABBA made all their hits in an album in spanish called GRACIAS POR LA MUSICA wich means THANK YOU FOR THE MUSIC.

[@brandilampe4570]

"The Visitors" is my ABBA fav❣️ "Summer Night City", "The Day Before You Came", & "Does Your Mother Know" are definitely worth checking out too!

[@gperch]

Beautiful harmonies. "Name Of The Game" is even better.

[@RDRussell2]

This reaction makes me realize how far ahead of their time Abba was when it comes to music videos. MTV was really the "shot heard 'round the world" when it comes to music videos, for better or worse. Telegenic artists were able to thrive; even half-talented artists who were able to dance well or hire a great director for videos were able to hit it big. But Abba were making videos before there was any particular way to broadcast the videos. I believe they did it because they were based in Sweden, and this allowed them easy access to a global market. Also, this early videography explains all those side-profile shots! Ironically, Abba was still around at the birth of MTV, but by then they were no longer leading artists musically, I suppose. One more comment about this particular song: "Knowing Me, Knowing You" is a good example of a band addressing grown-up, mature themes. Sure, the disco is fun ("Dancing Queen") and we all want to be rich ("Money Money Money") and we love the thrill of a new crush ("Take a Chance on Me") but this is song about heartbreak and the struggle to maintain a mature love. Some bands were comfortable with this kind of material, most weren't. I love how you mentioned the bands that dealt with the same issues!

[@grampafitness9732]

100% … most of their videos predate the rise of MTV, and although the productions are spare, they probably represented a significant investment at the time, and they’re staged with real smarts to create emotion impact despite much less access to the higher production levels we came to expect later. VERY few bands were looking forward with this much insight. And yeah, by the time MTV debuted, this kind of pop wasn’t “cool” enough and ABBA had been largely written off, at least among my peers. The way their artistry has eventually been recognized and celebrated has been so good to see.

[@pipoo1]

TBF not knowing much about US television in the 70s and early 80s here in Europe there were already avenues on TV for music videos well before MTV launched, the iconic Top of the Pops on the BBC gladly featured videos of major hits if the artists couldn’t attend the studio. But it was probably on Saturday mornings when music videos really got a chance to flourish by the mid 70s the BBC and ITV had begun broadcasting live entertainment shows aimed at kids and teenagers on Saturdays typically between 9am and 12noon. Iconic series like swap shop and it’s successor Saturday Superstore leaned heavily towards pop stars and pop music and it was normal to have as many 10 videos played during the morning. Indeed by the time Saturday Superstore came along, coincidentally around the same time MTV launched in the US there was a weekly video vote offering up opportunities for new artists to get airtime to what was a large TV audience, and major artists would attend the studio themselves to premiere the videos for their new singles. This is one of the reasons why British artists in particular were so far ahead of the game when MTV launched.

[@grampafitness9732]

@@pipoo1 This is a side of pop music history I know less about. Was familiar with TotP as a frequent source of “live” performance videos from the studio, but less aware of the other programs. Thank you!!!

[@t.a.k.palfrey3882]

Each of us has our favourite ABBA song. Mine is their breakout hit, which won them Eurovision 1974, Waterloo.

[@deborahcox921]

ABBA are my favourite band of all and Frida is my favourite, I'm glad you're playing more of Frida's lead vocals as I feel she's so underrated, I Have A Dream, Lovers(Live A Little Longer), The King Has Lost His Crown all Frida's lead vocals. Bjorn does sing vocals as well, Does Your Mother Know, Why Does It Have To Be Me, Rock Me, Suzy Hang Around, Two For The Price of One and Sitting In The Palm Tree.

[@Lisa-M]

I wish some more reactors would react to 'Our Last Summer', 'Andante Andante' or 'I Let The Music Speak'. These great Frida leads are ignored by most of the music reactors. Most of them only react to her five ABBA Gold lead songs, 'The Visitors' and 'When All Is Said And Done' and nothing more... Oh and by the way it's Benny who sings Suzy-Hang-Around. It's his only lead song.

[@steveauve6251]

Agnetha actually penned Disillusion....

[@geofffield7603]

What an amazing song 😍

[@keithbate9405]

For me the Beatles are the greatest rock/pop band ever. But for me Abba are the greatest pure pop band ever.

[@MRM-Red]

Honey Honey is a great one and Fernando by ABBA. Others you done. Dancing Queen is a MUST

[@kristianmapage9742]

Rod squad, They have yet to react to ABBA's biggest hit, Dancing Queen.

[@bobbyyounger7632]

One of my very fav ABBA songs, pure perfection ! Always liked the photo of them that's on your new t-shirt, taken of the group when they visited LA in mid-seventies

[@donny1960]

The profile shots are the trademark of the Director of the videos. Lars Sven "Lasse" Hallström is a Swedish film director. He first became known for directing almost all the music videos by the pop group ABBA, and subsequently became a feature film director. He was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Director for My Life as a Dog and later for The Cider House Rules. So again was consistent style of Lars....... Thanks for the reaction. As always......Very enjoyable.

[@DavidFardmar1]

And my all time favorite movie “What’s Eating Gilbert Grape” with Johnny Depp, Juliette Lewis and a mesmerizing performance by a young Leonardo DiCaprio 🤩🤩🤩

[@guyparfitt2193]

I used to hate ABBA when I was growing up because my Sister loved them but in my later years I've come to appreciate them. This song is my favourite of theirs, especially poignant given what they were going through themselves i.e. breaking up! I still can't escape the Alan Partridge association, but the song is still amazing. Agnetha was at this time the most beautiful woman in the world! We are lucky to have ABBA voyage show in the UK and its amazing. Love to them and love Amber and Jay!!

[@ZillaMesh]

I never listened to Abba until the 90s & thought how have I never heard this music. I swear I heard every song & loved them. Boy what I would've paid to hear them in my childhood. One of the best bands of all time & I had never heard of them.

[@stevechabalik6985]

I am not an ABBA fanatic, but this, IMHO,is just one of The Greatest Records Ever.

[@birchleaf]

They were pioneers in making videos, partly because Agnetha wasn’t fond of travelling as she preferred spending time with her kids. Thus instead of travelling all over the world they sent videos to various TV stations. A friend of theirs, Lasse Hallström, wanted to get into the movie business and helped make those videos on a shoe string budget. He later became an award winning Hollywood director with films like Cider House Rules, Gilbert Grape and Chocolat.

[@ursgeiser6570]

Remember that MTV didn't start until 1981. These were commercials for the TV stations to promote a song everywhere at the same time and not to travel too much. Agnetha was/is afraid of flying; This Friday she's giving a press conference for her new single Where Do We Go From Here.👍✌

[@gershman23]

Abba's videos are only deceptively simple...It's almost always on-point and their video editing is top-notch, catches the mood and tone of every damn song.

[@melibabe]

And it’s important to remember that most of them predate MTV and the real explosion of music videos in the 80s. Having them at all (and so many of them) was pretty unusual at the time.

[@amandawinterfield3469]

"If it wasnt for the nights" Live from a studio in Japan is a must see ❤️😊

[@terryallen345]

Great art comes from great emotions. That's why ABBA and Fleetwood Mac wrote songs that are timeless