Waterloo far too low. I love that it's the one that started them off. Fun lyrics (though I guess the historical allusions bias me a little there), turned Eurovision into something worthwhile overnight, and still one of my favourites even after all the greatness that came after it.

 

Money Money Money is possibly ABBA's best commentary track. Not that one would normally go to them for those but its lines are timeless in that regard.

There’s nothing wrong with Money Money Money really (again just feels a bit musical theatre) but my scores are all relative. I actually think Gypsy Girl as the title would make it feel more interesting and quirky.

 

Like others I think low Top 20 is a fair result for Waterloo.

I always enjoy MMM when I hear it, but I never listen to it of my own accord for some reason.

 

I remember its prominent use in one of my favourite TV shows way back when.

'Money Money Money' *.* I absolutely live for the high drama of those verses!

 

Not massively fussed about 'Waterloo' - love ABBA in general but it wouldn't be in my top 10 Eurovision winners

Would you laugh at me, if I said I care for you?

17. The Name of the Game | 8.027



Highest Scores: 11: (JulianT), 10: (Jester, Dante77), Lowest Scores: 4: (Last Dreamer)


At #17 another big one drops The Name of the Game, released in October 1977 as the lead single from ABBA's 5th studio album ABBA: The Albun. The track was first called "A Bit of Myself" & was the first song to be recorded for the album, following the band's European and Australian tour. It was their most complex compostition yet with both Agentha & Frida sharing lead vocals, along with solo verses from both women. The opening riff was inspired by Stevie Wonder's 'I Wish'. Originally another track 'Hole In Your Soul' was intended for release, but those plans were shelved & this was chosen instead. Upon release the song was a huge success by topping the UK charts for 4 weeks & hit top 5 peaks in several other countries such as Belgium, Ireland, Netherlands, Sweden, Norway, South Africa, New Zealand & Finland. It also performed well on the US Billboard charts by reaching a #12 peak. To date this is ABBA's 8th best selling single in the UK. The song was also sampled in 1996 by the Fugees for their hit 'Rumble In The Jungle', the first time that an ABBA song had been legally sampled by another act.

Another example of a great ABBA song with begins with a slightly funky intro before progressing into some slinky, soulful chorues. In-fact the song moves through three or four seemingly unrelated sections at will and completely seamlessly. For example the first section being clavinet & then there's accapella section, all the while still maintaining that pop atmospehere. This was when the band were experimenting with different approaches to their arrangements & at the same time perfecting them. This era was ABBA at their absolute prime & height of their popularity that would continue throughout the next couple of years. Just an all-round fantastic pop song, nothing more, nothing less.

Ooooh I always loved this song. Was expecting it to be top 10!

The next to drop will be a non chart topper, there's 9 choices left any guesses?

One Of Us?

Noooo at The Name of the Game being so low! One of my two 11s; I think it’s one of the most brilliant pop songs ever written with its brilliant structure and beautiful lyrics and melody.

 

I’m expecting to see my other 11, Angeleyes, pretty soon - just glad that one’s made it to this point.

I forget how much I like The Name Of The Game. It’s chorus is great.

He'll take your heart and you must pay the price

16. Angeleyes | 8.044



Highest Scores: 11: (JulianT), 10: (Qween, PaulM1983, Run For Cover, Simon, cider man), Lowest Scores: 4: (King Rollo)


At #16 is Angeleyes, released in July 1979 as a double a-side alongside "Voluez-Vous" as the 3rd single from ABBA's 6th studio album Voulez-Vous. The lyrics & music were composed by Benny & Bjorn, and its working title was "Katakusom". The song was only classed as a double a-side in some countries namely in the UK, which proved to be a rather unusual move for the group & it was chosen by the personnel at Epic (their UK label) & the group themselves as they believed that with its classic ABBA arrangement, the track would be considerably popular with the record buying public. Which turned out to be correct as it peaked at #3 on the UK & Ireland charts, making this their 13th top 10 hit in the former country. However in the USA it was released separately in October 1979 where it only managed to reach a #64 peak, which would be higher than its counterpart which was released a month before peaking at a mere #80. Compared to expectations the songs parent album only performed modestly in the US.

This song started off strongly during the first half of the rates by ranking in the lower end of the top 10, but a couple of non-rates & lower scores caused it to silde (hell it was even higher than its counterpart at one time), but at least its still managed an 8 average & rank in the top 20. I always remember getting into ABBA upon hearing their 'Gold - Greatest Hits' album, which this was criminally left off & after seeing the title, for some reason I always thought it would be a ballad. But after hearing it for the first time I was pleasantly surprised as this is a great piece of ABBA pop with fantastic strings & synths thrown into its incredibly memorable verse melody and a set of great climaxes in the chorus This is just an all-round great catchy little number that should be more loved & remembered.

'Angeleyes' is really great, it seems to get maligned a lot and I have no idea why.

 

I love that whole era.

A very respectable finish, the harmonies on that are truly the peak of the “third voice”

I find Angel Eyes a bit throwaway. I have to be in the right mood for it

Angeleyes :wub: :wub: :wub: By far the worst omission from Gold in my opinion (with Sunmer Night City the second worst).

 

My two 11s out in quick succession. :cry: Still have three 10s to cheer for though.

Angeleyes >>>> Voulez-Vous.

 

Almost all my favourites were eliminated too early. :(

 

 

I must have lit my seventh cigarette at half past two

15. The Day Before You Came | 8.2



Highest Scores: 11: (Qween, Tawdry Hepburn, Iz 💀, cider man, King Rollo), 10: (Nina West, dandy, Lukuzz, Eduardo, Hide&Seek, Liam.k), Lowest Scores: 3: (J00prstar)


At #15 is The Day Before You Came, released in October 1982 as the lead single from ABBA's compilation album The Singles: The First Ten Years. Following the release of their 8th album the previous year, the four ABBA members took some time away from the group to focus on individual priorities. Benny & Bjorn returned to work on a planned follow up album, but after recording a few tracks several of them were deemed not strong enough & concluded that a new full length album wasn't a realistic prospect for 1982, so instead their label decided to release a Greatest Hits album instead with a couple of new tracks. The song had a working title of "The Suffering Bird" & Bjorn wrote this about his divorce from Agentha & it was also the last song that ABBA ever recorded together before their eventual split the following year. According to Michael Tretow, ABBA's long-time sound engineer, Agnetha sang her lead vocals without the lights on, further adding that the mood in the studio was sad & everybody knew it was the end.

By this time ABBA were experiencing a slow decline in single sales, although it did manage top 5 peaks in Belguim, Finland, Netherlands, Sweden, Switzerland & Norway. But in the UK it was far less successful by only managing a #32 peak, making it one of their least successful singles ever and breaking "a string of 19 consecutive top 30 hits" which started in 1975. However in later years it has had a critical revaluatuon & is seen as a lost ABBA classic.

Probably the most un-ABBA like single the group ever recorded that totally breaks with the popular impression of the band who are known for big flashy pop numbers. The first thing you'll notice upon hearing it is how sparse the production is with the sole palette of a synth with Agentha's sombre vocals that reads more like poetry. The song itself combines a rising sense of melancholy, both in its melody and haunting keyboard hook that gives it a dramatic feel. The lyrics are very interesting as it tells a story of a woman's mundane life. As it stands its an sophisticated electronic masterpiece with a stunning heartbreaking atmosphere. This may not to everyones taste, especially to those who prefer their more showier numbers, but you gotta admit that this has to be more one of ABBA's most interesting recordings of their careers.

Ah if only i'd had time to vote (or just remembered to) The day before You Came would have got an 11. Mind you, almost all the singles would have got 11 or 10, so it would have been down to lower scores to make any difference to positions: Does Your Mother Know would have been lower, but nothing would have been lower than 6. So really prob didnt make much difference :lol:

That’s about what I expected for it here, sadly. It’s clearly the best thing they did. Frida’a operatic backing vocals, Agnetha nailing the beaten down world weariness necessary to sell the story, the ethereal and haunting production and the fact that the whole thing still feels fresh and exciting almost 40 years on is testament to the true genius of it.

I only know it because it was sent to one of the earlier editions of BJSC but 'The Day Before You Came' is definitely one of my favourite ABBA songs, possibly my 2nd favourite behind 'Lay All Your Love On Me'. Glad to see it reasonably high here despite not being one of their big classics.