Ready for another entry, then next page PLZ!!!

Edited November 25, 20213 yr by Nina West

You're a doggone beast

29. Honey, Honey | 6.652



Highest Scores: 9: (Last Dreamer, Jade), Lowest Scores: 1: (King Rollo)


At #29 is Honey, Honey, released in April 1974 as the 2nd single from ABBA's 2nd studio album Waterloo. The song was written by Benny, Bjorn & Stig Anderson, with shared vocals by Agnetha & Anni-Frid. ABBA also recorded this track in Swedish & became the last official recording by the group in their own language. The track was released in several countries such as Australia, New Zealand & USA, but not in the UK, as ABBA's British label decided to release a remixed version of 'Ring, Ring' instead. However a cover version of 'Honey, Honey' was recorded by Sweet Dreams featuring Polly Brown was released in the UK where it reached the top 10 there.

Upon release the song was a big success in several countries hot on the heels of their Eurovision win with 'Waterloo' & this continued their growing popularity by reaching top 5 peaks in Germany, Austria & Switzerland, top 10 in Denmark & top 20 peaks in Finland, Netherlands, Spain, Canada & Belgium. In the USA it was a moderate success by reaching a #27 peak.

'Honey, Honey' is probably the most sexiual sounding ABBA song they've ever recorded, which may not be to everyone's tastes, but the solid arrangement and melodies of the song help make it work as an all-round decent pop song. Although this is dripped in pure cheese, the vocals by both the ladies are top notch & blends in fantastically well with the production. In my opinion this probably would have been a stronger choice for the UK market than 'Ring, Ring'. On the whole this is a fun catchy highlight from their early days.

Y'all really don't like songs with repetition in the title xx

A little clue for what's to drop next, its one of ABBA's 80's singles, but which one?

Probably Head Over Heels

No major losses so far tbh, all of these are songs I don’t listen to on the regular

As everybody knows "Honey Honey" is my 2nd favourite ABBA song and SOTY of 1974 year. :)

 

Amanda Seyfried recorded very good cover version for Mamma Mia movie.

 

 

:heart:

Edited November 26, 20213 yr by Last Dreamer

These walls have witnessed all the anguish of humiliation

28. The Visitors | 6.661



Highest Scores: 10: (Qween), Lowest Scores: 0: (JulianT)


#28 is The Visitors, which is the title track from ABBA's 8th studio album & was released in April 1981 as the album's 4th & final overall single & released in the USA as the 2nd & final single instead of 'Head Over Heels'. The song peaked at #63 on the Billboard charts, but fared better on the dance charts by peaking at #8 after it got remixed by Greg Silva subscription DJ remix service. This was also their 20th & to date final entry on the American charts. The song was originally titled "Den första", meaning "The First" & the official stated theme is a protest against the mistreatment of political dissidents in the Soviet Union at the time. as ABBA seemed to put political issues into their lyrics in the final days of the group.

I had a feeling that this would struggle a bit on here due to it not only getting the same attention as their other hits & the fact that it came out during their final years where their success was waning & ABBA's sound had become more downbeat which still to this day polarizes fans who at this point prefered their more joyful & upbeat numbers. Such a shame that this is so underrated as its actually a fantastic track where it sees the group delving into the more electronica sound. The song really sets the mood for the album with its synthesizer pulses,, some effected vocals that goes great with the brooding & sinister production. This is definitely one of ABBA's most interesting & adventurous numbers that may not be for everyone, but I do commend them for taking a risk, try something new & further progress their sound.

The next to drop will be a ballad, but which one?

Sorry I gave my bottom score to The Visitors. I love most of their later stuff and The Visitors album is my second favourite after Voulez-Vous, but I’m never got on with the single. I agree it’s interesting and different but I just don’t think the synthesised sound quite suits the girls’ voices, and I’m not one for political songs generally.

For me awful "The Visitors" and "Soldiers" ruined good album.

Edited November 27, 20213 yr by Last Dreamer

You can take the future even if you fail

27. I Have A Dream | 7.128



Highest Scores: 9.5/9: (Herbs, ___∆___, cider man, Lukuzz, Eduardo, HausofGucci), Lowest Scores: 3: (Iz 💀)


At #27 is I Have A Dream, released in December 1979 as the 6th & final single from ABBA's 6th studio album Voulez-Vous. The song was written by Benny Andersson and Björn Ulvaeus while Anni-Frid Lyngstad sang lead vocals. The recording includes a final chorus by the children's choir from Stockholm International School. Upon release the song was a major hit by topping the charts in many countries such as Austria, Belgium, Netherlands & Switzerland, and hit #2 in the UK, it was held off the top spot by Pink Floyd's "Another Brick In The Wall". Twenty years later Irish boyband Westlife released a version that topped the UK charts over the Christmas period of 1999. To date this is ABBA's 12th best selling single in the UK with sales of over 500,000 copies.

It's starting to get more serious now as we start to lose one of the group's more well known numbers; "I Have A Dream", a simple gospel-tinged song that flirts with a beautiful atmosphere with strong melodies & classy arrangements, but the inclusion of the children's choir is nice, even if it borders on saccharine at times, yet there's enough subtle ABBA mastery thrown in there for good measure. It's such a shame that the awful Westlife version was more successful & probably more well known than ABBA's far superior version.

'Honey Honey' and 'The Visitors' are definitely my biggest losses so far! I also enjoy 'Just A Notion' more than most it seems

 

I generally like the use of the sitar in music (see: a lot of Beatles experimental stuff) but I find it a bit jarring in 'I Have A Dream', not a favourite

It's elusive call it glitter

26. Summer Night City | 7.228



Highest Scores; 11: (Dante77), 10: (Qween, Liam.k), Lowest Scores: 3: (cider man)


At #26 is Summer Night City, released in September 1978 as a stand-alone single & was written by Benny & Bjorn as a tribute to their hometown of Stockholm. It was recorded during the sessions of the group's upcoming Voluez-Vous album, but was eventually not included due to the group not liking it. But the song did get included on their 1979 compilation albumGreatest Hits Vol 2 & was later added to the CD re-issued versions of their 'Voluez-Vous' album. During the song's recording it had the working titles of "Kalle Sändare" and "Dancing in the Moonlight", when the track was mixed for release. Several attempts at perfecting the final version were attempted, however the group still felt that it wasn't up to their usual standards & due to pressure from the record label for new material they reluctantly released it.

Despite the groups negative views of the song, it became another successful hit for ABBA, albeit not one of their biggest. It topped the charts in Finland, Ireland & Sweden; where it was their last #1 for 43 years in their home country until 2021. It also reached top 5 peaks in Belgium, Norway, Netherlands, Switzerland & UK. Nethertheless in the UK this was ABBA's lowest charting single during the 76-80 period, despite peaking at a respectable #5.

This is a rather decent number with its sinister disco beats & relentless chords that marked a change of pace for them at the time by trading in their usual joyful chorues for something more sorrowful with some quite risque lyrics & along with fluid harmonies & off kilter synths, that makes for an interesting direction for them to take as they lean more into the disco sound, while at the same time showing some diversity in their sound. This is probably one of their most un-ABBA sounding songs in their discography, yet it has aged remarkibly well & while it may not to every ABBA fans tastes, its still a really solid effort.

Edited December 8, 20213 yr by Nina West

Summer Night City is my favourite to drop out so far - it’s absolutely joyous and I love the Bee Gees influence.

So far no major upset in the results I'm really looking forward to see how the top 10 goes.

I’m amazed I Have A Dream is that low!

 

I found I liked Summer Night City a lot more after I played Abba Dance

I wasn't familiar with most of these songs before the new tracks dropped out, but I was surprised to read this description of Summer Night City, I always imagined it as a fan favorite, especially when it was used for that tour advert.

I didn’t vote but if I did, On & On & On and I Do x5 would have been 10’s from me!

Ready for another entry - it may shock some of you!!!