ABBA The Name Of The Game.

[bennyboy]

Abba is a mystery to me. The lyrics don't seem particularly deep, the timing, melodies and harmonies don't seem particular creative or interesting, although they did have a distinct sound. The mystery is why people like it: did something about them capture the imagination? Were posters up in teenage rooms causing wet dreams?

If I listen to Led Zeppelin, I may like or dislike some songs, or have times when I do or don't want to listen to them: but I know WHY. I can describe what it is about the instrumentation, the lyrics, the personality of Robert Plant, etc. that makes me want to hear that music.

But what about Abba? What makes them stand out as a band worth mentioning as anything more than a historical sidenote? What grabs their attention more than, say, elevator music? I just don't see the attraction.

[Brian37]

Abba is a mystery to me.  The lyrics don't seem particularly deep, the timing, melodies and harmonies don't seem particular creative or interesting, although they did have a distinct sound.  The mystery is why people like it: did something about them capture the imagination?  Were posters up in teenage rooms causing wet dreams?

If I listen to Led Zeppelin, I may like or dislike some songs, or have times when I do or don't want to listen to them: but I know WHY.  I can describe what it is about the instrumentation, the lyrics, the personality of Robert Plant, etc. that makes me want to hear that music.

But what about Abba?  What makes them stand out as a band worth mentioning as anything more than a historical sidenote?  What grabs their attention more than, say, elevator music?  I just don't see the attraction.

Um they are extremely talented, just say you are not into them. 

[Thumpalumpacus]

Abba is a mystery to me.  The lyrics don't seem particularly deep, the timing, melodies and harmonies don't seem particular creative or interesting, although they did have a distinct sound.  The mystery is why people like it: did something about them capture the imagination?  Were posters up in teenage rooms causing wet dreams?

If I listen to Led Zeppelin, I may like or dislike some songs, or have times when I do or don't want to listen to them: but I know WHY.  I can describe what it is about the instrumentation, the lyrics, the personality of Robert Plant, etc. that makes me want to hear that music.

But what about Abba?  What makes them stand out as a band worth mentioning as anything more than a historical sidenote?  What grabs their attention more than, say, elevator music?  I just don't see the attraction.

I think that when they broke out big, a sound based on synthesizers was still pretty novel.  And they didn't threaten the older generation.

But to be honest, they are really a historical sidenote. They don't have the gravitas of Zeppelin or the Stones or even Donna Summer, who blew disco open in 1975. They weren't game-changers, but they hit the broad middle-of-the-road perfectly.

Yet another lesson that sales do not equate to quality.

[Brian37]

Abba is a mystery to me.  The lyrics don't seem particularly deep, the timing, melodies and harmonies don't seem particular creative or interesting, although they did have a distinct sound.  The mystery is why people like it: did something about them capture the imagination?  Were posters up in teenage rooms causing wet dreams?

If I listen to Led Zeppelin, I may like or dislike some songs, or have times when I do or don't want to listen to them: but I know WHY.  I can describe what it is about the instrumentation, the lyrics, the personality of Robert Plant, etc. that makes me want to hear that music.

But what about Abba?  What makes them stand out as a band worth mentioning as anything more than a historical sidenote?  What grabs their attention more than, say, elevator music?  I just don't see the attraction.

I think that when they broke out big, a sound based on synthesizers was still pretty novel.  And they didn't threaten the older generation.

But to be honest, they are really a historical sidenote. They don't have the gravitas of Zeppelin or the Stones or even Donna Summer, who blew disco open in 1975. They weren't game-changers, but they hit the broad middle-of-the-road perfectly.

Yet another lesson that sales do not equate to quality.

Um no, they are quality, again, just simply say you don't like them. That part I get, to say they lack quality is absurd.

[bennyboy]

But Brian, I can explain in specific terms WHY Led Zeppelin is great-- their place in blues/rock history, their instrumentation choices, etc. I can explain WHY the Rolling Stones are great. I can explain why acts I actively dislike-- for example, jazz musicians like Coltrane, are great. I sincerely don't doubt that you like Abba. What I don't see is any specific detail about them (other than the girls being reasonably attractive) that makes their music good, or their role in music history anything more than a blip on the radar.

But I'm not completely skeptical. I mean, there was a movie and a musical. They've sold lots of records. There must be SOMETHING to it. Right now, I think Parkers Tan is pretty close-- Abba was a novelty act-- new synth, new look, new vibe. But being new and being good music aren't the same thing. Can you elaborate more on WHY you think they're great, or what about them makes them an important part of music history?

[Brian37]

But Brian, I can explain in specific terms WHY Led Zeppelin is great-- their place in blues/rock history, their instrumentation choices, etc.  I can explain WHY the Rolling Stones are great.  I can explain why acts I actively dislike-- for example, jazz musicians like Coltrane, are great.  I sincerely don't doubt that you like Abba.  What I don't see is any specific detail about them (other than the girls being reasonably attractive) that makes their music good, or their role in music history anything more than a blip on the radar.

But I'm not completely skeptical.  I mean, there was a movie and a musical.  They've sold lots of records.  There must be SOMETHING to it.  Right now, I think Parkers Tan is pretty close-- Abba was a novelty act-- new synth, new look, new vibe.  But being new and being good music aren't the same thing.  Can you elaborate more on WHY you think they're great, or what about them makes them an important part of music history?

For the same reason you think Led Zepplin is great. I think they suck. Never liked the lead singer's voice and Stairway to Heven I never liked that song either. Rolling Stones I do like also. I aslo like Metallica. 


Benny and Bjorn are classically trained  musicians. There music has lots influences despite what you think. And Agnetha and Frida's voices are extremely unique, and because they were worldwide popular they sang most of their top 20 in their 13 year career in not one language, not two languages, but several.

Their influences were country, jazz, rockabilly, rock, Nordic and Keltic, folk,  ,and of course disco. And on top of doing their own band even during their careers they released solo songs and albums. 

Frida's most popular solo single after ABBA was "Something's going on" Also. "One Night In Bangkok" was written by Benny and Bjorn.

Bands and artists who have copied ABBA have been Hard rock guitarist Yngwie Malmsteen, Faith Hill, and the Foo Fighters who while did not do a cover their album "Waisting Light" Dave Grohl said was inspired by ABBA and the Bee Gees. To name a few.

[Thumpalumpacus]

Um no, they are quality, again, just simply say you don't like them. That part I get, to say they lack quality is absurd.

In terms of harmonic or melodic motif, they are  mediocre. Their records featured quality engineering and production, but the music itself added nothing to the lexicon of musicianship in the way that other bands broadened the palette of sound. The lyrics? Very unimpressive:

Ah-ha-ha, ah-aaaah

Ah-ha-ha, ah-aaaah
Ah-ha-ha, keep thinking 'bout his angeleyes
I keep thinking, a-aaah

Last night I was taking a walk along the river
And I saw him together with a young girl
And the look that he gave her made me shiver
'Cause he always used to look at me that way
And I thought maybe I should walk right up to her and say
Ah-ha-ha, it's a game he likes to play

Look into his angeleyes
One look and you're hypnotized
He'll take your heart and you must pay the price
Look into his angeleyes
You'll think you're in paradise
And one day you'll find out he wears a disguise
Don't look too deep into those angeleyes
Oh no no no no

Lou Reed is rofling in his grave as I type.

Simply saying I don't like them is one way to put it, but I don't see why going into the reasons is such a bad thing. Of course my opinion is just that, an opinion, but it is just as valid as any other, and has more than a little support.

I agree that singing in multiple languages takes talent, and putting together a catchy song does, as well. I don't deny that they were talented people. I just think their talent was wasted on middle-of-the-road schlock.

[Brian37]

Holy crap, way to keep missing the point.

It is a matter of taste. I am quite sure the members of ABBA would laugh in your face.

Just stick to saying you don't like them. I get that. They are talented get over it.

Not only are they in the Rock & Roll hall of fame, they have their own Museum in Sweden.

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And seriously, only you give a fuck about all music having to always be deep and never be fun. I really hate this bullshit attitude where fans of one type of music shit on another type of music. No one, no matter what type of music they preform gets to that level if they suck.

You like what you like, and that is all there is to it.

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Same with my poetry, I have tons of critics that say it sucks. I won't claim 100% of it is supposed to be Shakespeare, and anyone looking for that and thinks that everything should be Biff and Muffy Harvard caviar coded crap should not bother commenting.

ABBA,s music is fun, people like it, and that is what counts. They are talented.

[Thumpalumpacus]

Holy crap, way to keep missing the point.

Clearly you don't know how to read for content.

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And seriously, only you give a fuck about all music having to always be deep and never be fun. I really hate this bullshit attitude where fans of one type of music shit on another type of music. No one, no matter what type of music they preform gets to that level if they suck.

Actually, the idea that fun music has to be dumbed down for simpletons doesn't cut ice with me; it's a false dichotomy. Music can be fun without being banal. Musical quality need not be wrapped in dusty seriousness. Frank Zappa, Mozart, Level 42, and too many others to name are evidence of that.

You like what you like, and that is all there is to it.

We all do.  The thing you haven't learnt yet is that just because you like it, that doesn't mean it's good music.  It just means that you like it.

[Cato]

Benny and Bjorn are classically trained  musicians.

This statement is simply false. We've been through this before so I don't know why you insist on making the claim.

I am in no way judging their musical abilities; in fact quite the opposite. I think the 'classically trained' claim as a means of giving some sort of credibility to an artist is almost always overstated and overvalued. Being classically trained does not guarantee creative composing ability, particularly in non-classical genres.