A serious question - is this the best song ever?

[The Alien]

'Winner takes it all' is has got to be up there - though not a jolly theme I guess ;)

Did you know that "Winner takes it all" was written in 1977 but it wasn't released as a single until 1983. The reason being they wanted it to be their last single.

[Vimana.]

Did you know that "Winner takes it all" was written in 1977 but it wasn't released as a single until 1983. The reason being they wanted it to be their last single.

It was a hit in 1980 ;)

[The Alien]

It was a hit in 1980 ;)

If memory serves me right it was released in 1980 in limited countries, but it wasn't released as a single in the uk until 1983

[Vimana.]

Alien, I suspect you meant 'Thank you for the Music'

Grown men , on a football message board.. discussing ABBA

[The Alien]

I did
Head is fooked today

[CardiffIrish2]

Very good song, hard to play having just googled the chords.
They wrote some brilliant songs fair play.

[Wales-Bales]

Which structures did ABBA use that weren't being used before?

Who said they were never used before? What ABBA did was fuse rock, pop and dance elements, used globalised lyrics, had hooks all over the place, scaled back the drums and bass, took the production of pop music very seriously, and in the tradition of Swedish music they focussed heavily on the melody. The result was a recipe for chart success that has been copied ever since.

[Taunton Blue Genie]

Who said they were never used before? What ABBA did was fuse rock, pop and dance elements, used globalised lyrics, had hooks all over the place, scaled back the drums and bass, took the production of pop music very seriously, and in the tradition of Swedish music they focussed heavily on the melody. The result was a recipe for chart success that has been copied ever since.

What elements of rock did they incorporate? Must have been a weak element as they were always very poppy.

[lardy]

Who said they were never used before? What ABBA did was fuse rock, pop and dance elements, used globalised lyrics, had hooks all over the place, scaled back the drums and bass, took the production of pop music very seriously, and in the tradition of Swedish music they focussed heavily on the melody. The result was a recipe for chart success that has been copied ever since.

Well you've talked a lot about structures and a blueprint that they put in place - but to me, they didn't do anything particularly original in that department (it's pretty hard to).

But the elements you mention here, that's where the ABBA magic is. Mamma Mia has about half a dozen hooks and the listener is bombarded with them all in the first minute or so.

[Wales-Bales]

What elements of rock did they incorporate? Must have been a weak element as they were always very poppy.

The dude on the guitar used humbuckers for his riffs. A lot of today's pop music has undertones of 80's metal, even if may not be entirely obvious.

[Taunton Blue Genie]

The dude on the guitar used humbuckers for his riffs. A lot of today's pop music has undertones of 80's metal, even if may not be entirely obvious.

Bah humbuckers.

[Wales-Bales]

Well you've talked a lot about structures and a blueprint that they put in place - but to me, they didn't do anything particularly original in that department (it's pretty hard to).

But the elements you mention here, that's where the ABBA magic is. Mamma Mia has about half a dozen hooks and the listener is bombarded with them all in the first minute or so.

I've only scratched the surface, people have written dissertations on the subject. The proof of the pudding is in the work of people like Max Martin, who went to the school of ABBA. Obviously people add their own twists, but the number of producers and songwriters influenced by ABBA tells it's own story.

[Taunton Blue Genie]

I've only scratched the surface, people have written dissertations on the subject. The proof of the pudding is in the work of people like Max Martin, who went to the school of ABBA. Obviously people add their own twists, but the number of producers and songwriters influenced by ABBA tells it's own story.

Interesting stuff.

[Mrs Steve R]

What elements of rock did they incorporate? Must have been a weak element as they were always very poppy.

Does your mother know?

[Baloo]

Grown men , on a football message board.. discussing ABBA

Yeh, we're Cardiff City FFS!

[Wales-Bales]

Interesting stuff.

It pains me to say it being a fan of Roxy Music, Bowie, Sex Pistols, Clash, Joy Division, Cure, Smiths, New Order, Pixies, Husker Du, RHCP, Flaming Lips, etc, but I think most people have a secret soft spot for ABBA

When I was young, I also listened to the Who, Beach Boys, Kinks, Beatles, Rolling Stones, Hollies and the Small Faces quite a lot.

[Wales-Bales]

Does your mother know?

Some nice subtle rock guitar going on here

[Vimana.]

Yeh, we're Cardiff City FFS!

We're Caaaaaaardiff, we're meeeental
and we like Dancing Queen

[Mrs Steve R]

Some nice subtle rock guitar going on here

[NYCBlue]

This is a rock song:

[Taunton Blue Genie]

Does your mother know?

Not sure. I'll organise a seance later this evening.

[Wales-Bales]

This is a rock song

If only Mrs R had called TBG a little Napoleon

[Mrs Steve R]

Not sure. I'll organise a seance later this evening.

You know what I meant.

A few more of my favs..

[Taunton Blue Genie]

If only Mrs R had called TBG a little Napoleon

Not tonight, Mrs R.

[Wales-Bales]

Very good song, hard to play having just googled the chords.
They wrote some brilliant songs fair play.

Try these, they are the same as the those played in the video I posted earlier, and not too difficult.

https://tabs.ultimate-guitar.com/j/j...te/sos_crd.htm