ABBA: The Album de ABBA
Álbum de ABBA
- Fecha de lanzamiento: 12 de Diciembre de 1977
- Compositores: Benny Andersson, Björn Ulvaeus, Stig Anderson
- Productores: Benny Andersson, Björn Ulvaeus
ABBA: The Album es un álbum de ABBA, publicado en 1977. El disco incluye 9 canciones, entre ellas «Eagle», «Take A Chance On Me», «One Man, One Woman» y «The Name Of The Game».
Lanzado en 1977, ABBA: The Album es el quinto álbum de estudio del grupo sueco ABBA. Este disco fue lanzado para coincidir con el estreno de su película, "ABBA: The Movie", y varias de sus canciones aparecen prominentemente en ella. El álbum marca un paso significativo en su madurez artística, alejándose del europop más directo de sus trabajos anteriores para adentrarse en un sonido de art rock y pop rock más complejo y ambicioso. Con canciones más largas, arreglos más sofisticados y una mayor profundidad lírica, "ABBA: The Album" es una obra de una musicalidad excepcional que contiene dos de sus sencillos más aclamados: "The Name of the Game" y "Take a Chance on Me". Fue un éxito masivo que consolidó su estatus como la banda más grande del mundo.
De la idea al estudio
El álbum fue grabado en un período de intensa actividad para la banda, entre su exitosa gira europea y australiana de 1977 y la producción de su película. La gira por Australia, donde la "ABBamanía" alcanzó niveles de histeria comparables a la de The Beatles, fue la inspiración para "ABBA: The Movie". Las canciones del álbum fueron compuestas y grabadas con esta película en mente, lo que le da al disco una sensación muy cinematográfica. Tres de las canciones del álbum ("Eagle", "I'm a Marionette" y "Thank You for the Music") formaban parte de un mini-musical titulado "The Girl with the Golden Hair", que interpretaban en sus conciertos.
Análisis musical y estilo
El sonido de "ABBA: The Album" es más complejo y progresivo que el de sus predecesores. La influencia del rock de la costa oeste de bandas como Fleetwood Mac es evidente. Las canciones son más largas, con estructuras menos convencionales y arreglos más ricos, que incluyen cuerdas y sintetizadores. Es un álbum que demuestra la increíble evolución de Benny Andersson y Björn Ulvaeus como compositores, capaces de crear piezas de pop de una gran sofisticación.
Canción por canción
El primer sencillo, "The Name of the Game", es una de sus canciones más complejas, con una estructura de múltiples secciones y una línea de bajo funky. "Take a Chance on Me", con su icónico ritmo vocal de "t-k-ch", es una de sus piezas de pop más irresistibles. La épica de casi seis minutos "Eagle" es un majestuoso tema de rock progresivo. La balada "Thank You for the Music" se convertiría en uno de sus himnos más queridos y en el canto del cisne de la película.
Lanzamiento y cifras
El álbum fue un éxito de ventas masivo en todo el mundo, especialmente en el Reino Unido, donde se convirtió en el álbum de Navidad de 1977.
- UK Albums Chart: 1
- USA Billboard 200: 14
- Alemania (GfK Entertainment): 2
- Suecia (Sverigetopplistan): 1
Juicio de la crítica
La crítica aclamó el álbum por su madurez y su ambición artística. Pitchfork, en una reseña retrospectiva, lo calificó como "la declaración definitiva de ABBA como una banda de álbumes". "ABBA: The Album" es el sonido de una banda en la cima de su poder creativo, un disco que demostró que el pop podía ser a la vez masivamente popular y artísticamente sofisticado.
Listado de Canciones
- Eagle5:51
They came flying from far away, now I'm under their spell I love hearing the stories that they tell They've seen places beyond my land and they've found new horizons They speak strangely but I understand And I dream I'm an eagle And I dream I can spread my wings Flying high, high, I'm a bird in the sky I'm an eagle that rides on the breeze High, high, what a feeling to fly Over mountains and forests and seas And to go anywhere that I please As all good friends we talk all night, and we fly wing to wing I have questions and they know everything There's no limit to what I feel, we climb higher and higher Am I dreaming or is it all real? Is it true I'm an eagle? Is it true I can spread my wings? Flying high, high, I'm a bird in the sky (I'm an eagle) I'm an eagle that rides on the breeze High, high, what a feeling to fly (What a feeling) Over mountains and forests and seas And to go anywhere that I please - Take A Chance On Me4:05
Letra
If you change your mind, I'm the first in line Honey I'm still free Take a chance on me If you need me, let me know, gonna be around If you've got no place to go, if you're feeling down If you're all alone when the pretty birds have flown Honey I'm still free Take a chance on me Gonna do my very best and it ain't no lie If you put me to the test, if you let me try Take a chance on me (That's all I ask of you honey) Take a chance on me We can go dancing, we can go walking, as long as we're together Listen to some music, maybe just talking, get to know you better 'Cos you know I've got So much that I wanna do, when I dream I'm alone with you It's magic You want me to leave it there, afraid of a love affair But I think you know That I can't let go If you change your mind, I'm the first in line Honey I'm still free Take a chance on me If you need me, let me know, gonna be around If you've got no place to go, if you're feeling down If you're all alone when the pretty birds have flown Honey I'm still free Take a chance on me Gonna do my very best and it ain't no lie If you put me to the test, if you let me try Take a chance on me (Come on, give me a break will you?) Take a chance on me Oh you can take your time baby, I'm in no hurry, know I'm gonna get you You don't wanna hurt me, baby don't worry, I ain't gonna let you Let me tell you now My love is strong enough to last when things are rough It's magic You say that I waste my time but I can't get you off my mind No I can't let go 'Cos I love you so If you change your mind, I'm the first in line Honey I'm still free Take a chance on me If you need me, let me know, gonna be around If you've got no place to go, if you're feeling down If you're all alone when the pretty birds have flown Honey I'm still free Take a chance on me Gonna do my very best, baby can't you see Gotta put me to the test, take a chance on me (Take a chance, take a chance, take a chance on me) Ba ba ba ba baa, ba ba ba ba baa Honey I'm still free Take a chance on me Gonna do my very best, baby can't you see Gotta put me to the test, take a chance on me (Take a chance, take a chance, take a chance on me) Ba ba ba ba baa, ba ba ba ba baa ba-ba Honey I'm still free Take a chance on me - One Man, One Woman4:25
Letra
No smiles, not a single word at the breakfast table Though I would have liked to begin So much that I want to say, but I feel unable You leave and you slam the door Like you've done many times before And I cry and I feel so helpless One man, one woman Two friends and two true lovers Somehow we'll help each other through the hard times One man, one woman One life to live together One chance to take that never comes back again You and me 'till the end Outside I can see the sun trough the open window Inside everything feel so cold What's wrong, what is happening, where did all our love go Somethimes when I just can't cope I cling to a desperate hope And I cry and I feel like dying One man, one woman Two friends and two true lovers Somehow we'll help each other through the hard times One man, one woman One life to live together One chance to take that never comes back again You and me 'till the end Daydreams of a better life, but I have to wake up The sound of a key in the door You smile and I realize that we need a shake up Our love is a precious thing Worth the pain and the suffering And it's never too late for changin' One man, one woman Two friends and two true lovers Somehow we'll help each other through the hard times One man, one woman One life to live together One chance to take that never comes back again You and me 'till the end You and me till' the end - The Name Of The Game4:54
Letra
I've seen you twice, in a short time Only a week since we started It seems to me, for every time I'm getting more open-hearted I was an impossible case No-one ever could reach me But I think I can see in your face There's a lot you can teach me So I wanna know What's the name of the game? Does it mean anything to you? What's the name of the game? Can you feel it the way I do? Tell me please, 'cause I have to know I'm a bashful child, beginning to grow And you make me talk And you make me feel And you make me show What I'm trying to conceal If I trust in you, would you let me down? Would you laugh at me, if I said I care for you? Could you feel the same way too? I wanna know The name of the game I have no friends, no-one to see And I am never invited Now I am here, talking to you No wonder I get excited Your smile, and the sound of your voice And the way you see through me Got a feeling, you give me no choice But it means a lot to me So I wanna know What's the name of the game? (Your smile and the sound of your voice) Does it mean anything to you? (Got a feeling you give me no choice) (But it means a lot) What's the name of the game? (Your smile and the sound of your voice) Can you feel it the way I do? Tell me please, 'cause I have to know I'm a bashful child, beginning to grow And you make me talk And you make me feel And you make me show What I'm trying to conceal If I trust in you, would you let me down? Would you laugh at me, if I said I care for you? Could you feel the same way too? I wanna know Oh yes I wanna know The name of the game (I was an impossible case) Does it mean anything to you? (But I think I can see in your face) (That it means a lot) What's the name of the game? (Your smile and the sound of your voice) Can you feel it the way I do? (Got a feeling you give me no choice) (But it means a lot) What's the name of the game? (I was an impossible case) Does it mean anything to you? (But I think I can see in your face) (That it means a lot) - Move On4:42
Letra
They say a restless body can hide a peaceful soul. A voyager, ad a settler, they both have a distant goal. If I explore the heavens, or if I search inside. Well, it really doesn't matter as long as I can tell myself I've always tried. Like a roller in the ocean, life is motion Move on Like a wind that's always blowing, life is flowing Move on Like the sunrise in the morning, life is dawning Move on How I treasure every minute Being part of it, being in it With the urge to move on I've travelled every country, I've travelled in my mind It seems we're on a journey, a trip through space and time And somewhere lies the answer To all the questions why What really makes the difference Between all dead and living things, the will to stay alive Like a roller in the ocean (la la la la la la-la) Life is motion (la la la la la la-la) Move on (la la la la-la) Like a wind that's always blowing (la la la la la la-la) Life is flowing (la la la la la la-la) Move on (la la la la-la) Like the sunrise in the morning (la la la la la la-la) Life is dawning (la la la la la la-la) Move on (la la la la-la) How I treasure every minute (la la la la) Being part of it (la la la la) Being in it (la la la la) With the urge to move on The morning breeze that ripples the surface of the sea The crying of the seagulls that hover over me I see it and I hear it But how can I explain The wonder of the moment To be alive, to feel the sun that follows every rain Like a roller in the ocean (la la la la la la-la) Life is motion (la la la la la la-la) Move on (la la la la-la) Like a wind that's always blowing (la la la la la la-la) Life is flowing (la la la la la la-la) Move on (la la la la-la) Like the sunrise in the morning (la la la la la la-la) Life is dawning (la la la la la la-la) Move on (la la la la-la) How I treasure every minute (la la la la) Being part of it (la la la la-ah) Being in it With the urge to move on La la la la la la-la, la la la la la la-la, la la la la-la Like a wind that's always blowing La la la la la la-la La la la la la la-la (life is flowing) La la la la-la (move on) Like the sunrise in the morning La la la la la la-la La la la la la la-la (life is dawning) La la la la-la (move on) How I treasure every minute (la la la la) Being part of it (la la la la-ah) Being in it With the urge to move on La la la la la la-la, la la la la la la-la, la la la la-la Like a wind that's always blowing... - Hole In Your Soul3:41
Letra
You feel bad, let me tell you, we all get the blues Sometimes life is a burden, weighed down in your shoes When it's bad, worse, worst (And when you're feeling so bad) And you think you're cursed (And you've got it sad) Well, if there's one thing for the better that can turn you loose It's gotta be rock'n roll To fill the hole in your soul There's gotta be rock'n roll To fill the hole in your soul My friend Sam is a chauffeur, Annie goes to school Jerry works at the office, Sue lies by the pool But on all weekends (Together again) When I meet my friends (I'm gonna see them now) And we're lookin' round for the action we sure play it cool It's gotta be rock'n roll To fill the hole in your soul There's gotta be rock'n roll To fill the hole in your soul You paint your world and use all colors And then you find it all comes out too bright You know it's only a lie The songs you sing are too romantic And when you want the truth They only spit in your eye Oh yeah, they're only telling you lies Oh yeah, there's gotta be rock'n roll To fill the hole in your soul You feel bad, let me tell you, we all get the blues Sometimes life is a burden, weighed down in your shoes When it's bad, worse, worst (You know you're feeling so bad) And you think you're cursed (And you've got it sad) Well, if there's one thing for the better that can turn you loose It's gotta be rock'n roll To fill the hole in your soul There's gotta be rock'n roll To fill the hole in your soul There's gotta be rock'n roll To fill the hole in your soul There's gotta be rock'n roll To fill the hole in your soul There's gotta be rock'n roll To fill the hole in your soul There's gotta be rock'n roll To fill the hole in your soul There's gotta be rock'n roll To fill the hole in your soul - Thank You For The Music
Letra
I'm nothing special, in fact I'm a bit of a bore If I tell a joke, you've probably heard it before But I have a talent, a wonderful thing Cause everyone listens when I start to sing I'm so grateful and proud All I want is to sing it out loud So I say Thank you for the music, the songs I'm singing Thanks for all the joy they're bringing Who can live without it, I ask in all honesty What would life be? Without a song or a dance what are we? So I say thank you for the music For giving it to me Mother says I was a dancer before I could walk She says I began to sing long before I could talk But I've often wondered, how did it all start? Who found out that nothing can capture a heart Like a melody can? Well, whoever it was, I'm a fan So I say Thank you for the music, the songs I'm singing Thanks for all the joy they're bringing Who can live without it, I ask in all honesty What would life be? Without a song or a dance what are we? So I say thank you for the music For giving it to me I've been so lucky, I am the girl with golden hair I wanna sing it out to everybody What a joy, what a life, what a chance! So I say Thank you for the music, the songs I'm singing Thanks for all the joy they're bringing Who can live without it, I ask in all honesty What would life be? Without a song or a dance what are we? So I say thank you for the music For giving it to me - I Wonder (Departure)4:33
Letra
This park and these houses, old streets I have walked Everything dear, will it be here One day when I am returning? My friends will get married, have children and homes It sounds so nice, well-planned and wise Never expecting surprises I wonder, it's frightening Leaving now, is that the right thing? I wonder, it scares me But who the the hell am I if I don't leave it I'm not a coward Oh no, I'll be strong One chance in a lifetime Yes I will take it, it can't go wrong My friends and my family, this dull little town Buses I've missed, boys that I've kissed Everything old and familiar I wonder, it's frightening Leaving now, is that the right thing? I wonder, it scares me But who the the hell am I if I don't leave it I'm not a coward Oh no, I'll be strong One chance in a lifetime Yes I will take it... Yes I will take it, it can't go wrong - I’m A Marionette3:54