Benny and Bjorn were musical geniuses. Right up there with the greatest. It was a perfect combination of music and song writing plus the Agnetha and Frida singing the music as good as it can get.
They certainly were brilliant musicians and were already established musical artists in Sweden before ABBA so it should have come as no surprise that they wrote great melodies. The reason they likely had to write songs in a more pop style was to take into consideration the voices of the ladies. They readily admit that the girls were integral to everything as they simply weren't anywhere near their level vocally. They get a sometimes bad rap but the length of their popularity shows how good they really were.
I never noticed the Blues in this song, so thank you. My uncle is a great guitar player who likes playing the Blues. He learned "Dancing Queen" for me to sing along. He admitted that he couldn't believe how difficult it was for him to learn the guitar part, and now he appreciates ABBA.
But none of the Beatles had Agnetha's inspiring ass...
2 года назад
@@diydad7704 "But none of the Beatles had Agnetha's inspiring ass..." neither the interesting chord progressions and stunning melodies, if one is able to tell the myth from reality... :D
This is a great example of why modern pop music in particular isn't as good as back in the day. There's some good stuff out there now, but overall the level of musicality just isn't the same. It's not even close. ABBA got a lot of hate, but they were damn good at writing melodies and interesting chord progressions. Pop music used to have some truly great musicians. SOS is my favorite ABBA tune.
I know ABBA got more than its share of dislikes, but if you didn't know the artist yet and just heard the song on the radio, so there were no pre-conceived notions - you'd suddenly find yourself tapping your feet, bobbing your head, and singing along with a great big smile on your face. Oh, its ABBA, well, then I can't like that song, because you see I am a sophisticated lover of *real* rock, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah.
I don’t think that how good a piece of music is should be measured by how complex it is. Look at the singer songwriters of the 60’s and 70’s like bob dylan and cat stevens. They didn’t write complex music at all. I think that different genres come and go and so does the complexity of those genres.
The focus of pop music has shifted from harmony to timbre and dynamics which isn't a bad thing for me but I can see how it can be a bit disappointing for some. The problem is it's hard to keep listeners' attention with both harmonic and timbral or rhythmic change at the same time. Listen to the Mandalorian OST for example: it's very nuanced timbrally but when it gets into that "big movie orchestra" mood it sounds a bit generic even though the harmonic foundation at those moments is very solid. But it couldn't do those timbral nuances on top of that harmonic orchestration: the timbres would just drown in that harmonic intensity.
@@ammoalamo6485 Exactly. Nothing against Abba being Abba, it`s more like Abba being in the Rock and Roll Hall Of Fame when Abba themselves stated they are a "pop" group.
@@ammoalamo6485I’m a guy and back during the summer one of my best friends was talking about how she wanted to see an ABBA tribute band. I’d known for a while that she was a fan, but besides “Dancing Queen”, I hadn’t heard many of their stuff and was kinda hesitant, but one day I decided to listen to their full greatest hits album and now idc what people say, I’m an ABBA fan. Coincidentally “Waterloo” is the one that always stuck with me (might not be long but I love it to death) and I even wrote a parody for the song “Thank You For The Music”
I didn't use to care much about ABBA, but after picking one of their songs to play and studied it I realized what a freakin' genius their composer (whoever it was) actually was. Simply brilliant.
No doubt Björn Ulvaeus (the gitarrist/bass player) brought/brings many excellent music ideas and influences to ABBA but the Genius is the main composer Benny Andersson (pianist) who is a classic composer like Bach, Beethoven and Brahms, because his songs are so advanced in composing, so many levels, filled with music theory; if you extrapolate any of his pop songs to piano solo you will discover how excellent combination of chords he has found, how both hands make up the foundation, how chords are divided and stretched, and so on. It's superb quality. Google his name and search for piano solo. It's real painful 8 to 5 work behind.
Not exactly - the outlandish costumes (IIRC the phrase "Batshit Crazy" was used to describe them) were at least in part done as...a tax writeoff. Yep, the Swedish tax code of the time allowed costumes that weren't something that would normally be worn in public to be written off as a tax deduction. And, brother, with the Swedish tax system you take every frickin' break you can get!
Thanks for remembering ABBA. Those guys were incredible. The beautiful voices and the composition of theirs songs makes them one of the greatest groups since the Beatles. Congratulations!
Not a song I’d have ever thought about playing on guitar, but a great breakdown. Personally I’ve always thought the combination of Frida and Agnetha’s voices was the most beautiful instrument in ABBA’s arsenal. None of their songs would have been hits, or at least had the same impact, without the voices of those two beautiful ladies.
The same way I feel about The Beatles, The Who, The Clash, Fleetwood Mac or Jimi Hendrix, I can't conceive popular music from XX century excluding ABBA, by far one of the best pop groups of all time. Their superiority was smashing.
Thomas, you are a gargantuan talent. Nothing wrong with liking Abba or enjoying their music or how they did choreography for their live performances. It was emblematic of the times/era, and very beautiful girls, cats, felines. etc. etc. I'd certainly have no problem petting her.....lol. Seriously, you make acoustic and all guitar so much fun. If you ever get over to the States, please stop in Chicago or maybe down in Florida. Would love to see/listen in person.
You are an awesome musician, I’ve learned so much from you. I’ve spent 2 years in Holland when I was in the Air Force in the 80s, it was one of the best times in my life.
3:10 All the young guys of that time were in love with ABBA girls. Like Mr. G. Pilgrim! He had to make this tribute for the early years... Thanks, nice lessons, perfect intonations, perfect technique!
I remember when ABBA first started I was so lucky to grow up in the 70's but one thing I didn't realise till recent years just how musically cleaver these bands were when they wrote these songs and ABBA is one of those bands under estimated. Bjorn was an absolute genius how he wrote and played these songs. Man your a legend showing this tutorial.
This particular song really shows how much ABBA were influenced by The Beatles with their rock solid harmonic foundations. And Mozart is also mentioned very appropriately, they are all brilliant illustrations of the European musical tradition with its accent on harmony.
Never heard that statement before and can’t be arsed to google it to be honest. But why Poland. If it is a reference to the song, Waterloo is in Belgium.
@@chinaswirlrod9802 It’s in the movie Manhattan Murder Mistery : « I just can't listen to any more Wagner, you know...I'm starting to get the urge to conquer Poland ». Wagner music is epic and emphatic, and the Nazis loved him. Invading Poland is a joke about the Nazis invasion of Poland in 1939. Voluntarily ironic, as Woody Allen is a Jew. Waterloo is a Napoleon lost battle that led to his Downfall in 1815. It’s a synonym for catastrophy in this song.
I think I remember something about Frida being the one that designed and made their wardrobe. What a STUNNER she was at that time when they let her shine.
The quality of your videos is outstanding. You’re a fantastic storyteller and you help your audience appreciate the genius behind the songs and artists that you discuss. Well done!
Ah, cool, ABBA. Musicians tend to be more open minded than some of the fans that follow them. They recognise the actual complexity in the construction of these songs, even if they appear to be simple on the surface. ABBA was a Pop group but they did have a Rock sensibility too. There are many guitar riffs in their songs that are instantly recognisable and this is something much more associated with Rock bands. They dabbled with Glam Rock themselves in their earlier years, hence the wacky stage gear.
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Coincidentally watched Muriel's Wedding today. Great movie, ABBA, yeah guilty pleasure or whatever. Amazing music for those who don't choose their music based on what makes them 'cool' in the eyes of other people. Nice video!
Queen meets Styx, in a strange Rock and Roll Universe. We all loved ABBA, we just kept it secret back then. The ladies were worshipped, and the music was a guilty pleasure.
Man! Your videos are great! I learn something every time with a pedagogue teacher. Your love for music is contagious! Thank u very much! Waiting for your next vid😉
LOL Amen Brother!!!! Love the vid, love your humor, it's a great song. From the little taste you presented, I would think that you are pretty amazing on those keys.
I discovered you just a few weeks ago, and I am amazed at how cool you are. Constant diversity of content. I will be a subscriber for as long as you exist.
