From happiness, to their final journey

Now, the sad part is, I'm 99% sure this will be it. Their absolute last. I hope Benny will still write and perform with his band. I really hope this isn't his big goodbye too! Heck, I'd love another musical or two, or three! Perhaps some film scores? I need to get as much music out of that man as possible in the next decade or two. He's only 74 years young, he's got plenty of time! And Björn, who looks so good for his age, needs to keep it up with the lyrics! Again, another musical or two?

I imagine this will definitely be the last time we hear from the girls. That's ok, I have made my peace with that! And I'm extremely glad they came back for this!
I'm a firm believer that Lycka (Happiness) is really the first unofficial ABBA album, because it does include the girls. Especially the extended version that I have has Agnetha and Frida in so many of the songs! And so I think this is really where their journey as a band began, with happiness. Lycka is probably one of my favourite songs ever, it just perfectly captures how love feels. In the lyrics, in the melody, in the tone. This is how my heart sounds when I'm feeling in love. Aside from this, the album is full of folky-pop sounds, most popular being Hej Gamle Man (Hello Old Man). It really is just super catchy, and sounds so Benny! As they all do of course. Have I mentioned how much I actually love Benny? Like, I actually do. I don't know how to explain it, but that man is just a God in my eyes. A master of music, up there with Tchaikovsky, Mozart, Bach! He's got an understanding of music that cannot be taught.
Anyway, Lycka! It's a truly beautiful album. On the extended version you also get to hear the Inga theme, which is mesmerising. For some reason, when I hear it, I am transported to a train station in Finland (one I have been to naturally). It feels like I'm stood at a cold train station looking at the hills and forests, and colourful little houses. But also the corporate feel of a train station. This is what Benny excels at! Taking you places through music.

Next, of course, came the entire ABBA discourse! Ring Ring, Waterloo, ABBA, Arrival, ABBA The Album, Voulez-Vous, Super Trouper and finally, The Visitors. All different, all unique, and all just very much Benny! (Again, sorry, I love Benny). You can hear how they progressed from Folk, through to pop-rock, right up to their last album which is really just a genre all by itself (and my personal favourite). And even tucked away in these distinct albums, are even more distinct songs! When I played "Watch Out" to friends for the first time, they couldn't believe it was even ABBA, it was so different to what they had heard before. Tropical Loveland, another one that makes you double take, Put on your White Sombrero, etc... To me, these all sound very ABBA, but to others not so much. If you take Rock 'n' Roll Band, and compare it to The Visitors, not knowing anything about ABBA, you would probably wonder if they were from the same band at all.

And then came the inevitable, but heart-breaking split. But they persevered! As far as musicals, Chess came, and then Kristina! For the girls it was Wrap Your Arms Around Me, Something's Going On and Eyes of a Woman. For Benny, it was his band. Benny Andersson Orkester. And this, my friends, is where we witness 40 years of change. These are the albums where we see Benny writing exactly what he wants, and it's glorious. The first of these albums, aptly named Benny Andersson Orkester, features mostly just instrumental music, with two songs (lyrics by Björn naturally). And we also see Helen Sjöholm begin to play a big part in Benny's future from this point on, and oh boy, her voice is as magical as Agnetha's! She previously played Kristina in the original Kristina Från Duvemåla (my Kristina), and it seems she enjoyed working with the boys so much she stuck around! Hardangervidda, the first piece on the album, is about a Norwegian mountain range. And doesn't it just sound like it! Very Grieg.
Following this came BAO! which gave us the absolute gem that is Du är min man. Also Glasgow Boogie, which is exactly what it sound like. And so on and so forth! Although, the absolute range of this man! You can go from classic pop to essentially baroque sounds in like 2 tracks, it's fantastic! And I couldn't go without mentioning Story of a Heart. Honestly, when I heard they were releasing two new songs, I was absolutely expecting to hear something similar to this! It's got that classic, ABBA sound to it, with somewhat of a modern (at the time) twist. And I cannot get enough!

Ok. Voyage. This album was so wanted, I was so excited for it, that I couldn't quite believe it when it finally arrived. And now I've finally had the chance to listen to it properly, not through crappy earphones on a bus, I realise how truly phenomenal it is.

I Still Have Faith in You - I can see why this is the one being pushed for a chart topper, and I can also see why the fans have decided Don't Shut Me Down is the real number 1! This song feels like it picked up where The Visitors left off. It's a love letter to the fans, and to each other. The haunting melody, coupled with the brilliant lyrics is the ABBA we all know and love, and I don't think anyone was disappointed! It was highly anticipated, and it delivered! Also, I'm glad to see the main single that came from this was a Frida song, in their heyday it would most likely have been Agentha's song that would have been pushed. But this song just encapsulates everything they must be feeling as a band, and an entire 40 year's worth of emotion, love, joy, sadness! The beautiful harmonies! It captures such a powerful feeling, it's absolutely perfect!

When You Danced With Me - Interestingly enough, this one is chart topping in Sweden! It reminds me so much of Glasgow Boogie, very Scandinavian sounding, very Benny! You can almost see the crowd dancing at a folk festival to this song. I do think this one strays a little from the ABBA sound, it's much more BAO from the 00's than 70's ABBA. It also has elements of that very early Folk sound that began ABBA in Lycka. This is much the kind of sound I expected to hear when they announced they would be doing a full album, because this is the kind of thing I'd been hearing from Benny recently.

Little Things - Adorable! And finally we have a Christmas song! Happy New Year was nice to pass the time with, but now I can obsessively play ABBA at Christmas too! And not just confuse everyone by being excited by a New Year's Song. It's also really cute! I can see what Björn meant when he said he heard the melody and immediately thought Christmas! Although it's not being pushed, as you would expect a Christmas song to be pushed. I don't even know if they're considering releasing it as a single. Only time will tell!

Don't Shut Me Down - Anyone else getting trans vibes? Ever since my sister mentioned it, I cannot unhear the theme of transitioning. Of course, change is a theme in this song, because it's based around the idea that ABBA have changed, which of course they have! And despite ISHFIY being pushed for top spot, this one has over taken! I believe that's because this holds more a 70's ABBA sound, much more pop and a little disco. But while the trans themes seem unintentional, they're hard to deny, and I would love for my trans friends to find this song speaks to them! Also Agnetha shines on this song! As always. Doesn't even sound 71, not even a little bit.

Just A Notion - Now, of course this song sounds the most ABBA, because it was written in 1978. I'm very glad they included it, and I love that I can hear the full song! Even though it really is mostly chorus, it's the best damn chorus ever! And the brand new backing track really works! I also think it's quite nice, contrary to what some fans think, that they kept the old vocals. They're crisp, they work well, give off the right vibes. I'm also glad they released it early as a single, because I personally was dying to hear it! I think it flows nicely from one chorus to the next, I just really like it, even though you can tell it's come from an old demo.

I Can Be That Woman - This one took a couple of listens, but it's really grown on me! I feel that these lyrics were really born of something Björn has felt. And Agnetha's voice shines! This is another one of those The Winner Takes It All emotional moments. The lyrics here don't rhyme, but I don't think they need to because they tell the story so beautifully. This could work in any musical production. The music is also quite mid ABBA sounding. I think moreso than BAO or pre-ABBA sounds. I wouldn't call it catchy, but I do think it's beautiful. I think this one is becoming a fan favourite though.

Keep An Eye On Dan - Damn, this song! Obviously, there's the hidden SOS theme throughout. But this track also has a familiar techno sound to it that you hear in later ABBA albums like Super Trouper. Lyrically it's kind of brilliant! And you can sense the musical theatre influence in all of the songs lyrics, but especially in this one. There's a definite story being told here. Very Chess like. And then of course, the chorus drops and it's a banger! It's amazing what Björn can do with a song about leaving your child with your ex. Custody is something all four of them battled with, so it's clear that these lyrics come from memories. I think this song will become a favourite for me before too long!

Bumblebee - On my first listen to this album, this song really stood out to me. I loved the opening immediately Again, it's more BAO than ABBA, and the environmental themes are reminiscent of Tänk om Jorden vore ung from Lycka. I believe ABBA have always been quite environmentally conscious. It's such a cute song, so simple lyrically. Just a woman watching bees flying about and forewarning bee extinction. It also sounds very Scandinavian, although I can't put my finger on why

No Doubt About It - Kind of country? Kind of Du är min man? Kind of rock-pop? It's interesting! Possibly my least favourite on this album, but considering the hit rate, I'm very happy! Another BAO sounding song, coupled with the techno Super Trouper (album) feel. I'm willing to be persuaded though, after time.

Ode to Freedom - Quite possibly the most classical sounding! Really sounds like it was just pulled straight from Swan Lake, or some other Tchaikovsky piece. It's probably the least ABBA sounding, but the most musically interesting! It might be one of my favourites! It definitely has notes of The Way Old Friends Do, as well as some of The Visitors in there, but really mostly just pure, classical genius! Nothing like your regular pop song!

Well. That's it. That's everything. But you know, I still have so much of their music to explore! I've hardly looked into their career's prior to ABBA, only really heard a fraction of BAO, and barely know anything about Frida's music outside of ABBA! So even though this might be the end of their journey, I'm really only part way through mine. And this album will definitely occupy me for some time. I have so much love for this band, and this album... this album is everything!