Abba - SOS (Denmark)

Abba visited Copenhagen on May 27 1975 to take part in the tv show Omkring Et Flygel. They sang SOS and So Long. At the end of the end of the show they hummed "Alley Cat". This song was a US No.1 for show host Bent Fabricius-Bjerre. It seems that every guest on the show hummed this tune at the end as a tradition. "Omkring Et Flygel" means 'Around a Piano', but is also the Danish title of the song 'Alley Cat'. During the afternoon there was a presentation of gold discs, and a photo session in the famous Tivoli Gardens. The girls wear their long cat dresses in this performance and do a very nice dance routine.
SOS was Abba's first major hit in Great Britain since Waterloo 18 months earlier. It was catchy and well arranged, with Agnetha's pleading lead vocals capturing the imagination of listeners. The characteristic guitar and synthesiser rifts that run throughout the song were only added at the last minute, when Bjorn and Benny were staying back in the recording studio late one night. This song was Agnetha's first heartbreak classic, where her ability to cry with her voice (as Michael Tretow once said) made a perfect match with the uplifting melody and Benny's semi classical keyboard flourishes.
SOS was recorded on August 22-23 1974 at Glenstudio, Stocksund. It was first released on the album "Abba" in April 1975 and then as a single in June 1975. It reached No.1 in six countries, and No.2 in five more. It peaked at No.6 in the UK, despite a belated September release. The song stayed in the German charts for more than seven months, having reached No.1 there. In USA, SOS reached No.10 and picked up the BMI Award as one of the most played songs on American radio in 1975.
Bjorn recalls: "Everone else had decided already that this was the usual one hit wonder of Eurovision. We knew inside - and nobody else did - that we had come to stay. We knew the potential we had as recording artists, as well as songwriters."

Lyrics: Benny Andersson, Stig Anderson, Björn Ulvaeus
Lead vocal: Agnetha

Where are those happy days, they seem so hard to find
I try to reach for you, but you have closed your mind
Whatever happened to our love, I wish I understood
It used be so nice, it used be so good

So when you're near me, darling can't you hear me
SOS
The love you gave me, nothing else can save me
SOS
When you're gone, how can I even try to go on
When you're gone, though I try how can I carry on

You seem so far away, though you are standing near
You made me feel alive, but something died I fear
I really tried to make it out, I wish I understood
What happened to our love, it used be so good

So when you're near me, darling can't you hear me
SOS
The love you gave me, nothing else can save me
SOS
When you're gone, how can I even try to go on
When you're gone, though I try how can I carry on

So when you're near me, darling can't you hear me
SOS
And the love you gave me, nothing else can save me
SOS
When you're gone, how can I even try to go on
When you're gone, though I try how can I carry on
When you're gone, how can I even try to go on
When you're gone, though I try how can I carry on

Category:

Music

Tags:

• Abba

[cessnaace]

Hi John, it's me again. :)

As you know, I adore Agnetha. That extended, tight close-up on her face was truely captivating. Her face has always been very emotive. Her eyes expressing so much, as her voice does.

I've seen (and favored) a multi-part interview with her, originally aired on Swedish TV I believe. Someone was kind enough to translate it into english, using subtitles. I think she is one amazing lady. Frida too, but Agnetha's special to me.

STAY AWESOME! :)

[abbafanglosuk]

Hi Mark - yes there's some really good camera work here, giving some great closeups of Agnetha for her solo parts and then cutting back to both girls doing their nice dance routine in their unique long cat dresses for the chorus! I've seen that interview too, I think its from around 2004 and found it interesting.

[3mmiilll]

who like abba???? lol he have many nice songs but hmm it is better songs then them abba have done

[abbafanglosuk]

All abba songs are good! They have a huge fanbase of all ages worldwide - the big success of Mamma Mia the Movie proved that!

[Baduila]

Masterpiece!

[abbafanglosuk]

Yes indeed, this is a very nice artistic performance of this famous song! The girls dancing and outfits are eye catching, and Agnetha's lead singing and close-ups are outstanding!

[MoaLennon]

everybody likes ABBA. You too, you just haven't found it out yet.

[MrDrProfessorJrMD]

Oh, and the blonde, Agnetha, really nice! :D

[MrDrProfessorJrMD]

My favorite Abba song.

[polany19]

Das był fenomenaly zaspół.Paniali co niekatoryje rebiata i wasi i nasi.Das ist sehr gut. ABBA pacziemu ty się rozsypałaś?

[cessnaace]

Hi John. Yes, I believe it was from 2004.

I just watched ABBA In Concert on DVD. One of the extras was an interview with someone who works for EMI (if I remember correctly).

Anyway I discovered that I've been mispronouncing Agnetha's name for, well, ever. LOL! Her first name, I mean. I have rather pronounced ADHD, and it's hard for me to remember how to pronounce some names and words.

I'm sure she'd understand. :)

STAY AWESOME! :)

Mark

[ILoveFridaLyngstad]

as you see on my other profile ; billeballebub1 :D

hahaha ..