A$# 037 ABBA | Super Trouper

I had thought about writing about this album this week; what clinched it was when a colleague at work told me today how much she hates ABBA music. That’s the thing about ABBA – they seem to evoke strong reactions; either you love 'em or you hate 'em. Judging by the mega-success of the stellar Swedish group, it would seem that there are more of the former than the latter.

More than two decades after they split, their success is still felt in the music world, given the success of shows like Mamma Mia, and the long line of tribute shows, imitators, ABBA compilations and astronomical sums that have been offered to the four musicians to perform a reunion show.

1980’s Super Trouper was, imho, the apex of the group’s musical achievement, and one of the last (They would record one more studio album in 1981, then two new tracks for a 1982 compilation.) The arrangements, performances, singing and production were superb. The lyrics showed a sophistication that was a long way from Ring Ring.

In much the same way that the songwriters of Fleetwood Mac had chronicled the disintegration of relationships of the group’s couples, Benny and Bjorn wrote a number of songs that revealed much about the breakdown in the marriages of Bjorn and Agnetha, and Benny and Frida (The Winner Takes It All; Me And I) and the exhaustion of touring (Super Trouper). They also explore looking back on and examining one’s life (Happy New Year; Our Last Summer). There are still odes to romance (Andante, Andante; Lay All Your Love On Me), legend (The Piper) and redemption (Like Old Friends Do).

Here’s a sample of their powerful storytelling, from Our Last Summer:

I can still recall
our last summer
I still see it all
in the tourist jam
’round the Notre Dame
our last summer
walking hand in hand
Paris restaurants
our last summer
morning croissants
living for the day
worries far away
our last summer
we could laugh and play

And now you’re working in a bank
the family man, a football fan
and your name is Harry
how dull it seems
yet you’re the hero of my dreams

I can still recall
our last summer
I still see it all

The remastered CD has two bonus tracks, but I have an older CD pressing, so I can’t say much about them.

If you want to hear an outstanding album with great songwriting, then I would highly recommend Super Trouper. You may find you’re actually an ABBA fan afterall.

Track listing:
1. Super Trouper
2. The Winner Takes It All
3. On And On And On
4. Andante, Andante
5. Me And I
6. Happy New Year
7. Our Last Summer
8. The Piper
9. Lay All Your Love on Me
10. The Way Old Friends Do
Plus bonus tracks on remastered CD:
11. Elaine
12. Put on Your White Sombrero