The Winner's Gonna Take It All: The final...
- Thread starter Remorque
- Start date
Lovely song, has gone pretty good too.
I gave 3 of these a 10!
So long! See ya honey!
D
Deleted member 312
As Good As New is classic ABBA and could have been a single.
I feel the same too. Great song.
Please leave anytime now (aka all my sub-7 scores remaining):
Ring Ring
Honey, Honey
When I Kissed The Teacher
Money, Money, Money
That's Me
Thank You For the Music
Angeleyes (sorry @Angeleyes !)
On and On and On
Me and I
Elaine
The Visitors
When All Is Said and Done
I Let the Music Speak
Like An Angel Passing Through My Room
Should I Laugh or Cry
Ring Ring
Honey, Honey
When I Kissed The Teacher
Money, Money, Money
That's Me
Thank You For the Music
Angeleyes (sorry @Angeleyes !)
On and On and On
Me and I
Elaine
The Visitors
When All Is Said and Done
I Let the Music Speak
Like An Angel Passing Through My Room
Should I Laugh or Cry
He/Him
44.
'...They waited for the man like a parish is waiting for the priest... Longed to hear him play... Play their minds away...'
- Agnetha Fältskog and Anni-Frid Lyngstad in The Piper -
Yath! Show off dem sticks, Frida!
Average: 7.5435
Highest score: 1 * 11.00 - @Weslicious
3 * 10.00 - @bichard @Sprockrooster @chris4862
Lowest score: 1 * 2.00 - @VivaForever
My score: 7.50
...And with The Piper, we lose our first 11... Sorry, Weslicious, sis.
The song was written and recorded in 1980 as one of the first songs to be completed for the album. It was released in November that same year as the b-side to the title track off Super Trouper, the second song to be given the single treatment, following The Winner Takes It All. The album was released the same week and The Piper was the eighth song on the tracklisting.
It loosely tells the tale of the pied piper of Hamelin.
For those unfamiliar with the tale, it is set in 1284 in the town of Hamelin, Lower Saxony, Germany. This town was facing a rat infestation, and a piper, dressed in a coat of many coloured, bright cloth, appeared. This piper promised to get rid of the rats in return for a payment, to which the townspeople agreed too. Although the piper got rid of the rats by leading them away with his music, the people of Hamelin reneged on their promise. The furious piper left, vowing revenge. On the 26th of July of that same year, the piper returned and led the children away, never to be seen again, just as he did the rats. Nevertheless, one or three children were left behind, depending on which version is being told. One of these children was lame, and could not keep up, another was deaf and could not hear the music, while the third one was blind and could not see where he was going.
The lyrics also deal with how fascist leaders can lure people into a false sense of protection and seduce them with their ideologies that are often dishonest...
I think it's definitely one of the more interesting songs in their discography. Telling a disturbing tale with a wistful jig is something only ABBA can realize, really... The production is floaty and airy, with the girls giving us a tight harmony. The only thing that's a bit jarring to these ears are those long last notes during the chorus... But I'm reaching.
What did our noted 11-giver have to say about this? Weslicious?
"Whimsical Renaissance-esque song about a fascist leader. It still doesn't work on paper, but I love this. Weirdly fitting for the current political climate as well, lyrically. And d'ya know what? I'm gonna give it my 11. I compiled all my 10's and would be happy with any of them winning. I feel this has the least chance so I'm gonna give it that extra point.".
Well, your 11 did help it in the end, so you can pat yourself on the back for that. Still, it falls just short of the top 40 though...
bichard thinks it's "Wonderful. I love that for years I had no idea this was about how Hitler beguiled the German people. One of many instances where B&B subvert your expectations by pairing a chipper tune with surprising lyrics. This has been a firm favourite on the album since my uncle Geoff recorded it on cassette for my mum in the early 80s.".
It's a "Sinister bop." for chris4862, while Mikey1701 loves "the production, it puts me in mind of Final Fantasy XI and the harmonies are as beautiful as ever yet the chorus borders on kitsch and while I appreciate that that might be an integral element of ABBA’s work, here it feels extra and as a result, it stops the song from being “very good”. Still. I’ve given this a 7 because of the aforementioned production and even ABBA’s 7 out of 10s are better than most other artists’ 10s. Fact.".
To Hudweiser it's "Especially relevant in this day and age, I love the "their fear was a weapon in his hand" lyric. It's a weird song though, really strange, but I love it nonetheless.". And he wasn't alone in thinking it's a bit of an odd song...
tylerc904 "used to consider this a 10, I went through a phase with just about every song on this album at one point or another (besides New Year). I still adore it, for all its strangeness. If it really is about Hitler then kiii." and ufint actually struggles to contain himself... "AHFFNGIERX, this song totally freaks me out. Such a strange melody indeed, I'm a little bit scared listening to it.".
SecretsOfFatima thinks it has a "Very odd theme (what’s new?) but I quite enjoy the melody…and, of course, the holy vocals post chorus.", while CasperFan thinks it's "Nice and quirky!" and to haps "This song is so creepy in a good way.".
Some of y'all are suckers for a bit of Latin influenced pop and it showed while commenthing on this song... Mina thinks the "Composition is great; I actually like the random Latin bits." and to Mumty it's "An all round random track, right down to the Latin phrases thrown in at the end of the chorus. But it works.". Of course it does! kalonite's "Here for random unnecessary latin at all times." and Filippa just thinks it has a "Nice melody!".
Others got all the celtic feels they didn't know they wanted... P'nutbutter screams "YESSS" *does a jig* and compliments B&B, saying "Songwriting genius.". I'm inclined to agree. Let's jig together!
constantino fingerclicks "C’MON PANPIPES!! What a discovery. For some reason, I am getting the faintest hint of T-Swift’s Style in certain parts and I am not bad about it."... Style? Bish where?
TrueBeliever believes it's a "A fantastic folksong with a throbbing, driving bassline complemented by the exquisite pipes that tickles my cerebrum. When a song can literally make my brain tingle, there’s something to be said for that." and to poor ol' Sprockrooster "This old folk sound blended with some Enya is a winner on all fronts from me. I love ABBA taking such a detour from their original sound. If I would have gone with an 11 for a song I did not know prior to this rate, it would have been this one.".
The days of WhatKindOfKylie? constantly being the lowest scorer are long gone (or are they?), as he really loves "this one, perhaps more than I should! But it really is so so much fun and I can't help but singalong to it. It feels much more different to any of their other songs too, so in that respect is quite a standout.". To GhettoPrincess this "sounds very musical theatre to me… it’s not bad but compared to most of their other material it does stick out a bit.".
Someone who wasn't impressed by the quirkiness... VivaForever, how are you feeling after listening to The Piper? "This song actually leaves me in pain.". Oh.
- Agnetha Fältskog and Anni-Frid Lyngstad in The Piper -
Yath! Show off dem sticks, Frida!
Average: 7.5435
Highest score: 1 * 11.00 - @Weslicious
3 * 10.00 - @bichard @Sprockrooster @chris4862
Lowest score: 1 * 2.00 - @VivaForever
My score: 7.50
...And with The Piper, we lose our first 11... Sorry, Weslicious, sis.
The song was written and recorded in 1980 as one of the first songs to be completed for the album. It was released in November that same year as the b-side to the title track off Super Trouper, the second song to be given the single treatment, following The Winner Takes It All. The album was released the same week and The Piper was the eighth song on the tracklisting.
It loosely tells the tale of the pied piper of Hamelin.
For those unfamiliar with the tale, it is set in 1284 in the town of Hamelin, Lower Saxony, Germany. This town was facing a rat infestation, and a piper, dressed in a coat of many coloured, bright cloth, appeared. This piper promised to get rid of the rats in return for a payment, to which the townspeople agreed too. Although the piper got rid of the rats by leading them away with his music, the people of Hamelin reneged on their promise. The furious piper left, vowing revenge. On the 26th of July of that same year, the piper returned and led the children away, never to be seen again, just as he did the rats. Nevertheless, one or three children were left behind, depending on which version is being told. One of these children was lame, and could not keep up, another was deaf and could not hear the music, while the third one was blind and could not see where he was going.
The lyrics also deal with how fascist leaders can lure people into a false sense of protection and seduce them with their ideologies that are often dishonest...
I think it's definitely one of the more interesting songs in their discography. Telling a disturbing tale with a wistful jig is something only ABBA can realize, really... The production is floaty and airy, with the girls giving us a tight harmony. The only thing that's a bit jarring to these ears are those long last notes during the chorus... But I'm reaching.
What did our noted 11-giver have to say about this? Weslicious?
"Whimsical Renaissance-esque song about a fascist leader. It still doesn't work on paper, but I love this. Weirdly fitting for the current political climate as well, lyrically. And d'ya know what? I'm gonna give it my 11. I compiled all my 10's and would be happy with any of them winning. I feel this has the least chance so I'm gonna give it that extra point.".
Well, your 11 did help it in the end, so you can pat yourself on the back for that. Still, it falls just short of the top 40 though...
bichard thinks it's "Wonderful. I love that for years I had no idea this was about how Hitler beguiled the German people. One of many instances where B&B subvert your expectations by pairing a chipper tune with surprising lyrics. This has been a firm favourite on the album since my uncle Geoff recorded it on cassette for my mum in the early 80s.".
It's a "Sinister bop." for chris4862, while Mikey1701 loves "the production, it puts me in mind of Final Fantasy XI and the harmonies are as beautiful as ever yet the chorus borders on kitsch and while I appreciate that that might be an integral element of ABBA’s work, here it feels extra and as a result, it stops the song from being “very good”. Still. I’ve given this a 7 because of the aforementioned production and even ABBA’s 7 out of 10s are better than most other artists’ 10s. Fact.".
To Hudweiser it's "Especially relevant in this day and age, I love the "their fear was a weapon in his hand" lyric. It's a weird song though, really strange, but I love it nonetheless.". And he wasn't alone in thinking it's a bit of an odd song...
tylerc904 "used to consider this a 10, I went through a phase with just about every song on this album at one point or another (besides New Year). I still adore it, for all its strangeness. If it really is about Hitler then kiii." and ufint actually struggles to contain himself... "AHFFNGIERX, this song totally freaks me out. Such a strange melody indeed, I'm a little bit scared listening to it.".
SecretsOfFatima thinks it has a "Very odd theme (what’s new?) but I quite enjoy the melody…and, of course, the holy vocals post chorus.", while CasperFan thinks it's "Nice and quirky!" and to haps "This song is so creepy in a good way.".
Some of y'all are suckers for a bit of Latin influenced pop and it showed while commenthing on this song... Mina thinks the "Composition is great; I actually like the random Latin bits." and to Mumty it's "An all round random track, right down to the Latin phrases thrown in at the end of the chorus. But it works.". Of course it does! kalonite's "Here for random unnecessary latin at all times." and Filippa just thinks it has a "Nice melody!".
Others got all the celtic feels they didn't know they wanted... P'nutbutter screams "YESSS" *does a jig* and compliments B&B, saying "Songwriting genius.". I'm inclined to agree. Let's jig together!
constantino fingerclicks "C’MON PANPIPES!! What a discovery. For some reason, I am getting the faintest hint of T-Swift’s Style in certain parts and I am not bad about it."... Style? Bish where?
TrueBeliever believes it's a "A fantastic folksong with a throbbing, driving bassline complemented by the exquisite pipes that tickles my cerebrum. When a song can literally make my brain tingle, there’s something to be said for that." and to poor ol' Sprockrooster "This old folk sound blended with some Enya is a winner on all fronts from me. I love ABBA taking such a detour from their original sound. If I would have gone with an 11 for a song I did not know prior to this rate, it would have been this one.".
The days of WhatKindOfKylie? constantly being the lowest scorer are long gone (or are they?), as he really loves "this one, perhaps more than I should! But it really is so so much fun and I can't help but singalong to it. It feels much more different to any of their other songs too, so in that respect is quite a standout.". To GhettoPrincess this "sounds very musical theatre to me… it’s not bad but compared to most of their other material it does stick out a bit.".
Someone who wasn't impressed by the quirkiness... VivaForever, how are you feeling after listening to The Piper? "This song actually leaves me in pain.". Oh.
YOU HEATHENS.
I adore The Piper! As I say, perhaps more than I should do, but it's certainly a highlight for me.
I always seem to come back to it too! Summoned by the tune I guess!
Given were getting closer and closer to there just being singles/hits left, this did far better than expected.
There's a few songs remaining I sort of hoped The Piper would beat but for the most part it's done itself proud.
There's a few songs remaining I sort of hoped The Piper would beat but for the most part it's done itself proud.
It's beyond camp and cheesy but it's amazing and almost reminds me of being a kid? If that makes sense?
