The Winner's Gonna Take It All: The final...
- Thread starter Remorque
- Start date
I don't actively detest anything left (and haven't for a while now) so this should be painful...
D
Deleted member 3416
Oh I love that it got to #30 at least. Such a gem.
D
Deleted member 312
Eagle is great!
@Remorque , no worries; you're doing an awesome job (and my post yesterday shading you was meant as a joke!).
If there's anything we can do to help, please let us know.
Kisses On Fire really has done deservedly well in this rate. It's one of their best for me.
He/Him
29.
'...What's that sound, what's that dreadful rumble? Won't somebody tell me what I hear? In the distance but drawin' near...'
- Agnetha Fältskog in Soldiers -
Tell me... Did you clutch your pearls thinking it was that other one?
Average: 8.0326
Highest score: 7 * 10.00 - @Uno @Baby Clyde @DJHazey @tylerc904 @Mikey1701 @SecretsOfFatima @nlgbbbblth
Lowest score: 1 * 4.00 - @dancingwithmyself
My score: 8.00
The Visitors loses the fourth track on its tracklisting, as Soldiers leaves us at #29. The song was written and recorded in 1981 during the sessions for the album and was eventually released as the b-side to When All Is Said and Done in Sweden, Australia and New Zealand.
Agnetha gives us a subdued and cold, yet childishly hopeful performance, with Frida giving us some warm harmonies throughout and the vocals during the chorus being multi-tiered, which was quite a typical thing for them to do during their later career.
The song deals with soldiers marching on, pushing through and convincing themselves they are heroes, while the people at home do the same while thinking of their loved ones who have left to serve their country. Leave it up to ABBA to sing about a subject as serious as that, yet delivering a fantastic pop song.
Filippa gives a 7 to "A song I don’t understand..." and while I'm hopeful I've cleared a bit up for you with the above, here's the good sis Mikey1701 to help me... "This is so lush. It’s both catchy and unrelentingly bleak- as the lyrics blast militarism, which was rife during the early 1980s, which continues the themes of oppression found in the parent album’s title track. It could even be described as a darker, more mournful version of Fernando. Even with the darkness and bleakness, this is still very ABBA in its sound. One of the hidden gems of what is arguably the band’s finest hour.". Beautiful.
This wasn't the only time Fernando was mentioned though. tylerc904 thinks the song's "a nice counterpart to Fernando." and stating it's "Really underrated.", while bichard calls it the "The Piper of The Visitors, only not quite as good. When me and my sister used to sing along to the album sleeve when I was a kid, this was a much lesser-favourite. In fact I actively disliked it. But now I find it pretty great. Not their very finest, but a damn good listen.". My thoughts exactly, yet I gave the Super Trouper track half a point less.
Meanwhile, it reminds CasperFan "a little of The Name of the Game in the verses (and Eagle) great harmonies on the chorus.", but I think that's due to the guitar work during the verses?
WhatKindOfKylie? wasn't convinced, umming "Um, I liked it a bit. No means terrible. but does need more of a listen truthfully. So for now, am about half and half on it.". What are your thoughts on it now you've lived with it for a while, hun?
Something's telling me VivaForever isn't budging on how she feels about it though... "Utterly forgettable.", she tells us. But how do you really feel about it?
Loving "everything going on here; similar to the title track insofar as it's so restless and misery/war-centered, even if the chorus has this uplifting quality to it." is Hudweiser, with Mina agreeing it's "Another song with dark lyrics but a cheerful instrumental. I think the cognitive dissonance actually works here given the topic appears to be having to 'soldier on' despite tough circumstances (the band's divorces).". I've never actually looked at it like that and I think you make a solid point here.
Poor ol' Sprockrooster is SPOT. ON. in his commentary. "This being released during the Cold War by the most popular band at the time is breathtaking in perspective of this song's lyrics. Especially that second verse is a majestic piece of writing." and I wholeheartedly agree. (See the above lyrics I posted.)
constantino was taken by surprise when listening to it. "Ooh, moody! Even though it’s certainly not their most interesting track melody-wise, the production is absolutely breathtaking.".
Meanwhile, TrueBeliever's feelings towards it differ, telling us it has "Strong vocals, but plodding verses, accentuated by a killer chorus. Song never really gets off its feet, but had great potential to be something quite extraordinary and memorable.".
It was a "Great discovery," for idratherjack, as he "really grew to love this.", while P'nutbutter states it "Could have been a single, that chorus is glorious." and ufint getting "early Kate Bush-vibes from this. That's definitely not a bad thing.". I guess Army Dreamers has a very similar feel to it, yes...
We'll end on SecretsOfFatima who gives us this...
"ABBA being 'woke' here."
Barbara Dickson covered the song for her 1985 Gold album.
- Agnetha Fältskog in Soldiers -
Tell me... Did you clutch your pearls thinking it was that other one?
Average: 8.0326
Highest score: 7 * 10.00 - @Uno @Baby Clyde @DJHazey @tylerc904 @Mikey1701 @SecretsOfFatima @nlgbbbblth
Lowest score: 1 * 4.00 - @dancingwithmyself
My score: 8.00
The Visitors loses the fourth track on its tracklisting, as Soldiers leaves us at #29. The song was written and recorded in 1981 during the sessions for the album and was eventually released as the b-side to When All Is Said and Done in Sweden, Australia and New Zealand.
Agnetha gives us a subdued and cold, yet childishly hopeful performance, with Frida giving us some warm harmonies throughout and the vocals during the chorus being multi-tiered, which was quite a typical thing for them to do during their later career.
The song deals with soldiers marching on, pushing through and convincing themselves they are heroes, while the people at home do the same while thinking of their loved ones who have left to serve their country. Leave it up to ABBA to sing about a subject as serious as that, yet delivering a fantastic pop song.
Filippa gives a 7 to "A song I don’t understand..." and while I'm hopeful I've cleared a bit up for you with the above, here's the good sis Mikey1701 to help me... "This is so lush. It’s both catchy and unrelentingly bleak- as the lyrics blast militarism, which was rife during the early 1980s, which continues the themes of oppression found in the parent album’s title track. It could even be described as a darker, more mournful version of Fernando. Even with the darkness and bleakness, this is still very ABBA in its sound. One of the hidden gems of what is arguably the band’s finest hour.". Beautiful.
This wasn't the only time Fernando was mentioned though. tylerc904 thinks the song's "a nice counterpart to Fernando." and stating it's "Really underrated.", while bichard calls it the "The Piper of The Visitors, only not quite as good. When me and my sister used to sing along to the album sleeve when I was a kid, this was a much lesser-favourite. In fact I actively disliked it. But now I find it pretty great. Not their very finest, but a damn good listen.". My thoughts exactly, yet I gave the Super Trouper track half a point less.
Meanwhile, it reminds CasperFan "a little of The Name of the Game in the verses (and Eagle) great harmonies on the chorus.", but I think that's due to the guitar work during the verses?
WhatKindOfKylie? wasn't convinced, umming "Um, I liked it a bit. No means terrible. but does need more of a listen truthfully. So for now, am about half and half on it.". What are your thoughts on it now you've lived with it for a while, hun?
Something's telling me VivaForever isn't budging on how she feels about it though... "Utterly forgettable.", she tells us. But how do you really feel about it?
Loving "everything going on here; similar to the title track insofar as it's so restless and misery/war-centered, even if the chorus has this uplifting quality to it." is Hudweiser, with Mina agreeing it's "Another song with dark lyrics but a cheerful instrumental. I think the cognitive dissonance actually works here given the topic appears to be having to 'soldier on' despite tough circumstances (the band's divorces).". I've never actually looked at it like that and I think you make a solid point here.
Poor ol' Sprockrooster is SPOT. ON. in his commentary. "This being released during the Cold War by the most popular band at the time is breathtaking in perspective of this song's lyrics. Especially that second verse is a majestic piece of writing." and I wholeheartedly agree. (See the above lyrics I posted.)
constantino was taken by surprise when listening to it. "Ooh, moody! Even though it’s certainly not their most interesting track melody-wise, the production is absolutely breathtaking.".
Meanwhile, TrueBeliever's feelings towards it differ, telling us it has "Strong vocals, but plodding verses, accentuated by a killer chorus. Song never really gets off its feet, but had great potential to be something quite extraordinary and memorable.".
It was a "Great discovery," for idratherjack, as he "really grew to love this.", while P'nutbutter states it "Could have been a single, that chorus is glorious." and ufint getting "early Kate Bush-vibes from this. That's definitely not a bad thing.". I guess Army Dreamers has a very similar feel to it, yes...
We'll end on SecretsOfFatima who gives us this...
"ABBA being 'woke' here."
Barbara Dickson covered the song for her 1985 Gold album.
Forgot that this was still here, but I agree that its time is up now.
I like this theory - the "You'd think that nothing in the world was wrong" line matches their public-face at the time, as I imagine everyone thought they'd split after both marriages crumbled.
I listened to it in bed this morning and it's a real musical feat, the verses could do with a tiny bit more lyrical precision though.
Kisses of fire, burning, burning
I'm at the point of no returning
Kisses of fire, sweet devotions
Caught in a land-slide of emotions
Kisses Of Fire is my favourite ABBA album track so naturally I wanted it to go a bit further, but I can't be mad when it got an 8.0 average.
I'm at the point of no returning
Kisses of fire, sweet devotions
Caught in a land-slide of emotions
Kisses Of Fire is my favourite ABBA album track so naturally I wanted it to go a bit further, but I can't be mad when it got an 8.0 average.
Soldiers is amazing, but #29 feels about right.
Also, slightly OT, "Everything Now", the Arcade Fire song, once again reminds me of the enduring legacy and Beatles-level influence of Dancing Queen.
Also, slightly OT, "Everything Now", the Arcade Fire song, once again reminds me of the enduring legacy and Beatles-level influence of Dancing Queen.
I was about to retrieve my knife sharpener when I scrolled down and saw "When All Is Said & Done" on that single sleeve...
I have to confess that out of the lot, "Soldiers" is close to the bottom end of my ranking of "The Visitors", but how do you rank an album of 10's anyways?
I have to confess that out of the lot, "Soldiers" is close to the bottom end of my ranking of "The Visitors", but how do you rank an album of 10's anyways?
Last edited:
Soldiers did good. But I won't miss it either, it feels it is right for it to go now.
D
Deleted member 312
Like this:
One of Us
When All Is Said And Done
Head Over Heels
The Visitors
Two For The Price Of One
I Let The Music Speak
Soldiers
Slipping Through My Fingers
Like An Angel Passing Through My Room
Last edited by a moderator:
D
Deleted member 312
You'll be loving My Secret Heart before you know it!