2021 - SOP - Why ABBA songs just hit different

The longevity of their songs is testament to that musical brilliance. So after breaking down the vocal contrast, musical maximalism, and studio wizardry used to concoct world-beating hits like “Super Trouper,” “Mamma Mia,” and “Dancing Queen,” Nate and Charlie turn their ears to the band’s latest singles, “Don’t Shut Me Down” and “I Still Have Faith in You,” to determine whether the newest releases represent a return to classic form or a departure into new sonic realms.

https://switchedonpop.com/episodes/why-abba-songs-just-hit-different

Artist: Bob Tozier
School: North Allegheny

Notes:

EPISODE 244

Swedish supergroup ABBA is releasing their first album in forty years, making this the perfect time for Nate and Charlie to investigate what makes their music so beloved and reviled in equal measure. For every ABBA stan, there’s a hater lurking, like legendary pop critic Robert Christgau, who once said of the group: “We have met the enemy, and they are them.” That suspicion was earned through ABBA’s musical catchiness and lyrical earnestness, but regardless of how you feel about their music, their compositional acumen cannot be denied.

https://switchedonpop.com/episodes/why-abba-songs-just-hit-different

Comments

Tejal Dahake from: North Allegheny - posted: November 15, 2021
I think it's interesting how they use a variety of instrumentation and use the soprano as an upper harmony, giving the alto the melody sometimes.

Zoe Sage Tracey from: North Allegheny - posted: November 16, 2021
They have suh a unique sound that is well thought out through which chords they use and the constant contrast they use in pretty much all of their songs. I think they did this on their new album to a certain extent but the classics can't be compted with.

Quinn Volpe from: North Allegheny - posted: November 16, 2021
I think their new songs are a return to their classic form. Not only do they use classic harmonization and other musical techniques from their well-known songs, but they are even trying to create music videos for the songs via technologically altering themselves to look younger in the music videos of the new songs.

Ben Swihart from: North Allegheny - posted: November 17, 2021
the actual producing of the songs sounds really modern and the writing of the songs keeps it simple yet complex and really catchy and I think thats why abba is timeless

Alli Kern from: North Allegheny - posted: November 17, 2021
Some ABBA songs feature the alto line as the main melody while the soprano is the background harmony, which is not a typical technique. Despite the varied approach, this style creates a radically different ambiance of music--the kind that ABBA is most famous for.

Sabrina Ferron from: North Allegheny - posted: November 17, 2021
ABBA's music has remained popular for so many years because of its intricate production technqiues. The doubling of vocals and instruments and musical maximalism makes each part seem full. The melodies are also very catchy and perfect to be played on the radio for listeners to catch themselves humming later in the day.

Charles Cubelic from: North Allegheny - posted: December 17, 2021
ABBA has that simple sound that just reminds you of your childhood. I think they did a really good job keeping their music style the same and how I could tell it was ABBA. The only thing that is new is how the music was produced but that comes with forty years of music technology.

Cassandra Pultorak from: North Allegheny - posted: January 3, 2022
The most useful fact I got from Listening to this podcast was learning that they were two couples who got divorced, yet they still make music today! I definitely loved this podcast as I listen to ABBA very often, I love their style and upbeat grooves.

Bri Cobbey from: North Allegheny - posted: January 13, 2022
ABBA's music will always be timeless because of the overall structures and tone of thier songs -- nostalgia.