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Posted on Nov 5, 2022

For Every ABBA Gold Song, I'll Give You An Underrated ABBA Gem

From unknown album tracks to forgotten singles!

Community Contributor

The strongest track from their early Voulez-Vous sessions, this was almost their lead single for the album until "Chiquitita" came along. — Polar Music / Via youtube.com

The strongest track from their early Voulez-Vous sessions, this was almost their lead single for the album until "Chiquitita" came along.

Polar Music / Via youtube.com

The strongest track from their early Voulez-Vous sessions, this was almost their lead single for the album until "Chiquitita" came along.

Another strong Frida breakup anthem that was heavily rewritten as a wedding song (?) for the Mamma Mia! movie, the original is definitely the superior version. — Polar Music / Via youtube.com

Another strong Frida breakup anthem that was heavily rewritten as a wedding song (?) for the Mamma Mia! movie, the original is definitely the superior version.

Polar Music / Via youtube.com

Another strong Frida breakup anthem that was heavily rewritten as a wedding song (?) for the Mamma Mia! movie, the original is definitely the superior version.

Yes, it is a crime that we don't have a music video for this yet. — Polar Music / Via youtube.com

Yes, it is a crime that we don't have a music video for this yet.

Polar Music / Via youtube.com

Yes, it is a crime that we don't have a music video for this yet.

This song was inexplicably passed up for 1) a single for the Voulez-Vous album and 2) inclusion in Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again. Which is a shame because it's classic ABBA, especially from 2:30 to the end: the instrumental bridge, Agnetha's vocal, the chorus + key change...this better be in the inevitable Mamma Mia 3. — Polar Music / Via youtube.com

This song was inexplicably passed up for 1) a single for the Voulez-Vous album and 2) inclusion in Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again. Which is a shame because it's classic ABBA, especially from 2:30 to the end: the instrumental bridge, Agnetha's vocal, the chorus + key change...this better be in the inevitable Mamma Mia 3.

Polar Music / Via youtube.com

This song was inexplicably passed up for 1) a single for the Voulez-Vous album and 2) inclusion in Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again. Which is a shame because it's classic ABBA, especially from 2:30 to the end: the instrumental bridge, Agnetha's vocal, the chorus + key change...this better be in the inevitable Mamma Mia 3.

Both of these songs heavily use a synthesizer, giving ABBA a more electronic sound than the earlier "Dancing Queen" or "Waterloo." This energetic synth-pop track comes from the unfinished 1982 album sessions, and was only released in 1993. — Polar Music / Via youtube.com

Both of these songs heavily use a synthesizer, giving ABBA a more electronic sound than the earlier "Dancing Queen" or "Waterloo." This energetic synth-pop track comes from the unfinished 1982 album sessions, and was only released in 1993.

Polar Music / Via youtube.com

Both of these songs heavily use a synthesizer, giving ABBA a more electronic sound than the earlier "Dancing Queen" or "Waterloo." This energetic synth-pop track comes from the unfinished 1982 album sessions, and was only released in 1993.

A similar power ballad, only recorded live during the concert tour. I've only just discovered this one, but the fact that Agnetha wrote this with Bjorn soon after their divorce (and performed it night after night) is impactful. I also like that "Super Trouper", which is based on their experiences during the concert tour, features a nice little nod to it in the "I'm still alive" lyric in the bridge. — Polar Music / Via youtube.com

A similar power ballad, only recorded live during the concert tour. I've only just discovered this one, but the fact that Agnetha wrote this with Bjorn soon after their divorce (and performed it night after night) is impactful. I also like that "Super Trouper", which is based on their experiences during the concert tour, features a nice little nod to it in the "I'm still alive" lyric in the bridge.

Polar Music / Via youtube.com

A similar power ballad, only recorded live during the concert tour. I've only just discovered this one, but the fact that Agnetha wrote this with Bjorn soon after their divorce (and performed it night after night) is impactful. I also like that "Super Trouper", which is based on their experiences during the concert tour, features a nice little nod to it in the "I'm still alive" lyric in the bridge.

Fun fact: at the end of my college orientation, they had a "farewell ceremony" where everyone lit candles with their parents and the a capella group sang I Have a Dream. Unfortunately, I had to move in on my own so it was just me standing there with an unlit candle until some junior orientation leader saw me, lit my candle and promised to look out for me. I have not seen that girl since. — Polar Music / Via youtube.com

Fun fact: at the end of my college orientation, they had a "farewell ceremony" where everyone lit candles with their parents and the a capella group sang I Have a Dream. Unfortunately, I had to move in on my own so it was just me standing there with an unlit candle until some junior orientation leader saw me, lit my candle and promised to look out for me. I have not seen that girl since.

Polar Music / Via youtube.com

Fun fact: at the end of my college orientation, they had a "farewell ceremony" where everyone lit candles with their parents and the a capella group sang I Have a Dream. Unfortunately, I had to move in on my own so it was just me standing there with an unlit candle until some junior orientation leader saw me, lit my candle and promised to look out for me. I have not seen that girl since.

Until Voyage, this was the last ABBA song ever recorded. It's a beautiful goodbye to 1980s ABBA, and a hint at the more introspective synth-pop we could have had... — Polar Music / Via youtube.com

Until Voyage, this was the last ABBA song ever recorded. It's a beautiful goodbye to 1980s ABBA, and a hint at the more introspective synth-pop we could have had...

Polar Music / Via youtube.com

Until Voyage, this was the last ABBA song ever recorded. It's a beautiful goodbye to 1980s ABBA, and a hint at the more introspective synth-pop we could have had...

Both of these songs are great examples of ABBA embracing camp to the nth degree. The lyrics of "On and On and On" are catchy and playful - especially when they make fun of the man trying to hit on them at 2:02. — Polar Music / Via youtube.com

Both of these songs are great examples of ABBA embracing camp to the nth degree. The lyrics of "On and On and On" are catchy and playful - especially when they make fun of the man trying to hit on them at 2:02.

Polar Music / Via youtube.com

Both of these songs are great examples of ABBA embracing camp to the nth degree. The lyrics of "On and On and On" are catchy and playful - especially when they make fun of the man trying to hit on them at 2:02.

An energetic Agnetha solo from Voulez-Vous that could have been an easy hit single, it has a brief moment as a joke performance in Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again but still hasn't received the attention it deserves. — Polar Music / Via youtube.com

An energetic Agnetha solo from Voulez-Vous that could have been an easy hit single, it has a brief moment as a joke performance in Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again but still hasn't received the attention it deserves.

Polar Music / Via youtube.com

An energetic Agnetha solo from Voulez-Vous that could have been an easy hit single, it has a brief moment as a joke performance in Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again but still hasn't received the attention it deserves.

Big sad vibes. But also upbeat and about moving on. But still sad. — Polar Music / Via youtube.com

Big sad vibes. But also upbeat and about moving on. But still sad.

Polar Music / Via youtube.com

Big sad vibes. But also upbeat and about moving on. But still sad.

Another single from the unfinished 1982 album sessions, this is the most "classic ABBA" song from that time, feat. Frida's iconic purple hair dye. — Polar Music / Via youtube.com

Another single from the unfinished 1982 album sessions, this is the most "classic ABBA" song from that time, feat. Frida's iconic purple hair dye.

Polar Music / Via youtube.com

Another single from the unfinished 1982 album sessions, this is the most "classic ABBA" song from that time, feat. Frida's iconic purple hair dye.

The title track of ABBA's darkest album starts with a haunting electronic melody and slowly morphs into a post-disco dance track (skip to 2:10 if you're impatient). Bonus points for the political imagery of secret meetings and the unfriendly "visitors." — Polar Music / Via youtube.com

The title track of ABBA's darkest album starts with a haunting electronic melody and slowly morphs into a post-disco dance track (skip to 2:10 if you're impatient). Bonus points for the political imagery of secret meetings and the unfriendly "visitors."

Polar Music / Via youtube.com

The title track of ABBA's darkest album starts with a haunting electronic melody and slowly morphs into a post-disco dance track (skip to 2:10 if you're impatient). Bonus points for the political imagery of secret meetings and the unfriendly "visitors."

Released early from the Voulez-Vous sessions but not making the album (?), this catchy disco song could have been an easy choice for any of the Mamma Mia! movies. Listen to the fadeout at 3:23 and you can hear ABBA slipping some profanity (!!) past the sensors at the very last second. — Polar Music / Via youtube.com

Released early from the Voulez-Vous sessions but not making the album (?), this catchy disco song could have been an easy choice for any of the Mamma Mia! movies. Listen to the fadeout at 3:23 and you can hear ABBA slipping some profanity (!!) past the sensors at the very last second.

Polar Music / Via youtube.com

Released early from the Voulez-Vous sessions but not making the album (?), this catchy disco song could have been an easy choice for any of the Mamma Mia! movies. Listen to the fadeout at 3:23 and you can hear ABBA slipping some profanity (!!) past the sensors at the very last second.

Show this clip to anyone who says ABBA were just a studio band. Then go look up the rest of the song because it also slaps, but that part gives me chills. every. time. — Polar Music / Via youtube.com

Show this clip to anyone who says ABBA were just a studio band. Then go look up the rest of the song because it also slaps, but that part gives me chills. every. time.

Polar Music / Via youtube.com

Show this clip to anyone who says ABBA were just a studio band. Then go look up the rest of the song because it also slaps, but that part gives me chills. every. time.

The closing track from The Visitors, this haunting vocal from Frida could have been an appropriate Donna/Sophie duet in Mamma Mia: Here We Go Again. — Polar Music / Via youtube.com

The closing track from The Visitors, this haunting vocal from Frida could have been an appropriate Donna/Sophie duet in Mamma Mia: Here We Go Again.

Polar Music / Via youtube.com

The closing track from The Visitors, this haunting vocal from Frida could have been an appropriate Donna/Sophie duet in Mamma Mia: Here We Go Again.

This psychedelic track is the closest ABBA got to art rock in the 70s, and the video is pretty trippy too. (There's a longer version with an extended guitar solo on the album.) Song starts at 0:28. — Polar Music / Via youtube.com

This psychedelic track is the closest ABBA got to art rock in the 70s, and the video is pretty trippy too. (There's a longer version with an extended guitar solo on the album.) Song starts at 0:28.

Polar Music / Via youtube.com

This psychedelic track is the closest ABBA got to art rock in the 70s, and the video is pretty trippy too. (There's a longer version with an extended guitar solo on the album.) Song starts at 0:28.

A poignant addition to the Voyage album, I personally think this should have been the closing track instead of the opening. It has a nice final feeling to it, from the vulnerability of the vocals at the beginning to the triumphant burst of the chorus. — Polar Music / Via youtube.com

A poignant addition to the Voyage album, I personally think this should have been the closing track instead of the opening. It has a nice final feeling to it, from the vulnerability of the vocals at the beginning to the triumphant burst of the chorus.

Polar Music / Via youtube.com

A poignant addition to the Voyage album, I personally think this should have been the closing track instead of the opening. It has a nice final feeling to it, from the vulnerability of the vocals at the beginning to the triumphant burst of the chorus.

After Eurovision, ABBA actually struggled for a few years to prove they weren't just a one-hit wonder. This forgotten single would fit in easily alongside "Waterloo" and other upbeat ABBA songs. — Polar Music / Via youtube.com

After Eurovision, ABBA actually struggled for a few years to prove they weren't just a one-hit wonder. This forgotten single would fit in easily alongside "Waterloo" and other upbeat ABBA songs.

Polar Music / Via youtube.com

After Eurovision, ABBA actually struggled for a few years to prove they weren't just a one-hit wonder. This forgotten single would fit in easily alongside "Waterloo" and other upbeat ABBA songs.

"One Little Lie" — Polar Music / Via youtube.com

"One Little Lie"

Polar Music / Via youtube.com

"One Little Lie"

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