It dos the same kind of life celebration thing as several past ones. Thankfully not as sentimental as 'Thank You For The Music', but not akin to the mastery of 'I Let The Music Speak', not the melodious mix of sad reflection and future positivity of 'Happy New Year', but it's quite akin to 'The Way Old Friends Do'. Let's be honest, nothing was going to match those sadly abandoned and ignored 1982 stonkers, nor the ABBA material that makes up the majority of the 2 Gemini titled albums from the 80s, and while disappointing initially after such wonderful expectations naturally, it naturally works. A critic has said that, as good as "Voyager" is, it's more silver than gold, and even added that "there's the sense that this rather fine song still wouldn't have passed the litmus test in the older days". A fair point. Overall, the album is not quite the 5 star piece that many of their albums are, but it does compare favourably to their 3rd album, and a sum up of their 1970s non-album output, beginning with 'Merry-Go-Round' and ending with 'Gimme! Gimme! Gimme!'. It doesn't sound old overall, but perhaps traditional, and while their refusal to adapt to current sounds (whatever they are, they're all based badly on the past, specifically the 80s anyway), there is a rather old-fashioned sheen to some of the material. But it's an ABBA album, and is such, it's necessary for everyone. You don't own and cherish something just becomes it hits a 5star mark, but at the same time, rose-tinted specs should not pretend this album is the amazing piece the finished 1982 one would be. And I still urge everyone to check out and love the 2 Gemini albums, but replacing horrible track 9 on the 2nd one with a better CHESS song. And don't forget the 2 B-sides, one of which was supposed to end the 1st Gemini titled album, but in typical B&B style was judged "too similar to the one in front", which of course B&B get completely wrong as per usual. Tis a wonder they record and release anything at all with this attitude. Most people's whole careers are made of things all sounding the same and are feted for it. Which is why we have the world we've had "musically" from 1990 onwards!
I liked it that they released two new different songs same time.A ballad and an uptempo("Don't shut me down' top 10 in UK too).You can't imagine the emotional impact that millions of fans had experienced on the 2nd of September 2021.Plenty of posted videos showed fans bursting into tears.We expected them since 2018 that had been anounced but they also came back with a whole album and a mindblowing concert experience. i will lent Agnetha's Faltskog words while being interviewed in the VOYAGE premier on 26th of May 2022 in London. "ABBA has never left us...in my heart...in our hearts'...They definately never did,neither did we.
Thank you very much for the opportunity, through your eyes and ears, to re-live the moment a couple of years ago, when this song and video suddenly appeared, where the group, whose ending was so sad (broken hearts, divorces, gloomy songs etc.), expressed a never-ending mutual affection and friendship. It was all about coming to terms with each other, love, loss and life. As a lifelong fan, who was a child, when they ruled the world, this was so emotional, and your reaction really resonated with that - wonderful!
This and Don't Shut Me Down. So brilliant. I'm also quite a big fan of Ode to Freedom, Keep an Eye on Dan, and No Doubt About It. As for Frida's voice...it's aged, no doubt, but it still has a lot of power to it. Her voice pops the most in this album for me.
I guess many of us older Abba fans , loved deeply the songs on the VOYAGE album.It became part of a bond that connected present time with our childhood.
@@nielsulriksrensen9818 So many people called her an alto back in the ABBA days. She was actually a mezzo who could reach soprano notes in head voice. She may be more of a "true" mezzo now. Those lows are deep and soothing and divine. Amazing!
This may not be an instantly catchy song for some people same way its groovy dualed co-released 'Don't shut me down'.So the first time listening to it may also not do that much justice to its greatness. But once it grows on you it doesn't let you down.Its quality makes it ageing like good wine.I still put the Voyage CD and this one is the opener.After more than a year of release it sounds even more ... 'mellow beautiful'.
I take your point but this song got to me first time I heard it. I didn't want Abba to release new stuff because of their spectacular legacy, I couldn't see any good coming from it. Then I heard this and straight away felt emotional and reassured. I adore this song.
As a fan for over 48 years it has been an incredible journey. I never got to see them perform or ever have the opportunity to but am incredibly greatful to have enjoyed everything they have always stood for. They are so humble and amazingly talented. Watching this always brings a tear or two. As a diehard fan, I like many never ever thought we would get to hear new music after so long and they didnt disappoint.
Again I didn't make it to hear this song without a tear in my eyes. 🥲 As you mentioned ABBA Gold: You have now done almost all songs of that Best Of-Album except "Super Trouper" and "I Have A Dream" but I hope that you will also react to their lesser known songs (not lesser known for us longtime ABBA fans but for newer fans) like "Our Last Summer", "Slipping Through My Fingers", "Eagle", "If It Wasn't For The Nights", "Andante Andante", "I've Been Waiting For You", "Move On" and so much more.
ABBA's second coming with VOYAGE was like fresh lifeline oxygene for Abba fans right after the covid pandemic and after 4 decades of Abba's hiatus.It blasted to n01 in 18 countries (including Europes ttwo biggest markets UK/Germany) and even n02 in USA ,ending 3rd best seller of 2021 in UK with only Ed Sheeran and Adele above and N01 album of the year in Germany outselling every other act there.Not to mention it getting in the top 10 best seller albums worldwide for '21(No2 sales list/No8 all formats list).Unbelievable for a band at such an age that had left the music scene and the recording studios for such long time.As is the Voyage show in London."you gotta see this to believe it'....
For many of us, this is not just a simple song. Abba has been a life experience and their music is the soundtrack of many moments in our lives. So this is a reminder of all those experiences and it's delivered in a way that goes straight to our hearts and memories. ABBA means a lot to many of us and this song is just a compilation of how they made us feel and the effect their music still has on all of us. Thank you for the music ABBA. Great review and reaction, Luke. Never stop that woo, it's your trademark.
Journalist "what do people say to you when they meet you out in the streets?' "oh they mainly say "Thank you,...for the music'Bjorn Ulveaus in a recent interview.I'ld say a big "Thank you' for everything,indeed.
Best track on the album by a mile for me.Yes Don't Shut Me Down is great and classic Abba pop but this song is an emotional rollercoaster and towers above the rest of the album for me.That said,I love every single track on Voyage.
Wow! I`m a big ABBA fan since when I was a little boy 50 years ago... and this song`s become one of my favorite. Simply perfect!! Thanks for the reaction! Greetings from Brazil!
The journey starts and takes us to 1979, the year of the ABBATARS. This is a song about them, for us and them. Frida's lead is powerful and the 3rd voice harmony still exists. Just love them.
oh believe me those of us that that were with ABBA from the start are not ashamed to say we cried when these songs dropped. I saw them live in Nov 1979 and I'm due to see the ABBATAR show this month. I'll probably cry again
I must admit this brought a tear to my eye when I first heard it. funny enough the much more upbeat, "don't shut me down" had me blubbering the first half a dozen reactions I watched to it. It just felt more nostalgic somehow.
hello again, I am very happy that you have finally reached this historic moment The great world news of this 21st century for the world of music is the return of the legendary Swedish group ABBA to the recording studios in 2017 after more than 35 years (the last song recorded was "The day before you came" in 1982) and the release of their new songs after 39 years (the last single released was "Under attack" in 1982) and a new full studio album after 40 years (the last was "The Visitors" in 1981) Beyond the fact that these three data are for the Guinness book of records (I think that no group or singer or artist can come close to these incredible and surprising brands), the most remarkable thing is how they came back, with what level of quality. And I must say that ABBA overcame all fears, doubts and expectations. Their return is impressive and their quality is still valid, amazing! We know the great spirit of perfection that Björn & Benny imprint on their creations, and their first two releases are on a par with their greatest hits of the 80s. But the biggest unknown was to know the state of the voices of Agnetha & Frida and how they could react to the inevitable passing of the decades and their possible comparisons with previous classics And I must say they both look great. And in this look there is an extraordinary job of care by Björn & Benny to "pamper" their historical singers, and ex-partners. They were gifted with two wonderful songs, with beautiful melodies and deep lyrics, but they were also surrounded by the iconic hooks and the call for emotional nostalgia. "I still have faith in you" is a song unreleased at its conception in the history of ABBA because it is self-referential about them as a group; and it is also testimonial, because they tell us their experiences in all this time Musically is a ballad with mystique and epic A majestic piano and the soft voice of Frida lead and recreate the story of ABBA with a moving beauty, with Agnetha joining in on some verses to emphasize The sound of the drums (a nod to the megahit "Fernando") preparing the change of rhythm And with a powerful guitar comes that first unpublished chorus, because this time all ABBA sings from the depths of its history and with the strength of its testimony of life, healing and union And in the second part the second chorus is even stronger, it is very clear that ABBA sings with the passion and courage that Björn's excellent lyrics highlight, it is like a triumphal song of their survival and their bond. And it ends with a solo by Frida, impeccable, with the sound of the flutes at the end The official video is also unprecedented in the history of ABBA For the first time, it shows them in the past and retrospective The entire first part (in black and white) is from their youth and beginnings, up to the Eurovision 1974 pictures Then comes (in colours) the memorable tour to Australia 1977, with images of the incredible 'ABBAmania' and for the change of rhythm and the first chorus comes a succession of all the official ABBA videos up to and including 1979 Then comes the new melodic bridge and the image from the beginning is resumed: ABBA prepared to go out to their last concerts in London 1979 and that second chorus is interpreted by them as their 'ABBAtars' And here is a symbology: that scene is like the transition: ABBA is no longer the ones we remember, now we will see them in their ABBAtars recreating their 70s image And that's how they look now at the Voyage Concerts which opened at the new ABBA Arena in London since May 2022 This official video was released worldwide in a Live Stream transmission that showed ABBA fan meetings simultaneously in various cities around the world: Stockholm, London, Vienna, Berlin, Rejkiavik, New York, São Paulo, etc. the BBC in London interrupted its usual programming to join the launch of this video at exactly 5:00 p.m. on September 2 (2021) And for the second song "Don't shut me down" the lights were turned on with the new images of ABBA Voyage on the main bridge of Sydney at night in Australia while the images showed many mature ABBA fans crying with emotion to listen again new ABBA songs after almost 40 years (as I cried from a distance following the live broadcast on TH-cam) Thank you for your great reaction, with all due respect to all of ABBA's music and history. See you in the next ABBA video and I hope it was the another comeback song:. "Don't shut me down" (masterpiece!) My best regards from Buenos Aires, Argentina 🇦🇷 South America.
Amazing review Luke. And yes, after 40 years, ABBA still knows how to make good music! What a triumphant return with I Still, their most personal song of the entire career. And now you should urgently try out Don't Shut Me Down, with lead vocals by Agnetha. Spoiler: one of the group's best songs EVER. 💚
One of the lyrics in his song that sums them up perfectly. " We stand at the summit humble and grateful to have survived". It's that endearing attitude that rings true for a lot of fans. Keep the reacts coming Luke.
A great come back from ABBA 40 years since the last album The Visitors, love this song but for me Don’t Shut Me Down is the best track from Voyage and that is going some as Voyage has so many excellent tracks. I have been to the Voyage concert twice now and it is an amazing experience, seeing the wide range of ages of the people who go, and everyone has an amazing time
Thanks for the reaction. Everrything about this song is magic. But thats what happens when those four get together. And now all is good in ABBALAND again.
You are brilliant and so ahead of your time! This one gets me! How HUGE they were and always will be! I agree, they were so talented but so real. Do you know Frida holds the title of Princess? Google Princess Frida!
Benny & Bjorn were writing music all through those 40 years. Looks up the Benny Anderson Orchestra on youtube, lots of great music. That and their musical CHESS.
For me, it was a sublime feeling when they released an album after 40 years. I had long lost hope that they would ever reunite again. In addition, I have been to their concert 2 times at the ABBA Arena. The first time I don't remember. I was in shock and flooded with tears. I thought I would be tougher the second time.... :) Record, please, your reaction to "Don't Shut Me Down".
You need to have more subscribers, this is a millions of subscribers channel. You are such a personality, you need to go further. Also, needless to say I agree perfectly with what you said about this song.
You should secure the copyright for the word "ABBAness" before somone steals it from you to put it into some upcoming dictionary of modern pop music. By the way, I really appreciate your always original and deeply enlightening reactions, the tempo of your diction, the richness of your vocabulary.
I remember anxiously waiting to hear this song after they announced the release date. I was hoping it was going to be good. After hearing Frida sing the first couple of lines, I had tears in my eyes. It was like time had stopped for 40 years. Nothing had changed; the quality of the song, the harmonies. The only thing different was the pitch of the voices was slightly lower, but still as strong and identifiable as ever. I liked both songs a lot (and normally I am more of a fan of Agnetha), but this was my favorite of the two by a long ways. It was so incredible to have new music from ABBA (something most lifelong fans had always hoped for, but had pretty much written off), and it couldn't have come at a better time with the world in the middle of a pandemic.
Excellent, nostalgic song. It sums up everything about Abba - "humble and grateful to have survived". They even got the Stockholm Concert Orchestra to play on the recording. The end of the video is from the Voyage concert in London Beautiful song by Beautiful people. ❤️ Excellent review. Thank you
@Lisa M a little pedantic, but you are correct. The concert has a very similar visual and the Abbatars are the same ( but look better in the concert than in the video IMO).
Gold!! A couple of the songs are pure genius like Don't Shut Me Down and Keep An Eye On Dan. Several others are great like When you danced with me, Just a Notion, Little Things, I still have faith in you, and Ode to Freedom.
You haven't done 'Don't Shut Me Down' yet, have you? You must, you should! Because the immaculate ABBA-harmony is as it always was on that one even more! And because lyric-wise you'll be blown away, as it is also a personal song to every ABBA fan who has been loving them for all these years and to the new generation who may only know them from 'Dancing Queen', 'Mamma Mia', and so on. 'I'm not the one you knew, I'm now and then combined' for instance,, one line alone in there says so much! Keep up the good work, I love your reactions (and, dare I say, your looks as well😜) Greetz from the Netherlands, and me, Alexander
Every single phrase to this song became quickly some kind of a sacred symbol for many Abba fans.An instant 'communicating code' if you know what i mean.
Always make me emotional this video/song. The best songs in the new album imo is Don´t shut me down and I Can Be That Woman. Hopefully you can react to them also and thanks again for a great reaction.
02:00 Hm, I've never noticed that the Swedish flags are in colour before. We used to celebrate "the day of the Swedish flag" which somehow now is our national day on the 6th of June. A bit like the UK that also doesn't have a "natural" national day. Thanks for your reaction.
ABBA - 40 anos depois e não mudou nada. Que música encantadora! As meninas dando o máximo e os rapazes compondo músicas com letras incríveis, lindas, sem apelar e o mesmo tom. Essa é a música que mais ouço. Amo ABBA desde 2006 quando os descobri e os acompanho até hoje. A volta deles me emocionou. Parabéns pelo vídeo.
Hi Luke! I'm enjoying your videos. I have to say this song had me in tears from the first time I heard it. It still does if I've been hitting the chardonnay. If you've watched other reaction videos, I'm sure you may have trouble understanding the reaction of us 50+ fans. It's not just because it's a beautiful song (though it is), but for us who have memories from the 70s, 80s and onward, the reappearance of ABBA and their new music is nothing short of magical. It reminds us of all that happened between '81 and 2021. Reagan, terrorism, wars, 9/11, AIDS...we went through a lot of shit. And a lot of our friends didn't make it. There has been a lot of discussion about who the "you" in the song refers to. The group? The music? The fans? All of those are true, but for me, it means myself. Watching all the background videos, especially the videos of the recording sessions was empowering (I hate that word, but it's the only one that fits). They are older of course, but have also put on some weight, have gray hair (when they still have any), are all wearing glasses, have wrinkles on their faces, double chins and age spots on their hands. In other words, they look like me. And if they can go back into the studio and record an entire new album, create their ABBAtars, and start concertizing again, then maybe this 66 year old can still accomplish something if I only have faith in myself. After all, we have a story and it's survived.
Unfortunately, I didn't love it, and I really wanted to. Pleasant song, but just didn't give me the goosebumps. Still love them and will be listening to them when I'm their age!
One of Abba's best ever songs. Worth the 40 year wait.
I really thought it was a disappointment at first. But it grew on me and now I love it
I agree i❤ it
It dos the same kind of life celebration thing as several past ones. Thankfully not as sentimental as 'Thank You For The Music', but not akin to the mastery of 'I Let The Music Speak', not the melodious mix of sad reflection and future positivity of 'Happy New Year', but it's quite akin to 'The Way Old Friends Do'. Let's be honest, nothing was going to match those sadly abandoned and ignored 1982 stonkers, nor the ABBA material that makes up the majority of the 2 Gemini titled albums from the 80s, and while disappointing initially after such wonderful expectations naturally, it naturally works. A critic has said that, as good as "Voyager" is, it's more silver than gold, and even added that "there's the sense that this rather fine song still wouldn't have passed the litmus test in the older days". A fair point.
Overall, the album is not quite the 5 star piece that many of their albums are, but it does compare favourably to their 3rd album, and a sum up of their 1970s non-album output, beginning with 'Merry-Go-Round' and ending with 'Gimme! Gimme! Gimme!'. It doesn't sound old overall, but perhaps traditional, and while their refusal to adapt to current sounds (whatever they are, they're all based badly on the past, specifically the 80s anyway), there is a rather old-fashioned sheen to some of the material. But it's an ABBA album, and is such, it's necessary for everyone. You don't own and cherish something just becomes it hits a 5star mark, but at the same time, rose-tinted specs should not pretend this album is the amazing piece the finished 1982 one would be. And I still urge everyone to check out and love the 2 Gemini albums, but replacing horrible track 9 on the 2nd one with a better CHESS song. And don't forget the 2 B-sides, one of which was supposed to end the 1st Gemini titled album, but in typical B&B style was judged "too similar to the one in front", which of course B&B get completely wrong as per usual. Tis a wonder they record and release anything at all with this attitude. Most people's whole careers are made of things all sounding the same and are feted for it. Which is why we have the world we've had "musically" from 1990 onwards!
I liked it that they released two new different songs same time.A ballad and an uptempo("Don't shut me down' top 10 in UK too).You can't imagine the emotional impact that millions of fans had experienced on the 2nd of September 2021.Plenty of posted videos showed fans bursting into tears.We expected them since 2018 that had been anounced but they also came back with a whole album and a mindblowing concert experience.
i will lent Agnetha's Faltskog words while being interviewed in the VOYAGE premier on 26th of May 2022 in London.
"ABBA has never left us...in my heart...in our hearts'...They definately never did,neither did we.
Incredibly uplifting music. Only ABBA can do this so well.
My favourite ABBA song. Frida's vocal is 👌
One of the best groups ever ❤️
They never had egos, also they never bad mouthed other artist's .
Thank you very much for the opportunity, through your eyes and ears, to re-live the moment a couple of years ago, when this song and video suddenly appeared, where the group, whose ending was so sad (broken hearts, divorces, gloomy songs etc.), expressed a never-ending mutual affection and friendship. It was all about coming to terms with each other, love, loss and life. As a lifelong fan, who was a child, when they ruled the world, this was so emotional, and your reaction really resonated with that - wonderful!
This and Don't Shut Me Down. So brilliant. I'm also quite a big fan of Ode to Freedom, Keep an Eye on Dan, and No Doubt About It. As for Frida's voice...it's aged, no doubt, but it still has a lot of power to it. Her voice pops the most in this album for me.
The depth of Frida's voice these days is incredible. She could always go low, but this is lower than ever, and it's wonderful.
I guess many of us older Abba fans , loved deeply the songs on the VOYAGE album.It became part of a bond that connected present time with our childhood.
@@nielsulriksrensen9818 So many people called her an alto back in the ABBA days. She was actually a mezzo who could reach soprano notes in head voice. She may be more of a "true" mezzo now. Those lows are deep and soothing and divine. Amazing!
@@TheFridaFan Yes, she always had an incredible range, but the whole spectrum is lower now, and still great!
@@nielsulriksrensen9818 I couldn't agree more. Her voice is superb 😍😍❤️
In case you haven't seen ABBA VOYAGE - GO NOW! It's such a wonderful experience! ❤️
This may not be an instantly catchy song for some people same way its groovy dualed co-released 'Don't shut me down'.So the first time listening to it may also not do that much justice to its greatness.
But once it grows on you it doesn't let you down.Its quality makes it ageing like good wine.I still put the Voyage CD and this one is the opener.After more than a year of release it sounds even more ... 'mellow beautiful'.
Btw just take a listen of some more of its hidden beauty on its early orchestral part.Marvelous!
th-cam.com/video/MGJQWuc6tOM/w-d-xo.html
I take your point but this song got to me first time I heard it. I didn't want Abba to release new stuff because of their spectacular legacy, I couldn't see any good coming from it. Then I heard this and straight away felt emotional and reassured. I adore this song.
As a fan for over 48 years it has been an incredible journey. I never got to see them perform or ever have the opportunity to but am incredibly greatful to have enjoyed everything they have always stood for. They are so humble and amazingly talented. Watching this always brings a tear or two. As a diehard fan, I like many never ever thought we would get to hear new music after so long and they didnt disappoint.
One of my favorites from the album along with 'Don't shut me down', 'I can be that woman', 'No doubt about it'
Again I didn't make it to hear this song without a tear in my eyes. 🥲 As you mentioned ABBA Gold: You have now done almost all songs of that Best Of-Album except "Super Trouper" and "I Have A Dream" but I hope that you will also react to their lesser known songs (not lesser known for us longtime ABBA fans but for newer fans) like "Our Last Summer", "Slipping Through My Fingers", "Eagle", "If It Wasn't For The Nights", "Andante Andante", "I've Been Waiting For You", "Move On" and so much more.
ABBA's second coming with VOYAGE was like fresh lifeline oxygene for Abba fans right after the covid pandemic and after 4 decades of Abba's hiatus.It blasted to n01 in 18 countries (including Europes ttwo biggest markets UK/Germany) and even n02 in USA ,ending 3rd best seller of 2021 in UK with only Ed Sheeran and Adele above and N01 album of the year in Germany outselling every other act there.Not to mention it getting in the top 10 best seller albums worldwide for '21(No2 sales list/No8 all formats list).Unbelievable for a band at such an age that had left the music scene and the recording studios for such long time.As is the Voyage show in London."you gotta see this to believe it'....
For many of us, this is not just a simple song. Abba has been a life experience and their music is the soundtrack of many moments in our lives. So this is a reminder of all those experiences and it's delivered in a way that goes straight to our hearts and memories. ABBA means a lot to many of us and this song is just a compilation of how they made us feel and the effect their music still has on all of us. Thank you for the music ABBA. Great review and reaction, Luke. Never stop that woo, it's your trademark.
Journalist "what do people say to you when they meet you out in the streets?'
"oh they mainly say "Thank you,...for the music'Bjorn Ulveaus in a recent interview.I'ld say a big "Thank you' for everything,indeed.
Best track on the album by a mile for me.Yes Don't Shut Me Down is great and classic Abba pop but this song is an emotional rollercoaster and towers above the rest of the album for me.That said,I love every single track on Voyage.
Wow! I`m a big ABBA fan since when I was a little boy 50 years ago... and this song`s become one of my favorite. Simply perfect!! Thanks for the reaction! Greetings from Brazil!
I feel so lucky that I have had Abba in my life since 8 years old. They were with me when I had very problem.
Still brings a tear or two...
The journey starts and takes us to 1979, the year of the ABBATARS. This is a song about them, for us and them. Frida's lead is powerful and the 3rd voice harmony still exists. Just love them.
Definitely do 'Don't Shut Me Down' with Agnetha on lead vocals!
oh believe me those of us that that were with ABBA from the start are not ashamed to say we cried when these songs dropped. I saw them live in Nov 1979 and I'm due to see the ABBATAR show this month. I'll probably cry again
A brillant song by ABBA❤
Thanks for your great react on Abba and Frida's accent..I love her Voice! Her voice and vibrato is Still there..wow!!❤️🔥🔥🔥🔥❤️👑
Makes me cry listening to this and watching the film clip of all the old videos. They may be alot older but they can still sing 💖
Would love to hear your take on ABBA Voyage in London if you go
A very insightful, intelligent and respectful reaction - as always from HBK Luke. Thank you
Beautiful.
Do yourself a favour and go and see ABBA Voyage in London!
Those Abba-tars look so realistic!
I must admit this brought a tear to my eye when I first heard it.
funny enough the much more upbeat, "don't shut me down" had me blubbering the first half a dozen reactions I watched to it.
It just felt more nostalgic somehow.
hello again,
I am very happy that you have finally reached this historic moment
The great world news of this 21st century for the world of music is the return of the legendary Swedish group ABBA to the recording studios in 2017 after more than 35 years (the last song recorded was "The day before you came" in 1982) and the release of their new songs after 39 years (the last single released was "Under attack" in 1982) and a new full studio album after 40 years (the last was "The Visitors" in 1981)
Beyond the fact that these three data are for the Guinness book of records (I think that no group or singer or artist can come close to these incredible and surprising brands), the most remarkable thing is how they came back, with what level of quality.
And I must say that ABBA overcame all fears, doubts and expectations.
Their return is impressive and their quality is still valid, amazing!
We know the great spirit of perfection that Björn & Benny imprint on their creations, and their first two releases are on a par with their greatest hits of the 80s.
But the biggest unknown was to know the state of the voices of Agnetha & Frida and how they could react to the inevitable passing of the decades and their possible comparisons with previous classics And I must say they both look great.
And in this look there is an extraordinary job of care by Björn & Benny to "pamper" their historical singers, and ex-partners. They were gifted with two wonderful songs, with beautiful melodies and deep lyrics, but they were also surrounded by the iconic hooks and the call for emotional nostalgia.
"I still have faith in you" is a song unreleased at its conception in the history of ABBA
because it is self-referential about them as a group; and it is also testimonial, because they tell us their experiences in all this time
Musically is a ballad with mystique and epic
A majestic piano and the soft voice of Frida lead and recreate the story of ABBA with a moving beauty, with Agnetha joining in on some verses to emphasize
The sound of the drums (a nod to the megahit "Fernando") preparing the change of rhythm
And with a powerful guitar comes that first unpublished chorus, because this time all ABBA sings from the depths of its history and with the strength of its testimony of life, healing and union
And in the second part the second chorus is even stronger, it is very clear that ABBA sings with the passion and courage that Björn's excellent lyrics highlight, it is like a triumphal song of their survival and their bond.
And it ends with a solo by Frida, impeccable, with the sound of the flutes at the end
The official video is also unprecedented in the history of ABBA
For the first time, it shows them in the past and retrospective The entire first part (in black and white) is from their youth and beginnings, up to the Eurovision 1974 pictures
Then comes (in colours) the memorable tour to Australia 1977, with images of the incredible 'ABBAmania'
and for the change of rhythm and the first chorus comes a succession of all the official ABBA videos up to and including 1979
Then comes the new melodic bridge and the image from the beginning is resumed:
ABBA prepared to go out to their last concerts in London 1979
and that second chorus is interpreted by them as their 'ABBAtars'
And here is a symbology:
that scene is like the transition: ABBA is no longer the ones we remember, now we will see them in their ABBAtars recreating their 70s image
And that's how they look now at the Voyage Concerts which opened at the new ABBA Arena in London since May 2022
This official video was released worldwide in a Live Stream transmission that showed ABBA fan meetings simultaneously in various cities around the world: Stockholm, London, Vienna, Berlin, Rejkiavik, New York, São Paulo, etc.
the BBC in London interrupted its usual programming to join the launch of this video at exactly 5:00 p.m. on September 2 (2021)
And for the second song
"Don't shut me down" the lights were turned on with the new images of ABBA Voyage on the main bridge of Sydney at night in Australia
while the images showed many mature ABBA fans crying with emotion to listen again new ABBA songs after almost 40 years
(as I cried from a distance following the live broadcast on TH-cam)
Thank you for your great reaction, with all due respect to all of ABBA's music and history.
See you in the next ABBA video
and I hope it was the another comeback song:. "Don't shut me down" (masterpiece!)
My best regards from
Buenos Aires, Argentina 🇦🇷
South America.
Amazing review Luke. And yes, after 40 years, ABBA still knows how to make good music! What a triumphant return with I Still, their most personal song of the entire career. And now you should urgently try out Don't Shut Me Down, with lead vocals by Agnetha. Spoiler: one of the group's best songs EVER. 💚
One of the lyrics in his song that sums them up perfectly. " We stand at the summit humble and grateful to have survived". It's that endearing attitude that rings true for a lot of fans. Keep the reacts coming Luke.
A great come back from ABBA 40 years since the last album The Visitors, love this song but for me Don’t Shut Me Down is the best track from Voyage and that is going some as Voyage has so many excellent tracks. I have been to the Voyage concert twice now and it is an amazing experience, seeing the wide range of ages of the people who go, and everyone has an amazing time
Thanks for the reaction. Everrything about this song is magic. But thats what happens when those four get together. And now all is good in ABBALAND again.
Honestly i didnt think i would like it, but then... i burst into tears 😢 I love it!!!
You are brilliant and so ahead of your time! This one gets me! How HUGE they were and always will be! I agree, they were so talented but so real. Do you know Frida holds the title of Princess? Google Princess Frida!
This song & their other release 'Don't Shut Me Down ' are metaphors for the Abba 'Avatars' asking their fans to accept them in their new form.
Benny & Bjorn were writing music all through those 40 years. Looks up the Benny Anderson Orchestra on youtube, lots of great music. That and their musical CHESS.
Gold can turn to sand....a song that benny and bjorn wrote....one of the most beautiful and heartbreaking songs I've heard...
@Niclas Eriksson I love this version more than any....I also love "you have to be there " by Helen....breathtaking....
For me, it was a sublime feeling when they released an album after 40 years. I had long lost hope that they would ever reunite again.
In addition, I have been to their concert 2 times at the ABBA Arena. The first time I don't remember. I was in shock and flooded with tears. I thought I would be tougher the second time.... :)
Record, please, your reaction to "Don't Shut Me Down".
I bought this on CD and also on cassette as I have recently got back into listening to my old Sony Walkman
ABBA was the first live concert I ever went to. I was aged about 12. Wish I could see them again (aged much older than 12 llol)
I like your reaction videos - well done
You need to have more subscribers, this is a millions of subscribers channel. You are such a personality, you need to go further. Also, needless to say I agree perfectly with what you said about this song.
Excellent comments about this wondrous song and ABBA.
This nice Swedish Accent 🙂
Keep an Eye on Dan!!!
Best song on the album, for me.
I like Keep an Eye on Dan better even than Don't Shut Me Down...which apparently makes me weird...but I can't help it! There's just something about it
The fan made 'Ultra dance mix' of about 7 minutes is awsome.
@@christianoazzuro6711 this one:
th-cam.com/video/ddHRq-oD5Hg/w-d-xo.html
Goooood.
Thank u Christiano
❤️🇨🇱👍
@@alejandrosantanaborquez917 YESSS!
You should secure the copyright for the word "ABBAness" before somone steals it from you to put it into some upcoming dictionary of modern pop music. By the way, I really appreciate your always original and deeply enlightening reactions, the tempo of your diction, the richness of your vocabulary.
I also think Luke is incredible. And to be that at such a young age is awesome. Luke's reactions always make my day. Long may he continue ❤️
Brilliant reaction!!
I remember anxiously waiting to hear this song after they announced the release date. I was hoping it was going to be good. After hearing Frida sing the first couple of lines, I had tears in my eyes. It was like time had stopped for 40 years. Nothing had changed; the quality of the song, the harmonies. The only thing different was the pitch of the voices was slightly lower, but still as strong and identifiable as ever. I liked both songs a lot (and normally I am more of a fan of Agnetha), but this was my favorite of the two by a long ways. It was so incredible to have new music from ABBA (something most lifelong fans had always hoped for, but had pretty much written off), and it couldn't have come at a better time with the world in the middle of a pandemic.
Look at that rich red/brown hair too!
Excellent, nostalgic song. It sums up everything about Abba - "humble and grateful to have survived". They even got the Stockholm Concert Orchestra to play on the recording. The end of the video is from the Voyage concert in London
Beautiful song by Beautiful people. ❤️
Excellent review. Thank you
The end of the video cannot be from the concert. The video existed before the Voyage show started.
@Lisa M a little pedantic, but you are correct. The concert has a very similar visual and the Abbatars are the same ( but look better in the concert than in the video IMO).
I think they also used an orchestra with real strings on "I can be that woman' and even possibly on 'Keep an Eye on Dan'.
I like this new song more then the other. I love them both but just love this one a lottle more.
Gold!!
A couple of the songs are pure genius like Don't Shut Me Down and Keep An Eye On Dan.
Several others are great like When you danced with me, Just a Notion, Little Things, I still have faith in you, and Ode to Freedom.
Seems that many more Abba fans finally adored this album.It's the bands final offering after so many decades.So it's very emotionally received.
would love to hear you do bumblebee from this album! so sweet
You haven't done 'Don't Shut Me Down' yet, have you?
You must, you should! Because the immaculate ABBA-harmony is as it always was on that one even more!
And because lyric-wise you'll be blown away, as it is also a personal song to every ABBA fan who has been
loving them for all these years and to the new generation who may only know them from 'Dancing Queen',
'Mamma Mia', and so on. 'I'm not the one you knew, I'm now and then combined' for instance,, one line alone in there says so much!
Keep up the good work, I love your reactions (and, dare I say, your looks as well😜)
Greetz from the Netherlands, and me, Alexander
Every single phrase to this song became quickly some kind of a sacred symbol for many Abba fans.An instant 'communicating code' if you know what i mean.
Always make me emotional this video/song. The best songs in the new album imo is Don´t shut me down and I Can Be That Woman. Hopefully you can react to them also and thanks again for a great reaction.
ABBA is a rock band.
02:00 Hm, I've never noticed that the Swedish flags are in colour before. We used to celebrate "the day of the Swedish flag" which somehow now is our national day on the 6th of June. A bit like the UK that also doesn't have a "natural" national day. Thanks for your reaction.
ABBA - 40 anos depois e não mudou nada. Que música encantadora! As meninas dando o máximo e os rapazes compondo músicas com letras incríveis, lindas, sem apelar e o mesmo tom. Essa é a música que mais ouço. Amo ABBA desde 2006 quando os descobri e os acompanho até hoje. A volta deles me emocionou. Parabéns pelo vídeo.
Great Stuff 👍
FABBAulous reaction. You have no choice but to do, Don't Shut Me Down next, and be really wowed! Good day, sexy boi!
Hi Luke! I'm enjoying your videos. I have to say this song had me in tears from the first time I heard it. It still does if I've been hitting the chardonnay. If you've watched other reaction videos, I'm sure you may have trouble understanding the reaction of us 50+ fans.
It's not just because it's a beautiful song (though it is), but for us who have memories from the 70s, 80s and onward, the reappearance of ABBA and their new music is nothing short of magical. It reminds us of all that happened between '81 and 2021. Reagan, terrorism, wars, 9/11, AIDS...we went through a lot of shit. And a lot of our friends didn't make it.
There has been a lot of discussion about who the "you" in the song refers to. The group? The music? The fans? All of those are true, but for me, it means myself. Watching all the background videos, especially the videos of the recording sessions was empowering (I hate that word, but it's the only one that fits). They are older of course, but have also put on some weight, have gray hair (when they still have any), are all wearing glasses, have wrinkles on their faces, double chins and age spots on their hands. In other words, they look like me. And if they can go back into the studio and record an entire new album, create their ABBAtars, and start concertizing again, then maybe this 66 year old can still accomplish something if I only have faith in myself. After all, we have a story and it's survived.
❤️
I recommed the song " sola" at Salamanca live by Diana Navarro .
"Gold or Old?"
I'm dead
I don’t think you’ve done Dont Shut Me Down yet, but please do. It’s just as good as anything they did in the 70s and 80s. It’s simply amazing.
☀☀☀☀
Don't Shut Me Down is Voyage' best track
Don’t shit me down is the shhhhh
Could have changed the line going "We need one another like fighters in a ring". Does not make any sense.
Unfortunately, I didn't love it, and I really wanted to. Pleasant song, but just didn't give me the goosebumps. Still love them and will be listening to them when I'm their age!
Love ur channel. Don't like the "woo!" Bit. Sorry to sound critical. You have a great takes. You don't need the Woo😊
The other new song is much better and a much bigger hit> don't shut me down