@@richardmccarley281 Hmm,i've noticed by reading various comments from time to time that fans who love 'The Visitors" also are especially fond of 'The Album".Imo both albums have a sophisticated and expiremental charachter.Also lyrics in both those 2 albums are real poetry at some tracks(I let the music speak/Move On)
an incredible development in 8 years from ring ring to this! original, dark, serious and for the first time politically committed (cold war). Great synths arrangement and her voice ! she has practiced for weeks to create this 'cold' voice. (And I love the intro! But I agree about the length/repetition. It was the first digital recorded album on cd I believe. (I have the first cd version!)
I like this a lot😊! (9.5 to me) Great instrumentation.... Frida❤ is great leading vocals... Agnetha🩷 in backing vocals... Great song (and great album)!👌 See you soon, Mark & John ✌️ Take care... Love ❤️ from Chile 🇨🇱🤗👍
Back then in '81 many of us had thought this was about aliens or smth.But Bjorn's cryptic lyrics were an 'alert" for help.This was deeply political,a cold war fuelled theme.ABBA's participation in the poltical TV show "Let Poland be Poland" made ex-USSR goverment to ban Abba there. my fave lyrics "these walls have witnessed all the anguish of humiliation,and see the hope of freedom glow in shining faces".ABBA had matured and gone hauntingly dark in this special album.
There was no video made for this song, unfortunately . The single version was around 4:39, which was only release in the US and Canada. Else where Head Over Heels was side A and The Visitors was side B.
The lyrics, so I've heard, are about Soviet dissidents and "the visitors" would be the KGB. That may not be exactly right, but 'something' to do with USSR and the cold war. Dark and foreboding mood for sure. I also read somewhere that Frida really practiced her vocal a long time before recording because she was trying to sound somewhat mechanical, electronic and computer-like (for lack of a better term). I think it's great!
If you listen to the lyrics to this song you understand that the verses can't be shortened at all. And you get a wider understanding why it is built up like it is.
ABBA’s "The Visitors" original album contain 9 tracks but the deluxe edition contains many more. So… a LOT of bonus tracks… "Should I Laugh or Cry", "I Am the City", "You Owe Me One", "Cassandra", "Under Attack" (official music video), and "The Day Before You Came" (official music video). "From a Twinkling Star to a Passing Angel" is just a 9-minute demo. ✌️
Imo with the exception of 'You owe me one" (that i would have still hold it as a 7 'inch b side),all the rest bonus tracks added(that were recorded later on) click fine the original album.Btw 'SILOC" could have been a fine side A closer in the original vynil album right after 'Soldiers'.
Well, I'm so glad to see you again with the next ABBA album "The visitors" (1981) gives me complex and different sensations ABBA was in a delicate personal stage, since they began recording the album right after Benny and Frida's separation. Björn and Benny were with their new partners, and as composers they entered the stage of experimenting, and with the project of writing a musical That is why I think that the title of the song and the album is not accidental, since in addition to being about the dissidents in the former USSR, I think that they speak of themselves as "visitors" of what "was" ABBA originally (in as for them as couples) Even the cover is very graphic: the Four separated and isolated (image that will be deepened in the official video of the future single "The day before you came" in 1982) the song itself is very good in its genre, it has a futuristic air (it could go as a soundtrack in a "Star Wars" movie) Frida does a great job in lead voice, the chorus is good but different from ABBA's more traditional, the use of synthesizers by Benny is majestic, and Björn's lyrics are strong I really like the song itself (8/9pts), it could be in my Top3 on the album "The Visitors" "The Visitors" is the opening track ot the homonymous album It hasn't a video or TV perfomance, but now in the new Voyage Concerts that begin last May 2022 in London is the fantastic opening concert I leave you greetings from my land Buenos Aires, Argentina, South America
I find this song one of their very best, if not the best. I looove the verses. They really give a sense of paranoia and claustrophopbia, which is bascially what the song is about, as the narrator is supposed to be a dissident in the former Soviet, fearing and anticipating being caught by the regime. it's portrayed so well by the vocals and the compressed production. This is ABBA heading in a new direction: Futuristic, experimental and gloomy. The vocals are of course by Frida. I'm surprised how many Frida-led songs you think are Agnetha songs. But it does say a lot about the Frida's versatility and capacity to change her vocal expression. On this album, The Visitors, When All Is Said and Done, I Let the Music Speak and Like an Angel Passing Through My Room are led by Frida. Agnetha has four leads as well, and Björn has one.
And also the bonus tracks Should I Laugh Or Cry and Cassandra are Frida leads, while The Day Before You Came and Under Attack are Agnetha leads. You Owe Me One and I Am The City are shared vocals.
This album was banned in the U.S.S.R. (former Soviet Union), because of the lyrics were believed to have a critical opinion of the then KGB in Soviet Russia. The Communist propaganda newspaper, "Pravda" heavily criticised ABBA in all their work, and even when ABBA: The Movie was released throughout Europe, it got very bad reviews in the publication. Nonetheless, the demand for ABBA albums was such that, somehow there were those who managed to smuggle them in, behind the "Iron Curtain".
'The Visitors" track was finally given its glorious take as the opening track of the VOYAGE show.Couldn't have imagined a better choice than "Eagle" or "The Visitors" even before i got aware of the set list.Read comments from fans who have attented the gig that this intro song is one thrilling moment of the show.At first , kinda pleasuntly confusing but then unsuspiciously transports you to another dimension sooner or later.
@@christianoazzuro6711 Let's see which songs they will sort out when they change the set list. I hope it's not this one because I want to see the show one day WITH The Visitors.
To me The Visitors album is inconsistent. Experimental songs and musical theatre flavoured tracks are mixed with formula Abba which works on some but is tired and trite on others. You get an I Let The Music Speak musical sounding track and then a track or two later a terrible song like Two For The Price Of One. Some tracks work and others don't. Like the group, there is a lack of cohesiveness to the original album. It is improved somewhat with the additional tracks added in later CD releases, though.
Not their best album. They even feel themselves a bit tired at this point, both have divorced and girls already planned projects of their own solo and B&B planned their first musical Chess. Of course high quality, but a bit darker tunes and different.
Hi @Bandido,lifelong fan here.Regarding the CD version with the added tracks (recorded in '82) the timeline you refer is correct about Frida's/Agnetha's solo plans.Yet the vynil track list had been recorded in 1981.Frida started plans for solo-stuff in '82 and Agnetha in '83.When this album was released many of us felt strange on the musical direction.At first i petrsonally also couldn't relate to the 'strange" kinda "messy" dark mature direction of this.Even the darkness of the photo cover hinted that 'something happens here'.Is Abba over?But then what someone could you expect from a boy who had just stepped in his shinny early teens,lol.Nevetthless it grew on me over the years and now i'm so glad this album is praised for its existense.I recall the cool UK mag ''Smash hits" review was surprisingly extra flattering on this album which was pretty unexpected for a massive UK teen mag that always convicted all previous Abba albums with an unfair humiliating review.Another US(!) paper kinda noted, this is someone's 'juke box dream".
Many consider it their best. Was different to celebrate Art. Not because they were tired. They were working on new music for decades after they stopped recording as ABBA. They never got "tired". But some people equate different with wrong.
@@donny1960 Well imo best or 'worst' that was them. and at least It was honest.They had moved away from their joyful pop ground and went more 'mature" and gloomier".They didn't repeat theiselves and that was the state they were in.The only songs that i would say they seemed 'tired' to me were 'Underattack"/"You owe me one"(notice the significant lyrics to that last one)I liked UA but seemed like an attempt to make something that they weren't into anymore.And That wasn't in '81 but released one year after The Visitors album, so in 1982. Besides they were already in their mid to late '30s.Must have been the period on which Benny reffered to by saying ..."suddenly we ran out of energy/it wasn't fun anymore".And by that time they had lost interest in pop and the band and both Benny/Bjorn had moved into theatrical music with more classical music influences.So i conclude they were tired of being in Abba they way it used to be.There was no motive....
I just love this record/song ❤❤
and the opening song at Voyage. Stunning show!
And I broke down in tears when I was there
ABBA's masterpiece album. Every song is so different from anything they'd done prior.
Agree, their very best album. And this track is perhaps the best on the album.
@@nielsulriksrensen9818 although I feel this is their best album, my favorite album is The Album.
@@richardmccarley281 Hmm,i've noticed by reading various comments from time to time that fans who love 'The Visitors" also are especially fond of 'The Album".Imo both albums have a sophisticated and expiremental charachter.Also lyrics in both those 2 albums are real poetry at some tracks(I let the music speak/Move On)
WOw, what a song! First time hearing this one by ABBA.
an incredible development in 8 years from ring ring to this! original, dark, serious and for the first time politically committed (cold war). Great synths arrangement and her voice !
she has practiced for weeks to create this 'cold' voice. (And I love the intro! But I agree about the length/repetition.
It was the first digital recorded album on cd I believe. (I have the first cd version!)
Stunning song !!! Great Album too !! 💯 💯 💯 ❤❤❤❤
I like this a lot😊! (9.5 to me)
Great instrumentation.... Frida❤ is great leading vocals... Agnetha🩷 in backing vocals...
Great song (and great album)!👌
See you soon, Mark & John ✌️
Take care...
Love ❤️ from Chile 🇨🇱🤗👍
my favourite ABBA song!
Back then in '81 many of us had thought this was about aliens or smth.But Bjorn's cryptic lyrics were an 'alert" for help.This was deeply political,a cold war fuelled theme.ABBA's participation in the poltical TV show "Let Poland be Poland" made ex-USSR goverment to ban Abba there.
my fave lyrics
"these walls have witnessed all the anguish of humiliation,and see the hope of freedom glow in shining faces".ABBA had matured and gone hauntingly dark in this special album.
ABBA🇸🇪 Amazing. The Visitors are their best album
The title song is about the DDR. And the album was the first released on CD in the world
There was no video made for this song, unfortunately . The single version was around 4:39, which was only release in the US and Canada. Else where Head Over Heels was side A and The Visitors was side B.
Probably my favourite album. Great songs even if the album as a whole was melancholic and “dark”.
The lyrics, so I've heard, are about Soviet dissidents and "the visitors" would be the KGB. That may not be exactly right, but 'something' to do with USSR and the cold war. Dark and foreboding mood for sure. I also read somewhere that Frida really practiced her vocal a long time before recording because she was trying to sound somewhat mechanical, electronic and computer-like (for lack of a better term). I think it's great!
If you listen to the lyrics to this song you understand that the verses can't be shortened at all. And you get a wider understanding why it is built up like it is.
ABBA’s "The Visitors" original album contain 9 tracks but the deluxe edition contains many more.
So… a LOT of bonus tracks… "Should I Laugh or Cry", "I Am the City", "You Owe Me One", "Cassandra", "Under Attack" (official music video), and "The Day Before You Came" (official music video).
"From a Twinkling Star to a Passing Angel" is just a 9-minute demo. ✌️
Imo with the exception of 'You owe me one" (that i would have still hold it as a 7 'inch b side),all the rest bonus tracks added(that were recorded later on) click fine the original album.Btw 'SILOC" could have been a fine side A closer in the original vynil album right after 'Soldiers'.
@@alexioverdo5225YOMO, agree - it was a B side, together with SILOC, the rest not. Though the bonus tracks were intended for a coming album in 82
"One of us" is another great song!
🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥 ❤
Well, I'm so glad to see you again with the next ABBA album
"The visitors" (1981) gives me
complex and different sensations
ABBA was in a delicate personal stage,
since they began recording the album right after Benny and Frida's separation.
Björn and Benny were with their new partners,
and as composers they entered the stage of experimenting, and with the project of writing a musical
That is why I think that the title of the song and the album is not accidental,
since in addition to being about the dissidents in the former USSR,
I think that they speak of themselves as "visitors"
of what "was" ABBA originally (in as for them as couples)
Even the cover is very graphic:
the Four separated and isolated
(image that will be deepened in the official video of the future single
"The day before you came" in 1982)
the song itself is very good in its genre,
it has a futuristic air (it could go as a soundtrack in a "Star Wars" movie)
Frida does a great job in lead voice,
the chorus is good but different from ABBA's more traditional,
the use of synthesizers by Benny is majestic,
and Björn's lyrics are strong
I really like the song itself (8/9pts),
it could be in my Top3
on the album "The Visitors"
"The Visitors" is the opening track ot the homonymous album
It hasn't a video or TV perfomance,
but now in the new Voyage Concerts
that begin last May 2022 in London
is the fantastic opening concert
I leave you greetings from my land
Buenos Aires, Argentina,
South America
The title track was about the DDR, Soldiers was politically motivated too
Love the reaction ,love the site, and I love you guys,never heard this before, thanks, Todd from Ohio...
I find this song one of their very best, if not the best. I looove the verses. They really give a sense of paranoia and claustrophopbia, which is bascially what the song is about, as the narrator is supposed to be a dissident in the former Soviet, fearing and anticipating being caught by the regime. it's portrayed so well by the vocals and the compressed production. This is ABBA heading in a new direction: Futuristic, experimental and gloomy. The vocals are of course by Frida. I'm surprised how many Frida-led songs you think are Agnetha songs. But it does say a lot about the Frida's versatility and capacity to change her vocal expression. On this album, The Visitors, When All Is Said and Done, I Let the Music Speak and Like an Angel Passing Through My Room are led by Frida. Agnetha has four leads as well, and Björn has one.
And also the bonus tracks Should I Laugh Or Cry and Cassandra are Frida leads, while The Day Before You Came and Under Attack are Agnetha leads. You Owe Me One and I Am The City are shared vocals.
It's always been about aliens for me and still is. Love it!
This album was banned in the U.S.S.R. (former Soviet Union), because of the lyrics were believed to have a critical opinion of the then KGB in Soviet Russia. The Communist propaganda newspaper, "Pravda" heavily criticised ABBA in all their work, and even when ABBA: The Movie was released throughout Europe, it got very bad reviews in the publication. Nonetheless, the demand for ABBA albums was such that, somehow there were those who managed to smuggle them in, behind the "Iron Curtain".
Absolutely true! I do remember that time and all the climax and all those facts they had been reported in the European press.
@@alexioverdo5225 🖐😀Hey Alexio, good to see you❗
@@AzoreanZionist Heyyyy!😊!
P.s. some Peter gabriel 3, melt, I think it is called, check-out, pretty sweet...
And again, as in Andante Andante and Our Last Summer: It's Frida singing, not Agnetha...
'The Visitors" track was finally given its glorious take as the opening track of the VOYAGE show.Couldn't have imagined a better choice than "Eagle" or "The Visitors" even before i got aware of the set list.Read comments from fans who have attented the gig that this intro song is one thrilling moment of the show.At first , kinda pleasuntly confusing but then unsuspiciously transports you to another dimension sooner or later.
@@christianoazzuro6711 Let's see which songs they will sort out when they change the set list. I hope it's not this one because I want to see the show one day WITH The Visitors.
@@Lisa-M ha!ha!Ok!My excact wishful thinking too.BTW if i remember well both ''Super Trouper"/"TACOM" are revealed to be in the future list.
Frida sings .. the tunes is dark because of the lyrics
Dont remember the best song but clerly this a Star Wars style ... you have to look.
To me The Visitors album is inconsistent. Experimental songs and musical theatre flavoured tracks are mixed with formula Abba which works on some but is tired and trite on others. You get an I Let The Music Speak musical sounding track and then a track or two later a terrible song like Two For The Price Of One.
Some tracks work and others don't. Like the group, there is a lack of cohesiveness to the original album. It is improved somewhat with the additional tracks added in later CD releases, though.
Not their best album. They even feel themselves a bit tired at this point, both have divorced and girls already planned projects of their own solo and B&B planned their first musical Chess. Of course high quality, but a bit darker tunes and different.
Hi @Bandido,lifelong fan here.Regarding the CD version with the added tracks (recorded in '82) the timeline you refer is correct about Frida's/Agnetha's solo plans.Yet the vynil track list had been recorded in 1981.Frida started plans for solo-stuff in '82 and Agnetha in '83.When this album was released many of us felt strange on the musical direction.At first i petrsonally also couldn't relate to the 'strange" kinda "messy" dark mature direction of this.Even the darkness of the photo cover hinted that 'something happens here'.Is Abba over?But then what someone could you expect from a boy who had just stepped in his shinny early teens,lol.Nevetthless it grew on me over the years and now i'm so glad this album is praised for its existense.I recall the cool UK mag ''Smash hits" review was surprisingly extra flattering on this album which was pretty unexpected for a massive UK teen mag that always convicted all previous Abba albums with an unfair humiliating review.Another US(!) paper kinda noted, this is someone's 'juke box dream".
Many consider it their best. Was different to celebrate Art. Not because they were tired. They were working on new music for decades after they stopped recording as ABBA. They never got "tired". But some people equate different with wrong.
@@donny1960 Well imo best or 'worst' that was them. and at least It was honest.They had moved away from their joyful pop ground and went more 'mature" and gloomier".They didn't repeat theiselves and that was the state they were in.The only songs that i would say they seemed 'tired' to me were 'Underattack"/"You owe me one"(notice the significant lyrics to that last one)I liked UA but seemed like an attempt to make something that they weren't into anymore.And That wasn't in '81 but released one year after The Visitors album, so in 1982. Besides they were already in their mid to late '30s.Must have been the period on which Benny reffered to by saying ..."suddenly we ran out of energy/it wasn't fun anymore".And by that time they had lost interest in pop and the band and both Benny/Bjorn had moved into theatrical music with more classical music influences.So i conclude they were tired of being in Abba they way it used to be.There was no motive....