@@KeimpeJ If you are ever on an ABBA forum, or Facebook group, or just any people familiar with the band's catalogue, there will always be people who say it's their worst song, right down there with Man In The Middle.
@@jonathanfurzeland4740 Yes, it would have fit in with their early music. Though the harmonizing on the backing vocals is pretty sophisticated and is probably the best thing about this song.
"JUST A NOTION" being released as a single this Friday October 22nd.... I cannot wait this golden fan favorite ABBA track finally having It's time to shine!
i just heard this news awhile ago and heard a 30 sec snippet of it. hoping dont shut me down or little things is on the b-side of the 45 record. since i still have faith was inly a 1 track vinyl single. little things would be a smart marketing move since christmas is around rhe corner.
It's a silly little song about a guy intrigued by the possibility of a threesome, only to find out that one of the women is the other's mother via the punchline in the end, which is followed by the circus-like instrumental extro, like throwing your arms in the air in exasperation. It was a bit of comic relief on an album of heavy subject matter. The best part of the song musically is the chorus, with an amazing bass/keyboard counterpoint combination that evokes a sense of mischief, like something is afoot. The verses are pedestrian, but I love the chorus.
I love the chorus too.I love those girlie harmonies from the backround.Sounds like a small army of cheerful little angels eagerly ''doing their duty',decorating the song.Both A+F voices are in perfect balance.
After several listenings this is one of my ABBA favourites . Very intelligent lyrics and wonderful harmonies . A hilarious story . Listen again and analyse again please!!! You are not even scratching the surface here pal !
If you didn’t understand what the song is about you have 100% missed the cheeky, naughty, fun joy of the song and it won’t make any sense. Listen again, read the lyrics. The marching band is after the sting in the tail (when it’s revealed the second is her mother, so HE is being duped) so makes perfect sense and is very amusing, almost clown-esque. Personally I find it amusing and I just love the layering of the chorus vocals and how that slowly comes in, just perfectly assembled.
@@Dogslife_ I don't really think they were catfishing I think they were quite upfront in the ad when they said..."two for the price of one", So there was really nothing misleading about it 🤷🏻♀️🤷🏻♀️🤷🏻♀️ Just saying...
Dereck- your reaction to this song is more or less in keeping with the vast majority of ABBA fans. It's no more than a silly ditty that the boys probably included on 'The Visitors' to relieve some of the gloom that pervaded the other tracks. Most fans thought that 'Should I Laugh Or Cry' was infinitely superior, and much more in keeping with the ambience of the album. Your own reaction to 'Should I Laugh Or Cry' echoes that sentiment. Yet it was relegated to B-side status. Fortunately, it's been included as a bonus track on all the subsequent re-releases of the album.
I don’t think it’s a silly ditty. I really like it, especially when they sing it live like they did on the dick Cavett special with Abba. Singing in rounds really is great when done right
The threesome song with a fun fair trumpet explosion (signalling success upon answering the paper ad) at the end of the song. Hahahahaha! I've always loved this song x
I'm surprised you did not react to the one live performance of this. It was from their Dick Cavett interview/concert special - and truly their last "concert" until the upcoming Abbatar ones. That concert had On and On and On - which is a must see and sounds even more rocking than the album version.
Wow I love how Agneta and Frida together can sound like one voice and in the next moment it sounds like a whole choir! And the moment when it is clear that the second woman is the mother this old-fashioned music comes in. Great Thing!
You have now completed The Visitors- Congratulations! Two for the Price of one is considered the runt of the litter and your reaction perfectly captures that! xxx
I love this song, especially for the vocal harmonies and the change of style at the end of the song that's what makes it unique. You have to hear the song live, it sounds much better and the rhythm is accelerated which makes it even more pleasant to listen to 😊
LOVE this very underrated HIDDEN gem...really nice to see a reaction on this great song...and extra plus for its un pc ness lyrics...a creative work,both musically and lyrically by ABBA.. A different ABBA song,but ABBA always surprises,its in their DNA...I like this song,alot...
It's one of Bjorn's quirky joke songs, where a bloke expecting a threesome actually gets presented by the fact that the girlfriend will have a mother hanging around, as a chaperone. The marching music is a sort of "Ha ha, joke's on you." laughing at his expectation. Without wishing to be unkind, Bjorn doesn't have a great voice, so his songs do clash in style with the others. The exception to this would be "Another town, another train" I'd say.
Hi Robert,i agree with your discription to the TFTPOO song.That was it, so well said.As for Bjorn i agree that he might not be the greatest voice but i can hear his vocal sound being so helpful and clicking so perfectly to the girls'.Especially when he hides behind, doing backing vocals such as in 'Summernight city' or even in 'Waterloo'.
My favorite part of the song is the girls layered background vocals and how it almost like sounds like their voices are being weaved into each other as one layer of vocals is singing one line and the other one is singing something slightly off then the other which ABBA I know toriously known for doing with the girls vocals. I love the chorus of this song so much The rest of it.... Ehh
I love the beat of this song, I don’t care what most people think. It’s different and that’s the reason why it has mixed reviews. At the level they were as musicians when they recorded The Visitors there is no way they could have produced a bad song
I think he's looking forward to marrying two women, only to find out that he'll be inheriting his bride's mother living with them, hence the mother's "marching into the room" theme at the end. Very clever!
I love Abba but I have never got this song. I think they were trying for some comic relief in a dark themed album. How it made the cut and not ‘Should I Laugh or Cry’ baffles me.
You really really REALLY should check out Dick Cavett meets ABBA, It's a live special they did after the Visitors was released and it's amazing they perform so well although the tone and speed of a couple tracks was changed for alive performances they're still golden
And a heavier and nicer guitar sound than Abba ever used before imo. (Still from some of the same "old" guitarists though. Lasse Wellander and Mats Ronander.)
Best part of Dick Cavett show, Frida asking to say 777 in Swedish. That look on her face, cheeky smile.......4:26 th-cam.com/video/p0iR03JgfE4/w-d-xo.html
This song doesn't belong to my favourites like some others. But there are so many great songs, which you haven't react to, for example "Bang-A-Boomerang", "Intermezzo No. 1" or "Tiger". Further I hope you will soon put your hands (or ears) on "Tropical Loveland" and "Gonna Sing You My Lovesong", two beautiful songs with Frida in lead vocals. And also to "Disillusion" with Agnetha in lead vocals.
I ABBASOLUTE L💘VE THIS CATCHY TUNE. L💘VE BJØRN'S LYRICS. BJØRN IS THE KING WHEN IT COMES TO WRITE LYRICS. I STILL HAVE FAITH IN YOU, DON'T SHUT ME DOWN, AND NOW JUST A NOTION, THE 3 MOST RECENT ONES. 🤩🤩🤩🤩
And that's why I think that the best way to learn about ABBA's work is to listen to their songs in chronological order. During the 10 years that they created them, their songs tell a story. Their story. They often refer to what was actually happening in their private or even public life. Just because you started with their most popular songs and then moved on to their latest albums, it's a bit like reading the book from the end. First you read the ending, then you went to the plot twist, and when you are currently looking at the beginnings, you briefly come back to the ending and now you don't know what the ending is about. But it's okay. Over time, the longer you listen to them and read about them as well (their stories, interviews, etc.) everything will work out for you and I think you'll like all their songs (out of all the songs listed below I don't like only one - "I Saw It In The Mirror "). So, here you go with the updated list 😁 1. Andante, Andante ✅ 2. Angeleyes ✅ 3. Another Town, Another Train ✅ 4. Arrival ✅ 5. As Good As New ✅ 6. Bang-A-Boomerang ❌ 7. Bumble Bee ❌ 8. Cassandra ✅ 9. Chiquitita ✅ 10. Crazy World ❌ 11. Dance (While The Music Still Goes On) ✅ 12. Dancing Queen ✅ 13. Disillusion ❌ 14. Does Your Mother Know ✅ 15. Don't Shut Me Down ✅ 16. Dream World ❌ 17. Dum Dum Diddle ❌ 18. Eagle ✅ 19. Elaine ✅ 20. Fernando ✅ 21. Get On The Carousel ❌ 22. Gimme! Gimme! Gimme! (A Man After Midnight) ✅ 23. Gonna Sing You My Love Song ❌ 24. Happy Hawaii ❌ 25. Happy New Year ✅ 26. Hasta Manana ✅ 27. He Is Your Brother ❌ 28. Head Over Heels ✅ 29. Hey, Hey Helen ✅ 30. Hole In Your Soul ✅ 31. Honey, Honey ✅ 32. I Am an A ❌ 33. I Am Just a Girl ❌ 34. I Am The City ✅ 35. I Can Be That Woman ❌ 36. I Do, I Do, I Do, I Do, I Do ✅ 37. I Have a Dream ✅ 38. I Let The Music Speak ✅ 39. I Saw It In The Mirror ❌ 40. I Still Have Faith In You ✅ 41. I Wonder (Departure) ✅ 42. I'm a Marionette ✅ 43. I'm Still Alive ❌ 44. I've Been Waiting For You ✅ 45. If It Wasn't For The Nights ✅ 46. Intermezzo No. 1 ❌ 47. Just A Notion ❌ 48. Just Like That ✅ 49. Keep An Eye On Dan ❌ 50. King Kong Song ❌ 51. Kisses Of Fire ✅ 52. Knowing Me, Knowing You ✅ 53. Lay All Your Love On Me ✅ 54. Like an Angel Passing Through My Room ✅ 55. Little Things ❌ 56. Love Isn't Easy (But It Sure Is Hard Enough) ❌ 57. Lovelight ❌ 58. Lovers (Live A Little Longer) ✅ 59. Mamma Mia ✅ 60. Man In The Middle ❌ 61. Me and Bobby and Bobby's Brother ❌ 62. Me and I ✅ 63. Medley (Pick A Bale Of Cotton/On Top Of Old Smokey/Midnight Special) ❌ 64. Merry-Go-Round ❌ 65. Money, Money, Money ✅ 66. Move On ✅ 67. My Love, My Life ✅ 68. My Mama Said ✅ 69. Nina, Pretty Ballerina ❌ 70. No Doubt About It ❌ 71. Ode To Freedom ❌ 72. On and On and On ✅ 73. One Man, One Woman ✅ 74. One Of Us ✅ 75. Our Last Summer ✅ 76. People Need Love ✅ 77. Put On Your White Sombrero ✅ 78. Ring Ring ✅ 79. Rock Me ✅ 80. Rock'n Roll Band ❌ 81. Rubber Ball Men ❌ 82. Santa Rosa ❌ 83. She's My Kind Of Girl ❌ 84. Should I Laugh Or Cry ✅ 85. Sitting In The Palmtree ❌ 86. Slipping Through My Fingers ✅ 87. So Long ✅ 88. Soldiers ✅ 89. SOS ✅ 90. Summer Night City ✅ 91. Super Trouper ✅ 92. Suzy-Hang-Around ❌ 93. Take a Chance On Me ✅ 94. Thank You For The Music ✅ 95. That's Me ✅ 96. The Day Before You Came ✅ 97. The King Has Lost His Crown ✅ 98. The Name Of The Game ✅ 99. The Piper ✅ 100. The Visitors (Crackin Up) ✅ 101. The Way Old Friends Do ✅ 102. The Winner Takes It All ✅ 103. Tiger ❌ 104. Tropical Loveland ❌ 105. Two For The Price Of One ✅ 106. Under Attack ✅ 107. Voulez-Vous ✅ 108. Watch Out ❌ 109. Waterloo ✅ 110. What About Livingstone ❌ 111. When All Is Said And Done ✅ 112. When I Kissed The Teacher ✅ 113. When You Danced With Me ❌ 114. Why Did It Have To Be Me ✅ 115. You Owe Me One ❌
1981's "The Visitors" is still my favourite ABBA album. This song certainly isn't the best track on that album; I think they threw that song in there as a "comic relief", as to not make the album TOO dark, this is my impression. Not bad, and I love that marching band sound at the end. That said; I think they should have replaced this song with "Should I laugh or cry" on the album, which would have fit the overall mood much more.
Northsea 1981 they could have kept both songs in the album.After all the original vinyl included 9 songs. A tenth track was missing.I agree with you about SILOC. It was criminaly omitted from the LP ang got reduced to be a B' side in the 'One of us' single back then.Fortunately the bonus cd editions did it justice.
The last two albums ABBA recorded were vaslty different than their previous work. The Music was becoming more and more Theatrical and it was said they were losing touch with their fan base. The two boys were maturing quit a bit and their classical/musical side was pushing into the forground and also they had started to write and produce songs about Political issues. Soldiers, The Piper, The Visitors etc. The Anti Soviet Communisim lyrics were unmistakable. Many of their later songs would have fit into Broadway Musicals very easily. I let the Music Speak is a great example. An Angel Passing Through my Room and Slipping Through my Fingers are more good examples. Deffinetly not the same Poppy sound that was from their previous work. Music fans and ABBA seemed to be going into different directions and the younger crowd would soon be enthalled with the new British invasion sound and ABBA would cease to record new music.
I'll join the chorus of many fans: 'Should I Laugh or Cry' should have been on The Visitors in stead of this track. Never understood what it did on that otherwise excellent album.
The backing vocals in the second half of the chorus is my favourite part, which go, 'If you are dreaming of someone that would be right for you. Why don't you call us and then you'll get two for the price of one? We may be the answer to your problem if by chance you feel blue. Why don't you call us and then you'll get two for the price of one?' I love the way that they take the lyrics and give them a bit of a twist, with Agnetha and Frida sounding wonderful of course.
When you listen to this get your mind out of the gutter because it’s a quirky song that promises one thing and presents you with a joke ending ( Mother will be watching while you date her daughter but nothing sexual … a great classic fun song
This song you should have listened to the live performance on Dick Cavett meet AbbA TV special 1981. They said they they had to bring in a lot of background singers to create the exact sound that was made in the studio by just Frida and Agnatha as the ground vocals
I like this song. The idea is kind of cute, the chorus is really good with the harmonies and I like the flow of this song. But of course, it`s not for everyone.
I think the ending march plays like laughter from the punchline.... the song plays like a story and the audience thinks that the protagonist is going to get two girls.... but then at the very end she discloses that the other girl is her mother and then boom! The joke is on us. All the time I hear it I imagine the mom chasing him all over the house as he comically tries to get away. It's a very very odd song - I think a desperate attempt to put at least one happy track on the lp. That being said the girls whispering voices and strict pronunciations are excellent!
You're not missing any songs from the original release of The Visitors, but there's the B-side on "Under Attack" called "You Owe Me One", which was added as a bonus track on some later re-releases. It's also a bit odd.
Just a fun song not meant to be taken seriously, a way to brighten the rather dark mood of The Visitors album. I guess the idea came from Björn wanting to pay tribute to Frida and Agnetha by writing a funny chorus advertising the ABBA girls, since by listening to them, you get two (voices) for the price of one (unique blend). The rest of the lyrics were constructed around the chorus, creating the weird mother/daughter threesome story. A good song though, like every ABBA song.
No; it wasn’t meant the way you describe. (it’s the Swedish sense of humour) It’s about a guy who has a cruel joke played on him; he’s desperate to find a woman; responds to a Personal Ad - finds two women - thinks all his Christmases have come at once (mother and daughter advertising - but he doesn’t know it till he’s arranged to meet) who are more desperate than he is to find a man that will serve for them both! The march ending is to highlight the ‘comic’ ending to the story that would replace the laughter at the joke played on this poor unsuspecting subject who thought he’d finally found his soul mate - only to find he gets saddled with the mother too! Nothing vulgar or threesome intended here. As a lifelong ABBA fan - you have to understand, that despite popular belief, some of ABBA’s lyrics were extremely deep, and complex as well as simple. ‘The Visitors’ Album for me was probably their best ever, and I was dying to see the direction they were taking - it was SUCH a sophisticated Album! I was heartbroken when we heard it was to be their last, as we never got to find out... It bordered on the ‘classical’ in many ways, with Songs like ‘I Let The Music Speak’ and ‘Like An Angel’. I still play this Album to death after almost half a century!
I heard Bjorn being interviewed. This song was his attempt at something unexpectedly silly ...he specifically mentioned "The Pina Colada Song" by Rupert Holmes. This was their answer to that song/style humor.
in the beginning you think the guy answering the ad is looking for a 3 way but in actuality the women are not. looking for that. its just some girls are close with their mother and if you get me you get her too.so hence the title 2 for the price of one. but no money is to exchange hands.
I think the marching band at the end was playing out the punchline, saying like "the joke's on him". He thought he was going to maybe get 2 women but to find out that it was a daughter and a mother who is tagging along because they live together. I don't think the mother would have a romantic part in the relationship, but that she would be involved, maybe giving input, living in the same house, and maybe eating with them at dinnertime.
The thing I like about the song is sort of like the song by the Monkees, “sweet young thing”. The vocal technique that they are doing is that they are singing in rounds which is a common song Technique, especially for children.
Je l'ai toujours comprise comme étant un message aux hommes en général. Quand tu te marie, en réalité, tu obtiens deux femmes pour le prix d'une avec la nouvelle belle-mère. Quand j'étais petite, évidemment, n'étant pas anglophone et encore moins adulte, je ne pouvais pas comprendre la blague. Quand, plus tard, j'ai compris la blague, mon appréciation pour la chanson a changé très positivement. Je l'ai toujours trouvé très drôle Bjorn. Même dans la chanson "On and on and on" quand les filles chantent :"What's our situation do We have some time for us? I said, I was not exactly Waiting for the bus", pour moi, cette réponse est succulente. Le genre de réponse passive aggressive comme on les aime!
Even abba said it was a novelty song...about getting a girl and her mother ...the band at end ..is old Scandinavian wedding march ...?...M London UK 🇬🇧
The Visitors album is a very dark album both musically and lyrically. Two For The Price Of One (one of the first tracks recorded for it) and Head Over Heels were the lighter side of ABBA by 1981. Personally, its not one of my favourites but I think its different enough to hold its place. I guess Swedish humour is a little different to other countries in the world. The punchline at the end is on a par with many early UK hits, but ABBA give it a twist and make it somewhat sleazy while others purify their songs with their punchline. For example in 76 Brotherhood of Man won the Eurovision Song Contest with 'Save Your Kisses For Me'. The song gives the impression of a guy requesting his woman saves all her kisses for him while he's away yet the punchline spells it out he's actually refering to his 3 year old daughter. ABBA's song clearly spells out the add placed in the papers is by a mother and daughter looking for a man. One of the most bizarre lyrics yet Bjorn went on record a few years back stating he still thinks its a great song and had Agnetha or Frida taken a lead vocal, it had hit potential. Hmmm.
You didn't get it on the first listen but that's alright. It's a fun song not a super-hit. To me it's in line with the other songs on the album, a little bit experimental and out there.
How can you not understand? There is an ad for 2 girls (oooh sexy). You find out at the end that the second girl is the mother and it's not sexy at all. The whole song is a light hearted joke, hence the circus music at the end.
Thank's for this reaction, yeah you are right. There is no such thing as a bad Abba song. That's really true but I don't like this song as much as others. Well you are done with the visitors album. I'd recommend You owe me one, a song which they recorded for their unfinished 1982 album... I really love this song and I would like to know you're opinion about it. With the melody it somehow reminds me of something from egypt in a way. Again a song where Abba were a bit experimental ;)
Not in my ABBA Top 50. :-( i would have loved to see "Should i laugh or cry" on the original Visitors album instead of this. but....a funny little track.
Found that LOL The Leader-Post explains that the song is about "our pathetic love-starved hero answering an ad for the girl of his dreams". The song's lyrics describe a male custodian answering a personal ad for two women seeking a threesome.
An early demo of this song was much darker than the quirky, hilarious, song we have now. I have included the link to the demo. It is worth the listen. I love hearing their demos. It is really fascinating to hear how their songs evolve. th-cam.com/video/dTIvwN-rrXM/w-d-xo.html
To me this did not belong on The Visitors Album, I believed this should have been the B-Side to One Of Us and Should I Laugh or Cry should have taken its place on The Visitors. Looking forward to your reaction to the New ABBA single Just A Notion which is release this Friday
I have one more little request for you, Dereck 😁 You've also been reacting to the songs of many non-English speaking artists for some time. But so far I haven't noticed a single reaction to a song by a Polish artist on your channel. As you can probably guess, I am your Polish fan and it would be very nice to see you react to Polish songs 😌 And believe me, there are some really noteworthy ones 😁 I don't know if you will read this comment at all, and if so, will you decide to take such a step, but if so, then I have a suitable proposal for you. And it is Czesław Niemen - "Dziwny Jest Ten Świat". It is one of the most, if not the most iconic, Polish song in the history of Polish music. The song was released in 1967, but the lyrics are still up-to-date. As the title says, the song tells how strange and brutal the modern world and the people living in it are. In addition to the moving lyrics, you can also hear the artist's amazing vocal skills in this piece. I hope you will read my entire scribble 😅 and think through my proposal 😇 I promise you will not be disappointed 🥰
The initial version of the lyrics is odder and funnier at the same time because it comprises the line like "I clean the toilets of the local railways station" or "Sometimes I wish I had a knife" :D
So many people loathe this song, I don't. The harmonies in the chorus are sophisticated and amazing.
Which people exactly? I never saw anyone disliking this song.
I love this song too. The harmonies. Love it!!!
@@KeimpeJ If you are ever on an ABBA forum, or Facebook group, or just any people familiar with the band's catalogue, there will always be people who say it's their worst song, right down there with Man In The Middle.
Delius thank's i love it for the same reason..
I love it, its a well constructed song.
I adore this song! It's a song with a punchline and it just makes me laugh... the circus music at the end just makes it even funnier.
It does! I think he missed the irony.
I agree!
I love Abba's later songs 'cause they are different. The Visitors is one of their best albums.
I think it's their best album. Dark, mature, moody. Masterpiece.
100% Agree with you. We need a decent version of Just Like That from them as well soon. 🙏
It is one of their best albums, but this song is so out of place on it that it's jarring.
@@Mark-zu6oz it's an odd song. Almost like they are back in 1973
@@jonathanfurzeland4740 Yes, it would have fit in with their early music. Though the harmonizing on the backing vocals is pretty sophisticated and is probably the best thing about this song.
"JUST A NOTION" being released as a single this Friday October 22nd.... I cannot wait this golden fan favorite ABBA track finally having It's time to shine!
Excited!
I would've thought that 'Just Like That' is the 'golden fan favourite', and still very happy to hear 'Just A Notion' as a complete song! 👍🏼✨💖
@@NoFinalWords Free As A Bumblebee was my favourite from the undeleted medley
i just heard this news awhile ago and heard a 30 sec snippet of it. hoping dont shut me down or little things is on the b-side of the 45 record. since i still have faith was inly a 1 track vinyl single. little things would be a smart marketing move since christmas is around rhe corner.
@@genewebb2837 they're trying to make that a Christmas #1 in the UK, so most likely going to be released as a single around that time...
It's a silly little song about a guy intrigued by the possibility of a threesome, only to find out that one of the women is the other's mother via the punchline in the end, which is followed by the circus-like instrumental extro, like throwing your arms in the air in exasperation. It was a bit of comic relief on an album of heavy subject matter. The best part of the song musically is the chorus, with an amazing bass/keyboard counterpoint combination that evokes a sense of mischief, like something is afoot. The verses are pedestrian, but I love the chorus.
I love the chorus too.I love those girlie harmonies from the backround.Sounds like a small army of cheerful little angels eagerly ''doing their duty',decorating the song.Both A+F voices are in perfect balance.
After several listenings this is one of my ABBA favourites . Very intelligent lyrics and wonderful harmonies . A hilarious story . Listen again and analyse again please!!! You are not even scratching the surface here pal !
If you didn’t understand what the song is about you have 100% missed the cheeky, naughty, fun joy of the song and it won’t make any sense. Listen again, read the lyrics. The marching band is after the sting in the tail (when it’s revealed the second is her mother, so HE is being duped) so makes perfect sense and is very amusing, almost clown-esque. Personally I find it amusing and I just love the layering of the chorus vocals and how that slowly comes in, just perfectly assembled.
Perhaps he was after the threesome. The song is very much open to interpretation
@@sushigirl1069 is it though?
Catfishing before catfishing 😅
@@Dogslife_ I don't really think they were catfishing I think they were quite upfront in the ad when they said..."two for the price of one", So there was really nothing misleading about it 🤷🏻♀️🤷🏻♀️🤷🏻♀️ Just saying...
@@sushigirl1069 I think he ends up sleeping with the tag team
Dereck- your reaction to this song is more or less in keeping with the vast majority of ABBA fans. It's no more than a silly ditty that the boys probably included on 'The Visitors' to relieve some of the gloom that pervaded the other tracks. Most fans thought that 'Should I Laugh Or Cry' was infinitely superior, and much more in keeping with the ambience of the album. Your own reaction to 'Should I Laugh Or Cry' echoes that sentiment. Yet it was relegated to B-side status. Fortunately, it's been included as a bonus track on all the subsequent re-releases of the album.
Yes! Totally agree. Should I Laugh Or Cry is far superior. Me thinks Bjorn's ego gets in the way a bit!! 😂
I don’t think it’s a silly ditty. I really like it, especially when they sing it live like they did on the dick Cavett special with Abba. Singing in rounds really is great when done right
I prefer "price" song. It's too different and the chorus is sensational
The threesome song with a fun fair trumpet explosion (signalling success upon answering the paper ad) at the end of the song. Hahahahaha! I've always loved this song x
I'm surprised you did not react to the one live performance of this. It was from their Dick Cavett interview/concert special - and truly their last "concert" until the upcoming Abbatar ones. That concert had On and On and On - which is a must see and sounds even more rocking than the album version.
Frida should have mouthed the "Alice Whiting" part. Since the voice was husky & exciting.
LOVE ABBA FOREVER and your reactions Dereck... ❤️❤️
two for the price of one is a good song it`s very musical, and that chorus is so good. also love head over heels from that album the visitors.
Wow I love how Agneta and Frida together can sound like one voice and in the next moment it sounds like a whole choir!
And the moment when it is clear that the second woman is the mother this old-fashioned music comes in. Great Thing!
You have now completed The Visitors- Congratulations! Two for the Price of one is considered the runt of the litter and your reaction perfectly captures that! xxx
The ending "March" is a musical version of a "Punchline". You know "Bing/Bang" "Ta Dah".... ect.
I actually love this song so much it’s just so catchy
It tell a story & it's quite hilarious. I love this song especially when they perform it.
Love this song …it’s so melodious and funny. Love you Dereck!
OMG !!! Dereck's face /reaction is priceless . LOL!!!
I`m the first to comment!! Love your reactions! What about reacting to "Bang-a boomeang"?
I love this song, especially for the vocal harmonies and the change of style at the end of the song that's what makes it unique. You have to hear the song live, it sounds much better and the rhythm is accelerated which makes it even more pleasant to listen to 😊
LOVE this very underrated HIDDEN gem...really nice to see a reaction on this great song...and extra plus for its un pc ness lyrics...a creative work,both musically and lyrically by ABBA.. A different ABBA song,but ABBA always surprises,its in their DNA...I like this song,alot...
The vocals and beat to this song can’t be beat! One of my fave. Only as an adult did I realize how kinky it is.
It's one of Bjorn's quirky joke songs, where a bloke expecting a threesome actually gets presented by the fact that the girlfriend will have a mother hanging around, as a chaperone. The marching music is a sort of "Ha ha, joke's on you." laughing at his expectation. Without wishing to be unkind, Bjorn doesn't have a great voice, so his songs do clash in style with the others. The exception to this would be "Another town, another train" I'd say.
Although I do have to say I really do enjoy his vocals on "Does Your Mother Know" ... They just fit so well to that song
@@jay_ooh Yes, although that's another slightly uncomfortable song too, talking about underage fans.
Hi Robert,i agree with your discription to the TFTPOO song.That was it, so well said.As for Bjorn i agree that he might not be the greatest voice but i can hear his vocal sound being so helpful and clicking so perfectly to the girls'.Especially when he hides behind, doing backing vocals such as in 'Summernight city' or even in 'Waterloo'.
My favorite part of the song is the girls layered background vocals and how it almost like sounds like their voices are being weaved into each other as one layer of vocals is singing one line and the other one is singing something slightly off then the other which ABBA I know toriously known for doing with the girls vocals. I love the chorus of this song so much The rest of it.... Ehh
I love the beat of this song, I don’t care what most people think. It’s different and that’s the reason why it has mixed reviews. At the level they were as musicians when they recorded The Visitors there is no way they could have produced a bad song
I think he's looking forward to marrying two women, only to find out that he'll be inheriting his bride's mother living with them, hence the mother's "marching into the room" theme at the end. Very clever!
Hi Dereck....Great reactions to ABBA songs.......Would be waiting for your reaction to ABBA classic song LOVELIGHT
I love Abba but I have never got this song. I think they were trying for some comic relief in a dark themed album. How it made the cut and not ‘Should I Laugh or Cry’ baffles me.
You really really REALLY should check out Dick Cavett meets ABBA, It's a live special they did after the Visitors was released and it's amazing they perform so well although the tone and speed of a couple tracks was changed for alive performances they're still golden
And a heavier and nicer guitar sound than Abba ever used before imo. (Still from some of the same "old" guitarists though. Lasse Wellander and Mats Ronander.)
Best part of Dick Cavett show,
Frida asking to say 777 in Swedish. That look on her face, cheeky smile.......4:26
th-cam.com/video/p0iR03JgfE4/w-d-xo.html
I love the vocal harmonies and the instrumental. Great!!
This song doesn't belong to my favourites like some others. But there are so many great songs, which you haven't react to, for example "Bang-A-Boomerang", "Intermezzo No. 1" or "Tiger". Further I hope you will soon put your hands (or ears) on "Tropical Loveland" and "Gonna Sing You My Lovesong", two beautiful songs with Frida in lead vocals. And also to "Disillusion" with Agnetha in lead vocals.
All the songs you mentioned are great. Another cool thing about Disillusion was that it was written by Agnetha.
Abba the greatest band of the world with beatles and queen (for me). November november 2021 my friends
Beautiful countermelody. Its meant to be humorous. It reminds me of the old time story songs.
I ABBASOLUTE L💘VE THIS CATCHY TUNE. L💘VE BJØRN'S LYRICS. BJØRN IS THE KING WHEN IT COMES TO WRITE LYRICS. I STILL HAVE FAITH IN YOU, DON'T SHUT ME DOWN, AND NOW JUST A NOTION, THE 3 MOST RECENT ONES. 🤩🤩🤩🤩
The chorus in this song is magnificent!
I always giggle at the end.
With momma around there will be No naughty naughty ☝️
And that's why I think that the best way to learn about ABBA's work is to listen to their songs in chronological order. During the 10 years that they created them, their songs tell a story. Their story. They often refer to what was actually happening in their private or even public life. Just because you started with their most popular songs and then moved on to their latest albums, it's a bit like reading the book from the end. First you read the ending, then you went to the plot twist, and when you are currently looking at the beginnings, you briefly come back to the ending and now you don't know what the ending is about. But it's okay. Over time, the longer you listen to them and read about them as well (their stories, interviews, etc.) everything will work out for you and I think you'll like all their songs (out of all the songs listed below I don't like only one - "I Saw It In The Mirror "). So, here you go with the updated list 😁
1. Andante, Andante ✅
2. Angeleyes ✅
3. Another Town, Another Train ✅
4. Arrival ✅
5. As Good As New ✅
6. Bang-A-Boomerang ❌
7. Bumble Bee ❌
8. Cassandra ✅
9. Chiquitita ✅
10. Crazy World ❌
11. Dance (While The Music Still Goes On) ✅
12. Dancing Queen ✅
13. Disillusion ❌
14. Does Your Mother Know ✅
15. Don't Shut Me Down ✅
16. Dream World ❌
17. Dum Dum Diddle ❌
18. Eagle ✅
19. Elaine ✅
20. Fernando ✅
21. Get On The Carousel ❌
22. Gimme! Gimme! Gimme! (A Man After Midnight) ✅
23. Gonna Sing You My Love Song ❌
24. Happy Hawaii ❌
25. Happy New Year ✅
26. Hasta Manana ✅
27. He Is Your Brother ❌
28. Head Over Heels ✅
29. Hey, Hey Helen ✅
30. Hole In Your Soul ✅
31. Honey, Honey ✅
32. I Am an A ❌
33. I Am Just a Girl ❌
34. I Am The City ✅
35. I Can Be That Woman ❌
36. I Do, I Do, I Do, I Do, I Do ✅
37. I Have a Dream ✅
38. I Let The Music Speak ✅
39. I Saw It In The Mirror ❌
40. I Still Have Faith In You ✅
41. I Wonder (Departure) ✅
42. I'm a Marionette ✅
43. I'm Still Alive ❌
44. I've Been Waiting For You ✅
45. If It Wasn't For The Nights ✅
46. Intermezzo No. 1 ❌
47. Just A Notion ❌
48. Just Like That ✅
49. Keep An Eye On Dan ❌
50. King Kong Song ❌
51. Kisses Of Fire ✅
52. Knowing Me, Knowing You ✅
53. Lay All Your Love On Me ✅
54. Like an Angel Passing Through My Room ✅
55. Little Things ❌
56. Love Isn't Easy (But It Sure Is Hard Enough) ❌
57. Lovelight ❌
58. Lovers (Live A Little Longer) ✅
59. Mamma Mia ✅
60. Man In The Middle ❌
61. Me and Bobby and Bobby's Brother ❌
62. Me and I ✅
63. Medley (Pick A Bale Of Cotton/On Top Of Old Smokey/Midnight Special) ❌
64. Merry-Go-Round ❌
65. Money, Money, Money ✅
66. Move On ✅
67. My Love, My Life ✅
68. My Mama Said ✅
69. Nina, Pretty Ballerina ❌
70. No Doubt About It ❌
71. Ode To Freedom ❌
72. On and On and On ✅
73. One Man, One Woman ✅
74. One Of Us ✅
75. Our Last Summer ✅
76. People Need Love ✅
77. Put On Your White Sombrero ✅
78. Ring Ring ✅
79. Rock Me ✅
80. Rock'n Roll Band ❌
81. Rubber Ball Men ❌
82. Santa Rosa ❌
83. She's My Kind Of Girl ❌
84. Should I Laugh Or Cry ✅
85. Sitting In The Palmtree ❌
86. Slipping Through My Fingers ✅
87. So Long ✅
88. Soldiers ✅
89. SOS ✅
90. Summer Night City ✅
91. Super Trouper ✅
92. Suzy-Hang-Around ❌
93. Take a Chance On Me ✅
94. Thank You For The Music ✅
95. That's Me ✅
96. The Day Before You Came ✅
97. The King Has Lost His Crown ✅
98. The Name Of The Game ✅
99. The Piper ✅
100. The Visitors (Crackin Up) ✅
101. The Way Old Friends Do ✅
102. The Winner Takes It All ✅
103. Tiger ❌
104. Tropical Loveland ❌
105. Two For The Price Of One ✅
106. Under Attack ✅
107. Voulez-Vous ✅
108. Watch Out ❌
109. Waterloo ✅
110. What About Livingstone ❌
111. When All Is Said And Done ✅
112. When I Kissed The Teacher ✅
113. When You Danced With Me ❌
114. Why Did It Have To Be Me ✅
115. You Owe Me One ❌
I know many fans don't like this one but it makes me smile and I LOVE the backing vocals and harmonizing!
1981's "The Visitors" is still my favourite ABBA album. This song certainly isn't the best track on that album; I think they threw that song in there as a "comic relief", as to not make the album TOO dark, this is my impression. Not bad, and I love that marching band sound at the end. That said; I think they should have replaced this song with "Should I laugh or cry" on the album, which would have fit the overall mood much more.
Northsea 1981 they could have kept both songs in the album.After all the original vinyl included 9 songs. A tenth track was missing.I agree with you about SILOC. It was criminaly omitted from the LP ang got reduced to be a B' side in the 'One of us' single back then.Fortunately the bonus cd editions did it justice.
This is one of the only ABBA songs that I really don’t care for too much
For me that song is Man in the middle. I think it’s just too silly and outdated.
The last two albums ABBA recorded were vaslty different than their previous work. The Music was becoming more and more Theatrical and it was said they were losing touch with their fan base. The two boys were maturing quit a bit and their classical/musical side was pushing into the forground and also they had started to write and produce songs about Political issues. Soldiers, The Piper, The Visitors etc. The Anti Soviet Communisim lyrics were unmistakable. Many of their later songs would have fit into Broadway Musicals very easily. I let the Music Speak is a great example. An Angel Passing Through my Room and Slipping Through my Fingers are more good examples. Deffinetly not the same Poppy sound that was from their previous work. Music fans and ABBA seemed to be going into different directions and the younger crowd would soon be enthalled with the new British invasion sound and ABBA would cease to record new music.
I'll join the chorus of many fans: 'Should I Laugh or Cry' should have been on The Visitors in stead of this track. Never understood what it did on that otherwise excellent album.
The backing vocals in the second half of the chorus is my favourite part, which go,
'If you are dreaming of someone that would be right for you. Why don't you call us and then you'll get two for the price of one? We may be the answer to your problem if by chance you feel blue. Why don't you call us and then you'll get two for the price of one?' I love the way that they take the lyrics and give them a bit of a twist, with Agnetha and Frida sounding wonderful of course.
The arrangement, melodies and lyrics are amazing. Their harmonizing is great here!
When you listen to this get your mind out of the gutter because it’s a quirky song that promises one thing and presents you with a joke ending ( Mother will be watching while you date her daughter but nothing sexual … a great classic fun song
This song you should have listened to the live performance on Dick Cavett meet AbbA TV special 1981. They said they they had to bring in a lot of background singers to create the exact sound that was made in the studio by just Frida and Agnatha as the ground vocals
I like this song. The idea is kind of cute, the chorus is really good with the harmonies and I like the flow of this song. But of course, it`s not for everyone.
I think the ending march plays like laughter from the punchline.... the song plays like a story and the audience thinks that the protagonist is going to get two girls.... but then at the very end she discloses that the other girl is her mother and then boom! The joke is on us. All the time I hear it I imagine the mom chasing him all over the house as he comically tries to get away. It's a very very odd song - I think a desperate attempt to put at least one happy track on the lp. That being said the girls whispering voices and strict pronunciations are excellent!
I think mom and daughter are a tag team
What a masterpiece and the entire álbum Is an autentic masterpiece
It’s a prank on Björn’s character. Sheesh. I understood it when I was 13.
" TIGER " please ..... cool video
This song has grown on me after a few listens 🙂
Probably the most funny song by ABBA.
You're not missing any songs from the original release of The Visitors, but there's the B-side on "Under Attack" called "You Owe Me One", which was added as a bonus track on some later re-releases. It's also a bit odd.
I like "You Owe Me One"! Catchy tune
I think you missed the twist at the end. It’s very tongue in cheek. Please read the lyrics. It’s an ironic song and I love it.
Very GOOD song
Always loved this song. The live version is fantastic and full of energy.
Just a fun song not meant to be taken seriously, a way to brighten the rather dark mood of The Visitors album. I guess the idea came from Björn wanting to pay tribute to Frida and Agnetha by writing a funny chorus advertising the ABBA girls, since by listening to them, you get two (voices) for the price of one (unique blend). The rest of the lyrics were constructed around the chorus, creating the weird mother/daughter threesome story. A good song though, like every ABBA song.
Love this song
THE LAYERS ON THIS SONG IS HEAVEN
No; it wasn’t meant the way you describe. (it’s the Swedish sense of humour) It’s about a guy who has a cruel joke played on him; he’s desperate to find a woman; responds to a Personal Ad - finds two women - thinks all his Christmases have come at once (mother and daughter advertising - but he doesn’t know it till he’s arranged to meet) who are more desperate than he is to find a man that will serve for them both! The march ending is to highlight the ‘comic’ ending to the story that would replace the laughter at the joke played on this poor unsuspecting subject who thought he’d finally found his soul mate - only to find he gets saddled with the mother too! Nothing vulgar or threesome intended here. As a lifelong ABBA fan - you have to understand, that despite popular belief, some of ABBA’s lyrics were extremely deep, and complex as well as simple. ‘The Visitors’ Album for me was probably their best ever, and I was dying to see the direction they were taking - it was SUCH a sophisticated Album! I was heartbroken when we heard it was to be their last, as we never got to find out... It bordered on the ‘classical’ in many ways, with Songs like ‘I Let The Music Speak’ and ‘Like An Angel’. I still play this Album to death after almost half a century!
It's like a comic relief on the album, just to liven the tempo up in a very serious album. It's amongst the best.
I heard Bjorn being interviewed. This song was his attempt at something unexpectedly silly ...he specifically mentioned "The Pina Colada Song" by Rupert Holmes. This was their answer to that song/style humor.
I love this it is genius!
in the beginning you think the guy answering the ad is looking for a 3 way but in actuality the women are not. looking for that. its just some girls are close with their mother and if you get me you get her too.so hence the title 2 for the price of one. but no money is to exchange hands.
Wondered what you would think of this! It is worth a listen, but is not something I often play
Abba...lo mejor de mi adolescencia. ...wauu graciasss
Just a notion is out! Awaits your reaction!
I think the marching band at the end was playing out the punchline, saying like "the joke's on him". He thought he was going to maybe get 2 women but to find out that it was a daughter and a mother who is tagging along because they live together. I don't think the mother would have a romantic part in the relationship, but that she would be involved, maybe giving input, living in the same house, and maybe eating with them at dinnertime.
I like ABBA with a main male voice for a change
The thing I like about the song is sort of like the song by the Monkees, “sweet young thing”. The vocal technique that they are doing is that they are singing in rounds which is a common song Technique, especially for children.
I've always loved it!😉 We all like 2 for the price of 1.
Je l'ai toujours comprise comme étant un message aux hommes en général. Quand tu te marie, en réalité, tu obtiens deux femmes pour le prix d'une avec la nouvelle belle-mère. Quand j'étais petite, évidemment, n'étant pas anglophone et encore moins adulte, je ne pouvais pas comprendre la blague. Quand, plus tard, j'ai compris la blague, mon appréciation pour la chanson a changé très positivement. Je l'ai toujours trouvé très drôle Bjorn. Même dans la chanson "On and on and on" quand les filles chantent :"What's our situation do
We have some time for us?
I said, I was not exactly
Waiting for the bus", pour moi, cette réponse est succulente. Le genre de réponse passive aggressive comme on les aime!
I like this song! It’s funny! You have to listen to the lyrics.
Just a notion is the 3e single from Voyage. released on friday!
One of my favourites . Be sure to listen and review the lyrics !
Please Derect react to LOVELIGHT……a real ABBA gem from the 70’s
LOL, your right Dereck ! more is better ! , more Abba that is. Please react to their new song out Friday Oct 22, 'Just A Notion'
Even abba said it was a novelty song...about getting a girl and her mother ...the band at end ..is old Scandinavian wedding march ...?...M London UK 🇬🇧
The Visitors album is a very dark album both musically and lyrically. Two For The Price Of One (one of the first tracks recorded for it) and Head Over Heels were the lighter side of ABBA by 1981. Personally, its not one of my favourites but I think its different enough to hold its place. I guess Swedish humour is a little different to other countries in the world. The punchline at the end is on a par with many early UK hits, but ABBA give it a twist and make it somewhat sleazy while others purify their songs with their punchline. For example in 76 Brotherhood of Man won the Eurovision Song Contest with 'Save Your Kisses For Me'. The song gives the impression of a guy requesting his woman saves all her kisses for him while he's away yet the punchline spells it out he's actually refering to his 3 year old daughter. ABBA's song clearly spells out the add placed in the papers is by a mother and daughter looking for a man. One of the most bizarre lyrics yet Bjorn went on record a few years back stating he still thinks its a great song and had Agnetha or Frida taken a lead vocal, it had hit potential. Hmmm.
This song sounds delicious 🙌✨
You didn't get it on the first listen but that's alright. It's a fun song not a super-hit. To me it's in line with the other songs on the album, a little bit experimental and out there.
Michael Tretow said about this song thst is the best ABBA SONG
ASUPER Song And the Lyrics. . . . . . . .song is growing
The live version of this song is way much better than the original recording you just played, in case you wanted to check it out.
It was a spoof song, a bit of a laugh and the punchline is the final two lines... not really a song to be taken seriously, just a bit of fun.
I’m sure if someone advertised that ,there would be plenty of takers 🤣🤣
When Fleetwood Mac used a marching band for Tusk, everyone thought that was cool...
How can you not understand? There is an ad for 2 girls (oooh sexy). You find out at the end that the second girl is the mother and it's not sexy at all. The whole song is a light hearted joke, hence the circus music at the end.
Definitely an oddity but it doesn't diminish the Visitors album - if anything, it makes it more interesting.
I actually love this song. 💙
Thank's for this reaction, yeah you are right. There is no such thing as a bad Abba song. That's really true but I don't like this song as much as others. Well you are done with the visitors album. I'd recommend You owe me one, a song which they recorded for their unfinished 1982 album... I really love this song and I would like to know you're opinion about it. With the melody it somehow reminds me of something from egypt in a way. Again a song where Abba were a bit experimental ;)
I saw it in the mirror is a bad ABBA song. Snoozefest!
Not in my ABBA Top 50. :-( i would have loved to see "Should i laugh or cry" on the original Visitors album instead of this. but....a funny little track.
Found that LOL
The Leader-Post explains that the song is about "our pathetic love-starved hero answering an ad for the girl of his dreams". The song's lyrics describe a male custodian answering a personal ad for two women seeking a threesome.
An early demo of this song was much darker than the quirky, hilarious, song we have now. I have included the link to the demo. It is worth the listen. I love hearing their demos. It is really fascinating to hear how their songs evolve. th-cam.com/video/dTIvwN-rrXM/w-d-xo.html
To me this did not belong on The Visitors Album, I believed this should have been the B-Side to One Of Us and Should I Laugh or Cry should have taken its place on The Visitors. Looking forward to your reaction to the New ABBA single Just A Notion which is release this Friday
I have one more little request for you, Dereck 😁 You've also been reacting to the songs of many non-English speaking artists for some time. But so far I haven't noticed a single reaction to a song by a Polish artist on your channel. As you can probably guess, I am your Polish fan and it would be very nice to see you react to Polish songs 😌 And believe me, there are some really noteworthy ones 😁 I don't know if you will read this comment at all, and if so, will you decide to take such a step, but if so, then I have a suitable proposal for you. And it is Czesław Niemen - "Dziwny Jest Ten Świat". It is one of the most, if not the most iconic, Polish song in the history of Polish music. The song was released in 1967, but the lyrics are still up-to-date. As the title says, the song tells how strange and brutal the modern world and the people living in it are. In addition to the moving lyrics, you can also hear the artist's amazing vocal skills in this piece. I hope you will read my entire scribble 😅 and think through my proposal 😇 I promise you will not be disappointed 🥰
hahaha... I thought you had reacted to this song already. But You didn't. I discover this bizarre song yet, I like it. They also have a live version.
The initial version of the lyrics is odder and funnier at the same time because it comprises the line like "I clean the toilets of the local railways station" or "Sometimes I wish I had a knife" :D