Mina Ögon

Here's Agnetha with a Swedish version of the song 1973 ABBA song Disillusion, which can be found on the Ring Ring album. The Swedish title translates as "My Eyes". The ABBA version is unique in that it is the only ABBA song for which Agnetha received a songwriting credit; she composed the melody herself, although it is not known whether she solely composed the lyrics or whether Bjorn helped with this. The Swedish version of the song first appeared on Agnetha's 1975 solo album, Elva Kvinnor I Ett Hus.

Head Over Heels (Alternative Mix)

Here's a nice find by Rudolf, otherwise known as mozpiano2 on YouTube. Just listen to the build up to the first chorus ("And with no trace of hesitation...") and the first chorus itself, then compare to the same part of the song in any other mix - I think you'll agree that they are quite different!

Update: April 2012

Well, since the closure of my previous YouTube account due to copyright infringement (which I don't agree with, but we soldier on), I thought it about time to update this blog with my new details. I will get around to correcting the links to my own uploaded videos soon, but for now, you can access my new channel at the following address.

http://www.youtube.com/user/MajorSky17

Another Morning Without You ("Like An Angel..." Demo)

Here's a YouTube reupload of my previous video of this track, this time with HD audio. Unfortunately, "Ola's" noises are still there, but you can really pick out a lot more of Agnetha and Frida's absolutely angelic vocals in the background. Post any lyrics you hear in the comments so we can all share and enjoy together. :)

Matt Pop Remixes

Here is a selection of the excellent ABBA remixes from MattPop on YouTube (MattPopOfficial). Unfortunately, it seems that his previous YouTube account (producermattpop) has been suspended for copyright issues, and not all of his ABBA remixes have been reuploaded. However, I hope you enjoy this selection that he has made available again.

Incidentally, MattPop is the author of the much-loved "Hanging On The Ring Ring" ABBA versus Blondie remix, which I have previously uploaded a music video for. And, if remixes are not your thing, then I would still highly recommend that you take a listen to his version of "Just Like That" - probably one of the most well-produced remixes in existence!

My Mama Said (1974)


Knowing Me, Knowing You (1976)


Arrival (1976)


Dum Dum Diddle (1976)


If It Wasn't For The Nights (1978)


The King Has Lost His Crown (1978)


Super Trouper (1980)


Just Like That (1982)

Extended version with verses:


Undeleted/saxophone version remix (the better of the two in my opinion):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6djoEzNErh4

Wer Im Wartesaal Der Liebe Steht (1973)
(German version of Another Town, Another Train)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pg_WrQnkcMY

Hanging On The Ring Ring (ABBA versus Blondie)
http://justlikeabba.blogspot.com/2009/10/abba-blondie-hanging-on-ring-ring-matt.html

Other ABBA remixes from MattPop do exist, but they don't seem to be on YouTube at the moment. This includes versions of Dance (While The Music Still Goes On), That's Me and Like An Angel Passing Through My Room.

More ABBA Keyboard Outtakes

Following my previous video of personal ABBA keyboard outtakes, here's a further selection. These are very, very old!

Running order: (1st Video) When All Is Said And Done / The Day Before You Came / The Winner Takes It All / Like An Angel Passing Through My Room / (2nd Video) Lay All Your Love On Me / Just Like That (Original Version) / Just Like That (Nanana Version) / Just Like That (Saxophone Version - Instrumental)

Enjoy! :)

Just Like That (Alternate "Slow" Mix)

This is a slightly different mix of the "slow" version of ABBA's unreleased song, "Just Like That". This mix is the left channel only of the available stereo mp3 file, which is significantly different to the mix in the right-hand channel and indeed the mix presented when both are played in stereo.

Sång Till Görel

"Sång Till Görel" - or "Song For Görel" in English - is a tribute song that ABBA performed for friend Görel Johnsen's 30th birthday in 1979. A limited amount of 7" records were pressed of the song, which were handed out at a private party for friends and family.

Just A Notion & Crying Over You (Extended/Reconstructed Mixes!)

Here are a couple of new extended/reconstructed mixes that I've made for the Undeleted snippets "Just A Notion" and "Crying Over You". A lot of time and effort has been put into making these mixes as perfect and pleasant and possible - hope you enjoy them! :)

Keyboard Outtakes

Here's a collection of personal ABBA keyboard outtakes. Most of these recordings I never got around to finishing (with the exception of Just Like That, of which a short edit is included here). Consequentially, I end up with a lot of short edits like these, which detail the main parts of the songs. I then add very bare overdubs for a little ambiance.

Running order: Honey Honey / Hamlet III / Just A Notion (Version 1) / Just A Notion (Version 2) / Head Over Heels / Should I Laugh Or Cry / Givin' A Little Bit More

Rubber Ball Man (Extended/Reconstructed Mix)

Enjoy this high quality version of my original Rubber Ball Man extended mix.

Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame Induction

Last month, ABBA fans around the world celebrated as the group were rightfully inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame for their contributions to popular music. These videos show the actual induction itself - which was taken care of by Barry and Robin of the Bee Gees - and Benny & Frida's following speeches.

Well done, ABBA. :)

Hamlet III - Live!

Here's a lovely little find that I actually discovered myself some time ago - and if, like me, you purchased the ABBA Live In Japan DVD that was released a few months ago, you may have noticed this yourself.

During one section of the DVD, ABBA are briefly shown rehearsing for a performance they were to give. More interestingly, Benny decides to perform a sound check (always a good idea!), and - undoubtedly something fresh in his memory at the time - he decided to give a little outburst of Hamlet III! Usually known for its brief inclusion in Michael B. Tretow's "ABBA Undeleted" medley on the 1994 Thank You For The Music box set, here we see this fun ABBA instrumental played live, though all so briefly.Enjoy, and thank you to dexxtra75 for the YouTube upload. :)

Take A Chance On Me (3:25 Edit)

Here's a video that a fellow ABBA fan sent to me today. It's a rather...odd (/bad) edit of Take A Chance On Me that looks like it was some sort of promotional edit, given by the label on the vinyl in the video. Aggie's whispers are nowhere to be seen in this opus, and there are a few blatantly obvious edit points throughout the recording, which make it more historically-interesting than enjoyable.

ABBA & Blondie - Hanging On The Ring Ring (Matt Mix)

I created and uploaded this video in dedication to Matt - "producermattpop" on YouTube - for his awesome mash-up mix of Blondie's "Hanging On The Telephone" and ABBA's "Ring Ring". Footage is taken from the official music videos of ABBA's "Ring Ring" along with Blondie's "Hanging On The Telephone" and "Picture This". Enjoy!

Update: October 2009

Dear readers,

I'd just like to draw your attention to a few recent changes.

Firstly, you may have noticed the return of the post feedback feature. The feedback feature was actually first available a while back, but after I switched to this new template it disappeared for some odd reason. Under each post, you will see two feedback buttons entitled "More like this" and "Less like this". I'd appreciate it if you could help me make the blog more enjoyable for you by voting for your preferred option once you have read a post.

Secondly, I have replaced the regular Blogger tag list with a new tag cloud (you can find it in the sidebar on the left). Words that appear larger have a greater number of posts associated with them, and vice versa. Simply click on a word to be taken to a page containing all posts tagged with that word. Incidentally, I'm also in the process of "cleaning up" the tags - deleting negligible ones and adding new ones to make searching for posts easier.

I hope you appreciate these changes. Please do subscribe if you wish (it's much appreciated!), and remember you can always share your thoughts via the Visitorsbook, the link to which can be found at the bottom of every page.

Thanks for stopping by!

More Rarities

I'd like to post a few ABBA snippets that I apparently haven't got around to posting here before. With my primary reason for running this blog being to catalogue all known ABBA rarities in existence, I felt it wouldn't be fair to leave them out indefinitely. ;) Here's the first batch.

In The Arms Of Rosalita (Snippet)
This is an early demo version of Chiquitita. The excerpt heard here is from the TV documentary that ITV first showed us about a decade ago, entitled "The Winner Takes It All". ITAOR featured lead vocals by Frida, contrary to Chiquitita with its Agnetha-driven lead. Interestingly, apparently a third version of the song - Chiquitita Angelina - was sung by both girls in unison.



Get On The Carousel
This song is an early version of what was to become Hole In Your Soul. It was performed live by ABBA during their 1977 tour of Australia, which is how this recording originated. The version heard here is the complete song - not the edited version that can be heard in ABBA: The Movie. The sound quality isn't pristine, but it is an excellent arrangement, none-the-less!



I Am An A
I Am An A is a song written for the 1977 tour - with lyrics contributed by all four members of the group - jokingly depicting themselves as "A, B, B, A". The song was never considered for the studio, but parts of the chorus were later recycled into Free As A Bumblebee. As FAAB song never progressed beyond the demo, the melody surfaced once again in the chorus of I Know Him So Well, from the musical Chess.



Monsieur, Monsieur (Snippet)
The early version of My Love My Life, recorded for the Arrival album in 1976. It's a shame about the talking over the music!



To Live With You
An attempt to record B&B's earlier song Lycka with English lyrics, To Live With You was recorded in 1975, but never got further than the demo. A solemn number with an exquisite melody, it's a shame about the dreary lyrics!

More ABBA Gold Anomalies IV (Videos 11 - 15)

Here are the latest in MarkPMus's More ABBA Gold Anomalies video series, which is in fact almost at an end! However, the videos are interesting as ever; hardcore ABBA fans...take note! ;)

I Wonder (Departure)


Lovelight


Head Over Heels


When I Kissed The Teacher


I Am The City

Madonna Sings "Like An Angel Passing Through My Room"

If, besides from ABBA, you're a stringent Madonna fan such as myself, you'll appreciate this video. It's a version of Like An Angel Passing Through My Room that Madonna recorded some time during the period 1998-2000. It would have ended up on the Ray Of Light or Music albums, had she chosen to release it.

Madonna's take on the song - in my case, at least - takes a little while to fully appreciate. It's quite different from ABBA's version, and Madonna's vocals are not quite as suited to the arrangement as the elegant solemnity of Frida's. However, it is still not a bad piece at all, and so kudos to Madonna for choosing to give her own interpretation to such a beautiful song.

Update: October 2009

Howdy folks,

I'd just like to quickly let you know that you've no need to fear - I'm still alive. ;) I'm swamped right now with the university lifestyle, so please excuse my apparent disappearance over the last few months. Hopefully I'll be back with you soon with more updates. For now, enjoy this little something - and keep the ABBA love alive. :)