Chess Demos

Due to my recent obsession with the musical Chess, composed by Benny and Bjorn along with lyricist Tim Rice, I have been hunting down some Chess demos on YouTube. Needless to say there are quite few available!

I have included my personal favourites here: Every Good Man, Paternal Supervisor, and the demo of One Night In Bangkok (supposedly using Bjorn's original lyrics). Enjoy! :)

Just Like That (Na Na Na Version - Edited)

This is a nice attempt at a video for the na na na version of Just Like That. The song is also edited somewhat, and consequently is just over a minute shorter than the original.

Rubber Ball Man (Extended Mix)

Update: Please see this post for a HQ version of this mix.

When All Is Said And Done (Demo Version)

Oho, here we go again! I just love this!



After that funky attempt at recording a backing track for When All Is Said And Done, naturally Bjorn and Benny felt the need to rerecord it with a completely different arangement. It's the arrangement we've come to know (and love), as this was the version released on The Visitors (1981). However, the final release is a slightly cut-down one; the following video includes the complete original recording. (I don't want to spoil the surprise, but essentially at the end of the song there is a repeat of the first verse.)

Two For The Price Of One (Demo Version)

This is the demo version of Two For The Price Of One, of which the final version can be found on the album The Visitors (1981). Notice it is sung from the first person perspective ("I") - this is also how ABBA sung it when they performed it live on 'Dick Cavett Meets ABBA' - whereas the final version is in the third person ("He"). The lyrics are also slightly different; if you listen carefully, there is even talk of suicide! ABBA singing about suicide?! Oo-er!