For some reason I've been playing this song a lot lately. This was the first single and the biggest hit on the album. Personally I think it's an unremarkable song, although has a nice melody. It probably charted well due to being airplay-friendly, and the common theme about broken love. In this song, we learn that the person was disillusioned by "all of those great romances" that passed her by, and left her lover, only later to find herself "crying, in a lonely bed." Sound common? Right, I'll stop there then.
Saturday, 24 March 2012
Wednesday, 7 March 2012
"Like an Angel" lyrics - what do they mean?
Long awaited darkness falls
Casting shadows on the walls
In the twilight hour I am alone
Sitting near the fireplace, dying embers warm my face
In this peaceful solitude
All the outside world subdued
Everything comes back to me again
In the gloom
Like an angel passing through my room
Half awake and half in dreams
Seeing long forgotten scenes
So the present runs into the past
Now and then become entwined, playing games within my mind
Like the embers as they die
Love was one prolonged good-bye
And it all comes back to me tonight
In the gloom
Like an angel passing through my room
I close my eyes
And my twilight images go by
All too soon
Like an angel passing through my room
"Like An Angel Passing Through My Room", despite being arguably one of ABBA's more unusual (and hardly upbeat) recordings, has always been a favourite among the fans. But what exactly do the lyrics mean? For a long time, I couldn't figure it out, but with the help of an old friend of mine, Luke Rogers, some possible light has been shed on these lyrics.
Basically, the theory is that the song could possibly be about somebody dying, and in their final moments of life. From the start "Long awaited darkness falls" could refer to this "long awaited darkness" as being the moment of death. "Casting shadows on the walls" is possible a reference to the atmosphere around the person also preparing to shut down.
"In the twilight hour I am alone" - is perhaps a more obvious hint yet, as the words "twilight hour" are often used to describe the last period of someone's life. The following lyrics of the first verse simply clarify the position of the person in the song, that s/he is alone, and by a fireplace. "Everything comes back to be again" could be a reference to how so often in an older person's life, they are pondering, and recalling memories from their past, how life often basically flashes before one's eyes before dying.
"Half awake and half in dream" could be a reference to the fact that the person is not totally asleep but not totally awake either, in the final moments of someone's life this is often common - they are alternating between the conscious world and the unconscious. "Seeing long forgotten scences, so the present runs into the past" is a further reference to the person's flashbacks and how by now the present and the past both seem to run together, and there is no clear way of differentiating the two. "Now and then become entwined, playing games within my mind" simply further clarifies this.
"Like the embers as they die, love was one prolonged goodbye" is the saddest part of the song. This refers to, I believe, the idea that love, being such an important aspect of one's life, is now a concept that the person is going to be parted from forever. The ultimate inevitability of life is something we all face and nothing can avoid it in the end. The person is comparing the dying feeling of love and connection with others around them fading forever, just like the embers in the fireplace that are fizzling out. Very sad, this lyric, and typical of many of their later darker songs.
"I close my eyes, and my twilight images go by" is possibly a reference to the person closing their eyes for the last time preparing to leave the world as their flashbacks once again go by. "All too soon, like an angel passing through my room", refers to the fact that perhaps this moment is happening too soon and that the person did not really want to die. Then the angel passes through the person's room and they leave. So sad.
I would like to thank my friend Luke Rogers for enlightening me to this possible theory, as it is one way for me to make the lyrics of this song much more easy to understand. We may never know exactly what these songs mean, but sometimes the mystery is what makes these songs just so much more enlightening, and intriguing.
Casting shadows on the walls
In the twilight hour I am alone
Sitting near the fireplace, dying embers warm my face
In this peaceful solitude
All the outside world subdued
Everything comes back to me again
In the gloom
Like an angel passing through my room
Half awake and half in dreams
Seeing long forgotten scenes
So the present runs into the past
Now and then become entwined, playing games within my mind
Like the embers as they die
Love was one prolonged good-bye
And it all comes back to me tonight
In the gloom
Like an angel passing through my room
I close my eyes
And my twilight images go by
All too soon
Like an angel passing through my room
"Like An Angel Passing Through My Room", despite being arguably one of ABBA's more unusual (and hardly upbeat) recordings, has always been a favourite among the fans. But what exactly do the lyrics mean? For a long time, I couldn't figure it out, but with the help of an old friend of mine, Luke Rogers, some possible light has been shed on these lyrics.
Basically, the theory is that the song could possibly be about somebody dying, and in their final moments of life. From the start "Long awaited darkness falls" could refer to this "long awaited darkness" as being the moment of death. "Casting shadows on the walls" is possible a reference to the atmosphere around the person also preparing to shut down.
"In the twilight hour I am alone" - is perhaps a more obvious hint yet, as the words "twilight hour" are often used to describe the last period of someone's life. The following lyrics of the first verse simply clarify the position of the person in the song, that s/he is alone, and by a fireplace. "Everything comes back to be again" could be a reference to how so often in an older person's life, they are pondering, and recalling memories from their past, how life often basically flashes before one's eyes before dying.
"Half awake and half in dream" could be a reference to the fact that the person is not totally asleep but not totally awake either, in the final moments of someone's life this is often common - they are alternating between the conscious world and the unconscious. "Seeing long forgotten scences, so the present runs into the past" is a further reference to the person's flashbacks and how by now the present and the past both seem to run together, and there is no clear way of differentiating the two. "Now and then become entwined, playing games within my mind" simply further clarifies this.
"Like the embers as they die, love was one prolonged goodbye" is the saddest part of the song. This refers to, I believe, the idea that love, being such an important aspect of one's life, is now a concept that the person is going to be parted from forever. The ultimate inevitability of life is something we all face and nothing can avoid it in the end. The person is comparing the dying feeling of love and connection with others around them fading forever, just like the embers in the fireplace that are fizzling out. Very sad, this lyric, and typical of many of their later darker songs.
"I close my eyes, and my twilight images go by" is possibly a reference to the person closing their eyes for the last time preparing to leave the world as their flashbacks once again go by. "All too soon, like an angel passing through my room", refers to the fact that perhaps this moment is happening too soon and that the person did not really want to die. Then the angel passes through the person's room and they leave. So sad.
I would like to thank my friend Luke Rogers for enlightening me to this possible theory, as it is one way for me to make the lyrics of this song much more easy to understand. We may never know exactly what these songs mean, but sometimes the mystery is what makes these songs just so much more enlightening, and intriguing.
Songs from The Visitors
...succinctly:
The Visitors: Social anxiety.
Head Over Heels: Catch me if you can.
When All Is Said And Done: What doesn't kill me can only make me stronger.
Soldiers: War and violence never solved anything.
I Let The Music Speak: Eloquent
One Of Us: I should have never let you go
Two For The Price Of One: And time goes marching on.
Slipping Through My Fingers: Innocence
Like An Angel Passing Through My Room: Flashbacks, at the end of time
The Visitors: Social anxiety.
Head Over Heels: Catch me if you can.
When All Is Said And Done: What doesn't kill me can only make me stronger.
Soldiers: War and violence never solved anything.
I Let The Music Speak: Eloquent
One Of Us: I should have never let you go
Two For The Price Of One: And time goes marching on.
Slipping Through My Fingers: Innocence
Like An Angel Passing Through My Room: Flashbacks, at the end of time
Struggling with ABBA's public image
Most of people in the world like the Mamma Mia movie. I hate it.
Everyone goes on and on about the clothes ABBA wore when I couldn't care less.
Everyone loves ABBA for their early, catchy, immature yet clever and fun happy songs. Sure, these are great, but I think their real talent lies in their later emotional and lyrical masterpieces.
Everyone focusses so much on the ABBA members themselves, when I couldn't really care less about getting to know them as they are the most boring people.
Yes, as an ABBA fan, I'm struggling with ABBA's public image. Can anyone else relate?
Everyone goes on and on about the clothes ABBA wore when I couldn't care less.
Everyone loves ABBA for their early, catchy, immature yet clever and fun happy songs. Sure, these are great, but I think their real talent lies in their later emotional and lyrical masterpieces.
Everyone focusses so much on the ABBA members themselves, when I couldn't really care less about getting to know them as they are the most boring people.
Yes, as an ABBA fan, I'm struggling with ABBA's public image. Can anyone else relate?
Under-rated and Over-rated songs
These are my opinions as to what are ABBA's most under-rated and over-rated songs.
UNDER-RATED SONGS:
1. Move On (This is ABBA's biggest masterpiece, in my opinion. Nobody ever talks about it. That is a real shame.)
2. The Piper (I have never understood why people love to hate this song, it's mystical, seductive, and beautiful.)
3. Hamlet III (Parts 1 & 2) (This is IMO the real masterpiece on the Undeleted Medley, not Just Like That.)
4. One Man One Woman (This non-single was better than most of their singles, IMO).
5. So Long (This is actually one of their better songs. It is constantly regarded as a flop, but it actually did have potential to be a decent rock song).
OVER-RATED SONGS:
1. Waterloo (Yeah, I know it was their Eurovision song, but really, it ain't that great)
2. Just Like That (There really is nothing much to this song, and its lyrics are rubbish)
3. Thank You For The Music (Good song, but often it's one of the few songs people really know, blinding them to how much more ABBA has to offer)
4. Dancing Queen (As with Thank You For The Music, a great song, but often it's one of the few ABBA songs people really know)
5. Voulez-Vous (I have to admit, although this song has grown on me a bit, it struck me as odd when I first heard it, it was too over-complex, I couldn't get my head around it.)
UNDER-RATED SONGS:
1. Move On (This is ABBA's biggest masterpiece, in my opinion. Nobody ever talks about it. That is a real shame.)
2. The Piper (I have never understood why people love to hate this song, it's mystical, seductive, and beautiful.)
3. Hamlet III (Parts 1 & 2) (This is IMO the real masterpiece on the Undeleted Medley, not Just Like That.)
4. One Man One Woman (This non-single was better than most of their singles, IMO).
5. So Long (This is actually one of their better songs. It is constantly regarded as a flop, but it actually did have potential to be a decent rock song).
OVER-RATED SONGS:
1. Waterloo (Yeah, I know it was their Eurovision song, but really, it ain't that great)
2. Just Like That (There really is nothing much to this song, and its lyrics are rubbish)
3. Thank You For The Music (Good song, but often it's one of the few songs people really know, blinding them to how much more ABBA has to offer)
4. Dancing Queen (As with Thank You For The Music, a great song, but often it's one of the few ABBA songs people really know)
5. Voulez-Vous (I have to admit, although this song has grown on me a bit, it struck me as odd when I first heard it, it was too over-complex, I couldn't get my head around it.)
Saturday, 26 March 2011
Fame it or Flame it?
When I was an FM radio junkie in the late 90s, one of the competitions they would have on every night was called "Fame it or Flame it". It was when they introduced 2 songs, and asked listeners to call up and vote for which one was their preferred. The song with the most votes would be the winner (and would be "famed", and would appear on the following night's show) while the song with the least votes would be the user (and would be "flamed").
What I aim to do here is in similar spirit, but different. What I will be doing here is going through each ABBA album, selecting and "faming" the song I think is the best of all on the album, and voting off ("flaming") the worst. Wish me luck!
Ring Ring Album:
Famed: Nina Pretty Ballerina. A delightful instantly-catchy melody. Don't think much of the lyrics, but the melody alone makes it my favourite song in this whole album.
Flamed: I Saw It In The Mirror: Obviously this was one of the (rare) ABBA songs where not much effort was put into recording. A junkyard-worthy performance, in my humble opinion.
Waterloo Album:
Famed: Honey Honey. Some people call this track silly. But that's exactly what makes it stand out and be so fun. Along with the fun there's even a touch of emotion in there ("I don't wanna see you cry/So stay on the ground girl, you'd better not get to high") which is a rare touch indeed for a song as laid back and happy as this.
Flamed: Suzy-Hang-Around: A depressive, schoolyard-bullying track. Not their finest moment by a long shot.
ABBA Album:
Famed: SOS. Just beating Mamma Mia by an inch of a nose, this catchy, deep, powerful song has everything a successful pop song is made for, and more. Sad, but oddly, with a touch of underlying happiness to the beat also. As is commonly commented, this is the first song which demonstrated Agnetha's ability to "cry with her voice".
Flamed: Man In The Middle. No surprises about this one. Still remains one of the worst ABBA songs ever. There is no sense or meaning as to why this song would be worthy of being released, in my opinion. A failed attempt perhaps at something meaningful.
Arrival Album:
Famed: Why Did It Have To Be Me. Sorry, but of all the songs that weren't released as singles that should have been, this one has to take the cake. The saxophone melody tops it off perfectly.
Flamed: When I Kissed The Teacher. I know some people commend this as being a clever and meaningful song, but I respectfully disagree. Sure, a lot of people would be able to relate to it - but to me its profoundness doesn't quite top off its sense of silliness. To each their own, I guess.
The Album Album:
Famed: Move On. Hopeful, respectable, profound, elegant. No sign of anything silly or immature here. One of ABBA's finest moments, my overall favourite ABBA song. As close to perfection as any song can ever be, in my opinion.
Flamed: (this was a very hard one) I Wonder (Departure). This is a great album and all tracks I believe are masterpieces, which made this decision very hard. This is a very elegant melody with beautiful vocals, but the lyrics don't quite cut it for me. Sure, it deals with the emotions of someone struggling to make a decision about whether to make a big change, a step forward in their life. But something about it just doesn't make it stand out quite as brilliantly as the other tracks on the album.
Voulez-Vous Album:
Famed: I Have A Dream. A beautiful masterpiece, pure, angelic, and hopeful. Again, no sign of any silly immaturity here. The children's choir is the icing on the cake.
Flamed: Voulez-Vous. Sorry, I know some people may disagree, but I just think this song was way too over-complex. Although I have to admit, it is starting to grow on me.
Super Trouper Album:
Famed: Andante Andante. Delicious, sensitive, tender melody. A true gem amongst gems on this album.
Flamed: (again this was a very hard one): Me And I. Actually a great song, but perhaps not quite stacked up with the rest of them lyrically. Sure, it's quite clever, but it seems a little bit of a cliche, there seem to be a few too many songs around with lyrics like these, at least these days. Still, having to take a track off this album was torture.
The Visitors Album:
Famed: When All Is Said And Done. No surprises here. My second favourite ABBA song, just an inch before Move On. This is a powerful, emotionally strong masterpiece, and in my opinion the ultimate tribute to turning an emotionally challenging experience into something positive and uplifting.
Flamed: Two For The Price Of One. Again, no surprises here. This is such a great album, and yet this little obscure track in the middle of it once again makes them look like they were bored and looking for something to do. I like the marching band instrumental at the end though, symbolising how life marches on proudly after this new-found love.
What I aim to do here is in similar spirit, but different. What I will be doing here is going through each ABBA album, selecting and "faming" the song I think is the best of all on the album, and voting off ("flaming") the worst. Wish me luck!
Ring Ring Album:
Famed: Nina Pretty Ballerina. A delightful instantly-catchy melody. Don't think much of the lyrics, but the melody alone makes it my favourite song in this whole album.
Flamed: I Saw It In The Mirror: Obviously this was one of the (rare) ABBA songs where not much effort was put into recording. A junkyard-worthy performance, in my humble opinion.
Waterloo Album:
Famed: Honey Honey. Some people call this track silly. But that's exactly what makes it stand out and be so fun. Along with the fun there's even a touch of emotion in there ("I don't wanna see you cry/So stay on the ground girl, you'd better not get to high") which is a rare touch indeed for a song as laid back and happy as this.
Flamed: Suzy-Hang-Around: A depressive, schoolyard-bullying track. Not their finest moment by a long shot.
ABBA Album:
Famed: SOS. Just beating Mamma Mia by an inch of a nose, this catchy, deep, powerful song has everything a successful pop song is made for, and more. Sad, but oddly, with a touch of underlying happiness to the beat also. As is commonly commented, this is the first song which demonstrated Agnetha's ability to "cry with her voice".
Flamed: Man In The Middle. No surprises about this one. Still remains one of the worst ABBA songs ever. There is no sense or meaning as to why this song would be worthy of being released, in my opinion. A failed attempt perhaps at something meaningful.
Arrival Album:
Famed: Why Did It Have To Be Me. Sorry, but of all the songs that weren't released as singles that should have been, this one has to take the cake. The saxophone melody tops it off perfectly.
Flamed: When I Kissed The Teacher. I know some people commend this as being a clever and meaningful song, but I respectfully disagree. Sure, a lot of people would be able to relate to it - but to me its profoundness doesn't quite top off its sense of silliness. To each their own, I guess.
The Album Album:
Famed: Move On. Hopeful, respectable, profound, elegant. No sign of anything silly or immature here. One of ABBA's finest moments, my overall favourite ABBA song. As close to perfection as any song can ever be, in my opinion.
Flamed: (this was a very hard one) I Wonder (Departure). This is a great album and all tracks I believe are masterpieces, which made this decision very hard. This is a very elegant melody with beautiful vocals, but the lyrics don't quite cut it for me. Sure, it deals with the emotions of someone struggling to make a decision about whether to make a big change, a step forward in their life. But something about it just doesn't make it stand out quite as brilliantly as the other tracks on the album.
Voulez-Vous Album:
Famed: I Have A Dream. A beautiful masterpiece, pure, angelic, and hopeful. Again, no sign of any silly immaturity here. The children's choir is the icing on the cake.
Flamed: Voulez-Vous. Sorry, I know some people may disagree, but I just think this song was way too over-complex. Although I have to admit, it is starting to grow on me.
Super Trouper Album:
Famed: Andante Andante. Delicious, sensitive, tender melody. A true gem amongst gems on this album.
Flamed: (again this was a very hard one): Me And I. Actually a great song, but perhaps not quite stacked up with the rest of them lyrically. Sure, it's quite clever, but it seems a little bit of a cliche, there seem to be a few too many songs around with lyrics like these, at least these days. Still, having to take a track off this album was torture.
The Visitors Album:
Famed: When All Is Said And Done. No surprises here. My second favourite ABBA song, just an inch before Move On. This is a powerful, emotionally strong masterpiece, and in my opinion the ultimate tribute to turning an emotionally challenging experience into something positive and uplifting.
Flamed: Two For The Price Of One. Again, no surprises here. This is such a great album, and yet this little obscure track in the middle of it once again makes them look like they were bored and looking for something to do. I like the marching band instrumental at the end though, symbolising how life marches on proudly after this new-found love.
Thursday, 24 March 2011
Super Trouper, Succinctly
More brief descriptions of tracks from this classic album.
Super Trouper: The power of one
The Winner Takes It All: Emotional powerhouse
On And On And On: All is not well in the world, now lets rock
Andante Andante: Tenderness, almost too delicate to express
Me And I: What do Dr Freud, Jeckyll and Hyde have in common?
Happy New Year: Sweet, hopeful, trumps Auld Lang Syne any day.
Our Last Summer: Trapped hopelessly in an idealistic past, yet irresistible and sunny.
The Piper: Seductive
Lay All Your Love On Me: The disco flower the whole album revolves around
The Way Old Friends Do: The ultimate anthem for companionship.
Super Trouper: The power of one
The Winner Takes It All: Emotional powerhouse
On And On And On: All is not well in the world, now lets rock
Andante Andante: Tenderness, almost too delicate to express
Me And I: What do Dr Freud, Jeckyll and Hyde have in common?
Happy New Year: Sweet, hopeful, trumps Auld Lang Syne any day.
Our Last Summer: Trapped hopelessly in an idealistic past, yet irresistible and sunny.
The Piper: Seductive
Lay All Your Love On Me: The disco flower the whole album revolves around
The Way Old Friends Do: The ultimate anthem for companionship.
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