"The Visitors" by ABBA

Song#:  0992
Date:  04/17/1982
Debut:  95
Peak:  63
Weeks:  8
Genre:  Pop



Pop Bits:  Although it wasn't known at the time, "The Visitors" would be ABBA's final studio album. It's first single, "When All Is Said and Done," didn't impact the chart in any significant way only reaching #27. This second title-track single couldn't even get near the Top 40 and it became their final chart entry. The quartet went back into the studio and recorded a few songs for a planned follow-up album, but the LP never materialized. They did have two new recordings released in late 1982 on a compilation called "The Singles: The First Ten Years" with one song, "The Day Before You Came," getting to #3 in the UK. On December 11, 1982, the group performed via remote from Sweden on a UK TV show, which became their last performance together. After that, the group just kind of went their own ways and never officially announced a breakup. The group's two women, Anni-Fryd (Frida) and Agnetha, went on to solo work while the two men, Benny and Bjorn, would go on to co-write the award winning musical "Chess." While hugely popular in Europe, they were not as successful in the US. That changed when their music found its way into films and even a Broadway show ("Mamma Mia!"). The revival arguably gave them more popularity in the US than when they were active. It lead to them being inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2010.

ReduxReview:  I really like this opening track from the album. With its spacy verses and charging chorus, it is one of the more interesting songs in their catalog. I can't say that it makes a terrific single though. There is not much of a hook here to grab onto and if I was hearing this for the first time on the radio, I'd have no idea what it might be called. I'd probably look for something called "Crackin' Up," as that is what is most repeated. Although not hit-worthy, its a nice entry in their catalog.

ReduxRating:  6/10

Trivia:  Just how popular were ABBA in Europe? So much so that an entire 25-room interactive exhibition called ABBAWORLD was opened in 2010 in London. The exhibition toured several cities in Europe and was approved by the members of ABBA.

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