King Kong Song - an appreciation
Jan 24, 2024 22:08:57 GMT
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dutchjp, Michal, and 1 more like this
Post by iiwftn on Jan 24, 2024 22:08:57 GMT
The King Kong Song is probably one of least known ABBA songs in the wider public domain. You won’t find it being belted out by Colin Firth in the next Mamma Mia movie. It’s an early effort, tucked away on an early, pre-peak album. Yet amongst hardcore ABBA fans, it is one of the most polarising tracks the group has ever recorded. There seems to be very little middle ground here. You either love it, or you hate it. I love it.
KKS also has the distinction of (arguably) being the least ABBA-like song of their entire back catalogue. This is no Dancing Queen, no One of Us. What it is, is…well: it’s the King Kong Song. It’s a sort of pop song, it’s undoubtedly 1974 glam rock. It’s even a bit heavy metal. If Meatloaf had written this for Bat out of Hell, no one would bat an eyelid.
It’s starts with those heavy-ass guitars, only for Benny to then jump in with the crispest piano part that sounds like he’s playing along to a completely different song. The track takes off at an electrifying pace and barely comes up for air at any point. You strap yourself to listen to the KKS.
The funny thing about the KKS is that the title and subsequently the lyrics are supposedly what stands out in this track. A bonkers tale about a scary gorilla and a rock and roll band. But yet for me, the tune is what makes it great. It’s just a good old romp! It rocks, but it’s also very catchy. And it’s beautifully played out. It is a stomper and the Mike Love-esque baritone bass on the chorus is clearly a nod to Benny’s fondness of the Beach Boys.
Of course, it’s not for everyone. But I do love ABBA’s experimental early work. The Waterloo album itself is almost ‘Revolver’-like in its variety and mishmash of genres and sounds.
I wonder what the four ABBA members think of the song now. Not much I suspect. Would Agnetha and Frida even remember this one?! I assume Benny and Bjorn might’ve trashed this song in later interviews?
50 years on though, there’s still a freshness and innocence to the King Kong Song. It will never be as fondly remembered as ‘Fernando’, but for me, it’s three minutes of sheer joy, an immensely talented band cutting loose and throwing the kitchen sink at it. Like King Kong itself, this song is an absolute monster.
KKS also has the distinction of (arguably) being the least ABBA-like song of their entire back catalogue. This is no Dancing Queen, no One of Us. What it is, is…well: it’s the King Kong Song. It’s a sort of pop song, it’s undoubtedly 1974 glam rock. It’s even a bit heavy metal. If Meatloaf had written this for Bat out of Hell, no one would bat an eyelid.
It’s starts with those heavy-ass guitars, only for Benny to then jump in with the crispest piano part that sounds like he’s playing along to a completely different song. The track takes off at an electrifying pace and barely comes up for air at any point. You strap yourself to listen to the KKS.
The funny thing about the KKS is that the title and subsequently the lyrics are supposedly what stands out in this track. A bonkers tale about a scary gorilla and a rock and roll band. But yet for me, the tune is what makes it great. It’s just a good old romp! It rocks, but it’s also very catchy. And it’s beautifully played out. It is a stomper and the Mike Love-esque baritone bass on the chorus is clearly a nod to Benny’s fondness of the Beach Boys.
Of course, it’s not for everyone. But I do love ABBA’s experimental early work. The Waterloo album itself is almost ‘Revolver’-like in its variety and mishmash of genres and sounds.
I wonder what the four ABBA members think of the song now. Not much I suspect. Would Agnetha and Frida even remember this one?! I assume Benny and Bjorn might’ve trashed this song in later interviews?
50 years on though, there’s still a freshness and innocence to the King Kong Song. It will never be as fondly remembered as ‘Fernando’, but for me, it’s three minutes of sheer joy, an immensely talented band cutting loose and throwing the kitchen sink at it. Like King Kong itself, this song is an absolute monster.
