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Post by undertheappletree on Jul 29, 2022 11:49:39 GMT
Are you replying to me directly or other? Either way no problem, as is our opinions on if we think TWTIA lyrics are some what Contrived in a specific way. I based my opinion on reading these lyrics; The gods may throw a dice
Their minds as cold as ice
I figured it made sense
Building me a fence
It's simple and it's plain
Why should I complain
Does it feel the same
When she calls your name?
Spectators of the show
Always staying low
I have no interest in checking out other artists french or other ie Beatles who l have little interest in, yes Dum Dum maybe a silly childish title, but l like the vibe musically, of course Bjorn is Swedish, we can take that into consideration, when we observe, and when we make an analysis of certain things, and it is also acceptable for people to freely express their individual opinions all are welcome.
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Post by HOMETIME on Jul 30, 2022 10:12:50 GMT
My own view is that taking isolated couplets is missing the actual detail in the lyric. "I figured it made sense/building me a fence" is followed directly by "building me a home/thinking I'd be strong there/But I was a fool/playing by the rules." That, for me, is the complete thought and the first couplet merely starts it. It's bitterness and (justifiable) self-pity following the destruction of trust. I think Bjorn may have missed a little trick by not saying "Building us a home..." to better demonstrate the commitment to the now-broken relationship.
The chanson type flow of the melody is matched well, I think, by the melodrama of the lyrics. Jacque Brel was cited in this discussion and if you take his gorgeous Ne Me Quitte Pas as a comparison, some of the melodrama is really over the top. It's been recorded in English (sometimes a mix of English and French) by many over the years. Both my favourite versions are live recordings by Alison Moyet, both in French. One section translates as "I'll be the shadow of your shadow/the shadow of your hand/the shadow of your dog/Don't leave me/Don't leave me/Don't leave me." And I'm sorry, but that is ridiculously over the top. I realise that translating directly from French probably misses something essential in the idiom - likewise the way rhymes are constructed in that language - but it's a stunningly beautiful song for all that. We sometime have to take the song as a whole and not nitpick at the pointing between the brickwork.
That's not to dismiss anyone's misgivings about TWTIA. Your love or hate for this or any song is entirely yours to own and not have to defend.
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Post by undertheappletree on Jul 31, 2022 16:24:19 GMT
Interesting observations, esp, the pointing between the brickwork;) something l have been doing on my old Stone house, with lime of course TWTIA lends it self more to German Schlager l always thought. But maybe if one listens to the Chanson type songs such as Brel, Piaf, Which l like, maybe. Going back to the lyrics lam now thinking they are assembled more akin to how an Irish Limerick rhymes the ending sentences, nothing wrong with that of course just another observation, from Les vieux
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Post by truedogz on Aug 1, 2022 9:43:58 GMT
I mentioned earlier a documentary where we get to here some of the isolated tracks in Ring Ring. The link is posted below.
The doco is in Swedish but its worth watching to hear parts of this song deconstructed. Its evident that even at this early time ABBA had some pretty complex arrangements and mixing.
One person on Youtube has translated some of Benny's comments:
"When he plays the piano riff from "Ring Ring" he says "That wasn't there from the beginning, but we created it in the studio". He also mentions that Tretow slowed the tape down by putting a piece of tape on the replay head [Benny says replay head, but he may have meant the pinch roller], and then they overdubbed the entire backing track again, since they couldn't afford hiring more musicians. He also says A&A didn't like to record those vocal harmonies."
The same person answered a few questions clarifying what was said in the video:
"So, just to clarify, they recorded the backing track twice, and the second one was different pitch- and playback speed-wise?"
"Yes, the point of recording the backing track more than once was to make it sound a little wider, and you don't really get that effect if you record it again at the same pitch. (Today, with digital recordings, musician often purposely tune their instruments a little flat/sharp instead to achieve the same effect.)"
Here is the link:
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Post by truedogz on Aug 1, 2022 10:17:23 GMT
I think a lot of us love hearing the stripped down recordings where we get to hear the harmonies and hooks more clearly. I've got another example.
A lot of people love the Name of the Game and it is a recording that Benny said they got the best they could out of what he thought initially was an ok song.
This doco is a bit contrived with a boy visiting the studio. From the 3.00 min mark they appear to record a bit of accoustic guitar overdub plus some piano hooks I really like. I am not certain but I think this really got used in the final mixing (at least the actual hooks, but not the session as they would not record with the main track playing loudly in the background):
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