ABBA Voyage: General Discussion 2022 Jan - Apr

In terms of next steps for ABBA, we've spent a lot of time discussing two unreleased songs without knowing ANYTHING without them. They were omitted from the album for a reason. We could speculate that maybe they "stick out" too much from everything else to make them a comfortable fit for Voyage - but it could also be argued that every song on that album is different to the last. It could be that they're too similar to something else and could have unbalanced the mood/feel of Voyage. And yet we're at the point of saying we'd be disappointed if the next single is not a new song - as though they're somehow sitting on another Don't Shut Me Down.

I agree that nostalgia is the angle from which most people are approaching the Voyage shows. They want a hits-laden set that will transport them to so remembered place or time. A new single won't really pull them in: both ISHFIY and to a greater degree DSMD have pulled off the new-ABBA-sounds-like-old-ABBA trick. Plus, if they have to limit the setlist to 22 songs per show (whether for technical or timing reasons), I can't imagine they'll devote too much stage time to new material, when they have committed to delivering hits and deep cuts from the back catalogue.

So if there is to be a new single, my feeling is that it will have to revive the album's fortunes. If the ABBAtars feature in a video, then the show gets another lift. Then, if the new single is somehow a hit (an airplay hit would count), it could be woven into the setlist - or not, if it doesn't connect with the public.

All that said, I love the idea of teasing everybody by ending the last single from the album with the line "this isn't where it ends"!

One or two here have felt that some of the tracks on Voyage - even though the album has mostly met with our appreciation and approval - have seemed to be not as developed as they could have been. I share that feeling. I don't mind short pop songs at all - and many big hits from the past were less than 3 minutes duration - but, (and I find it difficult to explain), Voyage gives me the impression, here and there, of being a bit 'rushed', somehow.
Like most of us, I assume, I would love to hear the two new, unreleased, songs in a single. But they are either not deemed to be good enough by Benny and Bjorn, or even abandoned, unfinished. And we've certainly been there before!

 

Anyway, I must be that rare creature who's mostly happy with Voyage? And I speak as a fan who isn't mad about everything the group created. Maybe that's because I didn't really have massive expectations or perhaps I'm just easily pleased. I never expected a Take A Chance On Me or The Visitors. I guess I'm just happy to hear the new songs and hear merit in all of them. I Still tear up when I listen to I Still Have Faith In You.

From what I gather, the two songs aren't bad, just unfinished? I'm sure I heard Benny say something along those lines in an interview.

I'm now keen to have NDAI as a single release if there is to be one. Not least because that line at the end and the abrupt ending. It leaves us wanting...dreaming. And of course it will never really end. The music will live on for generations to come even if we and AꓭBA themselves don't. That thought makes me shudder.

I have been feeling heightened emotions recently, not sure why. Perhaps it's covid and the awareness of our mortality but the slightest thing sets me off. I'm now worried I'll make a show of myself at the Abbatars concert. And what to do? Sit? Stand and dance? Aaarrgh. I need to get a grip. Overthinking everything. I want to enjoy it, not be a blubbering mess.

Go on Joe, have a good cry and blubber.. I will... it will be so emotional.. even though we know reality....

That's my feeling too. Completely uninformed on my part, but I imagine they have some merit. Whether they're single-worthy is an entirely different matter. I hope time will tell.


As for the live shows, I reckon that many an ABBA fan will be a blubbering mess. I was surprised to find myself choking up on 2 September and again a few times more when listening to ISHFIY. That final "I still have faith in you/it stands above/the crazy things we did/it all comes down to love" is sung with such emotion that it gets to me nearly every time. 

   Please can we all just try to get along here? The World is awful as it is - please don't let 'conflict' start here.

   If a Post angers or upsets you, just ignore it. Pretend that it is not there. That's what I do. Then I just Post
   about ABBA etc. Which is what this Site is all about. Not personal quarrels and anger. 

   Regarding 'Voyage'. I love the entire Album. Even 'Bumblebee'. I just like to hear New Songs from ABBA. I 
   that not all 'Voyage' Tracks are ABBA at their best, but why would they be? ABBA are in their 70's now, and
   it was unrealistic, of anyone, to expect them to sound as 'bright' and 'strong', as they did in 1976, or 1980 etc.
   It is just lovely to hear Agnetha and Frida, on the same ABBA Studio Album again. To also hear Benny & Bjorn's
   New ABBA Songs, and Productions. That makes 'Voyage' special. It was never meant to be ABBA's Best Album.
   Just a welcome 'Return' of 'Old Friends'.

   Personally, I would Release 1 more Single from it. It would get some Air Play and bring New attention to 'Voyage'.
   It needs a 'Boost' right now, as it is falling rather fast in each Country's Charts. I was rather shocked at its No.3 to
   No.10 drop, in today's UK Album Chart. It was at No.6 in the Monday Mid Week's. Unless it gets some kind of New
   Promotion - soon - it will carry on falling down the World's Charts. 

   If there is no further current Promotion, then it may well rise again, when The ABBAtars Shows 'Open' in London.
   The April and May Promotion for that, should 'Boost' ABBA's Records, in some way. As always - we will see.

I think the quote from Benny about the two new songs was "they're good". 
Considering he also once said something along the lines of "Abba only have about 25 good songs", this is praise indeed!

I would like to see one more single too. No Doubt About It would be my choice. It could be released around the time of the BRITS where there will be more publicity for ABBA. It wouldn't be much of a hit - the aim is too boost sales figures for Voyage.


I think people are getting carried away with the idea of 2 new songs.

Personally, I don't like the idea of deluxe editions - especially, not so soon after original release. I know artists do this and fans don't have to buy but it seems a rip off


Finally, Voyage has indeed taken a tumble this week in the Official Chart. But it is #4 in the Sales Chart.

Interesting you should say that you ‘must be that rare creature who’s mostly happy with Voyage’. I was thinking recently that I must be that rare creature who’s not very happy with Voyage! We can’t both be right! My impression was that most ABBA fans, on this forum and on Facebook, love Voyage. Sure, there is some nitpicking but I thought that most fans were borderline ecstatic. Maybe I’m wrong but I have only read one comment that was negative overall. It made me think that I must be missing something about Voyage (and quite envious of everyone else’s delight).

the more I listen to "Voyage" the more I like it, My favourite songs are "No Doubt about it" "Keep an eye on Dan"and "Ode to Freedom" they're the ones that stand out for me.

At this point, I really don't know where I'd put Voyage amongst their other albums. I'll have to think about that one. Somewhere near the top although it certainly couldn't detach The Visitors from the top spot.

Yes, Graham and Edmund (maybe go to the shows if you're able to, Edmund), gotta enjoy life, huh? Maybe I'll just have to stock up on Kleenex and dark glasses.

Gary, I'M right. I'm always right lol seriously though, this is a wee forum and I guess there are just a few regular posters. I really wouldn't recommend exploring the net too deeply for views on the songs from Voyage (from other fans). I won't go into too much detail suffice to say one particular 'fan' described When You Danced With Me as "horrible". I mean, really? Ah well, it's just someone's opinion after all. Luckily, I'm way too old to respond or let things like that get to me too much although of course sometimes it's impossible not to react a little. It's hard to gauge sometimes, but Voyage is clearly a success in every respect and even if there are those who are underwhelmed by it or even dislike it, that's par for the course.

Apologies for not using the quoting option. I mess it up usually so it's easier to just keep my fingers crossed and hope my responses don't get lost in the thread. It seems this is the go-to.

I think Benny downplaying how many good songs AꓭBA recorded might just be that Swedish way of not being boastful. There's a Swedish word for it which eludes me.

I've had friends ask me how I feel about Voyage and of course I respond positively but I've yet to receive any feedback. I get the impression casual fans still mainly think of AꓭBA in terms of their most famous hits. One pal likes ISHFIY and asked why Frida's accent was so strong. I wasn't sure how to reply?! I put it down to the group as a whole just being themselves and not going for absolute perfection. It's no problem to me if a word is mispronounced or there's a wobble here or there; it's all the more precious to me.

You've got me thinking, undertheappletree. What if ABBA were to mark 50 years with a double A-sided single - PNL on one side and, say, NDAI or a brand new song on the other? Naturally, NDAI or the new song would be the featured side, but all promo could trumpet the "golden jubilee" so to speak.

Plus, if there isn't a new career-spanning compilation this year, what is even the point?

Come to think of it, you don't see many Greatest Hits or Best Of compilations these days - well, not with those titles anyway. People do still release retrospectives, the James Blunt double-album "The Stars Beneath My Feet (2004-2021)" being a recent example. This album is a bit odd, as it doesn't just contain his singles but also new songs and even live tracks - they are probably tracks that have significant meaning to him in his career so far. I have for a while proposed that ABBA do something similar for their 50th anniversary (either of "People Need Love" in 2022 or "Waterloo" in 2024). However, like Alan, I wouldn't like to see the tracks from different eras mixed up. I would prefer a chronological retrospective, with the vinyl edition having the recent-era tracks on the final side. It would be quite fun to speculate on the tracks that ABBA might choose as highlights of their career, while trying to avoid all of them being singles.