ABBA Voyage: General Discussion 2021 Sept - Dec

Yay, career highest charting album in USA!!! Shame streaming is more valuable than sales.

www.billboard.com/articles/news/9659849/summer-walker-still-over-it-billboard-200-albums-chart-debut/?utm_medium=social&utm_source=facebook&fbclid=IwAR1ma1aI1mluUryXD-Nfh0Qm1gzwcbutDR00lI2Q9XEAAB_i4td9dafsBBQ

Do you really think country music radio stations, especially in the US, will play 'I Could Be That Woman', given the use of 'screw you' in the lyrics, and the general uncomfortable nature of the subject matter? I hope they do, as it's a great 'country' song, but such stations and their listeners can be quite conservative. 

@eddie, Adele’s album isn’t out until this coming Friday. I don’t think there’s any major competition in the current week other than perhaps Ed Sheeran reclaiming the top spot, but that would be a tall order.

Also, you have to understand that it’s perfectly OK for people to express views on songs that might be contrary to your own. Some of us were less than enthusiastic about Just A Notion or Little Things, for example, but it doesn’t mean we don’t like the album as a whole. The forum is here for members to discuss these things, not for us all to say, “every song ABBA has ever done is perfect”. It wouldn’t make much of an interesting conversation if we did!

Like with any other artist, believe me 

It's sad that Eddie left but I have my fingers crossed that he'll return. He has been brave in telling us of the difficulties he faces and how they affect his ability to manage things in an environment like this. I have my fingers crossed that he'll return (I hope he's reading). He knows that we're all bound to have differing opinions - he has said before that he understands that - and I wonder if things might just have gotten a little too much for him? I hope he's doing well and that he'll rethink his decision to leave.

As for KAEOD, I stand by my view of it. My view doesn't make it a good or bad single: I can't stand Thank You For The Music and look how popular that is! I personally wouldn't pick Dan as a single. But that's kind of irrelevant. Anything issued as a "single" now will be something the PR team tries to get radio stations to play as a means of refreshing interest in the album. It's not for the singles chart - it's to keep the album buoyant. 

I'll use Alison Moyet as an example: when her album The Minutes came out, it was seen as a bit of a comeback (it wasn't, but no matter). She and her team had chosen a lead single. It was brilliant, a perfect ambassador for the album. But BBC Radio 2, having been given an advance listen to the album, wanted a different song. A great song, but not necessarily representative of the album. They said they'd play their favourite, not Alison's. And so it was that the biggest radio station in Europe dictated which single came out first. It was playlisted. The album went Top 5. The preferred single eventually came out but wasn't playlisted. 

So my guess is that another "single" might be chosen on what a station like Radio 2 says. Not saying that ABBA will be dictated to, but stations will only play what they want to. Maybe the rumour is based on something someone heard from a radio station...? Maybe KAEOD has fans among the DJs?

SteveW

I would too feel cheated if extra tracks were added to Voyage in a few months time. It would just seem a rip off.

If there were to be new songs - and I don't expect there to be, then they should be stand alobe singles or an EP - not added to an album you already bought!

I’m sorry that Eddie left again. Deleting your profile is so drastic, it’s a pity the option is there (though I don’t have it myself anymore). A cooling-off period, or even just a break from the forum, might be all that’s needed in some cases. Similar with Barry (thisboycries), I was hoping he was back for the long-haul and not just a flying visit. Oh well. Hopefully Eddie will come back again when he’s able to.

I was wondering what they are singing in the picture in the middle of the lyrics sheet of the cd? Could this be a video for Little Things?! An abbatar video for that wouldn't spoil anything as we have already seen snippets of them anyway and would help both single and album sales nearer the festive season.

Regarding likes/dislikes, even Benny has said that there are only, i think it was, about 20 songs that he thinks are good!! I have to completely disagree with him there lol!

I am absolutely thrilled with this album, it has exceeded my expectations. And for it to get to number 1 is the icing on the cake! In the Benny interview posted earlier, I get a sneaky impression we may well hear those 2 other songs at some point! I still think an EP in spring would be great! But whatever happens, or doesn't happen, as i've said before, ABBA didn't have to make an album, but they did and for that I feel truly thankful and blessed to have been around to have experienced it.

Abba are like Queen in that they use multiple genres - but its the distinctive sound of the band that allows it to work so well. In ABBA's case it was the vocals, in Queen's it was Brian May's guitar and Freddies vocals. Its unlikely that many people will love all their songs for this reason - but on the plus side you don't end up with what Adele does ! If you don't like one Adele song you probably won't much like the rest of them either ! In the 70's it was Status Quo who were renowned for sticking to one genre (cynics might say it was almost the same song over and over again !).

Most ABBA albums there is a track or two I don't like, but on this album I like them all. I have no idea what should be another single.

Im  hearing entry at 2 for Canada!

Here we are talking about deluxe editions of an album just months after its release. I am not too sure if too many artists do that.

As for deluxe editions of ABBA's studio albums that was many years after their release. They were taking advantage of the switch from vinyl to CD - as most fans had not bought album on CD.

The circumstances are different.

I’m afraid they do… Kylie has just done it. The original deluxe edition of Disco now has an extra disc of newly-recorded duets. This is the norm, unfortunately. Make people buy an album again to get the extras.