Soldiers (ABBA song)

Last updated
"Soldiers"
Song by ABBA
from the album The Visitors
ReleasedNovember 29, 1981 (1981-11-29)
Genre Europop
Length4:38
Label Polar
Songwriter(s) Benny Andersson, Björn Ulvaeus
Producer(s) Andersson, Ulvaeus
Audio
"Soldiers" on YouTube

"Soldiers" is an ABBA song, released on their 1981 album The Visitors . Its working title was "Peasants".

Contents

Synopsis

The song is a critique of militarism.

Billboard explains: "emphasizing that although there seems to be so little one can do to prevent the machinations of soldiers and those who control them [...], we must 'not look the other way/taking a chance/cause if the bugler starts to play/we too must dance'". [1] The UK's Daily Telegraph describes the premise of the song as "how warmongers convince themselves they are noble men". [2]

Composition

The entire song rests upon a "simple two-note" statement". The song has a "string-ensemble synth arrangement". Agnetha uses a "subdued yet stoic vocal", and "the chorus vocals, while typically multi-tiered, are somewhat 'murkier' and less liberated in texture". [3]

Critical reception and analysis

ABBA's ABBA Gold describes the song as "bleak-yet-catchy". [4] Billboard notes its "simple yet ominous metaphors that envision impending nuclear holocaust". It goes on to explain: "the offbeat cadence of the drumming holds dark, somber verses and the sing-song quality of the chorus together", and concludes by saying "certainly very few groups can effectively handle a subject as serious as this, and still imbue it with all the qualities of a great pop song". [1] Billboard listed the song under the "Best cuts" section of an album review, along with four other songs from the album. [5] ABBA: Let The Music Speak says the song has an "unsettling caution" and also "heart and humanity". The synths "gently inflame the sense of yearning throughout, driving along a backing track which features ...bass courtesy of Rutger Gunnarsson". [3]

Cover versions

Scottish singer Barbara Dickson covered the song on her 1985 album Gold.

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References

  1. 1 2 Billboard. 1982-02-13. Retrieved 2013-09-25.
  2. ↑ Personal View. "How do you follow up a blockbuster like Mamma Mia?". Telegraph. Retrieved 2013-09-25.
  3. 1 2 Tesch, Christopher Patrick ; editor: Matthew (2008). ABBA : let the music speak : an armchair guide to the musical soundscape of the Swedish supergroup (1st ed.). Fairfield Gardens, Qld.: Christopher J N Patrick. p. 79. ISBN   9780646496764.{{cite book}}: |first= has generic name (help)CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  4. ↑ Abba's Abba Gold - Elisabeth Vincentelli - Google Books. 2004-03-31. Retrieved 2013-09-25.
  5. ↑ Billboard. 1981-12-12. Retrieved 2013-09-25.
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