When All Is Said and Done

Last updated

"When All Is Said and Done"
ABBA - When All Is Said And Done.jpg
Single by ABBA
from the album The Visitors
B-side "Should I Laugh or Cry"
Released31 December 1981 (U.S.)
Recorded16–19 March 1981; finished 14 November 1981
Studio Polar Studios (Stockholm, Sweden)
Genre
Length3:20
Label Atlantic (U.S.)
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)
  • Benny Andersson
  • Björn Ulvaeus
ABBA singles chronology
"One of Us"
(1981)
"When All Is Said and Done"
(1981)
"Head over Heels"
(1982)
"No Hay a Quien Culpar"
ABBA - No Hay a Quien Culpar (El Salvador).jpg
El Salvador single

Mamma Mia! version

"When All Is Said and Done" was included in the 2008 film version of the ABBA musical, Mamma Mia! , performed by Sam Carmichael (played by Pierce Brosnan), with one line – "slightly worn but dignified, and not too old for sex" – also sung by Meryl Streep. The song is substantially different from the original release, not only in that it has been reworked into a ballad but also that a new second verse was written by Björn Ulvaeus specifically for the movie soundtrack and added to the song's original lyrics as recorded by ABBA:

"It's been there in my dreams, the scene I see unfold
True at last, flesh and blood, to cherish and to hold
Careless fools will suffer, yes, I know and I confess:
Once I lost my way when something good had just begun
Lesson learned – it's history – when all is said and done"

In the context of the movie, the lyrics also take on an entirely different meaning: as opposed to the original which describes a couple going their separate ways, it portrays two lovers finding their way back to each other and rekindling their romance. The song is sung when Sam decides to propose to Donna after he confesses to marrying another woman and then divorcing her; Donna ultimately accepts.

References

  1. "In Focus: When All is Said and Done - the Lost Hit Single". abbasite.com. 13 June 2012. Retrieved 10 June 2018.
  2. Andersson, Benny; Ulvaeus, Bjorn (19 January 2009). "ABBA "When All Is Said and Done" Sheet Music in D Major (transporable) — Download & Print". Musicnotes.com. Universal Music Publishing Group . Retrieved 31 May 2025.
  3. "Rafaels and Stefans pictures". Raffem.com. 29 August 1981. Retrieved 25 October 2016.
  4. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6qmzmD4POMk ABBA: No Hay A Quien Culpar. Retrieved 10 June 2018.
  5. "Top Single Picks". Billboard. 26 December 1981. p. 87. Retrieved 21 January 2023.
  6. Gabriel, Thomas (13 February 1982). "General News — Closeup". Billboard . Vol. 94, no. 6. New York, NY. p. 72. ISSN   0006-2510.
  7. Lawson, Michael (16 December 1981). "Swedish quartet scores top marks". The Leader-Post . Regina, Saskatchewan: The Canadian Press. p. B-14.
  8. David Kent (2006). Australian Charts Book 1993—2005. Australian Chart Book Pty Ltd, Turramurra, N.S.W. p. 10. ISBN   978-0-646-45889-2.
  9. When All Is Said and Done (American 7-inch single sleeve). ABBA. Atlantic Records. 1981. 3889.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  10. When All Is Said and Done (Australian 7-inch single sleeve). ABBA. RCA Victor. 1982. 103955.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  11. When All Is Said and Done (Mexican 7-inch single sleeve). ABBA. RCA Victor. 1982. SP-5718.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  12. No Hay A Quien Culpar (Salvadorean 7-inch single sleeve). ABBA. RCA Records. 1981. CA-11274.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  13. No Hay A Quien Culpar = When All Is Said and Done (American Spanish 7-inch single sleeve). ABBA. Discos CBS International. 1982. DAS-40005.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  14. David Kent (2006). Australian Charts Book 1993—2005. Australian Chart Book Pty Ltd, Turramurra, N.S.W. p. 10. ISBN   978-0-646-45889-2.
  15. "Top RPM Adult Contemporary: Issue 0470." RPM . Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved 7 October 2021.
  16. "Latin American (International) Hit Parade". Record World . Vol. 18, no. 1805. New York, NY. 13 March 1982. ISSN   0034-1622.
  17. "ABBA Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved 7 October 2021.
  18. "ABBA Chart History (Adult Contemporary)". Billboard. Retrieved 7 October 2021.
  19. "ABBA Chart History (Dance Club Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved 7 October 2021.
  20. "Cash Box Top 100 Singles". Cash Box . Vol. XLIII, no. 42. New York, NY. 13 March 1982. p. 4. ISSN   0008-7289.
  21. "The Back Page — National Airplay/30 — Adult/Contemporary". Radio & Records . No. 422. 5 March 1982. p. 56. ISSN   0277-4860.
  22. "Record World Singles". Record World . Vol. 18, no. 1805. New York, NY. 13 March 1982. p. 23. ISSN   0034-1622.
  23. "Record World A/C Chart". Record World . Vol. 18, no. 1805. New York, NY. 13 March 1982. ISSN   0034-1622.
  24. Fell, Ron, ed. (17 December 1982). "A/C Top 100". Gavin Report . No. 1437. San Francisco, CA. p. 16.
  25. "Top 82 of 82 — Adult/Contemporary". Radio & Records. No. 462. Los Angeles, CA. 10 December 1982. p. 43. ISSN   0277-4860.