106. So Long (single 1974, Abba 1975)

The first single from Abba's third, self-titled album was clearly an attempt to recreate the Waterloo success by turning the glam-rock dial up to eleven. From hindsight it is easy to say it was a wrong move, but it is also easy to understand the situation the group was in. Waterloo was a massive hit, but after the worldwide success of the song they had to find a successful follow-up quickly before they became a one-hit Eurovision has-been. Ring Ring and Honey Honey failed to set the world alight so why not try to return to the success formula.

My first recollection of So Long is hearing a short live snippet of the song from their 1977 world tour. I was captured by the hook of the refrain and looked very much forward to hear the whole song. When I finally heard the original studio version on their third eponymous album I was disappointed that the hook-laden melody was buried in the glam rock disguise that was not what I had learned to love in Abba.

The early (1972-1975) Abba recordings are often unfairly criticized for not sounding like Abba during their biggest success years (1976-1980). So this time I tried to listen to the song with open mind and unprejudiced ears. However, with concentrated listening I did not find the Abba I love in this recording this time either. The overbearing guitars and ear shatteringly crisp vocals were what Abba thought the audience wanted, but it just does not work for me. The song has a strong melody and catchy  hook, but it does not include the finer details, beauty - yes, rock songs can be beautiful - and harmony I need in my Abba tracks. The live snippet from 1977 sounds like Abba, this does not. 

So Long could have been a great track had it been recorded several years later, once Abba had found its success formula. Abba would find its own style where it would flourish within less than two years, but after the Eurovision victory the group was lost. So Long was one of Abba's least successful singles and its place at 106 in my ranking of 110 songs feels too high at this moment.

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