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For example, I once scored a goal.
The ball was coming from the right. Actually, the midfielder wanted to shoot it at the goal – and thank goodness, because if he had wanted to pass it to me, who knows where he would have sent it – and instead it ended up being the perfect assist. And I was there: in the right place at the right time, as has rarely happened to me in life.
I knew that the full-back was about to crash into me with all his 87 kg of build, but luckily for me, he had a low center of gravity and the speed of a sleepy sloth. There was plenty of time to look the goalkeeper in the eyes: I could sense his fear. He now understood that eating a porchetta sandwich before a match wasn't such a clever idea.
I stretched beyond my cartilage, conscious of facing at least a week of unrepeatable curses and fierce pains.
And when the ball hit the net, She was there.
If She is watching you while you play soccer, if she cheers when you score a goal (even if you're on a rocky and uneven suburban field and you're losing 14 to 5). If she remained there sitting on an uncomfortable bench watching a dozen bizarre little men making fools of themselves and risking a heart attack, wallowing in the mud and insulting each other, then, even if you haven't realized it yet, even if you don't deserve it, you are a lucky man. Lucky and rich.
The adverse Gods may launch against you with all their ferocity, the cruel eyes of the night may spy on your sleep, but neither the ugliness of the World nor the stupidity of Useless Talk can ever undermine the Grace of that benevolent Glance.
A Princess' gaze that makes the knight proud, the gaze of a Mother who protects and cares.
She who was only a mother-to-be for just under four weeks.
I know only a few things, but I know that the God of Pop exists.
He must exist because it's absurd to believe that certain things happen by chance. Like when you return home and have said goodbye to Marco for the last time, and you don't feel like doing anything, you turn on the TV and – is it just a coincidence? – on an improbable channel, "Blues Brothers" is on. Or when you didn't get the job and the radio, suddenly, gifts you "Anarchy in the UK" there in the traffic, so you don't have to scream alone.
To all of us, the God of Pop has smiled, at least once.
At least once, that old, affable long-haired dude, has sat next to us, in silence, as only friends in certain moments know and can do. He rolled a cigarette and stayed there next to us waiting.
Because, He knows: all things pass.
And so, I know that He and only He could have put this CD in my car. The "Greatest Hits" of Abba (because I swear, I don't remember doing it). Only He could have prompted some acquaintance of mine to gift it to me, knowing what an extraordinary pain in the ass I am when it comes to music and how much I hate Greatest Hits. And finally, only He could have stopped my hand when I – pompous fool – had decided to throw that disc in the trash.
Because, you see, when the Planets seem to converge on your fourth house and the Moon is in trine, whatever that may mean, when it seems that everything is going your way, then you can't just stare at your toes.
Run home with Her.
Because, we know, all things pass. Happiness is a nasty and mocking deity that doesn't like to stay in one place for long.
And certainly, in the car with Her, you don't listen to a prog suite, nor a string quartet, or vintage jazz, nor – definitely – brutal metal or an overly intelligent singer-songwriter.
No.
At certain moments, all you need is some healthy, colorful, useless, boisterous Pop. Stuff like Abba, with those bouffant hairstyles, the improbable makeup, sequins like village festivals, and the plastered and fixed smile. In certain moments, you have to sing, sing with Her.
Sing for Her.
Even if Science still doesn't know it (or perhaps it refuses to say it), there is a fundamental force in the Cosmos, an energy that moves things: it is the Universal Power of the Chorus. And Abba know how to compose a chorus. These guys know what they're doing. They know how to build a song.
They are on a mission from the God of Pop.
And in this album, those choruses are all there: "Waterloo", "Mamma Mia", "SOS", "Dancing Queen", "Fernando". Because when you don't know the words, you go "na na nà nà". Who cares! Then you sing the chorus!
Because this is the music you want to listen to when you've determined that, ok, the World deserves another chance.
And it has to be a "Greatest Hits", so you don't run the risk of not knowing any of them.
Yes, this is the only possible soundtrack when you're rushing home because you've decided that in the World there's room for one more person.
Tracklist Lyrics and Videos
01 Dancing Queen (03:52)
You can dance, you can jive
Having the time of your life
See that girl, watch that scene
Diggin' the dancing queen
Friday night and the lights are low
Looking out for a place to go
Where they play the right music, getting in the swing
You come to look for a king
Anybody could be that guy
Night is young and the music's high
With a bit of rock music, everything is fine
You’re in the mood for a dance
And when you get the chance
You are the dancing queen
Young and sweet, only seventeen
Dancing queen
Feel the beat from the tambourine, oh yeah
You can dance, you can jive
Having the time of your life
See that girl, watch that scene
Diggin' the dancing queen
You're a teaser, you turn 'em on
Leave 'em burning and then you're gone
Looking out for another, anyone will do
You're in the mood for a dance
And when you get the chance
You are the dancing queen
Young and sweet, only seventeen
Dancing queen
Feel the beat from the tambourine, oh yeah
You can dance, you can jive
Having the time of your life
See that girl, watch that scene
Diggin' the dancing queen
Diggin' the dancing queen
02 Knowing Me, Knowing You (04:02)
No more carefree laughter
Silence ever after
Walking through an empty house, tears in my eyes
Here is where the story ends, this is goodbye
Knowing me, knowing you
There is nothing we can do
Knowing me, knowing you
We just have to face it, this time we're through
Breaking up is never easy, I know but I have to go
Knowing me, knowing you
It's the best I can do
Memories, good days, bad days
They'll be with me always
In these old familiar rooms children would play
Now there's only emptiness, nothing to say
Knowing me, knowing you
There is nothing we can do
Knowing me, knowing you
We just have to face it, this time we're through
Breaking up is never easy, I know but I have to go
Knowing me, knowing you
It's the best I can do
Knowing me, knowing you
There is nothing we can do
Knowing me, knowing you
We just have to face it, this time we're through
Breaking up is never easy, I know but I have to go
Knowing me, knowing you
It's the best I can do
03 Take a Chance on Me (04:04)
If you change your mind, I'm the first in line
Honey I'm still free
Take a chance on me
If you need me, let me know, gonna be around
If you've got no place to go, if you're feeling down
If you're all alone when the pretty birds have flown
Honey I'm still free
Take a chance on me
Gonna do my very best and it ain't no lie
If you put me to the test, if you let me try
Take a chance on me
(that's all I ask of you honey)
Take a chance on me
We can go dancing, we can go walking, as long as we're together
Listen to some music, maybe just talking, get to know you better
'cos you know I've got
So much that I wanna do, when I dream I'm alone with you
It's magic
You want me to leave it there, afraid of a love affair
But I think you know
That I can't let go
If you change your mind, I'm the first in line
Honey I'm still free
Take a chance on me
If you need me, let me know, gonna be around
If you've got no place to go, if you're feeling down
If you're all alone when the pretty birds have flown
Honey I'm still free
Take a chance on me
Gonna do my very best and it ain't no lie
If you put me to the test, if you let me try
Take a chance on me
(come on, give me a break will you? )
Take a chance on me
Oh you can take your time baby, I'm in no hurry, know I'm gonna get you
You don't wanna hurt me, baby don't worry, I ain't gonna let you
Let me tell you now
My love is strong enough to last when things are rough
It's magic
You say that I waste my time but I can't get you off my mind
No I can't let go
'cos I love you so
If you change your mind, I'm the first in line
Honey I'm still free
Take a chance on me
If you need me, let me know, gonna be around
If you've got no place to go, if you're feeling down
If you're all alone when the pretty birds have flown
Honey I'm still free
Take a chance on me
Gonna do my very best, baby can't you see
Gotta put me to the test, take a chance on me
(take a chance, take a chance, take a chance on me)
Ba ba ba ba baa, ba ba ba ba baa
Honey I'm still free
Take a chance on me
Gonna do my very best, baby can't you see
Gotta put me to the test, take a chance on me
(take a chance, take a chance, take a chance on me)
Ba ba ba ba baa, ba ba ba ba baa ba-ba
Honey I'm still free
Take a chance on me (fade)
04 Mamma Mia (03:33)
I've been cheated by you since I don't know when
So I made up my mind it must come to an end
Look at me now
Will I ever learn
I don't know how
But I suddenly lose control
There's a fire within my soul
Just one look and I can hear a bell ring
One more look and I forget everything
Oh oh
Mamma mia
Here I go again
My my
How can I resist ya
Mamma mia
Does it show again
My my
Just how much I've missed ya
Yes I've been brokenhearted
Blue since the day we parted
Why why
Did I ever let you go
Mamma mia
Now I really know
My my
I could never let you go
I've been angry and sad about things that you do
I can't count all the times that I told you we're through
And when you go
When you slam the door
I think you know
That you won't be away too long
You know that I'm not that strong
Just one look and I can hear a bell ring
One more look and I forget everything
Whoah oh
Mamma mia
Here I go again
My my
How can I resist ya
Mamma mia
Does it show again
My my
Just how much I've missed ya
Yes I've been brokenhearted
Blue since the day we parted
Why why
Did I ever let you go
Mamma mia
Even if I said
Bye bye
Leave me now or never
Mamma mia
It's a game we play
Bye bye
Doesn't mean forever
Mamma mia
Here I go again
My my
How can I resist ya
Mamma mia
Does it show again
My my
Just how much I've missed ya
Yes I've been brokenhearted
Blue since the day we parted
Why why
Did I ever let you go
Mamma mia
Now I really know
My my
I could never let you go
05 Lay All Your Love on Me (04:34)
I wasn't jealous before we met
now every woman I see is a potential threat
and I'm possessive it isn't nice
you've heard me saying that smoking was my only vice
but now it isn't true
now everything is new
and all I've learned
has overturned
I beg of you...
don't go wasting your emotion
lay all your love on me
it was like shooting a sitting duck
a little small talk a smile and baby I was stuck
I still don't know what you've done with me
a grown up woman should never fall so easily
I feel a kind of fear
when I don't have you near
unsatisfied
I skip my pride
I beg you dear...
don't go wasting your emotion
lay all your love on me
don't go sharing your devotion
lay all your love on me
I've had a few little love affairs
they didn't last very long and they've been pretty scarce
I used to think that was sensible
it makes the truth even more incomprehensible
cause everything is new
and everything is you
and all I've learned
has overturned
what can I do...
don't go wasting your emotion
lay all your love on me
don't go sharing your devotion
lay all your love on me (repeat 2x and fade)
06 Super Trouper (04:14)
Super trouper beams are gonna blind me
But I won't feel blue
Like I always do
'Cause somewhere in the crowd theres you
I was sick and tired of everything
When I called you last night from Glasgow
All I do is eat and sleep and sing
Wishing every show was the last show
So imagine I was glad to hear youre coming
Suddenly I feel all right
(And suddenly its gonna be)
And it's gonna be so different
When I'm on the stage tonight
Tonight the super trouper lights are gonna find me
Shining like the sun
Smiling, having fun
Feeling like a number one
Tonight the super trouper beams are gonna blind me
But I wont feel blue
Like I always do
'Cause somewhere in the crowd there's you
Facing twenty thousand of your friends
How can anyone be so lonely
Part of a success that never ends
Still I'm thinking about you only
There are moments when I think I'm going crazy
But it's gonna be alright
(You'll soon be changing everything)
Everything will be so different
When I'm on the stage tonight
Tonight the super trouper lights are gonna find me
Shining like the sun
Smiling, having fun
Feeling like a number one
Tonight the super trouper beams are gonna blind me
But I won't feel blue
Like I always do
'Cause somewhere in the crowd there's you
So I'll be there when you arrive
The sight of you will prove to me Im still alive
And when you take me in your arms
And hold me tight
I know it's gonna mean so much tonight
Tonight the super trouper lights are gonna find me
Shining like the sun
Smiling, having fun
Feeling like a number one
Tonight the super trouper beams are gonna blind me
But I won't feel blue
Like I always do
'Cause somewhere in the crowd there's you
07 I Have a Dream (04:44)
I have a dream
a song to sing
to help me cope
with anything
if you see the wonder
of a fairy tale
you can take the future
even if you fail
I believe in angels
something good in everything I see
I believe in angels
when I know the time is right for me
I'll cross the stream
I have a dream
I have a dream
a fantasy
to help me through
reality
and my destination
makes it worth the while
pushing through the darkness
still another mile
I believe in angels
something good in everything I see
I believe in angels
when I know the time is right for me
I'll cross the stream
I have a dream
I'll cross the stream
I have a dream
I have a dream
a song to sing
to help me cope
with anything
if you see the wonder
of a fairy tale
you can take the future
even if you fail
I believe in angels
something good in everything I see
I believe in angels
when I know the time is right for me
I'll cross the stream
I have a dream
I'll cross the stream
I have a dream
08 The Winner Takes It All (04:55)
I don’t wanna talk
about the things we’ve gone through
though it’s hurting me
now it’s history
I’ve played all my cards
and that’s what you’ve done too
nothing more to say
no more ace to play
The winner takes it all
the loser standing small
beside the victory
that’s her destiny
I was in your arms
thinking I belonged there
I figured it made sense
building me a fence
building me a home
thinking I’d be strong there
but I was a fool
playing by the rules
The gods may throw a dice
their minds as cold as ice
and someone way down here
loses someone dear
the winner takes it all
the loser has to fall
it’s simple and it’s plain
why should I complain
But tell me does she kiss
like I used to kiss you
does it feel the same
when she calls your name
somewhere deep inside
you must know I miss you
but what can I say
rules must be obeyed
The judges will decide
the likes of me abide
spectators of the show
always staying low
the game is on again
a lover or a friend
a big thing or a small
the winner takes it all
I don’t wanna talk
if it makes you feel sad
and I understand
you’ve come to shake my hand
I apologise
if it makes you feel bad
seeing me so tense
no self-confidence
But you see
the winner takes it all
09 Money, Money, Money (03:08)
I work all night I work all day to pay the bills I have to pay
ain't it sad
and still there never seems to be a single penny left for me
that's too bad
in my dreams
I have a plan
if I got me a wealthy man
I wouldn't have to work at all I'd fool around and have a ball
(chorus)
money money money
must be funny
in the rich man's world
money money money
always sunny
in the rich man's world
ahaaa
all the things I could do
if I had a little money
it's a rich man's world
it's a rich man's world
a man like that is hard to find but I can't get him off my mind
ain't it sad
and if he happens to be free I bet he wouldn't fancy me
that's too bad
so I must leave
I'll have to go
to Las Vegas or Monaco
and win a fortune in a game my life would never be the same
(chorus x2)
it's a rich man's world
10 SOS (03:21)
where are those happy days they seem so hard to find
I try to reach for you but you have closed your mind
whatever happened to our love
I wish I understood
it used to be so nice, it used to be so good
so when you're near me darling can't you hear me, SOS
the love you gave me nothing else can save me, SOS
when you're gone
how can I even try to go on
when you're gone
though I try how can I carry on
you seem so far away though you were standing near
you made me feel alive but something died I fear
I really tried to make it up
I wish I understood
what happened to our love, it used to be so good
so when you're near me darling can't you hear me, SOS
the love you gave me nothing else can save me, SOS
when you're gone
how can I even try to go on
when you're gone
though I try how can I carry on
so when you're near me darling can't you hear me, SOS
the love you gave me nothing else can save me, SOS
when you're gone
how can I even try to go on
when you're gone
though I try how can I carry on
when you're gone
how can I even try to go on
when you're gone
though I try how can I carry on
11 Chiquitita (05:26)
Chiquitita, tell me what's wrong
You're enchained by your own sorrow
In your eyes there is no hope for tomorrow
How I hate to see you like this
There is no way you can deny it
I can see that you're oh so sad, so quiet
Chiquitita, tell me the truth
I'm a shoulder you can cry on
Your best friend, I'm the one you must rely on
You were always sure of yourself
Now I see you've broken a feather
I hope we can patch it up together
Chiquitita, you and I know
How the heartaches come and they go and the scars they're leaving
You'll be dancing once again and the pain will end
You will have no time for grieving
Chiquitita, you and I cry
But the sun is still in the sky and shining above you
Let me hear you sing once more like you did before
Sing a new song, Chiquitita
Try once more like you did before
Sing a new song, Chiquitita
So the walls came tumbling down
And your love's a blown out candle
All is gone and it seems too hard to handle
Chiquitita, tell me the truth
There is no way you can deny it
I see that you're oh so sad, so quiet
Chiquitita, you and I know
How the heartaches come and they go and the scars they're leaving
You'll be dancing once again and the pain will end
You will have no time for grieving
Chiquitita, you and I cry
But the sun is still in the sky and shining above you
Let me hear you sing once more like you did before
Sing a new song, Chiquitita
Try once more like you did before
Sing a new song, Chiquitita
Try once more like you did before
Sing a new song, Chiquitita
12 Fernando (04:13)
Can you hear the drums Fernando
I remember long ago another starry night like this
In the firelight Fernando
you were humming to yourself and softly strumming your guitar
I could hear the distant drums
And sounds of bugle calls were coming from afar
They were closer now Fernando
Every hour every minute seemed to last eternally
I was so afraid Fernando
We were young and full of life and none of us prepared to die
And I'm not ashamed to say the roar of guns and cannons almost made me cry
There was something in the air that night
The stars were bright
Fernando
They were shining there for you and me
For liberty
Fernando
Though we never thought that we could lose
There's no regret
If I had to do the same again
I would my friend
Fernando
If I had to do the same again
I would my friend
Fernando
Now we're old and grey Fernando
Since many years I haven't seen a rifle in your hand
Can you hear the drums Fernando
Do you still recall the fateful night we crossed the Rio Grande
I could see it in your eyes how proud you were to fight for freedom in this land
There was something in the air that night
The stars were bright
Fernando
They were shining there for you and me
For liberty
Fernando
Though we never thought that we could lose
There's no regret
If I had to do the same again
I would my friend
Fernando
Yes, if I had to do the same again
I would my friend
Fernando...
14 Gimme! Gimme! Gimme! (A Man After Midnight) (04:48)
Half past twelve
And I'm watching the late show in my flat all alone
How I hate to spend the evening on my own
Autumn leaves
Blowing outside the window as I look around the room
And it makes me so depressed to see the gloom
There's not a soul out there
No one to hear my prayer
Gimme gimme gimme a man after midnight
Won't somebody help me chase the shadows away
Gimme gimme gimme a man after midnight
Take me through the darkness to the break of the day
Movie stars
Find the end of the rainbow with a fortune to win
It's so different from the world I'm living in
Tired of TV
I open the window and I gaze into the night
But there's nothing there to see no one in sight
There's not a soul out there
No one to hear my prayer
Gimme gimme gimme a man after midnight
Won't somebody help me chase the shadows away
Gimme gimme gimme a man after midnight
Take me through the darkness to the break of the day
Gimme gimme gimme a man after midnight
Gimme gimme gimme a man after midnight
There's not a soul out there
No one to hear my prayer
Gimme gimme gimme a man after midnight
Won't somebody help me chase the shadows away
Gimme gimme gimme a man after midnight
Take me through the darkness to the break of the day
16 One of Us (03:58)
They passed me by,
all of those great romances.
You were, I felt, robbing me
of my rightful chances.
My picture clear.
Everything seemed so easy.
And so I dealt you the blow
One of us had to go.
Now it's different,
I want you to know.
One of us is crying.
One of us is lying
in a lonely bed.
Staring at the ceiling,
wishing she was somewhere else instead.
One of us is lonely.
One of us is only
Waiting for a call.
Sorry for herself.
Feeling stupid, feeling small.
Wishing she had never left at all.
I saw myself as a concealed attraction.
I felt you kept me away from the heat and the action.
Just like a child,
stubborn and misconceiving.
That's how I started the show.
One of us had to go.
Now I'm changed and I want you to know
One of us is crying.
One of us is lying
in a lonely bed.
Staring at the ceiling,
wishing she was somewhere else instead.
One of us is lonely.
One of us is only
Waiting for a call.
Sorry for herself.
Feeling stupid, feeling small.
Wishing she had never left at all.
Never left at all.
Staring at the ceiling,
wishing she was somewhere else instead.
One of us is lonely.
One of us is only
Waiting for a call.
18 Thank You for the Music (03:51)
I'm nothing special
in fact, I'm a bit of a bore
if I tell a joke
you've probably heard it before
but I have a talent
a wonderful thing
cause everyone listens when I start to sing
I'm so grateful and proud
all I want is to sing it out loud
so I say
thank you for the music
the songs I'm singing
thanks for all the joy they're bringing
who can live without it
I ask in all honesty
what would life be
without a song or a dance what are we
so I say thank you for the music
for giving it to me
Mother says I was a dancer before I could walk
mmhmm, she says I began
to sing long before I could talk
and I've often wondered
how did it all start
who found out that nothing
can capture a heart
like a memory can
well, whoever it was
I'm a fan
so I say
thank you for the music
the songs I'm singing
thanks for all the joy they're bringing
who can live without it
I ask in all honesty
what would life be
without a song or a dance what are we
so I say thank you for the music
for giving it to me
I've been so lucky
I am the girl with golden hair
I wanna sing it out to everybody
what a joy
what a life
what a chance!
so I say
thank you for the music
the songs I'm singing
thanks for all the joy they're bringing
who can live without it
I ask in all honesty
what would life be
without a song or a dance what are we
so I say thank you for the music
for giving it
to me
19 Waterloo (02:42)
My my, at Waterloo Napoleon did surrender
Oh yeah, and I have met my destiny in quite a similar way
The history book on the shelf
Is always repeating itself
Waterloo, I was defeated, you won the war
Waterloo, promise to love you for ever more
Waterloo, couldn't escape if I wanted to
Waterloo, knowing my fate is to be with you
Waterloo, finally facing my Waterloo
My my, I tried to hold you back but you were stronger
Oh yeah, and now it seems my only chance is giving up the fight
And how could I ever refuse
I feel like I win when I lose
Waterloo, I was defeated, you won the war
Waterloo, promise to love you for ever more
Waterloo, couldn't escape if I wanted to
Waterloo, knowing my fate is to be with you
Waterloo, finally facing my Waterloo
So how could I ever refuse
I feel like I win when I lose
Waterloo, couldn't escape if I wanted to
Waterloo, knowing my fate is to be with you
Waterloo, finally facing my Waterloo
Waterloo, knowing my fate is to be with you
Waterloo, finally facing my Waterloo
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Other reviews
By Pibroch
They were among the symbols of an era, the '70s, the kids around the bonfires on the beach singing you’re the dancing queen.
There aren’t just sappy songs, but also beautiful ballads like the delicate 'I Have A Dream', or even nice dancy tunes, like 'Take A Chance On Me' and 'Gimme! Gimme! Gimme!'
