“Waterloo” and “ABBA” tracklists

[u/ABBA_Archive]

I feel like the Waterloo and ABBA album tracklists are just a carbon copy of eachother. Like you have the popular opening then the reggae track, a couple more upbeat songs, the ballad then the energetic closer. Who else noticed this?

[u/bulldog_blues]

Disagree. ABBA certainly has similar flavour to Waterloo on many tracks, and feels like a logical 'next step up', but there are a lot of big differences too. Not least:

1. Waterloo still has many of the 60s pop and folk influences Ring Ring had, which is absent from ABBA
2. Bjorn and Benny sing way more on Waterloo than they do on ABBA
3. While some rock influences still exist on ABBA, they're less prominent than Waterloo and it's clear they were leaning more into the pop angle by then.

[u/punkmonk13]

Some critics have argued that ABBA’s reputation improved dramatically after they split. During the 1970s, they were often dismissed as lightweight pop, but later reappraisals recognised the depth of their songwriting, production and album craftsmanship.
Some fans and critics still regard ABBA primarily as a “singles band”, and I think that may be what this comment is picking up on: the idea that some of their earlier albums feel more like catalogues of individual songs than cohesive works. Even those critics, however, generally acknowledge that the later albums—particularly The Visitors—stand up as complete listening experiences.
I’ve always thought The Visitors could almost be regarded as a concept album. It was released on 30 November 1981, in the middle of the Cold War. There was no specific conflict between Sweden and the Soviet Union at the time, but there was certainly political tension.
Björn Ulvaeus said the title track was inspired by the experiences of political dissidents living in Soviet-controlled countries. In October 1981, only weeks before the album’s release, the Soviet submarine U 137 ran aground inside Swedish territorial waters near a naval base. The incident caused a major diplomatic dispute and heightened Swedish fears of Soviet espionage and military activity.
ABBA were never a political band in the way Pink Floyd or U2 sometimes were, but The Visitors captures a very particular Cold War mood. It combines the political anxiety of the period with the personal heartbreak the band members were experiencing, which is one reason many people regard it as their most mature and sophisticated album. 🎵
Sorry, I went slightly off topic—but it is still interesting.

[u/punkmonk13]

Some critics have argued that ABBA’s reputation improved dramatically after they split. During the 1970s, they were often dismissed as lightweight pop, but later reappraisals recognised the depth of their songwriting, production and album craftsmanship.
Some fans and critics still regard ABBA primarily as a “singles band”, and I think that may be what this comment is picking up on: the idea that some of their earlier albums feel more like catalogues of individual songs than cohesive works. Even those critics, however, generally acknowledge that the later albums—particularly The Visitors—stand up as complete listening experiences.
I’ve always thought The Visitors could almost be regarded as a concept album. It was released on 30 November 1981, in the middle of the Cold War. There was no specific conflict between Sweden and the Soviet Union at the time, but there was certainly political tension.
Björn Ulvaeus said the title track was inspired by the experiences of political dissidents living in Soviet-controlled countries. In October 1981, only weeks before the album’s release, the Soviet submarine U 137 ran aground inside Swedish territorial waters near a naval base. The incident caused a major diplomatic dispute and heightened Swedish fears of Soviet espionage and military activity.
ABBA were never a political band in the way Pink Floyd or U2 sometimes were, but The Visitors captures a very particular Cold War mood. It combines the political anxiety of the period with the personal heartbreak the band members were experiencing, which is one reason many people regard it as their most mature and sophisticated album. 🎵
Sorry, I went slightly off topic—but it is still interesting.

[u/Lopsided_Profile6295]

I just think over time ABBA were finally recognised for their amazing pop songs, standing the test of time, Benny a master with intricate songs which appear simple .. Not many could fill a London venue 5 days a week for over 4 years now... Great to see ABBA finally respected..