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Waterloo (song)

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"Waterloo"
Song
B-side"Honey, Honey"
(Swedish version)
"Waterloo"
Song
B-side"Watch Out"
Sweden "Waterloo"
Eurovision Song Contest 1974 entry
Country
Artist(s)
As
Language
Composer(s)
Lyricist(s)
Conductor
Finals performance
Final result
1st
Final points
24
Entry chronology
◄ "You're Summer" (1973)
"Jennie, Jennie" (1975) ►

"Waterloo" was the first single from Swedish pop group ABBA's second album Waterloo, and their first for Epic and Atlantic. This was also the first single to be credited as "ABBA".

The song won ABBA the 1974 Eurovision Song Contest on 6 April and began their path to worldwide fame. The Swedish version single was coupled with "Honey, Honey" (Swedish version), while the English version featured "Watch Out" as the B-side.

The single became their first #1 hit in several countries, reached the U.S. top 10 and went on to sell nearly six million copies making it one of the best-selling singles of all time.

"Waterloo" is the quintessential Eurovision song, according to Dr Harry Witchel, physiologist and music expert at the University of Bristol.

History

"Waterloo" was originally written as a song for the 1974 Eurovision Song Contest, after the group finished third with Ring Ring the previous year in the Swedish pre-selection contest, Melodifestivalen 1973. Since it focused on lead vocalists Agnetha Fältskog and Anni-Frid Lyngstad, Björn Ulvaeus and Benny Andersson chose it in place of another of their songs, "Hasta Mañana". "Waterloo" is about a girl who is about to surrender to romance, as Napoleon had to surrender at the Battle of Waterloo in 1815.

The song proved to be a good choice. It won Melodifestivalen 1974 (in Swedish) in February and won the Eurovision Song Contest 1974 (ESC) final on 6 April by six points.

"Waterloo" was originally written with simultaneous rock music and jazz beats (unusual for an ABBA song); this was later discarded in favour of more disco-esque rhythms. The song broke the "dramatic ballad" tradition of the Eurovision Song Contest by its flavour and rhythm, as well as by its performance: ABBA gave the audience something that had never been seen before in ESC: flashy costumes (including silver platform boots), a group not singing in their native language, plus a catchy uptempo song and even simple choreography.

Though it isn't well-known, Polar accidentally released a different version of "Waterloo" shortly after ABBA's Eurovision win before replacing it with the more famous version. The alternate version had a harder rock sound, omitting the saxophones, plus an additional "oh yeah" in the verses. The alternate version was commercially released in 2005 as part of The Complete Studio Recordings box set. However, it was this version that ABBA performed in the 1979 Europe/North American tour.

Reception

The "Waterloo" single introduced the world to the phenomenon that was to become ABBA. The song shot to #1 in the UK and stayed there for two weeks, becoming the first of the band's nine UK #1's, and the 16th biggest selling single of the year in the UK.[2] It also hit the top of the charts in Belgium, Finland, West Germany, Ireland, Norway, South Africa and Switzerland, while reaching the Top 3 in Austria, France, the Netherlands, Spain, and ABBA's native Sweden. (The tune did not reach #1 in their home country, its Swedish (#2) & English (#3) versions were beat out for the top spot by the Waterloo album [At the time Sweden had a combined Album and Singles Chart].) The song also spent 11 weeks on Svensktoppen (24 March - 2 June 1974), including 7 weeks at #1.[3] Surprisingly, the song never made a huge impact in Italy, only reaching #14. In fact, ABBA would only achieve Top 10 success in Italy 3 times.

But the song's appeal transcended Europe; unlike other Eurovision-winning tunes, which are usually ignored outside the continent, "Waterloo" also reached the Top 10 in Australia, Canada, New Zealand, Zimbabwe and even the United States (peaking at #6, "Waterloo" is one of only two Eurovision winners, the other being "Save Your Kisses For Me", to be an American Top 40 hit). "Waterloo" is the only Eurovision song to reach the Top 10 in 15 countries. The Waterloo album performed similarly well in Europe, although in the US it failed to match the success of the single.

ABBA had originally cited the Wizzard song "See My Baby Jive" as influences; in the wake of their Eurovision victory, were quoted as saying that it would not surprise them if artists such as Wizzard would consider entering the Eurovision contest in future.

In 1994, "Waterloo" (along with several other ABBA hits) was included in the soundtrack of the film Muriel's Wedding. It was re-released in 2004 (with the same B-side), to celebrate its 30th anniversary, reaching #20 on the UK charts.

On 22 October 2005, during the 50th celebration of the Eurovision Song Contest, "Waterloo" was chosen as the best song in the competition's history.

Tracklisting

Swedish Version

a. Waterloo (Swedish Version) b. Honey Honey (Swedish Version)

English Version

a. Waterloo (English Version) b. Watch Out

Official versions

  • "Waterloo" (English Version)
  • "Waterloo" (English Alternate Version)
  • "Waterloo" (French Version) - recorded 18 April 1974 in Paris, France.
  • "Waterloo" (French/Swedish Version) - Overdubs of French and Swedish Versions
  • "Waterloo" (German Version)
  • "Waterloo" (Swedish Version)

Release history

Region Date Title Label Format Catalog
Sweden 4 March 1974 "Waterloo" (Swedish) / "Honey, Honey" (Swedish) Polar Single POS 1186
Sweden 4 March 1974 "Waterloo" (English) / "Watch Out" Polar Single POS 1187
UK 1974 "Waterloo" / "Watch Out" Epic Single EPC 2240
USA 1974 "Waterloo" / "Watch Out" Atlantic Single 45-3035
West Germany 1974 "Waterloo" (German) / "Watch Out" Polydor Single 2040 116
France 1974 "Waterloo" (French) / "Gonna Sing You My Lovesong" Vogue Single 45. X. 3104

Chart positions

Chart (1974) Position
Australian Singles Chart 4
Austrian Singles Chart 2
Belgian Singles Chart 1
UK Singles Chart 1
Canadian Singles Chart 7
Dutch Singles Chart 2
Finnish Singles Chart 1
French Singles Chart 3
German Singles Chart 1
Netherlands 1
Irish Singles Chart 1
Italian Singles Chart 14
New Zealand Singles Chart 3
Norwegian Singles Chart 1
Rhodesian Singles Chart 2
South African Singles Chart 1
Spanish Singles Chart 3
Swedish Singles Chart 2 (Swedish)
3 (English)
Swiss Singles Chart 1
U.S. Billboard Hot 100 6

Remakes

  • In 1974 both Seija Simola and Ami Aspelund each recorded a Finnish-language cover version of "Waterloo" whose lyrics were written by Simola; that summer Simola's recording of "Waterloo" reached the Top Ten in Finland during the same period the ABBA original was at #1.
  • A Swedish country band called Nashville Train (which included some of ABBA's own backing band members) covered the song in the 1970s on their album ABBA Our Way.
  • 1970s Hong Kong pop band The Wynners recorded a cover of the song. It was last included on their 2007 compilation Stars on 33.
  • In 1986, a cover version of the song was recorded and released by Doctor and the Medics,[4] with special guest Roy Wood on saxophone and backing vocals, reached No. 45 on the UK chart.
  • A heavy metal cover of the song by Nation can be found on the compilation ABBAMetal (also released as A Tribute to ABBA).
  • The 1995 New Zealand compilation Abbasalutely includes a version by Cloth.
  • Spanish rock band Los Enemigos recorded an English cover of the song for their 1995 album Por la Sombra Hermana Amnesia.
  • In 1998, UK girl group Bananarama reunited to record "Waterloo" for the Eurovision parody A Song For Eurotrash on Channel 4. Their music video featured the girls waking up from a hang-over, dancing around in wedding dresses at an altar (with male back-up dancers in military uniform), and getting into a food fight at a wedding reception. The song was included on the 1999 compilation, ABBA - A Tribute: The 25th Anniversary Celebration.
  • Swedish heavy metal band Black Ingvars covered "Waterloo" in Swedish on their 1998 album Schlager Metal.
  • The song was covered by ABBA tribute pop group Arrival on their 1999 album First Flight.
  • Dance versions of the song have been recorded by Abbacadabra (released through Almighty Records), Tiny T on the Lay All Your Love On ABBA tribute album, German Eurodance group E-Rotic on their 1997 Thank You For The Music album and the 1998 compilation Dancemania Covers 2, Baby Dolls (in 1991), and the Golden Queens.
  • Singer/songwriter Pamela McNeill covered the song on her album Tribute To ABBA, which was produced by her husband Dugan McNeill.
  • An instrumental electronica version by Motor Industries can be found on the 2001 compilation The Electronic Tribute To ABBA.
  • On the UK ABBAMania 2 album released in 2004, the song was performed by Michelle Hardwick, Vickie Gates, and Will Mellor.
  • Another electronica version was recorded by an artist called Roymond, which was available for download on the Internet.
  • German pop group Banaroo covered the song for the German ABBA Mania compilation, which coincided with a TV special.
  • The song was covered by Edie on the 2004 compilation Abbalicious, performed by various American drag queens.[5]
  • The Dan Band recorded a cover of Waterloo as part of an ABBA medley for his 2005 The Dan Band Live album.
  • A cover of the song by Finnish a cappella choral ensemble Rajaton can be found on their 2006 ABBA tribute album Rajaton Sings ABBA With Lahti Symphony Orchestra.
  • The song was covered by the Hong Kong children's T.I.V.C. (The Innocent Voices Choir) for their 2006 album Let's Dance You Jump Over the Day.
  • German AC/DC tribute band Riff Raff recorded a cover in AC/DC style for their 2006 album Rock 'N' Roll Mutation Vol. 1: Riff Raff Performs ABBA.
  • California indie band Popdudes, featuring Kenny Howes, included a cover of the song on their album Maximum Rock Stupidity. It is also featured on the 2006 power pop compilation International Pop Overthrow - Volume 9.[6]
  • Tribute band Gabba (band) recorded a cover of the song, in the style of The Ramones. A sample can be heard on their official website.[7]
  • The song was covered in a jazz/lounge music style by American group BNB on their 2008 album Bossa Mia: Songs of ABBA.[8]
  • Australian rock band Audioscam covered the song on their 2008 album Abbattack. Samples from the album can be heard on their official MySpace page.[9]
  • Dutch group Mrs. Einstein recorded a cover of the song for the Eurovision music contest.
  • Tribute rock band No Matter What recorded a cover of the song.
  • An electronica version recorded by indie music artist Phil Glanville was available for download on the Net.
  • German band Marty & His Rockin' Comets recorded a cover of the song in swing music fashion. It can be heard on their official website.[10]
  • Danish duo Olsen Brothers (winners of the Eurovision contest in 2000) covered the song on their 2010 album Wings of Eurovision.

Live cover performances

Appearances in other media

References

  1. ^ Waterloo (Swedish version) single
  2. ^ Scott, Robert (2002) 'ABBA: Thank You for the Music - The Stories Behind Every Song', Carlton Books Limited: Great Britain, p.42
  3. ^ Svensktoppen - 1974
  4. ^ Oldham, A, Calder, T & Irvin, C: "ABBA: The Name of the Game", page 209. Sidgwick & Jackson, 1995
  5. ^ [1][dead link]
  6. ^ Link to CD listing on All Music Guide
  7. ^ "GABBA The Discopunk Sensation - MEDIA". Gabba.co.uk. Retrieved 2012-01-08.
  8. ^ [2][dead link]
  9. ^ Au. "Audioscam | Gratis muziek, tourneedata, foto's, video's". Profile.myspace.com. Retrieved 2012-01-08.
  10. ^ "Willkommen auf der Homepage von Marty and his Rockin' Comets". Rockincomets.de. Retrieved 2012-01-08.
  11. ^ "#2: ABBA – Waterloo (1974) « The Eurovision Times". Eurovisiontimes.wordpress.com. Retrieved 2012-01-08.

External links

Preceded by Norwegian VG-lista Singles Chart number-one single
8 April 1974 – 27 May 1974 		Succeeded by
Preceded by
"Tchip Tchip" by Cash & Carry
 Swiss Singles Chart number-one single
24 April 1974 – 19 June 1974
Preceded by
"Seasons In The Sun" by Terry Jacks
 Irish Singles Chart number-one single
30 April 1974 		Succeeded by
"Any Dream Will Do" by Joe Cuddy
Preceded by Belgian Flemish VRT Top 30 number-one single
27 April 1974 – 25 May 1974 		Succeeded by
"Seasons In The Sun" by Terry Jacks
Preceded by
"Seasons In The Sun" by Terry Jacks
 UK Singles Chart number-one single
4 May 1974 – 18 May 1974 		Succeeded by
Preceded by
"Seasons In The Sun" by Terry Jacks
 German Singles Chart number-one single (first run)
7 June 1974 		Succeeded by
"Seasons In The Sun" by Terry Jacks
German Singles Chart number-one single (second run)
21 June 1974 – 7 July 1974 		Succeeded by
"Sugar Baby Love" by The Rubettes
Awards
Preceded by
"Sommaren som aldrig säger nej" by Malta
 Melodifestivalen winners
1974 		Succeeded by
"Jennie, Jennie" by Lasse Berghagen
Preceded by Eurovision Song Contest winners
1974 		Succeeded by
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