It’s rare that newer versions of old songs improve on the originals. Cover versions invariably dilute the original recording’s concept, and it’s unusual for a band to record a new version of an old song. Saint Etienne did it recently, as elements of Foxbase Alpha were re-recorded for their 2009 Foxbase Beta update, and I found out this week that ABBA have done it too. Recording Spanish versions of a collection of well-known tracks, there are two in particular which I think arguably sound better than their English language counterparts.
It’s all Spotify’s fault. Browsing the (limited) ABBA catalogue, I found a remastered version of 1977’s The Album, with bonus tracks including the Latin American versions of Move On and Thank You For The Music. These are my two favourite songs on that particular album, which I consider their best (alongside 1976’s Arrival), and so good are they that they’ve been on repeat ever since. I don’t know what it is about The Album that captivates me so much; maybe it’s the memories of both that and Arrival being played lots in my childhood (I was four at the time), but captivate me it does.
The two ‘new’ tracks are from Oro: Grandes Éxitos, a US version of Gold: Greatest Hits, released in 1993 (and re-issued in 1999) for the Latin American market, sung entirely in Spanish. This album itself was originally released as Gracias Por La Música in early 1980, the ten tracks on it re-recorded in 1979. I’ve not heard the other songs which make up the compilation, but if they are as good as Al Andar and Gracias Por La Música, then they may too eclipse the English versions. I can’t tell you why I like them so much. Maybe the Spanish lyrics fit the songs’ rhythm better, or maybe it’s just because they’re different versions of such familiar recordings.
Whatever it is, it couldn’t have worked its magic at a more appropriate time. We’re off to see ABBA World tomorrow at Earl’s Court, so for the past couple of days I’ve been listening to ABBA virtually non-stop. Everyone knows the story, the band’s legacy and the music, but there’s something that the music that still sounds fresh, even over 30 years later. I don’t know if the walk around the themed rooms tomorrow will add much to the ABBA story, but it will be interesting to see the costumes and items which played a part. The thing I’m looking forward to seeing the most? The helicopter from the stunning front cover photo shoot of Arrival…