ABBA Goes Out with a Boom

This evening, I was looking for some interesting covers or samples of songs from the '80s.  After a couple of searches, I discovered one of the most amazing songs by ABBA, "Lay All Your Love on Me."  I can't believe I had never heard this song!  It is truly one of the best songs, musically, that I have heard in a long time.  The song was recorded and released on the group's 1981 album, Super Trouper.  If you have not heard this tune, check it out.  It is not only a terrific song from a harmonic and melodic perspective, but the lyrics are amazing---one of my new favorite "jealousy" songs.  Wow.  This one is first-rate.  The lyrics tell the story of a woman who is madly in love with a man and starting to feel a bit possessive.  She urges him, "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 think the best part is that harmonically, the song sounds very much like a hymn.  Definitely has a religious, devotional, plagal cadence thing going on...with a pop/disco feel.

Meanwhile, several years later (in 1998) a Europop group called Vengaboys emerged on the scene.  I remember their "We Like to Party" being a big hit in the U.S., but I had forgotten all about one of their catchiest and silliest songs, "Boom Boom Boom Boom."  No, it is not about rockets blasting into space or an anti-war protest song.  It is about something completely different.  Yeah, you've probably guessed it.  If not, just check out the lyrics.  Pretty simple.  The interesting part is that they sampled ABBA's "Lay All Your Love on Me."  I guess that makes sense, since the "boom" is really about the same thing.  Anyway, check it out for yourself.  The Vengaboys song is at least an extremely fun and funny tune that may haunt your ears for a while, but it will probably make you laugh as well...

Totally Awesome Covers

I was wondering if anyone had released a version of Bonnie Tyler's "Total Eclipse of the Heart" other than the kind of pop/techno one that came out recently (Nicki French from 1995 -- guess it's not that recent!).  So, as I was looking through YouTube, I found the most amazing version of "I'd Do Anything for Love (But I Won't Do That)" by Meatloaf.  The two songs do sound similar if you think about it, so I guess this isn't a surprise.  For me, it was a godsend.  I found an entire channel of videos by the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra in London.  Turns out that they have released several covers of songs from the 70s, 80s, 90s, and beyond.  There are songs by ABBA, Queen, Phil Collins, The Police, U2, Pink Floyd, Bryan Adams, REM...and the list goes on.  It's amazing.  The Meatloaf one is definitely my favorite.  Too bad the video isn't better, but hey, a giant bat staring into the distance is still alright.  So, I've included both the Royal Phil's version and Meatloaf's video (which was from 1994, so I am technically cheating again).  Meatloaf's career has spanned several decades, so I guess it's okay to include this one.  Enjoy!