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...

Superfreak

Sorry I have been away for so long.  I was in Chicago all of last week for the Midwest Band and Orchestra Clinic.  Yes, I realize I am a band geek.  Anyway, I came back this afternoon to find a reminder on Facebook about a "Rick James Behind the Music" episode airing tonight on VH-1.  Thought it would be the perfect opportunity to look at "Supefreak."

I imagine everyone in the world has heard this song - or at least the bassline.  MC Hammer sampled it in his hit "You Can't Touch This," so I am sure there are 80s and 90s kids who have heard this song in one way, shape or form.  Always amazes me when you hear sampling or a "remake" and the younger generation does not recognize the 80s tune within.  Anyway, "Superfreak" is kind of silly and giggly to those of us who grew up in the 80s.  We all know it is about an "adventurous" girl, but mostly, this song just has a very cool bassline.  It also has a pretty decent saxophone solo, which in the video clip I've included from "Solid Gold" is played mysteriously by someone not moving any fingers but rather his hips.  Hmmm.....   I think I have two favorite parts of this song: (1) the opening two lines, and (2) the "she's alright" operatic break.  I think I actually stopped listening carefully to the lyrics after the first to lines, because the word "mother" just resonated in Rick's delivery.  "She's a very kinky girl, the kind you don't take home to mothaaaaahhhh."  Yup, that is what I hear.  I then read a bit about the song, and Rick James described the "she's alright" part as "operatic." and I suppose it is.  I always thought of it more as "gospel" style.  "She's alright, she's alright, that girl's alright with me yeah."  Definitely a cool part.  Makes me wonder what the rest of the song would be like in that style, or maybe how his voice would have sounded on some gospel songs.  Well, I do hope you enjoy this song.  There is an official video, but I thought the "Solid Gold" one was pretty fun.