ABBA - Soldiers

Promised in the previous post are thoughts on the other songs in ABBA's new 2021 album. Unfortunately, the next three or four songs that are available on YouTube are less than stellar. The lyrics are crammed in each line, the subjects are so-so, and the songs' melodies seem uninspired and less than noteworthy.

This post has absolutely no intention of disparaging ABBA or their talent. As mentioned in the last post, at least one tune in the new album sounds great. ABBA is still up there among the gods of pop, and will remain so. It is a big boon to the world that they came up with something new at this time. Besides, there is hardly anything surprising about some of their songs not being catchy or instant hits. Their albums of decades past also have handfuls of "B-side" songs that aren't really destined for immortality.

That being said, they still have a lot of old, relatively unpopular songs that are real gems. It is hoped that the songs in the new album will age well and this bloggers' opinions will change with time. In the meantime, it is worth focusing on some of their old, more obscure material. This post is about one of them, titled Soldiers.

While some of the new songs may not be worth writing about, some of their old classics that were underrated, including Soldiers, deserve more time in the limelight. Showcasing them is timely with the group's current reemergence from retirement. It is hoped that the group will produce more classics in the years to come. Enjoy.

SOLDIERS
Written by: Björn Ulvaeus & Benny Andersson
Copyright © Polar Music
Video provided to YouTube by Universal Music Group and by ABBA Channel

[Verse 1]
Do I hear what I think I'm hearing?
Do I see the signs I think I see?
Or is this just a fantasy?
Is it true that the beast is waking
Stirring in his restless sleep tonight
In the pale moonlight?

[Pre-Chorus]
In the grip of this cold December
You and I have reason to remember

[Chorus]
Soldiers write the songs that soldiers sing
The songs that you and I don't sing
They blow their horns and march along
They drum their drums and look so strong
You'd think that nothing in the world was wrong
Soldiers write the songs that soldiers sing
The songs that you and I won't sing
Let's not look the other way
Taking a chance
'Cause if the bugler starts to play
We too must dance

[Verse 2]
What's that sound, what's that dreadful rumble?
Won't somebody tell me what I hear
In the distance but drawing near?
Is it only a storm approaching?
All that thunder and the blinding light
In the winter night

[Pre-Chorus]
In the grip of this cold December
You and I have reason to remember

[Chorus]
Soldiers write the songs that soldiers sing
The songs that you and I don't sing
They blow their horns and march along
They drum their drums and look so strong
You'd think that nothing in the world was wrong
Soldiers write the songs that soldiers sing
The songs that you and I won't sing
Let's not look the other way
Taking a chance
'Cause if the bugler starts to play
We too must dance

[Interlude]

[Outro]
Soldiers write the songs that soldiers sing
The songs that you and I won't sing
Let's not look the other way
Taking a chance
'Cause if the bugler starts to play
We too must dance