Another outstanding analysis. I love the parts of your videos in the Voyage series where you break down and isolate different portions of the songs. I really love strings and they are a prominent feature of “Don’t Shut Me Down”, so, I was especially impressed with the way you described their importance within the structure of the song and their contribution in the build up from verse 1 to verse 2. The piano and the twinkling piano bits are another feature which you highlighted so well. And finally, the brilliance of Agnetha and Frida’s vocals and the soaring harmonies introduced as the song builds are also highlighted so well in your analysis. And speaking of the vocals, while I’ve always loved both Agnetha and Frida’s beautiful voices, I think this has to be one of Agnetha’s most impressive examples of telling a story with her vocal delivery and the last note she delivers in the song is to me the most powerful because she allows herself to sound raw and unpolished which is so counter to the ABBA “sound”. The first time I had listened to the song after its initial introduction to all of us on that memorable September 2nd, I was shocked and “bewildered”, but, as with almost all of ABBA’s songs, with repeated listenings the overall brilliance in the subtle pieces which come together to complete the story/song revealed themselves to me and that final note that Agnetha sings, or emotes might be a better word to use, wraps up the song perfectly. It’s the sound of vulnerability, surrender, and honesty. The willingness to sound unpolished being the perfect way to convey the message being expressed throughout the song, that of a true self with no pretense. It’s what sets this song apart from being just another excellent ABBA song to what in my opinion is a masterpiece and one of my all time favorite ABBA songs, coming in at #5 in my personal list of best ABBA songs.
Thank you so much, dear Jerry. Again, very heartwarming words of yours, and fantastic observations and complements. I absolutely agree about Agnetha's vocal delivery. You can say the same about "I Can Be That Woman", where it's breathtaking how she delivers some of the lines with a glimmering shine, just to have her voice crack up in the next line, e.g. on "I can see you cried". Of course, she has complete control over that and puts her emotions into it so deeply. Also, I can completely relate to your feelings from 2 September 2021. Again, thank you!!
"Don't Shut Me Down" is to me the most ABBA-sounding song on the Voyage CD. There's something something beautiful about placing Agnetha's beautiful pop voice against the bassy beat of the melody. It's wonderful and I'd never know that 40 years had passed since ABBA last recorded.
When I first heard "I Still Have Faith In You" I knew that Benny, Bjorn, Frida, and Agnetha We're back but it wasn't until I heard this song..."Don't Shut Me Down"and heard these two women's voices together that I knew that ABBA is back! The magic that occurs when these two women sing together is something that is unique only to them and the sound was just pure magical musical gold!
I have decided that this is one of the best things ABBA have done..its so joyful ❤...IMO its up there with "dancing queen"..I was recently at a wedding and when this song was played the dancefloor came alive,people went crazy for it...pure joy....
The melancholia of this song is tangible. If she didn't think he was going to shut her down, she wouldn't be so concerned to plead with him not to. She's facing the very real probability, and bravely making one last stand.
What I love about this instant classic is that the euphoric soaring chorus section still have that tangible undercurrent of melancholy and the feeling of suspension at the end. Agreed it is the best track. No other track on the album comes even close.
Ah, this song... It gives me life. Really, it feels that way. I really feel that I will never, ever get tired of listening to it. Eternal. As eternal as Dancing Queen. Simply perfect. It has all the key elements of the core of ABBA's identity. It is their crystal clear digital print. Coincidentally that sounds a lot like the cover art :) Frida's hand. ABBA's hand somehow. Timeless. This song is exactly what my wildest dreams were made of: ABBA suddenly coming back, and being exactly the same, reaching the heights of perfection. Discovering a new legendary song. The music is perfect. The lyrics are perfect. Both seem inseparable. They follow each other with clockwork precision. And I truly read it as a statement of their comeback. A glorious manifesto of a new era, which is the same as usual, but in a completely different way. The zenith of joy and a crushing melancholy and anticipated nostalgia. Perfectly summed up by that powerful phrase: "I'm now and then combined". When their voices pronounce those words, it's as if I could feel the walls tremble.
Thanks for your thoughts. It's always fun deep diving into ABBA. Yes it's a great song and I love it. I'm just as impressed with 'I still have faith in you' too. Both clearly written for each girl. It's interesting how the guy's see the girls individual strengths. Frida - mature, majestic but at the same time unsure of herself and very nostalgic. Agnetha - playful, uptempo and like shes giving us a wink. Just crazy how well the guy's know both girls voices and how to write for them. As songwriters their at the top but it must be such a treat to hear it delivered to such perfection. It's no wonder they all seem so happy now.
Thanks once again BB for your wonderful analysis of this memorable masterpiece where Agnetha gets to shine with her beautiful lead vocals. I also love Anni-Frid's leads too which I find to be lilting & soothing, but Agnetha's have always had me spellbound because of her amazing & expressive vocal range even to this day. Just so happy to hear the girls both get to shine again with what I term to be their respective Voyage signature songs DSMD & ISHFIY. Altogether they absolutely still have it & what a gift this is for us all!
OOHHH, THIS TRACK FOR SURE, IS GOING TO BE A NEW ABBA CLASSIC. I'M BACK IN 1978, LISTENING TO THIS SONG. YOU TOTALLY FORGET THE SAD PARTS, JUST LIKE IN THE OLD DAYS, CAUSE THE MELODI IS SOOOO HAPPY GO LUCKY. ABBA AT THEIR FINEST. I COULDN'T RESPECT A BAND MORE THAN ABBA. THEY STILL DO PHENOMENAL MUSIC, 39 YEARS AFTER. THAT'S TALENT LIKE NO OTHER. THEY HAVE OUTSOLD ED SHEERAN, TAYLOR SWIFT AND THE 30 OTHERS ON THE CHARTS, WITH VOYAGE ALBUM. THAT'S JUST STUNNING, NOT THAT I'M SURPRISED, CAUSE AGNETHA, BJØRN, BENNY AND ANNI-FRID WOULDN'T COMPROMISE AND RELEASE IF THEY DIDN'T HAVE FAITH IN THE MUSIC THEY CREATE. I BOW DOWN IN RESPECT. PLATINUM IN UK, GOLD IN THE U.S. GOLD IN DENMARK AND THE LIST GOES ON. VIVA ABBA 🥰🥰🥰🥰
How good are your analyzes! And this one is at the level of your previous ones. A gift for all ABBA fans. How good that you saw Mark's video, he is fantastic. He has another one that is specially dedicated to "Hole in your soul" as one of the 'Magical Musical Moments', it is highly recommended to see it (I put the links down here) Personally, I want to add and highlight the wonderful work of Agnetha; especially the introduction of her modulating her voice, changing her tones, giving her nuances and emotions, is pure anthology; When listening to it in the opening and closing, only with the piano in the background, it reminds me of identical passages from "Thank you for the music" (which is very special for Agnetha) As Frida said in her last interview: Agnetha is a wonderful storyteller, and here she feels like a fish in water It is also noteworthy how in the production ABBA increases the bet as the song progresses.The second part has more musicality, Frida joins the pre-chorus beforehand and a second triumphant and memorable chorus is reached, at the height of what best in ABBA history Specialy in the chorus is when all ABBA fans listen again the wonderful and Unforgettable third voice of ABBA "Voyage" I am still discovering it, it was only a month since the album came out and it is very good; just as The Visitors showed a dark side of ABBA, 40 years later Voyage shows us that there is Light in ABBA's history and that this album came to have a high place too, not to surpass the masterpieces of "Arrival" and "The Album", but if to fight the third step of the podium and of all Their new songs, "Don't shut me down" is a new pop masterpiece. I have a historical ABBA Top 5: S.O.S. / Dancing Queen / Waterloo / The winner takes it all / Chiquitita these five masterpieces have a special plus but "Don't shut me down" is very high, at the same level as the classic and established ones: Mamma Mía, Fernando, Knowing me knowing you, The name of the game, Take a chance on me, Super Trouper, Thank you for the music Finally, still I remember the Live Stream in September 2, when at the end Benny said: 'do you hear one more song?' and Björn adeed: 'because we had another song!' and today I feel the same emotion and tears of joy when I listen the first verses, the classic piano of Benny and the fantastic chorus "I still have faith in You" is the return most emotional of ABBA, and "Don't shut me down" is the return most musical of ABBA
Ill have to watch that Hole In Your Soul review you mention. The song used to leave me untouched and noisy but ever since seeing their live version of it years ago, it gave me a whole new perspective and it's one of my favourites.
The beginning of the song certainly is a clue of sadness. More than a clue. The change and build up transforms it to hopeful. By the time the song ends there is a confidence that they will work it out but they stop to take it seriously at the end. Lyrically and musically the song is epic.
My second comment on this video, which is so enjoyable to come back to. I would argue that the best part in DSMD is the second verse, where the emotions just explode in an ever-growing string section which achieves climax in the chorus. I love how in "Will you leave me standing in the hall..." there are barely any strings, just beat-heavy instruments, then in "The appartment hasn't changed at all..." the strings grow and give way to "Once this rooms were witness to our love...", where the tension is hightened, now with even a bell section which gives a more "teary-eyed" feel... then " *My tantrums and increasing... frustration* " happens, and I have to say: the way that single line is builded up is majestic, and the delivery is quite on point. That very line is possibly my favorite moment in ABBA as of now, and the fact that it's only a mere build up to the beautiful second chorus makes it even more amazing.
Yes! The backing vocal, single cry of “Don’t shut me down!” blows me away every time as part of the climatic build. In fact, for me it be the pinnacle. Well said, thank you!
I was looking for a video like this. Don't Shut Me Down is truly a pop masterpiece and by now it's my favorite ABBA song, which is crazy to say considering it came from an actually good band revival. The analysis is great and answers a lot of questions I had, my many thanks!
I think you're an expert on every level - this review is by far the best of all your reviews and the best I've seen anywhere. Have to say that by now , Don't Shut Me Down is My second favourite ABBA song , after The Day Before You Came. I think, The little things you do in creating your excellent reviews are amasing. :) Thanks you, again!
Karoly, it's not easy for me taking or reacting to compliments, so I simply take your very kind words with deep gratitude. As I said elsewhere, I'm just happy I can try to make a bit of sense to all this ABBA magic for myself. Having so many others watching it still amazes me, but even more so to receive this lovely feedback. Thank you!
First visit to your channel. Your breakdown of "Don't Shut Me Down" is fascinating and only enhances my love and appreciation for this song! The build-up within the song, the subtle yet essential nuances included in recording the song, are amazing!
It's a masterful recording, for me a modern classic. So happy you stumbled across my videos and enjoy it. Thanks for the lovely feedback. Great to see you here, James!
What a terrific analysis! Much food for thought. Below are my thoughts after hearing this song for the first time. The truest Pop Single on the album. It has all the elements of sing along, dance, and radio play (if that was still a thing!) Agnetha comes on and it's 1979 all over again. It's like a follow-up to One of Us, but it's a lot more joyful sounding, with very powerful lyrics. The blend of the two girls and Bjorn's little touches with Benny's piano riffs. This is the most commercial and best tune of this set, IMHO. Destined to be on their greatest hits collections! 10/10
Great analysis again! The song crafting and singing and musicianship are really top notch. I love the way they lead up to the choruses and then they come across so powerful with such catchy phrasing and beautiful vocals. There is a sweet sincere feeling to ABBAs’ vocals and words that I love
This song is one of the best ABBA has ever recorded. It was my number 1 song of the year from my Spotify wrapped, unsurprisingly. As you say, there are so many layers musically and lyrically, instrumentally and vocally, spanning the past and present… So many stories being told. Thank you so much for this series, it is truly enhancing my experience of Voyage as it reinforces my own interpretations and also brings to light new insights I hadn’t considered. The transition between Little Things and Don’t Shut Me Down gave me chills upon first listen. I find that I rarely listen to one song without the other, now. There’s something so beautiful about that connection.
As if that children's choir at the end of "Little Things" couldn't have gotten me more emotional on that first listening, I was completely ecstatic when the transition was happening. As you said, the connection is very special and beautiful, and "Little Things" really feels like a prelude for the next song. It's always lovely to hear from you, and I'm very happy you can appreciate my videos. Thank you!
Brilliant analysis. I agree completely. One of the things I appreciate most in the music I like best is the constant building and developing (musically and lyrically) throughout the song. I repetitive verse course verse chorus verse chorus with little change, other than the words, bores me and frustrates me. Abba are one of the best in terms of great development and incorporation of interest and emotional building and you have set out very succinctly some of the ways they do that. Thank you. 🙂 I think this is a wonderful track, right up there with the best Abba have ever created..
Thanks a lot (again) for this impeccable analysis! It shows so well why this song IS a masterpiece for so many reasons - and why it brought me to tears when I heard it the first time (and second, and third...) on Sept 2nd. I believe this song is also the culprit why some fans (including myself) felt a little disappointed when listening to the whole album for the first time, because there really isn't anything else like this on the album. It goes without saying that there are many great songs for us to love there, but for me this is THE masterpiece. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ And even ABBA can deliver only so many masterpieces during their career... 😉
Having listened to this masterpiece for the last three months by now, I agree with Sam that it probably will be the song the album is known for in the future. When I first listened to it on September 2nd, I started crying, because the ABBA Sound hit me so instantly. To use a metaphor, for me it felt like meeting up with old friends again after having "reread their letters from 40 years ago" (listened to the previous albums) countless times. Two moments stood out for me on first listen: Hearing Agnetha in the first line - the same goosepumps I had when hearing the opening line of S.O.S. for the first time - and the piano roll that launches us into the chorus, because of its "Dancing Queen" vibes. And when Frida comes in on the chorus - just magic! Again, thank you for this awesome analysis, especially for pointing out how the lyrics correspond to the music and give us that characteristic Swedish melancholy!
An impeccable masterpiece indeed. They really must have worked for quite a while on this song to nail every nuance, as they generally do. But to think this was one of the first two songs they had and recorded after almost 40 years, they must have felt so proud and encouraged. Fantastic!! Again, thanks for your wonderful thoughts!
Hej Bobby Ahh a very outstanding anylist review on this eloquent pop song 🎶 Thankyou for takeing me on a step by step journey with the technical aspects of the production of DSMD bravo Sir … I also noticed the very prominent but profoundly similarities btw ISHFIY I agree 💯 The song with the key changes do indeed build and build upto an ultimate climax 🙌 Agnetha and her heartwarming melancholy and Frida and her velvety gusto soulful voice just are supreme when they join each other within the chorus I always get a lump in my throat when I listen too this part in particular 💕 This song for me just screams ABBA are well and truly 🤬back where they left 🙏Thanks Bobby appreciate your videos as always a pleasure to watch 👫👫
Always so informative and point out situations and things that we may have not thought about or even considered; thus, bringing the song even more to life! Thanks 🙏
Very well explained, especially about the vocals building up with more (almost secret) voice layers. Best harmony for me when all voices come together, it's so dreamy and gives me goosebumps. Does anyone know how many voice tracks come together? i think around 6 layers or even more? Would love to have the separate notes from each vocal layer. Thanks for posting man, i missed this upload earlier
I love the way the strings and the musical vibe in general recall songs on the Voulez Vous album, and particularly If It Wasn’t for the Nights, which the strings quote directly from at times.
Abba's music is the most up close & personal thing ever... They never wrote about anything they were not feeling... That mixed feeling of happyness and sadness is what comes with aging... They have learned to be happy because they realized nothing else matters, but at the same time they are sad to be so close to the end. And that's what this song is about, please I'm on fire do not shut me down yet :'( ( I'm getting cold , the kids left the park, the sun is going down it's getting dark, etc )
You might not consider yourself an 'expert' but you sure know your music..! ABBBA have always been able to write sad songs 🎵 so uplifting...keep up the really excellent analysis..I love being educated 😌
Where is that 3rd "B "in your "ABBBA" coming from? Is it for Bobby?? Thank you *so* much, honestly, for these very kind and humbling words. This is more like educating myself to make sense of this whole ABBA magic, but it's even more fantastic to have others appreciating it, too. :-)
Bjorn uses lyrics in a cinematic way here, you can visualize the scene so easily. The Day Before You Came is a good starting point, but later songs like Fait Accomplis and The Film I'd Like to See use a similar descriptive style. I also admire the fact that the sneakily use the melody of the chorus for the introductory verse and most people don't realise they've already heard the tune when the upbeat chorus starts because it was so sparse and conversational first time around. (They never waste a good melody!)
You're absolutely right! I thought that was great too. So starting the song with the chorus, like Dancing Queen did, but in a much more subtle and tentative way
Has any one else noticed the backround rhythm in the guitars and keys, as well as the strings when the whole band comes in, and how it is exactly like " If it wasn't for the nights"?
Hey Hey Bobby, I’ve listened to these songs over and over and each time I get a different message. I keep getting the vibes that this is not just about ABBA coming back together but the couples themselves. They’ve come together older and wiser with happy memories and sad ,their relationships faltered, the distance that divorce creates between them and realization they had to change. They have children and grandchildren together and they managed to get through all the disappointments and uncomfortable feelings but now that they’re all of an age ,it’s time to lay their cards on the table and say what they really feel . That despite everything , time gone by ,they still love and respect each other. Don’t Shut Me Down is a plea for forgiveness ,yet hopeful anticipation .And no answer is better then getting a “No” answer. Bjorn and Benny are such a well oiled machine when it comes to musical interpretations., just like the girls voices meld together.Both geniuses .This is why they are so ABBA and their music is so recognizable.
And then there's the second verse reference to lights being on in the rooms behind the windows on the second floor where presumedly the singers ex lives. A line that could suggest the images in the morose Roy Andersson directed movie "Songs from the Second Floor" that Benny scored in 2000 could be illustrations of the depressed mental state of the person that the female singers return is going to lift. A curious thing about Benny's beautiful closing credits theme for the film is it could be heard as an overture for many of the quieter melodic sections of the Voyager album and the weary passengers bursting into song on the commuter train scene from the same film a rehearsal for Voyager's most uplifting melodic sections.
Great video!! I never caught the link between the last note of Little Things and the beginning note Don’t Shut Me Down! I’m really looking forward to your next video!
Another bull's eye. You really do that so well. I listen to the song in a completely different way. Thank you for the beautiful and interesting work you put into it.
ABBAsolutely wonderful your analysis really ADDS appreciation for the song .I liken your thoughts to a scientist explaining how a rainbow appears ,through complex conditions that must come together to create the rainbow and that takes nothing away from the beauty and wonder of it ,it only makes it more SPECTACULAR and WONDERFUL because of the complexity of all the things that come together to create it ,Don't shut me down is exactly like that thankyou ,Bobby's Brother Thankyou.
Hej Hej (again) BB! I had two more personal revelations regarding this amazing song: 1) [perhaps someone has already mentioned this but] I noticed it has a similar feel to "As Good As New" that I hadn't realized before! 2) The intro to DSMD is *just* like the intro to Dion's 1961 song "Runaround Sue"! So much so (to me) that it makes me wonder whether it was intentional on B&B's part! As always, looking forward to your next video!
Yes, it's an instant classic and up there with their biggest hits. Everything is just perfect about this song. The link between track 3 and 4 is ideal. Four amazingly beautiful songs at the start of the album. And it's so weird they didn't make a proper video for this obviously biggest new hit. It would go very well with the abbatar concept. Maybe they will still make one as the show draws nearer, to promote it?
About the link between tracks 3 and 4, it also brings to mind the link between tracks 2 and 3 on the Visitors, where Head Over Heels ends in a keyboard sound not heard at all earlier during the song, but it paves the way for how When All Is Said and Done starts.
Another awesome video B's B! When you started talking about minor and major chords, I thought I must recommend Mark's amazing video about this. But, as always, your research is impeccable. ;) Maybe one day I will have something to add to your narrative. But I won't hold my breath, lol. XD
You and Sam must be having so much fun producing these very informative analysis! Another impressive review! So professional and top notch! You both bring out so many nuances to the musical construct that give food for thought! Great job!
Probably you're right. The only difference with DSMD to other ABBA hits is lack of personal character. I mean, they never repeated a hit formula, all their (earlier) hits have a distinct character. You can't name another hit by them that would be like Take A Chance On Me. Or Voulez- Vous. Or The Winner Takes It All, Fernando, etc. That has always been their appeal to me - you know pretty well the general type of music you're in for when you start listening to a song by them you've not heard before, but there is just no way you can tell what kind of song exactly you can expect, or what the melody will be like - there is no typical structure that would always repeat from song to song, or melodic fingerprints (except that it will be very melodic 😁). But DSMD is a mishmash, probably intentionally, of many of their earlier hits/songs. The video here does mention a couple (strings à là If It Wasn't For The Nights, piano glissandos like in Dancing Queen), in my mind also Agnetha's solo in the beginning of the song brings to mind similar song beginnings in Dance (While the Music Still Goes On), I've Been Waiting For You, or even Kisses of Fire. The keyboard in the verse has a similar sound to the keys used in Super Trouper, the chorus has some Chiquitita vibes, the. part of the chorus with the lyrics " I'm not the one you knew, I'm now, and then combined And I'm asking you to have an open mind" resembles the chorus of As Good As New: I' m not the one = "as good as new" I'm now and then = "my love for you" and I'm asking you to have an open mind = "darling we were always meant to stay together". I think part of the purpose of the song really has been to insert these kinds of small hints to their earlier songs, and part of the fun is to find and recognise them, and this goes well with the message of the lyrics, too. And that's also what makes the song a happy reminder of all things Abba is loved for. But still the song feels like a mishmash, not a hit standing on its own (character-wise) like the earlier hits. This is understandable, as they originally wrote this for the Abbatar show, and aimed at something they would be recognized for, and didn't think of it being a lead single to a whole new album.
@@nillejoslin DSMD definitely shows Benny's excellent compositional skills (but there were multiple key changes for example in songs as early as Dance (While The Music Still Goes On, et al., so that's nothing new in itself). But DSMD was originally specifically written for the Abbatar show, and they seem to have intentionally written this song to fit their 1979 image on which their Abbatar characters are also based on, hence the similarities to If It Wasnt.., Chiquitita and others. I remember that in a lot earlier interview, years ago, they said that they always progressed from album to album, never repeating something they had done before. (Within one and the same album the tracks might have resembled one another, like you took up the case of album tracks such as As Good As New, Kisses of Fire, etc. But in my first reply I was referring to mostly the actual hits, not "mere" album tracks). This constant progress is not visible in DMSD, or the whole Voyage album for that matter. Of course it would have been nice if they had progressed to some new territories with this new album, but I'm happy enough with it being a greeting from them that repeats and reminds us of some of their successful trademarks.
@@AnssiRai "the song feels like a mishmash". I respectfully disagree. There are nods to other songs (although some of your examples are tenuous IMO). I found it to be the perfect joint-lead single for the Voyage project. It is my favourite track.
Your assessments of each song are so entertaining and thoughtful, BB! Voyage - as an album - keeps on giving. After countless plays I'm only just beginning to recognise it as ABBA's new and final album.
I love your enthusiasm. I fell in love with ABBA when they sang Fernando to me on Top Of The Pops, a love that never went away. To this day, despite the years, i can still notice something new tucked away in a corner of a track. I think this is right 'up there' with every ABBA classic.
Thanks for this excellent and insightful piece. I appreciate and understand why DSMD is the favourite for many - it's fantastic- but for me there are one or two other contenders for stand out song. It's all subjective and changeable of course.
When you get to Ode to Freedom, don’t miss the link between it and not only Sean Lake, but also to Grieg’s Death of Åase. Those mournful three notes that start around 1:50 or so are almost exactly, if not exactly the same notes in Grieg’s piece, and Benny would almost certainly know that piece, as Grieg was Norwegian and Benny specifically mentioned him in his R&R Hall of Fame induction speech
It is definitely masterful...... very fresh, young, eternally ABBA-sounding, it has the elements of story-telling (narrative) that ABBA and Agnetha for which are so well-known, and it engages you the way a movie does. It is cinematic !!!!!!! Thank you, Bobby's Brother...... you've become a friend.....:)
Marvellous discussion. Don't Shut me Down isn't my favourite song by any means but it is good and much more complex than it appears. The strings sections are especially noteworthy.
I came back to this video just to write this: I JUST FOUND A SONG THAT’S CALLED FELICITÀ, Al Bano Carrisi & Romina Power (1982), and the chorus instrumental is exactly the same as DSMD. I don’t know what to think ☹️
Hej Hej BB. First, may I say what a privilege it was to contribute to your review something you felt was worthwhile in some small way. I was so pleased that you were able delve a bit deeper musically into Don't Shut Me Down. You hit all the high points I also heard and then some. It is, as you say, "Pop perfection!" Sam mentions Björn's incredible multi-layered lyrics. Benny also layers in multiple key changes as subtle and poignant as Björn's lyrics: from B-flat in the intro, up to E-flat mid-verse, then down C in the refrain, which stays into the second verse, a whole tone up from the first verse as you mentioned. Then, he repeats the pattern again up to F mid-verse-two and finally down to D for the rest of the song, including the arpeggio trailing off at the end. You also mention the "tinkling piano bits and glissandos [four of them!] similar to Dancing Queen." Benny uses glissandos sparingly across all their music but one place that also struck me was in He's Your Brother; although, Dancing Queen is, by far, the most obvious. I also noticed some chord strikes in the second DSMD refrain very similar to Waterloo. You have mentioned in the past about the girls' slight Swedish accents and their delightful affect on songs. When Agnetha sings "or let me enter," I immediately thought of the way she sang "summer" and "September" in Sealed with a Kiss from My Colouring Book; the light, airy "er," so wonderful. I hope this wasn't too technical. I feel like you may be heading this way again for Ode to Freedom. I can't wait! Your reviews help me appreciate this music even more than I imagined possible! Thank you!
Loving your analysis videos as always! They are very deep and layered, just as any ABBA song itself 🤩. One thing that nobody seems to mention, or maybe I am alone on that one haha, is that the sax/synth sound on Don't Shut Me Down starting on the 0.39 mark, for me at least, is very reminiscent to the sax/harmonies sound on Voulez-Vous starting around the 0.17 mark to the 0.22 mark. Since the first time I listened to the song back in Sepetember I made the connection.
Does anybody know where we can manage to hear the Dolby Atmos channel versions of the Voyage songs? They used to be posted on CZcams but obviously been withdrawn for legal reasons maybe. Any other site where we can hear them?? Pity, as Dolby Atmos only available for the select few
I heard Bjorn say in an interview that ultimately this song was an appeal to their fans to 'not shut them down'. As if! It's everything that has been said about it, but 'I Still Have Faith In You' is my favorite. Followed closely by all the rest of them.
I enjoy this song so much, and I like the analysis here helping explain just why I like it.I appreciate the references to key signatures and chords, as I can read music, but I have poor pitch recognition/naming skills. I have perfectionist tendencies, and I think that might be part of why I like ABBA's music, as the guys were/are picky.
If ABBA had done the one song 'Don't Shut Me Down' and had put everything into it and extended it (as it's quite short and somewhat cautious as though not confident in their singing capabilities), I honestly believe the rest of the album would've been inconsequential. Abba's one song 'single' album that would've sold multi millions!!!' I still have faith in you' could've been an encore steel thread (again with more conviction/confidence in the singing) that gives the listeners closure re the ABBA tragedy from the past! This would've stood the test of time. As for 'little things' I think the fact that people still ask for explanations means it didn't really work....love ABBA but that's my take.❤🧡💛
I see this as a trans person's anthem. The singer is a trans person, who left a relationship as one gender, and is coming back to say hi as another. "But in the shape and form, I appear now I have learned to cope, and love and hope is why I am here now." "I'm now, and then combined" (I'm the same person, just another gender) "But I go from mad" (frustrated with being who you were told you were), to not so bad In my transformation" (to being who you are really meant to be). "You ask me not to leave" (the other person accepts you for who you really are)
Hola, acabo de conocer el trabajo que hacés con esta estupenda banda. Tenés la posibilidad de subir las grabaciones ya sea sólo instrumentales o solo vocales, aunque sea en partes para que las podamos disfrutar? Gracias, saludos desde Buenos Aires 🇦🇷🇦🇷🇦🇷
Love your analysis too. A few days ago I listen to an Analysis from I guess swedisch guy colled Jake Borg. He is very good in Alayses por example his Videos on czcams.com/video/tQRT04q4LmU/video.html
Another outstanding analysis. I love the parts of your videos in the Voyage series where you break down and isolate different portions of the songs. I really love strings and they are a prominent feature of “Don’t Shut Me Down”, so, I was especially impressed with the way you described their importance within the structure of the song and their contribution in the build up from verse 1 to verse 2. The piano and the twinkling piano bits are another feature which you highlighted so well. And finally, the brilliance of Agnetha and Frida’s vocals and the soaring harmonies introduced as the song builds are also highlighted so well in your analysis. And speaking of the vocals, while I’ve always loved both Agnetha and Frida’s beautiful voices, I think this has to be one of Agnetha’s most impressive examples of telling a story with her vocal delivery and the last note she delivers in the song is to me the most powerful because she allows herself to sound raw and unpolished which is so counter to the ABBA “sound”. The first time I had listened to the song after its initial introduction to all of us on that memorable September 2nd, I was shocked and “bewildered”, but, as with almost all of ABBA’s songs, with repeated listenings the overall brilliance in the subtle pieces which come together to complete the story/song revealed themselves to me and that final note that Agnetha sings, or emotes might be a better word to use, wraps up the song perfectly. It’s the sound of vulnerability, surrender, and honesty. The willingness to sound unpolished being the perfect way to convey the message being expressed throughout the song, that of a true self with no pretense. It’s what sets this song apart from being just another excellent ABBA song to what in my opinion is a masterpiece and one of my all time favorite ABBA songs, coming in at #5 in my personal list of best ABBA songs.
Thank you so much, dear Jerry. Again, very heartwarming words of yours, and fantastic observations and complements. I absolutely agree about Agnetha's vocal delivery. You can say the same about "I Can Be That Woman", where it's breathtaking how she delivers some of the lines with a glimmering shine, just to have her voice crack up in the next line, e.g. on "I can see you cried". Of course, she has complete control over that and puts her emotions into it so deeply. Also, I can completely relate to your feelings from 2 September 2021. Again, thank you!!
"Don't Shut Me Down" is to me the most ABBA-sounding song on the Voyage CD. There's something something beautiful about placing Agnetha's beautiful pop voice against the bassy beat of the melody. It's wonderful and I'd never know that 40 years had passed since ABBA last recorded.
When I first heard "I Still Have Faith In You" I knew that Benny, Bjorn, Frida, and Agnetha We're back but it wasn't until I heard this song..."Don't Shut Me Down"and heard these two women's voices together that I knew that ABBA is back! The magic that occurs when these two women sing together is something that is unique only to them and the sound was just pure magical musical gold!
I have decided that this is one of the best things ABBA have done..its so joyful ❤...IMO its up there with "dancing queen"..I was recently at a wedding and when this song was played the dancefloor came alive,people went crazy for it...pure joy....
Wow, a very intriguing story! I completely agree with you. It's way up there!
The melancholia of this song is tangible. If she didn't think he was going to shut her down, she wouldn't be so concerned to plead with him not to. She's facing the very real probability, and bravely making one last stand.
What I love about this instant classic is that the euphoric soaring chorus section still have that tangible undercurrent of melancholy and the feeling of suspension at the end. Agreed it is the best track. No other track on the album comes even close.
Agree 💯 it is the BEST song on the album.
Don't Shut Me Down is up there with all the other ABBA classics. It could easily have been put on one of the earlier albums.
Ah, this song... It gives me life. Really, it feels that way. I really feel that I will never, ever get tired of listening to it. Eternal. As eternal as Dancing Queen. Simply perfect. It has all the key elements of the core of ABBA's identity. It is their crystal clear digital print. Coincidentally that sounds a lot like the cover art :) Frida's hand. ABBA's hand somehow. Timeless. This song is exactly what my wildest dreams were made of: ABBA suddenly coming back, and being exactly the same, reaching the heights of perfection. Discovering a new legendary song. The music is perfect. The lyrics are perfect. Both seem inseparable. They follow each other with clockwork precision. And I truly read it as a statement of their comeback. A glorious manifesto of a new era, which is the same as usual, but in a completely different way. The zenith of joy and a crushing melancholy and anticipated nostalgia. Perfectly summed up by that powerful phrase: "I'm now and then combined". When their voices pronounce those words, it's as if I could feel the walls tremble.
Thanks for your thoughts. It's always fun deep diving into ABBA. Yes it's a great song and I love it. I'm just as impressed with 'I still have faith in you' too. Both clearly written for each girl. It's interesting how the guy's see the girls individual strengths. Frida - mature, majestic but at the same time unsure of herself and very nostalgic. Agnetha - playful, uptempo and like shes giving us a wink. Just crazy how well the guy's know both girls voices and how to write for them. As songwriters their at the top but it must be such a treat to hear it delivered to such perfection. It's no wonder they all seem so happy now.
Well said!
The production is excellent and has the most detail in respect to the multi layering of the vocals. Love it 💖
Thanks once again BB for your wonderful analysis of this memorable masterpiece where Agnetha gets to shine with her beautiful lead vocals. I also love Anni-Frid's leads too which I find to be lilting & soothing, but Agnetha's have always had me spellbound because of her amazing & expressive vocal range even to this day. Just so happy to hear the girls both get to shine again with what I term to be their respective Voyage signature songs DSMD & ISHFIY. Altogether they absolutely still have it & what a gift this is for us all!
Beautifully said, David! Thanks for your kind words.
The images in the lyrics are so strong. We can see Agnetha sitting in the park. It's a great dance song that also has much depth and emotion.
OOHHH, THIS TRACK FOR SURE, IS GOING TO BE A NEW ABBA CLASSIC. I'M BACK IN 1978, LISTENING TO THIS SONG. YOU TOTALLY FORGET THE SAD PARTS, JUST LIKE IN THE OLD DAYS, CAUSE THE MELODI IS SOOOO HAPPY GO LUCKY. ABBA AT THEIR FINEST. I COULDN'T RESPECT A BAND MORE THAN ABBA. THEY STILL DO PHENOMENAL MUSIC, 39 YEARS AFTER. THAT'S TALENT LIKE NO OTHER. THEY HAVE OUTSOLD ED SHEERAN, TAYLOR SWIFT AND THE 30 OTHERS ON THE CHARTS, WITH VOYAGE ALBUM. THAT'S JUST STUNNING, NOT THAT I'M SURPRISED, CAUSE AGNETHA, BJØRN, BENNY AND ANNI-FRID WOULDN'T COMPROMISE AND RELEASE IF THEY DIDN'T HAVE FAITH IN THE MUSIC THEY CREATE. I BOW DOWN IN RESPECT. PLATINUM IN UK, GOLD IN THE U.S. GOLD IN DENMARK AND THE LIST GOES ON. VIVA ABBA 🥰🥰🥰🥰
Those isolated harmonies made me cry. Another fantastic analysis ❤️
Thank you. Those harmonies are breathtaking.
How good are your analyzes! And this one is at the level of your previous ones. A gift for all ABBA fans.
How good that you saw Mark's video, he is fantastic. He has another one that is specially dedicated to "Hole in your soul" as one of the 'Magical Musical Moments', it is highly recommended to see it
(I put the links down here)
Personally, I want to add and highlight the wonderful work of Agnetha; especially the introduction of her modulating her voice, changing her tones, giving her nuances and emotions, is pure anthology; When listening to it in the opening and closing, only with the piano in the background, it reminds me of identical passages from "Thank you for the music" (which is very special for Agnetha)
As Frida said in her last interview: Agnetha is a wonderful storyteller, and here she feels like a fish in water
It is also noteworthy how in the production ABBA increases the bet as the song progresses.The second part has more musicality, Frida joins the pre-chorus beforehand and a second triumphant and memorable chorus is reached, at the height of what best in ABBA history
Specialy in the chorus is when all ABBA fans listen again the wonderful and Unforgettable third voice of ABBA
"Voyage" I am still discovering it, it was only a month since the album came out and it is very good; just as The Visitors showed a dark side of ABBA, 40 years later Voyage shows us that there is Light in ABBA's history and that this album came to have a high place too, not to surpass the masterpieces of "Arrival" and "The Album", but if to fight the third step of the podium
and of all Their new songs, "Don't shut me down" is a new pop masterpiece.
I have a historical ABBA Top 5:
S.O.S. / Dancing Queen / Waterloo /
The winner takes it all / Chiquitita
these five masterpieces have a special plus
but "Don't shut me down" is very high, at the same level as the classic and established ones:
Mamma Mía, Fernando, Knowing me knowing you, The name of the game, Take a chance on me, Super Trouper, Thank you for the music
Finally, still I remember the Live Stream in September 2, when at the end Benny said: 'do you hear one more song?' and Björn adeed: 'because we had another song!'
and today I feel the same emotion and tears of joy when I listen the first verses, the classic piano of Benny and the fantastic chorus
"I still have faith in You" is the return most emotional of ABBA, and "Don't shut me down" is the return most musical of ABBA
Great comments!! Thanks !😉
Ill have to watch that Hole In Your Soul review you mention. The song used to leave me untouched and noisy but ever since seeing their live version of it years ago, it gave me a whole new perspective and it's one of my favourites.
Magical Musical Moments:
"Don't shut me down" (ABBA)
czcams.com/video/v6sT5ijii0A/video.html
Magical Musical Moments:
"Hole in your soul" (ABBA)
czcams.com/video/FihOqUigd3o/video.html
@@MarcByrne
I put down the links of Mark channel
The beginning of the song certainly is a clue of sadness. More than a clue. The change and build up transforms it to hopeful. By the time the song ends there is a confidence that they will work it out but they stop to take it seriously at the end. Lyrically and musically the song is epic.
Dont shut me down...can be the definition of perfect pop song!
My second comment on this video, which is so enjoyable to come back to.
I would argue that the best part in DSMD is the second verse, where the emotions just explode in an ever-growing string section which achieves climax in the chorus. I love how in "Will you leave me standing in the hall..." there are barely any strings, just beat-heavy instruments, then in "The appartment hasn't changed at all..." the strings grow and give way to "Once this rooms were witness to our love...", where the tension is hightened, now with even a bell section which gives a more "teary-eyed" feel... then " *My tantrums and increasing... frustration* " happens, and I have to say: the way that single line is builded up is majestic, and the delivery is quite on point. That very line is possibly my favorite moment in ABBA as of now, and the fact that it's only a mere build up to the beautiful second chorus makes it even more amazing.
Yes! The backing vocal, single cry of “Don’t shut me down!” blows me away every time as part of the climatic build. In fact, for me it be the pinnacle. Well said, thank you!
This is "pure abba" without a doubt 🙌
Thank you so much Bobbys Brother for the time you have taken on this incredible analysis. What a stunningly built song. Truely an ABBA classic.
Thank you very much, ABBA FAN. I am very grateful you appreciate it!
Thank you. I missed one thing: Agnetha's storytelling vocals and all the nuances she put in there
I was looking for a video like this.
Don't Shut Me Down is truly a pop masterpiece and by now it's my favorite ABBA song, which is crazy to say considering it came from an actually good band revival. The analysis is great and answers a lot of questions I had, my many thanks!
I think you're an expert on every level - this review is by far the best of all your reviews and the best I've seen anywhere.
Have to say that by now , Don't Shut Me Down is My second favourite ABBA song , after The Day Before You Came.
I think, The little things you do in creating your excellent reviews are amasing. :)
Thanks you, again!
Karoly, it's not easy for me taking or reacting to compliments, so I simply take your very kind words with deep gratitude. As I said elsewhere, I'm just happy I can try to make a bit of sense to all this ABBA magic for myself. Having so many others watching it still amazes me, but even more so to receive this lovely feedback. Thank you!
@@bobbysbrother137 You're absolutely doing an amazing job, I savor every moment of your reviews. Bravo!
First visit to your channel. Your breakdown of "Don't Shut Me Down" is fascinating and only enhances my love and appreciation for this song! The build-up within the song, the subtle yet essential nuances included in recording the song, are amazing!
It's a masterful recording, for me a modern classic. So happy you stumbled across my videos and enjoy it. Thanks for the lovely feedback. Great to see you here, James!
What a terrific analysis! Much food for thought. Below are my thoughts after hearing this song for the first time.
The truest Pop Single on the album. It has all the elements of sing along, dance, and radio play (if that was still a thing!) Agnetha comes on and it's 1979 all over again. It's like a follow-up to One of Us, but it's a lot more joyful sounding, with very powerful lyrics. The blend of the two girls and Bjorn's little touches with Benny's piano riffs. This is the most commercial and best tune of this set, IMHO. Destined to be on their greatest hits collections! 10/10
Great analysis again! The song crafting and singing and musicianship are really top notch. I love the way they lead up to the choruses and then they come across so powerful with such catchy phrasing and beautiful vocals. There is a sweet sincere feeling to ABBAs’ vocals and words that I love
This song is one of the best ABBA has ever recorded. It was my number 1 song of the year from my Spotify wrapped, unsurprisingly. As you say, there are so many layers musically and lyrically, instrumentally and vocally, spanning the past and present… So many stories being told. Thank you so much for this series, it is truly enhancing my experience of Voyage as it reinforces my own interpretations and also brings to light new insights I hadn’t considered.
The transition between Little Things and Don’t Shut Me Down gave me chills upon first listen. I find that I rarely listen to one song without the other, now. There’s something so beautiful about that connection.
As if that children's choir at the end of "Little Things" couldn't have gotten me more emotional on that first listening, I was completely ecstatic when the transition was happening. As you said, the connection is very special and beautiful, and "Little Things" really feels like a prelude for the next song. It's always lovely to hear from you, and I'm very happy you can appreciate my videos. Thank you!
Brilliant analysis. I agree completely. One of the things I appreciate most in the music I like best is the constant building and developing (musically and lyrically) throughout the song. I repetitive verse course verse chorus verse chorus with little change, other than the words, bores me and frustrates me. Abba are one of the best in terms of great development and incorporation of interest and emotional building and you have set out very succinctly some of the ways they do that. Thank you. 🙂
I think this is a wonderful track, right up there with the best Abba have ever created..
Thanks a lot (again) for this impeccable analysis! It shows so well why this song IS a masterpiece for so many reasons - and why it brought me to tears when I heard it the first time (and second, and third...) on Sept 2nd. I believe this song is also the culprit why some fans (including myself) felt a little disappointed when listening to the whole album for the first time, because there really isn't anything else like this on the album. It goes without saying that there are many great songs for us to love there, but for me this is THE masterpiece. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ And even ABBA can deliver only so many masterpieces during their career... 😉
Having listened to this masterpiece for the last three months by now, I agree with Sam that it probably will be the song the album is known for in the future. When I first listened to it on September 2nd, I started crying, because the ABBA Sound hit me so instantly. To use a metaphor, for me it felt like meeting up with old friends again after having "reread their letters from 40 years ago" (listened to the previous albums) countless times. Two moments stood out for me on first listen: Hearing Agnetha in the first line - the same goosepumps I had when hearing the opening line of S.O.S. for the first time - and the piano roll that launches us into the chorus, because of its "Dancing Queen" vibes. And when Frida comes in on the chorus - just magic! Again, thank you for this awesome analysis, especially for pointing out how the lyrics correspond to the music and give us that characteristic Swedish melancholy!
An impeccable masterpiece indeed. They really must have worked for quite a while on this song to nail every nuance, as they generally do. But to think this was one of the first two songs they had and recorded after almost 40 years, they must have felt so proud and encouraged. Fantastic!! Again, thanks for your wonderful thoughts!
Hej Bobby
Ahh a very outstanding anylist review on this eloquent pop song 🎶 Thankyou for takeing me on a step by step journey with the technical aspects of the production of DSMD bravo Sir … I also noticed the very prominent but profoundly similarities btw ISHFIY I agree 💯 The song with the key changes do indeed build and build upto an ultimate climax 🙌 Agnetha and her heartwarming melancholy and Frida and her velvety gusto soulful voice just are supreme when they join each other within the chorus I always get a lump in my throat when I
listen too this part in particular 💕 This song for me just screams ABBA are well and truly 🤬back where they left 🙏Thanks Bobby appreciate your videos
as always a pleasure to watch 👫👫
Always so informative and point out situations and things that we may have not thought about or even considered; thus, bringing the song even more to life! Thanks 🙏
I have never heard a song that made smile and cry at the same time. This one does just that everytime.
Very well explained, especially about the vocals building up with more (almost secret) voice layers. Best harmony for me when all voices come together, it's so dreamy and gives me goosebumps. Does anyone know how many voice tracks come together? i think around 6 layers or even more? Would love to have the separate notes from each vocal layer. Thanks for posting man, i missed this upload earlier
I love the way the strings and the musical vibe in general recall songs on the Voulez Vous album, and particularly If It Wasn’t for the Nights, which the strings quote directly from at times.
Abba's music is the most up close & personal thing ever... They never wrote about anything they were not feeling... That mixed feeling of happyness and sadness is what comes with aging... They have learned to be happy because they realized nothing else matters, but at the same time they are sad to be so close to the end. And that's what this song is about, please I'm on fire do not shut me down yet :'( ( I'm getting cold , the kids left the park, the sun is going down it's getting dark, etc )
You might not consider yourself an 'expert' but you sure know your music..! ABBBA have always been able to write sad songs 🎵 so uplifting...keep up the really excellent analysis..I love being educated 😌
Where is that 3rd "B "in your "ABBBA" coming from? Is it for Bobby?? Thank you *so* much, honestly, for these very kind and humbling words. This is more like educating myself to make sense of this whole ABBA magic, but it's even more fantastic to have others appreciating it, too. :-)
Bjorn uses lyrics in a cinematic way here, you can visualize the scene so easily. The Day Before You Came is a good starting point, but later songs like Fait Accomplis and The Film I'd Like to See use a similar descriptive style. I also admire the fact that the sneakily use the melody of the chorus for the introductory verse and most people don't realise they've already heard the tune when the upbeat chorus starts because it was so sparse and conversational first time around. (They never waste a good melody!)
You're absolutely right! I thought that was great too. So starting the song with the chorus, like Dancing Queen did, but in a much more subtle and tentative way
A wonderful album; the more you listen, the more it gives! Love your detailed analysis of each track!
Has any one else noticed the backround rhythm in the guitars and keys, as well as the strings when the whole band comes in, and how it is exactly like " If it wasn't for the nights"?
Hey Hey Bobby, I’ve listened to these songs over and over and each time I get a different message.
I keep getting the vibes that this is not just about ABBA coming back together but the couples themselves.
They’ve come together older and wiser with happy memories and sad ,their relationships faltered, the distance that divorce creates between them and realization they had to change. They have children and grandchildren together and they managed to get through all the disappointments and uncomfortable feelings but now that they’re all of an age ,it’s time to lay their cards on the table and say what they really feel . That despite everything , time gone by ,they still love and respect each other.
Don’t Shut Me Down is a plea for forgiveness ,yet hopeful anticipation .And no answer is better then getting a “No” answer.
Bjorn and Benny are such a well oiled machine when it comes to musical interpretations., just like the girls voices meld together.Both geniuses .This is why they are so ABBA and their music is so recognizable.
And then there's the second verse reference to lights being on in the rooms behind the windows on the second floor where presumedly the singers ex lives. A line that could suggest the images in the morose Roy Andersson directed movie "Songs from the Second Floor" that Benny scored in 2000 could be illustrations of the depressed mental state of the person that the female singers return is going to lift. A curious thing about Benny's beautiful closing credits theme for the film is it could be heard as an overture for many of the quieter melodic sections of the Voyager album and the weary passengers bursting into song on the commuter train scene from the same film a rehearsal for Voyager's most uplifting melodic sections.
This all explains why I feel the need to listen to this song, almost every single day!
Great video!! I never caught the link between the last note of Little Things and the beginning note Don’t Shut Me Down! I’m really looking forward to your next video!
Bravo Bobby .. you''ve done it again !
Truly appreciate this series ❤️
Thank you so much! Appreciate you being here.
Another bull's eye. You really do that so well. I listen to the song in a completely different way. Thank you for the beautiful and interesting work you put into it.
Thank you again for great videos. Look forward to seeing everyone. So well done.
Thank you so much, Frank!
ABBAsolutely wonderful your analysis really ADDS appreciation for the song .I liken your thoughts to a scientist explaining how a rainbow appears ,through complex conditions that must come together to create the rainbow and that takes nothing away from the beauty and wonder of it ,it only makes it more SPECTACULAR and WONDERFUL because of the complexity of all the things that come together to create it ,Don't shut me down is exactly like that thankyou ,Bobby's Brother Thankyou.
Hej Hej (again) BB! I had two more personal revelations regarding this amazing song: 1) [perhaps someone has already mentioned this but] I noticed it has a similar feel to "As Good As New" that I hadn't realized before! 2) The intro to DSMD is *just* like the intro to Dion's 1961 song "Runaround Sue"! So much so (to me) that it makes me wonder whether it was intentional on B&B's part! As always, looking forward to your next video!
bobby i watched 10 of your videos tonight - such great work
Yes, it's an instant classic and up there with their biggest hits. Everything is just perfect about this song. The link between track 3 and 4 is ideal. Four amazingly beautiful songs at the start of the album.
And it's so weird they didn't make a proper video for this obviously biggest new hit. It would go very well with the abbatar concept. Maybe they will still make one as the show draws nearer, to promote it?
About the link between tracks 3 and 4, it also brings to mind the link between tracks 2 and 3 on the Visitors, where Head Over Heels ends in a keyboard sound not heard at all earlier during the song, but it paves the way for how When All Is Said and Done starts.
Another awesome video B's B! When you started talking about minor and major chords, I thought I must recommend Mark's amazing video about this. But, as always, your research is impeccable. ;) Maybe one day I will have something to add to your narrative. But I won't hold my breath, lol. XD
You and Sam must be having so much fun producing these very informative analysis! Another impressive review! So professional and top notch! You both bring out so many nuances to the musical construct that give food for thought! Great job!
Loving this ABBA Voyage Series ! awesome part 4 . I agree that DSMD is the classic track that will be most remembered from Voyage
Thank you so much, Bobby! :-)
Probably you're right. The only difference with DSMD to other ABBA hits is lack of personal character. I mean, they never repeated a hit formula, all their (earlier) hits have a distinct character. You can't name another hit by them that would be like Take A Chance On Me. Or Voulez- Vous. Or The Winner Takes It All, Fernando, etc. That has always been their appeal to me - you know pretty well the general type of music you're in for when you start listening to a song by them you've not heard before, but there is just no way you can tell what kind of song exactly you can expect, or what the melody will be like - there is no typical structure that would always repeat from song to song, or melodic fingerprints (except that it will be very melodic 😁). But DSMD is a mishmash, probably intentionally, of many of their earlier hits/songs. The video here does mention a couple (strings à là If It Wasn't For The Nights, piano glissandos like in Dancing Queen), in my mind also Agnetha's solo in the beginning of the song brings to mind similar song beginnings in Dance (While the Music Still Goes On), I've Been Waiting For You, or even Kisses of Fire. The keyboard in the verse has a similar sound to the keys used in Super Trouper, the chorus has some Chiquitita vibes, the. part of the chorus with the lyrics
" I'm not the one you knew, I'm now, and then combined
And I'm asking you to have an open mind"
resembles the chorus of As Good As New:
I' m not the one = "as good as new"
I'm now and then = "my love for you"
and I'm asking you to have an open mind = "darling we were always meant to stay together".
I think part of the purpose of the song really has been to insert these kinds of small hints to their earlier songs, and part of the fun is to find and recognise them, and this goes well with the message of the lyrics, too. And that's also what makes the song a happy reminder of all things Abba is loved for. But still the song feels like a mishmash, not a hit standing on its own (character-wise) like the earlier hits. This is understandable, as they originally wrote this for the Abbatar show, and aimed at something they would be recognized for, and didn't think of it being a lead single to a whole new album.
@@nillejoslin DSMD definitely shows Benny's excellent compositional skills (but there were multiple key changes for example in songs as early as Dance (While The Music Still Goes On, et al., so that's nothing new in itself). But DSMD was originally specifically written for the Abbatar show, and they seem to have intentionally written this song to fit their 1979 image on which their Abbatar characters are also based on, hence the similarities to If It Wasnt.., Chiquitita and others. I remember that in a lot earlier interview, years ago, they said that they always progressed from album to album, never repeating something they had done before. (Within one and the same album the tracks might have resembled one another, like you took up the case of album tracks such as As Good As New, Kisses of Fire, etc. But in my first reply I was referring to mostly the actual hits, not "mere" album tracks). This constant progress is not visible in DMSD, or the whole Voyage album for that matter. Of course it would have been nice if they had progressed to some new territories with this new album, but I'm happy enough with it being a greeting from them that repeats and reminds us of some of their successful trademarks.
@@AnssiRai "the song feels like a mishmash". I respectfully disagree. There are nods to other songs (although some of your examples are tenuous IMO). I found it to be the perfect joint-lead single for the Voyage project. It is my favourite track.
this should've been nominated at the grammys
Your assessments of each song are so entertaining and thoughtful, BB! Voyage - as an album - keeps on giving. After countless plays I'm only just beginning to recognise it as ABBA's new and final album.
I love your enthusiasm. I fell in love with ABBA when they sang Fernando to me on Top Of The Pops, a love that never went away. To this day, despite the years, i can still notice something new tucked away in a corner of a track. I think this is right 'up there' with every ABBA classic.
Wow, that love goes way back there. Thank you so much, Vincent!
@@bobbysbrother137 no, thank you, you see things in their songs i would never notice
another great video mate.....such a great song!!
Thanks, my friend John!
Thanks for this excellent and insightful piece. I appreciate and understand why DSMD is the favourite for many - it's fantastic- but for me there are one or two other contenders for stand out song. It's all subjective and changeable of course.
Thank you. Appreciate your contribution! I'm curious to know which two other songs are *your* personal highlights!
Thank you for the info.
Simply great! Thank‘s a lot!!!!
Brilliant!!!
When you get to Ode to Freedom, don’t miss the link between it and not only Sean Lake, but also to Grieg’s Death of Åase. Those mournful three notes that start around 1:50 or so are almost exactly, if not exactly the same notes in Grieg’s piece, and Benny would almost certainly know that piece, as Grieg was Norwegian and Benny specifically mentioned him in his R&R Hall of Fame induction speech
It is definitely masterful...... very fresh, young, eternally ABBA-sounding, it has the elements of story-telling (narrative) that ABBA and Agnetha for which are so well-known, and it engages you the way a movie does. It is cinematic !!!!!!! Thank you, Bobby's Brother...... you've become a friend.....:)
That's it, cinematic. Thanks, Tee!!
Just spot on, BB! You're ace! Fascinating and so well explained to us! Thanks again!👏👏👏
Thanks so much, Marc! Just trying to make sense of this whole magic!!
Marvellous discussion. Don't Shut me Down isn't my favourite song by any means but it is good and much more complex than it appears. The strings sections are especially noteworthy.
Thank you, Ed! Really appreciate your contribution.
I came back to this video just to write this: I JUST FOUND A SONG THAT’S CALLED FELICITÀ, Al Bano Carrisi & Romina Power (1982), and the chorus instrumental is exactly the same as DSMD. I don’t know what to think ☹️
Hej Hej BB. First, may I say what a privilege it was to contribute to your review something you felt was worthwhile in some small way.
I was so pleased that you were able delve a bit deeper musically into Don't Shut Me Down. You hit all the high points I also heard and then some. It is, as you say, "Pop perfection!" Sam mentions Björn's incredible multi-layered lyrics. Benny also layers in multiple key changes as subtle and poignant as Björn's lyrics: from B-flat in the intro, up to E-flat mid-verse, then down C in the refrain, which stays into the second verse, a whole tone up from the first verse as you mentioned. Then, he repeats the pattern again up to F mid-verse-two and finally down to D for the rest of the song, including the arpeggio trailing off at the end.
You also mention the "tinkling piano bits and glissandos [four of them!] similar to Dancing Queen." Benny uses glissandos sparingly across all their music but one place that also struck me was in He's Your Brother; although, Dancing Queen is, by far, the most obvious. I also noticed some chord strikes in the second DSMD refrain very similar to Waterloo.
You have mentioned in the past about the girls' slight Swedish accents and their delightful affect on songs. When Agnetha sings "or let me enter," I immediately thought of the way she sang "summer" and "September" in Sealed with a Kiss from My Colouring Book; the light, airy "er," so wonderful.
I hope this wasn't too technical. I feel like you may be heading this way again for Ode to Freedom. I can't wait!
Your reviews help me appreciate this music even more than I imagined possible! Thank you!
9.48: He did gave her a reaction: "Here you ask me not to leave". Listen carefuly Bobby! 😁
Loving your analysis videos as always! They are very deep and layered, just as any ABBA song itself 🤩.
One thing that nobody seems to mention, or maybe I am alone on that one haha, is that the sax/synth sound on Don't Shut Me Down starting on the 0.39 mark, for me at least, is very reminiscent to the sax/harmonies sound on Voulez-Vous starting around the 0.17 mark to the 0.22 mark. Since the first time I listened to the song back in Sepetember I made the connection.
I agree with you 100%! That is very reminiscent of "Voulez-Vous". Thanks for this great addition, and for your very kind words!
@@bobbysbrother137 Thank you for your great work as always!
Does anybody know where we can manage to hear the Dolby Atmos channel versions of the Voyage songs? They used to be posted on CZcams but obviously been withdrawn for legal reasons maybe. Any other site where we can hear them?? Pity, as Dolby Atmos only available for the select few
I heard Bjorn say in an interview that ultimately this song was an appeal to their fans to 'not shut them down'. As if!
It's everything that has been said about it, but 'I Still Have Faith In You' is my favorite. Followed closely by all the rest of them.
I enjoy this song so much, and I like the analysis here helping explain just why I like it.I appreciate the references to key signatures and chords, as I can read music, but I have poor pitch recognition/naming skills. I have perfectionist tendencies, and I think that might be part of why I like ABBA's music, as the guys were/are picky.
If ABBA had done the one song 'Don't Shut Me Down' and had put everything into it and extended it (as it's quite short and somewhat cautious as though not confident in their singing capabilities), I honestly believe the rest of the album would've been inconsequential. Abba's one song 'single' album that would've sold multi millions!!!'
I still have faith in you' could've been an encore steel thread (again with more conviction/confidence in the singing) that gives the listeners closure re the ABBA tragedy from the past! This would've stood the test of time.
As for 'little things' I think the fact that people still ask for explanations means it didn't really work....love ABBA but that's my take.❤🧡💛
My favourite song 🎶
Don't shut me down. 🤔Wait, I look for the switch 😆. I like this song, one of best songs of Abba
I see this as a trans person's anthem. The singer is a trans person, who left a relationship as one gender, and is coming back to say hi as another. "But in the shape and form, I appear now I have learned to cope, and love and hope is why I am here now." "I'm now, and then combined" (I'm the same person, just another gender) "But I go from mad" (frustrated with being who you were told you were), to not so bad In my transformation" (to being who you are really meant to be). "You ask me not to leave" (the other person accepts you for who you really are)
Hola, acabo de conocer el trabajo que hacés con esta estupenda banda. Tenés la posibilidad de subir las grabaciones ya sea sólo instrumentales o solo vocales, aunque sea en partes para que las podamos disfrutar? Gracias, saludos desde Buenos Aires 🇦🇷🇦🇷🇦🇷
You're absolutely right about Scandinavia and melancholy. Where are you from friend?
Such an intelligent song it has the warmth of super trouper
The lyrics say:
"I go from mad, to not so bad"
But I am almost sure I hear Agnetha sing:
"I go from mad, to not so GLAD"
🤔
I like the lyrics Björn wrote for Arrival. I wish ABBA would record that version.
Lyrics to Arrival? Which ones?
Brilliant as ever. Thanks a lot 🙏👍♥️
Thanks, Tom!!
Can you imagine if this was released straight after Mama Mia
Grazie per i sottotitoli in italiano grazie grazie mille
Maybe they can have another song called "Don't let me shut down"
"Profoundly deep".
Will ABBA have an Avatar big screen hologram concert tour come to the U. S. ?
There were some rumors that the show might travel to Las Vegas at some point. We'll see!
Dont shut me Down a música mais linda do álbum Voyage parabéns Agnetha linda maravilhosa sempre parabéns a princesa Frida tmb ❤❤
And I hope, my Email to you was not unfriendly or respectless or so. When I wrote sth unacceptable pls let me know about ot
Love your analysis too. A few days ago I listen to an Analysis from I guess swedisch guy colled Jake Borg. He is very good in Alayses por example his Videos on czcams.com/video/tQRT04q4LmU/video.html