Under Attack

Re: Under Attack

Seanie(: - 04.05.2012, 19:52
Under Attack
I think out of all ABBA songs, fans are the most divided over this one. Some love it (like me) some think it's one of their worst songs and some fans just find it blah.

For me, I just love it. From the pounding and quirky intro, to the awesome effect on Agnetha's vocals to the powerful melody. Everything I just love about it. 8)!

And some find it bland, boring and cant find anything they like about it. I suppose it is not a song you would associate with ABBA, it has a "cold feeling" I know but if every song was like Mamma Mia I wouldn't like it, I'm glad they took risks like this. ( And they payed off.) It may not have been the best single choice as their last single but the song is just awesome. :)

So what do you think of Under Attack, ABBA's final single?

Re: Under Attack

I Let The Music Speak - 04.05.2012, 21:01

I voted that I love it. At present I do. I've found a new appreciation for the 1982 tracks lately, they're the only ones (apart from the demo) that I've listened to on the Deluxe. I'm not really in a The Visitors mood at present! Also, I like the performance of Under Attack on the Deluxe. Nicer than the familiar video as that's a bit dark. Also the performance from the Late Late Breakfast Show that's on the Number Ones DVD. Both have the cold ending.

Re: Under Attack

Seanie(: - 04.05.2012, 21:27

Ben, I think your theory is right.
Ivane, I never heard the OOPS version, it's really cool. As you said, the backing vocals are sublime.

Re: Under Attack

Seanie(: - 04.05.2012, 21:39

^^ A few 1982 tracks are Agnetha dominated, I think Frida wasn't around much in the studio in 1982. I can't hear any Frida on Just Like That or Under Attack, but I know she's there.

Re: Under Attack

DistantDrums - 04.05.2012, 21:51

I don't Hate it, as I don't hate any ABBA song. That's too strong a word. I find it bland and boring when compared with a lot of their other material which had gone before. So I chose the third option in your list.

Re: Under Attack

ABBAFANUSA - 04.05.2012, 21:57

It was the first song I listened to when I got 'The Singles' and I loved it at first listen. It's one of my top 10 ᗅᗺᗷᗅ songs!

Re: Under Attack

Geordiegirl - 04.05.2012, 22:56

I voted for I like it. One of my main problems with it is that it sounds to me like B & B had decided to try and write something that (soundwise) reflected what many people consider to be the ABBA sound at a time when they had lost all enthusiasm for it. It all sounds too "flat", emotionless and contrived. If it had been written in say '76 or '77 they would have made a much better job of recording it.

I full realise that many people here won't agree with me. Gill

Re: Under Attack

I Let The Music Speak - 04.05.2012, 23:14

Yes, definitely can't disagree with that, Gill.

I remember The Money Programme (in their report on ABBA's financial problems) in 1983 described this track as a "plea for sympathy".

The video with them walking off at the end is poignant, but the TV appearances were after the video was filmed so it wasn't quite the finale.

It was a relief when the track reached number 26 in the UK. There was a sense that they'd stopped the rot - "it's done better than The Day Before You Came - it's not going to be as steep a decline as it at first seemed." But ABBA were sensible enough not to take any chances! "We feel unloved so we're not hanging around. Bye!" That's one take on it anyway!

Re: Under Attack

dizzymoe33 - 05.05.2012, 00:17

I won't throw any stones at you Graeme!! :wink: I voted for I love it!

Re: Under Attack

Maxi-saxi - 05.05.2012, 00:52

Love it Great song

Maxi-saxi

Re: Under Attack

hbotis - 05.05.2012, 10:05

It was relatively lack lustre at the time it was released-- comparing to what other bands were putting out, it was disappointing.

The awful retouched photograph on the sleeve (do you see the attempt of repainting on Agnetha's eyes?) didn't help either. A throw away- but I guess for those really into early ABBA, it was poppy and all. For me, a totally wrong choice, very weak single.

Re: Under Attack

billydog - 05.05.2012, 12:09

hbotis wrote: awful retouched photograph on the sleeve

I should have mentioned the sleeve - I :love4: that picture :lol:

WARERLOO wrote: Frida used her voice in a different way on the later ABBA-recordings. There's e.g. a vast difference between KMKY or MMM and Super Trouper e.g. That's why it's sometimes more difficult to hear her

But I do agree with Waterloo here. I think its pretty hard to hear where the ladies sing together but, much in the 3rd voice way. I am aware Frida is "there" too on other 82 tracks as well, even if its harder to hear her clearly IMO!

S x

Re: Under Attack

wickedyeah - 05.05.2012, 16:44

I really love it. I can see why some people find it bland... there's definitely something missing from the arrangement but I can't quite put my finger on what it is.

However, I love the vocals (expecially the arrangement in the chorus), the melody and the clever lyrics. Sure, it's not one of their strongest singles, but I reckon it's one of the strongest out of the relatively weak and uninspired bunch of songs they created in '82. Had they released WAISAD instead of HOH and released Under Attack before TDBYC, I think Under Attack would have fared a lot better chart-wise.

Actually, that awful picture sleeve can't have helped.

Re: Under Attack

onlyabba4me - 05.05.2012, 16:59

I have Voted that I do not like it that much. (Although I like it more
than I did in 1982).

I wasn't tired of ABBA in 1982, but I wasn't keen on 'Under Attack'.
It sounds half finished to me. Like a Demo. It had the same effect
on me that 'Head Over Heels' had. As if ABBA were trying to sound
as catchy, as they did on many older Hits, but their hearts were not
really in it, anymore.

I felt that the Chorus of 'Under Attack' lacked punch. I knew that
it was not going to be a big UK Hit the moment I heard it. Indeed,
it not only only got to No.26 here, but it was only a No.22, (?), Hit
in another strong 'ABBA Territory' - Germany.

I like it better now, as I rarely played it, over the Decades, so it
is not so well known to me as 'Dancing Queen', & so on. It is fresher
to me, than many of ABBA's biggest Hits.

But, I'd have preferred 'Just Like That', or even 'I Am The City',
to have been the final ABBA Single. I just think they are stronger.

Re: Under Attack

Seanie(: - 05.05.2012, 17:13

Yes Alan it was from 1981. A horrible picture to start with, but the Under Attack sleeve is Absoloutley atrocious.

A before and after:



What did they do with Agnetha's face? :confused: :confused: :confused:
I'll actually admit, when I first saw this picture a few years ago as a young boy, I was scared of it. That isnt the ABBA I like. Their worst picture as far as I'm concerned and takes away from the actual song.

Re: Under Attack

drimnagh - 05.05.2012, 17:15

I quite like the arty 'walking along the path' picture but in the second picture... :shock: What the hell have they done to Frida's eyes? They look wonky/cross eyed!

Re: Under Attack

I Let The Music Speak - 05.05.2012, 17:23

I think that's why I thought it was a painting, I'd no idea there was a source photo. As you say, it doesn't look like Agnetha at all and is indeed a bit scary!

Re: Under Attack

drimnagh - 05.05.2012, 17:28

I know you're not keen on the picture, Sean- but I'm open minded about it. I grew tired of Bjorn's endless grinning and was glad of ABBA's development into more 'serious' mode. As much as I don't mind 'Under Attack'- it was definitely a step backwards and not really a good move- they were worth far more than this by this point in their career.

If you asked me what I'd like ABBA to be remembered for- the likes of Honey, Honey/Dum Dum Diddle or the title track of 'The Visitors'/'The Day Before You Came'- it's a no-brainer (as much as I love Honey, Honey and, hell, even Dumb Dumb Schmiddle gets a blast now and again).

Re: Under Attack

ben5450 - 05.05.2012, 17:31

Stuart would love it :lol: But he loves Tomas Ledin so he's a desperate lad :lol: (kidding dear Stuart :wink: )

Talking about hate it, who is the person who voted for 'I hate it'?
Just make you know and tell your opinion, nobody will eat you. I won't anyway :wink:

Re: Under Attack

I Let The Music Speak - 05.05.2012, 17:39

The picture was 1981 though, and it seems that year the style was to look moody! Maybe it was an attempt to show a mature, grown up ABBA. But it didn't work, and for the 1982 photos they were all smiles again. Smiles for The Day Before You Came and The Singles sleeves, so it's baffling they picked that pic for Under Attack.

Anyone around at the time - the original source photo was never seen anywhere was it? Frida's hair looks brown, not the red of 1981. That and Agnetha's face was what made me convinced it was a made-up painting rather than a touched-up photo.

Re: Under Attack

Vancho - 05.05.2012, 18:05

Alright, there's too many people hating the UA artwork :)

I LIKE it because it's very special, shows ABBA in a very different and unexpected way. It's an interesting transformation from what 70s ABBA used to be, and definitely the end of a supergroup.

Just how many all-smiles ABBA pictures do we need? UA was a nice change and I appreciate it.


Here's a large one:

Re: Under Attack

billydog - 05.05.2012, 18:13

I Let The Music Speak wrote: it seems that year the style was to look moody! Maybe it was an attempt to show a mature, grown up ABBA.

Anyone around at the time - the original source photo was never seen anywhere was it? Frida's hair looks brown, not the red of 1981.

Sorry too lazy to do two different quotes today :lol: . The only time during the period I ever saw that picture was the single sleeve and the inner sleeve of disc two of The Singles.
I think I was probably as ready for a change of direction as the ABBA's were in all honesty. Possibly it was taken shortly after Frida cut her hair and got the dye out for the punky cut :?: . I like the fact the image looks like it was taken on a freezing cold day, and thats how I felt about Under Attack....a cold, chilly, wintery track.

S x

Re: Under Attack

Seanie(: - 05.05.2012, 18:45

Yes, it is a nice difference to smiley ABBA but how could anyone like that - look at Agnetha! If her normal face was there, I might like it more. It is a new bold step, but really out of place with the smiley 82 shots and the graphic designer went WAY too far.

Re: Under Attack

Seanie(: - 05.05.2012, 18:52

General discussion of Under Attack so cover discussion is fine, but we talk about the music and video also :wink:

Speaking of the video, who's a fan? Not me! The two guys that directed the last two videos got it so right with TDBYC and so wrong with Under Attack, such a boring video for a great song. But then again, there's not much you can do with a song about being Under Attack.

Re: Under Attack

Waldo - 05.05.2012, 18:59

I voted "love it", however I don't really think it should have been a single. It does have a great production, which is very tight, but it somehow falls short as a single A side. It's much too good to be a B side only track, however, so to me Under Attack will always be a superb album track.

Re: Under Attack

SAS737 - 05.05.2012, 20:21

ABBA were 'crackin' up' on The Visitors then along comes a song with a similar theme 'about to crack'.
What question did the guy ask that Agnetha was going to 'give a definate no'.Personally I always thought both songs had a familiar theme.

I quite like Under Attack.I always found the end of the video very sad with ABBA walking off into the distance.That few seconds of film said it all to me.

Over the single sleeve photo it was taken nearly a year before Under Attack was released.It seemed again to have more in common with The Visitors.I do remember an alternate shot with the sun? or a light behind the group which I much preferred...more mysterious.
Some countries used The singles-the first ten years photo I think for the release also.

Re: Under Attack

supertrouper1 - 05.05.2012, 22:16

"And how the cracks begin to show" Nobody's Side - not ABBA but a theme and connected.

Re: Under Attack

supertrouper1 - 05.05.2012, 22:52

Re: the Under Attack video - I always thought A&F looked as though they should both be pushing shopping trolleys around ASDA (is NETO a Swedish supermarket?). Picking the Abba® pickled herrings off the shelf. Two glamorous housewives - out doing the monthly big shop. The VOLVO estates are in the carpark outside waiting to be loaded with loads of full carrier bags. Dragging along the bored husbands. Benny trying to keep up - having to skip a step to stay in time. Hmmm, I wonder if A&F actually used to go to the supermarket in disguise?

On another note: I always think Björn spoils the last shot by not being close enough to the other three. It spoils the symmetry. He did the same in a similar shot at the end of the BANG-A-BOOMERANG promo. He was way out in front.

Wow, the thinks I think about on a Saturday night!

Re: Under Attack

ben5450 - 05.05.2012, 23:44

supertrouper1 wrote:

On another note: I always think Björn spoils the last shot by not being close enough to the other three. It spoils the symmetry. He did the same in a similar shot at the end of the BANG-A-BOOMERANG promo. He was way out in front.



I do think the same :lol:
If I was the director I would demand to film it again :lol:

Re: Under Attack

laura-aino - 06.05.2012, 11:38

I like it very much. First I hated it, but it turned. :wink:

Re: Under Attack

Bronx - 06.05.2012, 14:49

I like Under Attack but as a single not a great choice. It did lack a certain energy that dare I say, I hear in the saxaphone version of Just Like That. That should have been Abba's big 1982 single IMO :-) I can hear Frida in the chorus though but it was just weak. But the 82 recordings were very different for Abba in general, You Owe Me One and I Am The City were real departures for B&B and only Cassandra was more like Abba. Of course The Day Before You Came was simply sensational :-)

Re: Under Attack

drimnagh - 07.05.2012, 15:57

Roddey_Phipps wrote:

The Day Before You Came bores me... I think I've only finished listening to it once.

Funny how we're all different. At least 'The Day Before You Came' says something- it's a work of art. 'Under Attack', let's face it, is pretty basic stuff- fluffy pop.

Agree with you about Head Over Heels, though- stonking song!

Re: Under Attack

Roddey_Phipps - 07.05.2012, 16:16

I Let The Music Speak wrote: Just Like That isn't a fan favourite with everyone, Roddey, so I certainly don't think you're crazy! It's significant in being the only remaining 1982 track unreleased, and one of the last tracks recorded, but that's it. As you say, the chorus far outshines the verses.


... was Just Like That "finished"? I mean, is the song fully mixed and arguably ready for mastering and release?

If so, are there any other tracks that remain unreleased, that got the same level of mix before they were sent to the scrap heap?

Re: Under Attack

Roddey_Phipps - 07.05.2012, 16:30

But nothing from any other periods? I dont mean just 1982... how many other songs total from the band, remain fully mixed and finished, but lying on the scrap heap?

Re: Under Attack

Seanie(: - 07.05.2012, 19:15

Id say there's about 15-20 songs finished and complete, like Just A Notion, Just Like That and Under My Sun.

Then at least 50 in demo form.
Sorry, back on topic.

Re: Under Attack

Hades - 07.05.2012, 21:07

I went for 'I don’t like it that much'. Under Attack seemed like an attempt to revert to the 3.30 minute, bouncy pop song but unfortunately it fell flat as far as I’m concerned. It’s one of very few ABBA singles that didn’t manage to make a lasting impact. The single only managed brief top 10 placings in Holland and Belgium. Unlike most other ABBA singles, hardly anyone except ABBA fans will remember the song today, even though it is featured in Mamma Mia!

It could have been so much better with a different arrangement. As it is, Agnetha’s vocal sounds so metallic and thin, as if it’s coming from a bad transistor radio. Also, IMO the synthesizer arrangement is lacklustre and not interesting and exciting enough. Added to that, the ABBA members seemed to be tired of ABBA around this time. It showed in the video as well, the boys and the ladies seemed like two separate entities, not looking at each other at all. The image at the end of the video of them walking away in the distance said it all, this was the end of ABBA.

Re: Under Attack

Seanie(: - 11.05.2012, 08:56

^^ Yeah I really liked that - pity they didn't keep it for the movie.

Re: Under Attack

philzone - 06.06.2012, 05:37

love it! i've always felt it was new ABBA meeting old ABBA. a perfect blend of the 2. please don't ask me to explain what that means but somwhere in this brain, i know what i mean.

phil

Re: Under Attack

Geordiegirl - 06.06.2012, 21:55

Roddey_Phipps wrote: I'm sure many of you will think I'm crazy, but I like Under Attack much more than Just Like That, which seems to be the "fan favorite" from 1982.

To me, Just Like That doesnt have an interesting verse. The chorus of course is incredibly catchy and memorable, which I suppose is the reason B&B kept that part for later, and scrapped it all. In my opinion, Under Attack is a more cohesive song and mix, its strong all the way thru.

The Day Before You Came bores me... I think I've only finished listening to it once. Head Over Heels is fabulous. When I first heard it, I was floored.. a rock band doing a tango.

I agree with everything you say here Roddy (other than your comment about Head Over Heels)

Just like that isn't "a fan favourite", it has some people who do love it, others who just want it to be released rather than loving the track itself. It is permentantly around the 50 mark in the forum ranking.

Talking about that, I am not sure whether you have checked the ABBA Experiences section, but for the last couple of years members here have been posting their top 100's, I am putting these onto a spreadsheet which gives us the average ranking and where each track stands in comparison to the others. I, personally, would find a list (and your explanations as to why you have ranked tracks where you have) fascinating as you come to the recordings from a very different position to many of us here.

In answer to your later question about whether Just Like That was finished, I have said it before, but I don't think it was. Agnetha's lead vocal sounds very much like a demo to me, I think the instruments and possibly the backing vocals are possibly the finished article but not the lead. I even asked here for people if it had ever been confirmed that it was finished and nobody came back with evidence that it had been. Gill

Re: Under Attack

Roddey_Phipps - 07.06.2012, 15:18

Geordiegirl wrote: Talking about that, I am not sure whether you have checked the ABBA Experiences section,


interesting, I have not seen that... I might look into that, thank you

Re: Under Attack

drimnagh - 26.06.2012, 10:51

philzone wrote: i've always felt it was new ABBA meeting old ABBA. a perfect blend of the 2. please don't ask me to explain what that means


Your post seems to have gone unnoticed somewhat but I think that's a very good way of putting it and I know exactly what you mean, Phil.

I'm still of the mind that it isn't as bad as I once thought and that intro is very memorable- it 'grabs' you.

NOTHING will make me think that cover is good, though! :x ART?! Not on your life. No way. The idea is good (all four, moody, walking, sombre) but when two of the members don't even look like themselves (Agnetha and Frida) it's clear it is a very bad job.

Re: Under Attack

Fire&Ice - 27.06.2012, 09:37

I missed this poll the first time around, so - not very much.

It was around 80 or even lower in my list, and I find the chorus too cheerful compared to the verses. I actually like the verses to an extent.

Re: Under Attack

daveyboy - 03.07.2012, 14:24

I voted Hate It.

Re: Under Attack

TK - 16.03.2013, 16:58

I missed this poll the first time. I can't say I'm too fond of the track - but I don't hate it. The wonderful unmixed version that Diego shared recently really made me reassess the song. It's a fine song but not one of ABBA's best recordings. The electronic effects on Agnetha's voice makes her sound very nasal. When the unmixed version shows so much going on in the chorus vocally, it surprises me that that final mix seems so lacking. And I detest that synth solo - it sounds like the theme tune to a really cheap cop show.

Bjorn said that he and Benny were inspired by The Buggles and "Video Killed The Radio Star" - I can't help thinking that "Under Attack" would have sounded bloody AMAZING if they had asked Trevor Horn to produce it.

Re: Under Attack

hamlet3 - 16.03.2013, 21:29

Voted for love it! Diego's version has taken its part there :D

Re: Under Attack

robban - 29.03.2013, 10:46

The single abba fooled us ... after TDBYC, which was their last recording, and sounded so sad and looked sad and divided in the video, Under Attack seemed like.." Hey we are strong and alive as ever and happy! I remember the song played on the radio for the first time and this DJ said, "They sound so modern and fresh" so you could have the feeling they were going on strong.. ofcourse we knew better. The only thing which you could interpretate is that abba walked out of the hangar the end of the video, walking into the light, new future. But I am sure it was not meant by them at the time.

I think it is a strange song but good. During the MM performance it showed how good the song was, for me one of the highlights.