I don't possess any music by Abba and I have never seen the Swedish superstars perform, but they have a place in my musical memory bank because of where I now live.
The Greek island of Skopelos is where some of the Abba back-catalogue film Mamma Mia was shot and can loosely claim to be the mythical island of Kalokairi. So when I hear pretty well any Abba song I am reminded of Skopelos. It's a link which the island plays upon to a limited extent and there can't be many bars and tavernas which do not boast a photograph of Pierce Brosnan, one of Mamma Mia's stars, smiling away next to the owners of said bars and tavernas.
Strangely enough, in my strange cross-indexed list of musical associations, Abba also reminds me of The Stooges. For some reason I used to think that The Stooges' version of Louie Louie bore more than a passing resemblance to Abba's Name Of The Game. I no longer think that, but the association is still stuck in my mind.
For those of you who have been living in caves and are unaware of the song from which the film took its name, here it is:
Also-rans: AC/DC. Memory inspired by the Aussie rockers: Two Welsh blokes next to me at an AC/DC gig at Wembley stadium. They drank a colossal amount of cider and then vomited copiously creating a massive spew-delineated no-go area for everyone.
For more on the A to Z Challenge go to: http://www.a-to-zchallenge.com/
I really did not like Mama Mia. But Abba songs are infectious :)
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DeleteMy girls were big Abba fans when they were little. We actually bought a DVD that included many of their famous songs and the girls would dance to it. I miss those days. When we visit NYC we hope to catch the Mamma Mia show one day.
ReplyDeleteGood luck with the challenge. Hope you'll stop by at http://www.thebusymomsdaily.com/2014/04/blogging-from-to-z-april-challenge.html
Thank you. I will.
DeleteNever gave much thought recently about "Abba" but I recall cruise the strips when I was younger and listening to our cassette in our vehicles.
ReplyDeleteCame in from alphabet challenge...Coffee is on
Congrats of taking the plunge - this post makes me nostalgic for the challenge - http://britsintheus23.blogspot.com/2012/04/is-for-abba.html
ReplyDeleteThank you, David. I'm very unprepared. There's a lot more to it than I'd realised - it's almost like having a job!
DeleteLove that movie! My (British) husband is a huge ABBA fan, and he got me hooked.
ReplyDeleteStopping by from the A to Z Challenge.
www.marie-everydaymiracle.blogspot.com
I love ABBA and I love the song Mamma Mia. However, my favorite song is Ring, Ring. It's a stupidly infectious song about waiting by the phone. Good post!
ReplyDeleteThanks for visiting me at www.marlieharris.com
M.
I love ABBA! How fun to be near the film location. Sometimes, we do get funny associations.
ReplyDeleteEnjoy the challenge!
Play off the Page
Yassas, Mike! Thanks for stopping by my blog - I'm glad you like the title! I didn't watch Little House on TV very much; I found that most of the episodes were too sappy or sad. However, I did read all the books when I was young.
ReplyDeleteI am an ABBA fan myself; my favorite song is Take A Chance on Me. I remember when it came out as a single and my parents played that record until the needle practically fell through it. I have never watched Mamma Mia, but I should check it out. I'll bet my Mom would love it. Have fun with the rest of the challenge!
Hello Heather, your mum would love the film. It's daft as a very daft thing, but it only sets out to make people smile which is fair enough.
DeleteApparently I live under a rock because, although I have HEARD of Abba, I can't say I'm familiar with any of their music. Enjoy the AtoZ Challenge!
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AJ's AtoZ wHooligan
Tales of a Pee Dee Mama
It's nothing to be embarrassed about! At their peak, it seemed to be impossible to get away from them.
DeleteLove it! Loved Mama Mia! It has always made me want to visit Greece! Nice blog will be back! I subscribed! Jan @http://mermaidsandcashmere.com/bee-balm-aka-wild-bergamot/
ReplyDeleteI must check The Stooges' version of 'Louie Louie', although the original Kingsmen version is hard to beat. Did you know its ambiguous lyrics sparked a full-blown moral panic when released in 1963? Google it!
ReplyDeleteIt may be a step too far to compare anyone's version of Louie Louie with an Abba song. I think I was trying to look clever in front of a girl I fancied (complete waste of time).
DeleteThe only Abba songs I know are the Mamma Mia stuff!
ReplyDeleteanna
Deeply Shallow
A noteworthy way to start. Abba does have a solid place in disco music history, that's for sure, and they're still getting air time on the radio in my neck of the woods.
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