Fernando (song)
March 27, 1976
Fernando is a song by ABBA from the year 1976., It was written and composed by Benny Andersson, Björn Ulvaeus and Stig Anderson their managers, the main vocals took Anni-Frid Lyngstad. Published in March 1976 single became one of the most successful in the discography of the group and has sold over 10 million copies.
Fernando has been published in several languages , the Swedish version is about a woman sitting with an old friend named Fernando campfire and indulging in old memories. The English and Spanish version is about two veterans who think back to a battle of bygone days.
Creation and publication
Fernando was originally for Lyngstads solo album Frida ensam ( " Frida Alone" ) was written, produced by Andersson. Because of these and Ulvaeus but suspected enormous hit potential in this song, it should be not merely limited to a plate in Sweden. The recordings of the Swedish " Lyngstad version " began about the same time as those of Dancing Queen in early August 1975, the working title of "Tango", the English "ABBA " version was a month later taken in September and still being processed during the month and ready mixed.
Due to the parallel recording sessions of Fernando and Dancing Queen in early 1976 there were two titles for a single release to choose from. Stig Anderson was of the view that as a quiet, contemplative ballad Fernando represented a welcome contrast to the single- predecessor Mamma Mia and would therefore better may arrive at the audience. So the song was preferred and was released in March 1976 as a single. The music video to the shows the group sitting around the campfire, was produced and directed by Lasse Hallström in early February 1976. Although Fernando became an international million-seller, he did not come to the track list of the album Arrival. Only in Australia and New Zealand, he has been added as the last number on the plate.
In the summer of 1976, the melody of Fernando was used for a commercial series from Panasonic brand national. The original English text of the refrain, " There was something in the air did night, the stars were bright, Fernando ... " was converted writes the lyrics in "There are many things we share with you, together you and National ... ". In the five commercials the group is going to see how they used a variety of branded equipment such as radios, headphones, or vacuum cleaner. All scenes were filmed in Stockholm, but mainly broadcast in Australia. In addition, there were numerous advertisements in the national Australian newspapers. ABBA got Australian dollars for the campaign around one million.
Success
The single Fernando was published at a time when the enthusiasm for ABBA and their music had reached a climax. Shortly before, both the single Mamma Mia, as well as the best-of album Greatest Hits had become worldwide sales success. Accordingly, great was the demand for new plates of ABBA. The first "novelty " of the group therefore presented Fernando represent that went quickly into the international charts and became a number -one hit in eleven countries, and eight other Top Ten hit. The single was ABBA's first number -one hit in Austria and since Waterloo the best placement in the United States.
The greatest success was with ABBA Fernando However, in Australia. The single debuted only a short time after the publication of the charts and reached the top position immediately, they consecutively occupied a total of 14 weeks. Up to this time the Beatles had held with Hey Jew (13 weeks) the record. Also commercially Fernando claimed above average and sold 720,000 units. To date, only a few other singles were sold often in Australia.
B-sides
- Hey Hey Helen --- United Kingdom
- Tropical Loveland --- Germany, Italy, Netherlands, Japan, Yugoslavia
- Rock Me --- USA
- Mamma Mia --- Mexico