The Name of the Game (ABBA song)

October 17, 1977

The Name of the Game is a song by Swedish pop group ABBA, which was released as the first single from their new album The Album in 1977 and was published in the same year on this. The lead vocals are alternated by the two ABBA Agnetha Fältskog singers Anni-Frid Lyngstad and. The B- side of the single was the piece I Wonder ( Departure ) as a live version, which had been recorded in Europe and Australia as part of their concert tour.

Background

The Name of the Game was heavily inspired by Stevie Wonder, an important idol of the group. In addition, it was the first song that was recorded in the sessions for their new album The Album. We started with the recording, which initially had the working title A Bit of Myself, on 31 May 1977 over the summer and early fall, he has been reworked a bit. The song consists of a total of six different parts, who pieced Andersson and Ulvaeus into a whole. The music consisted of keyboard tracks, acoustic and electric guitars as well as a piccolo trumpet. In the beginning, bass and synthesizer were used. The final title delivered Stig Anderson. Björn Ulvaeus then wrote the text.

Success

The single reached number 1 in the UK; in many other European countries, it was found also in the top 5 and in the top ten. Even in the United States, the group landed so a top 15 hit. In Australia, The Name of the Game debuted at # 6