ABBA – One of Us: A Soul-Stirring Ballad of Love Lost and Regret
In the pantheon of pop music, few groups have achieved the enduring success and global impact of ABBA. Their infectious melodies, captivating harmonies, and insightful lyrics have resonated with audiences for decades.
Among their vast repertoire of hits, “One of Us” stands out as a poignant and powerful ballad, a song that delves into the complexities of a love lost and the lingering emotions that remain.
Background
Released in 1981 as the lead single from their eighth studio album, The Visitors, “One of Us” marked a shift in tone for ABBA.
While previous hits like “Dancing Queen” and “Mamma Mia!” exuded pure joy and exuberance, “One of Us” explored a more melancholic and introspective side of the group.
This shift resonated with their maturing fanbase, showcasing ABBA’s ability to evolve and tackle themes of heartbreak with honesty and emotional depth.
The song’s narrative unfolds from the perspective of a woman yearning to rekindle a love that has faded.
The lyrics, penned by Benny Andersson and Björn Ulvaeus, capture the universal themes of regret, longing, and the bittersweet memories that linger after the end of a relationship.
Lines like “The nights are long, the days are cold/And there’s a hollow in my soul” paint a vivid picture of the protagonist’s emotional state, leaving a sense of vulnerability and longing in the listener’s heart.
Video
Lyrics
🎵 Let’s sing along with the lyrics! 🎤
[Verse 1]
They passed me by, all of those great romances
You were, I felt, robbing me of my rightful chances
My picture clear, everything seemed so easy[Pre-Chorus]
And so I dealt you the blow, one of us had to go
Now it’s different, I want you to know[Chorus]
One of us is crying, one of us is lying
In her lonely bed
Staring at the ceiling
Wishing she was somewhere else instead
(One of us is shaking with a heart that’s breaking)
One of us is lonely, one of us is only
Waiting for a call
Sorry for herself, feeling stupid, feeling small
Wishing she had never left at all[Verse 2]
I saw myself as a concealed attraction
I felt you kept me away from the heat and the action
Just like a child, stubborn and misconceiving[Pre-Chorus]
That’s how I started the show, one of us had to go
Now I’ve changed and I want you to know