Introduction
ABBA’s “Two For The Price Of One” isn’t your typical upbeat pop song the Swedish supergroup is known for. Released in 1981 on their eighth and final studio album, “The Visitors,” the song marked a shift towards a more mature and introspective sound.
The song’s origins are unclear, but its melancholic tone reflects the personal struggles within ABBA at the time. Bjorn Ulvaeus and Benny Andersson, the songwriting duo, were going through a divorce, and the album itself wrestles with themes of loneliness, disillusionment, and the passage of time.
“Two For The Price Of One” isn’t a love ballad in the traditional sense. The lyrics offer companionship, a “two for one” deal, to someone feeling down (“If you dream of the girl for you / Then call us and get two for the price of one”). However, the ambiguity of “us” leaves the listener wondering if this companionship is genuine or a facade. Are ABBA themselves offering solace, or is it a metaphor for something more hollow?
Musically, the song is a departure from ABBA’s signature disco sound. Layered vocals and a more subdued tempo create a dreamlike atmosphere. Some critics have compared it to the work of Electric Light Orchestra, with its operatic flourishes. This melancholic beauty stands in contrast to the song’s title, hinting at a deeper sadness beneath the surface.
“Two For The Price Of One” may not be an ABBA smash hit, but it’s a fascinating glimpse into the band’s evolution and a testament to their ability to craft complex emotions within a pop framework. It serves as a poignant introduction to “The Visitors,” an album that marked a turning point for the band both personally and musically.