Introduction
“When I Kissed the Teacher” isn’t just a catchy tune from ABBA, it’s the energetic opening track to their history-making 1976 album, Arrival. The song’s origins trace back to August 1975, when the group began work on a track with a disco vibe, inspired by hits like “Rock Your Baby” [George McCrae]. This initial version, known as “Boogaloo,” quickly impressed the band members, who felt it had major potential.
Benny Andersson, one of ABBA’s songwriters, has gone on record calling “When I Kissed the Teacher” (the final, reworked version of “Boogaloo”) one of his favorites. The song’s lighthearted lyrics tell the story of a student with a crush on their teacher, culminating in a moment of impulsive affection. This playful theme, combined with the song’s upbeat tempo and signature ABBA harmonies, creates a fun and relatable pop anthem.
While the lyrics themselves are innocent, the music video for “When I Kissed the Teacher” adds a touch of visual humor. Featuring ABBA members Agnetha Fältskog and Anni-Frid Lyngstad in school uniforms opposite a male teacher played by a famous Swedish television host, the video perfectly complements the song’s lighthearted tone. Interestingly, the version of the song featured in the movie “Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again” (2018) has slightly altered lyrics to better suit the film’s storyline.
So, next time you hear “When I Kissed the Teacher,” remember that it wasn’t just a bubblegum pop hit, but a song that helped propel ABBA to international superstardom and solidify their place as one of music’s most beloved groups.