Introduction
ABBA’s “Head Over Heels,” released in 1981, is a song with a fascinating backstory. Nestled on their album “The Visitors,” it arrived during a period of personal turmoil for the band’s songwriting duo, Björn Ulvaeus and Benny Andersson, who were going through a divorce. While “The Visitors” reflects this in some of its darker moments, “Head Over Heels” presents a curious case.
The song, sung by Agnetha Fältskog, has a deceptively upbeat tempo and a catchy melody. The lyrics, however, hint at a more complex story. Fältskog sings about a “very good friend,” and some interpretations suggest this friend is grappling with a chaotic lifestyle, perhaps mirroring the emotional state of the band members themselves.
Adding another layer of intrigue is a little-known fact about the song. The version most familiar to listeners features a specific second chorus. However, there’s evidence to suggest this wasn’t the original plan. Apparently, a different first chorus was “flown in” to replace the initial one, though the reason for this change remains a mystery.
“Head Over Heels” stands as a testament to ABBA’s enduring talent for crafting pop masterpieces. The song’s cheerful exterior holds a touch of melancholy, reflecting the band’s personal struggles at the time. Whether it’s the intriguing lyrical interpretation or the hidden production history, “Head Over Heels” offers a glimpse into the complexities that can lie beneath a seemingly simple pop song.