Introduction
ABBA’s “Just Like That” is a fascinating case of a song that never quite made it. Written by Benny Andersson and Björn Ulvaeus in 1982, it was intended for inclusion on their follow-up album to “The Visitors.” However, the song’s path took a surprising turn.
There are a few theories about why “Just Like That” remained unreleased by ABBA. Band members Benny and Björn reportedly felt the song lacked cohesion, with the verses and chorus not meshing as well as they’d hoped. Another possibility is that it was intended for the musical “Mamma Mia!” as a duet for Sophie and Sky, but ultimately discarded during rehearsals because it didn’t fit the narrative flow.
Despite not receiving the ABBA treatment, “Just Like That” did find its way into the world. Recordings of the song, believed to be from a stolen cassette, circulated among fans in the 1980s on bootlegs. This only added to the song’s mystique, turning it into a “holy grail” for dedicated ABBA enthusiasts.
The first official release of “Just Like That” came in 1986, not by ABBA, but by Swedish siblings Karin and Anders Glenmark, known as the duo Gemini. Benny and Björn even produced this version, adding another layer to the song’s unique history.
While fans continue to debate the merits of the Gemini version versus the rumored ABBA recordings, “Just Like That” remains a captivating example of a song that found a different path to its audience. Though never officially released by ABBA, it holds a special place in the hearts of fans and serves as a reminder of the band’s creative process and the occasional hidden gem that emerges along the way.