Introduction
“Like An Angel Passing Through My Room” serves as a poignant closing to ABBA’s 1981 introspective album, “The Visitors.” Written by Benny Andersson and Björn Ulvaeus, the song’s origins are steeped in the band’s personal experiences.
By 1981, the songwriting duo, Andersson and Ulvaeus, were both navigating marital troubles. The album itself reflects a darker, more mature thematic shift for ABBA, moving away from their earlier, sunnier pop anthems.
“Like An Angel Passing Through My Room” embodies this shift. The melancholic melody and introspective lyrics paint a picture of quiet contemplation in the fading embers of a relationship. The lines “Love was one prolonged goodbye” capture the bittersweet sting of a love lost.
Despite its somber tone, the song is not without a glimmer of hope. The angelic imagery suggests a sense of peace and acceptance, perhaps a letting go of the past.
Interestingly, Benny Andersson himself considers “Like An Angel Passing Through My Room” to be one of ABBA’s finest creations. While a demo medley titled “From a Twinkling Star to a Passing Angel” exists, the final, minimalist version found on “The Visitors” remains the definitive one for Andersson.
So, as the final notes of “The Visitors” fade away, “Like An Angel Passing Through My Room” leaves a lasting impression. It’s a song that lingers, inviting the listener to contemplate love, loss, and the passage of time.