| "Lovers (Live a Little Longer)" | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Song by ABBA | |
| from the album Voulez-Vous | |
| Released | 23 April 1979 |
| Recorded | 13 March 1978 – 29 March 1979 |
| Studio | Polar Music |
| Genre | Disco |
| Length | 3:28 |
| Label | |
| Songwriter(s) | |
| Producer(s) |
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| Audio | |
| "Lovers (Live A Little Longer)" on YouTube | |
"Lovers (Live a Little Longer)" is a song by ABBA, released on their 1979 album Voulez-Vous.
Production
The song premiered in the TV show ABBA in Switzerland in February 1979. [1]
Synopsis
The song argues that a recent scientific study has shown that love is a factor in longevity. It then uses this to say "lovers live a little longer baby, you and me we got a chance to live twice".
Composition
The song contains "electric guitars and restless strings", which blend together to simulate the "dynamite drug" spoken of in the narrative. The song consists of a "vocal baton-changing" between Frida and Agnetha in the lead up to the chorus. The rhythm track of the song is very similar to that of " Eagle". The string arrangement is by Rutger Gunnarsson. [1]
Critical reception
In his book Abba – Uncensored on the Record, John Tobler describes the song as "fairly frantic, but also fairly sexy". He adds that the song illustrates Frida's "thespian and theatrical inclinations". [2] In an article by The Daily Telegraph about ABBA's "hidden gems", it offers the song's "slow, sexy, understated grooves with sweeping strings" as an alternative to The Name of the Game. [3] The Sydney Morning Herald said it was a "steamy, even sensual number". [4] Times Online listed "Lovers (Live a Little Longer)" and " Kisses of Fire" as "shoulda-been hits" that were passed over in favour of other lesser songs. [5] ABBA: Let The Music Speak describes the song as "alternative and risqué". [1] Internet reviewer Michael Lawrence gave the song a C+. [6] ABBA the Blog said: "On "Lovers (Live A Little Longer)" and "Kisses of Fire," ABBA created an adult image of themselves by singing about sex". [7] Internet reviewer George Starostin says of Voulez Vous: "There's also quite a bit of generic filler that shows far less concern for melody than usual, with three songs in a row built on simplistic rhythms, containing no hooks and simply being way too formulaic for ABBA: 'If It Wasn't For The Nights', 'Lovers Live A Little Longer', and 'Kisses of Fire' could have been written by just about any disco-abusing band at the time, Boney M included." [8] Culture Fusion Reviews said ""Lovers (Live a Little Longer)" ... stands as the most complex song on the album. It has a slight disco feel but it moves through so many tempo, time signature and melody changes that it becomes a weirdo highlight of the album." [9] BBC reviewer Sean Egan said "Lovers (Live a Little Longer), a would-be saucy anthem which is merely shrill", is one of the few "clinkers" of the album. [10]
References
- ^ a b c Tesch, Christopher Patrick (2008). ABBA : let the music speak : an armchair guide to the musical soundscape of the Swedish supergroup (1st ed.). Fairfield Gardens, Qld.: Christopher J N Patrick. p. 55. ISBN 978-0-6464-9676-4.
- ^ Tobler, John (2011). Abba – Uncensored on the Record. Coda Books Ltd. p. 143. ISBN 9781908538239.
- ^ McNulty, Bernadette (10 July 2008). "Abba: take a chance on these". The Daily Telegraph. Retrieved 25 September 2013.
- ^ "ABBA make a comeback". The Sydney Morning Herald. 27 May 1979. p. 48.
- ^ "Music Review". Account.thetimes.co.uk. Retrieved 24 May 2023. (subscription required)
- ^ Lawrence, Michael. "ABBA Song Reviews – Don Ignacio's Music Reviews". Retrieved 25 September 2013.
- ^ Chris (15 September 2013). "Album Review: Voulez-Vous". ABBA The Blog. Retrieved 25 September 2013.
- ^ "ABBA Reviews". Starling.rinet.ru. Retrieved 25 September 2013.
- ^ ""Voulez Vous" Review". Culture Fusion Reviews. WordPress. 11 September 2012. Retrieved 25 September 2013.
- ^ "ABBA Voulez-Vous – Deluxe Edition Review". BBC Music. 31 May 2010. Retrieved 25 September 2013.
