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Super Trouper (song)

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This article is about the ABBA song. For other uses, see Super Trouper (disambiguation).

"Super Trouper"
Single by ABBA
from the album Super Trouper
B-side"The Piper"
Released3 November 1980
Recorded1980
Genre
Length4:10
Label
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)
  • Benny Andersson
  • Björn Ulvaeus[1]
ABBA singles chronology
"On and On and On"
(1980) 		"Super Trouper"
(1980) 		"Happy New Year"
(1980)
Music video
"Super Trouper" on YouTube

"Super Trouper" is a song by the Swedish pop group ABBA, and the title track from their 1980 studio album of the same name, written by Benny Andersson and Björn Ulvaeus. It was released in November 1980 as the album's third single, reaching number one in several countries. It was the group's ninth and final number one on the UK Singles Chart and the fourth best-selling single in the UK that year, selling over 700,000 copies in that country alone.[2]

The song's name refers to the Super Trouper, a make of followspot used in large venues.

Background

[edit]

The song – with lead vocals by Anni-Frid Lyngstad – had the working title "Blinka Lilla Stjärna" (i.e. Twinkle Little Star, in Swedish),[3] and was the last track to be written and recorded for the album (ultimately replacing the track "Put on Your White Sombrero").[4]

The song's name refers to the Super Trouper, a make of followspot used in large venues.[4] The group had already decided on the album title Super Trouper when they realised that they needed another track for the album. Written in October 1980, the song fitted to become the title track and also a single.[4]

Lyrics

[edit]

The first verse contains the line, "I was sick and tired of everything when I called you last night from Glasgow", with the video showing lead vocalist Anni-Frid Lyngstad singing this line. In February 2020, saxophonist Ulf Andersson, who toured with ABBA in the late 1970s, revealed that name-checking Glasgow was a coded love note from Björn Ulvaeus to then-wife Agnetha Faltskog. "It was a personal thing between Bjorn and Agnetha," he told the Scottish Mail on Sunday. "Björn was in Glasgow for some ABBA promotion. It was around the time they were about to separate. He wrote the lyrics and Agnetha sings it, but really it was meant to be from him."[5]

However, in 2014 lyricist Björn Ulvaeus wrote about the creation of the song for The Singles box set, hinting it was inspired by his new fiancé Lena Källersjö: "weaving a story around that title was no problem for a man, who had fallen in love again."

Reception

[edit]

"Super Trouper" is an upbeat pop rock, disco 1980s track. It continued ABBA's run of chart success, particularly in Europe. It became ABBA's ninth (and final) No. 1 in the United Kingdom.[1][6] This distinction placed ABBA fourth for the most UK chart-toppers in history (behind The Beatles, Elvis Presley and Cliff Richard); a position the group would keep for almost 20 years until Madonna scored her tenth UK No. 1 with "Music" in August 2000.[7] "Super Trouper" also topped the charts in Belgium, West Germany, Ireland and the Netherlands, and was a top 10 hit in Austria, Finland, France, Norway, Spain and Switzerland. In their native Sweden however it failed to reach the top 10, stalling at number 11.[8]

Outside of Europe, "Super Trouper" was a more modest hit. For example, in the United States, where ABBA never attained quite the popularity experienced elsewhere, the single reached No. 45. However, combined with "Lay All Your Love on Me" and "On and On and On", it topped the US Hot Dance Club Play chart in May 1981. The song reached the lower regions of the charts in countries such as Australia[9] and Japan,[10] but in Mexico it reached No. 3.[11]

The track was the fourth biggest selling single in the UK for 1980 and sold 709,000 copies in United Kingdom in 1980 alone.[12] As of September 2021, it is the group's second biggest song in the country with 982,000 pure sales and 40 million streams.[13]

Record World said that the song "deals with onstage loneliness" and that "engaging vocal interaction bounces resoundingly."[14]

Music video

[edit]

In October 1980, the music video for "Super Trouper" used the largest number of artists that ABBA ever used in a music video, including a full circus troupe. The spotlight featured throughout the video is, in fact, a CCT Silhouette profile spot with followspot kit, as opposed to a real Super Trouper. The city of Glasgow mentioned in the lyric was suggested by Howard Huntridge who worked with their then-UK publishers Bocu Music. The music video was directed by Lasse Hallström. Parts of the video were later reused in the clip for the song "Happy New Year" (which also features on the Super Trouper album).

Personnel

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Additional musicians

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  • Janne Schaffer – lead guitar
  • Mike Watson – bass guitar
  • Per Lindvall – drums
  • Åke Sundqvist – percussion

Charts

[edit]

Certifications and sales

[edit]
Region Certification Certified units/sales
Denmark (IFPI Danmark)[39] Gold 45,000‡
France — 400,000[40]
Spain (PROMUSICAE)[41] Gold 30,000‡
Russia (NFPF)[42]
Ringtone 		Gold 100,000*
United Kingdom (BPI)[44] Platinum 982,000[43]

* Sales figures based on certification alone.
‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

A-Teens version

[edit]
"Super Trouper"
Single by A-Teens
from the album The ABBA Generation
Released2 August 1999
Recorded1999
GenrePop, Europop
Length3:52
LabelUniversal Music Group
Songwriter(s)Benny Andersson and Björn Ulvaeus
Producer(s)Thomas Johansson
Ronald Malmberg
A-Teens singles chronology
"Mamma Mia"
(1999) 		"Super Trouper"
(1999) 		"Gimme! Gimme! Gimme! (A Man After Midnight)"
(1999)
Music video
"A*Teens - Super Trouper" on YouTube

"Super Trouper" was A-Teens' second single from their first album, The ABBA Generation (1999), a cover of ABBA's song. When the single came out in the fall of 1999, it became a hit around the globe, just as its predecessor "Mamma Mia", also an ABBA cover. "Super Trouper" debuted at No. 2 in Sweden and was later certified platinum.[45]

It also became their only Top 5 hit in Germany peaking at No. 4. The single also reached No. 21 in the United Kingdom, No. 18 in Switzerland, No. 15 in Norway, No. 11 in Austria and No. 12 in the Netherlands.

Music video

[edit]

The music video was directed by Sebastian Reed and was filmed in Sweden. The video shows a girl so obsessed with the band that she owns posters, magazines, mugs, clothing, and a key chain. She also copies the band's choreography that is shown on TV. Some of the articles that feature pictures of the band come to life in the video.

In the first few seconds of the video, before the actual song starts, Mamma Mia can be faintly heard in the background.

The video was a hit in most TV stations charting inside the Top 10 countdowns in late 1999 and early 2000.

Releases

[edit]
  • European 2-track CD single
  1. "Super Trouper" (Radio Version) – 3:52
  2. "Super Trouper" (Super Radio Remix) – 4:04
  • European CD Maxi
  1. "Super Trouper" (Radio Version) – 3:52
  2. "Super Trouper" (Super Super Remix) – 8:58
  3. "Super Trouper" (Pinocchio Remix) – 5:08
  4. "Super Trouper" (Extended Version) – 6:05
  • German CD Maxi (3 January 2000)
  1. "Super Trouper" (Radio Version) – 3:52
  2. "Super Trouper" (Perre J's Remix) – 4:04
  3. "Happy New Year" – 4:23
  4. "Mamma Mia" (Radio Version) – 3:43
  • Video: "Mamma Mia"
  • UK CD1 (22 November 1999)
  1. "Super Trouper" (Radio Version) – 3:52
  2. "A*Teens Medley" (Pierre J's Full UK Mix) – 7:27
  3. "Super Trouper" (Karaoke Version) – 3:52
  • Video: "Super Trouper"
  • UK CD2 (22 November 1999)
  1. "Super Trouper" (Extended Version) – 6:05
  2. "Super Trouper" (W.I.P.) – 6:10
  3. "Super Trouper" (The Bold & The Glamour Mix) – 6:50
  • UK Cassette (22 November 1999)
  1. "Super Trouper" (Radio Version) – 3:52
  2. "Super Trouper" (Karaoke Version) – 3:52
  • Japan CD Maxi (1 December 1999)
  1. "Super Trouper" (Radio Version) – 3:52
  2. "Happy New Year" – 4:23
  3. "Super Trouper" (Super Super Remix) – 8:58
  4. "Super Trouper" (Extended Version) – 6:05
  • Sweden promo CD
  1. "Super Trouper" (Radio Version) – 3:52
  • 12" vinyl promo (1-track)
  1. A. "Super Trouper" (Extended Version) – 6:05
  • UK 12" vinyl promo (3-track) (22 November 1999)
  1. A1. "Super Trouper" (Extended Version) – 6:05
  2. B1. "Super Trouper" (The Bold & The Glamour Mix) – 6:50
  3. B2. "Super Trouper" (W.I.P.) – 6:10

Charts

[edit]

Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again version

[edit]

Super Trouper was released on 13 July 2018, alongside the soundtrack of Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again, by Capitol and Polydor Records. The song is performed by the whole main cast (Christine Baranski, Pierce Brosnan, Cher, Dominic Cooper, Alexa Davies, Josh Dylan, Colin Firth, Andy García, Jeremy Irvine, Lily James, Amanda Seyfried, Stellan Skarsgård, Hugh Skinner, Meryl Streep, Julie Walters and Jessica Keenan Wynn) and it was produced by Benny Andersson. The song was also performed in the first film by Streep, Baranski, and Walters.

Charts and Certifications

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Chart (2018) Peak
position
Scotland (OCC)[58] 52
UK Singles Download Chart (OCC)[59] 81
UK Singles Sales Chart (OCC)[60] 81


Region Certification Certified units/sales
United Kingdom (BPI)[61] Silver 200,000‡

‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

Appearances in other media

[edit]
  • The song is performed in the Mamma Mia! stage musical, as well as the 2008 film adaptation. In the musical and film, Donna, Tanya and Rosie perform the song at Sophie's hen party dressed in the tight lycra suits they used to wear when they were a girl band called "Donna and the Dynamos". In the context of the musical, it explains that even though Donna has a hard life sometimes, all she has to know to feel better is that Sophie is there. When Niklas Strömstedt wrote lyrics for the Swedish staging of the musical, "Glasgow" was replaced by "Gränna" as the place from which the singer calls in the lyrics.

References

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  1. ^ a b c d Rice, Jo (1982). The Guinness Book of 500 Number One Hits (1st ed.). Enfield, Middlesex: Guinness Superlatives Ltd. p. 209. ISBN 0-85112-250-7.
  2. ^ Copsey, Rob (26 February 2021). "The Official Top 50 best-selling songs of 1980". Official Charts Company.
  3. ^ Elisabeth Vincentelli (31 March 2004). Abba's Abba Gold. Bloomsbury Publishing USA. p. 96. ISBN 9781441167897.
  4. ^ a b c "The Making of Super Trouper". Abba - the Official Site. 11 June 2012. Retrieved 13 October 2018.
  5. ^ McKenzie, Kirsty (4 September 2021). "The reason behind Abba's Glasgow shoutout in hit song Super Trouper". GlasgowLive.
  6. ^ a b "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 28 October 2021.
  7. ^ "The UK Number Ones : Artist List".
  8. ^ "Super Trouper". Swedish Charts.
  9. ^ "Australia". Home.zipworld.com.au. Retrieved 29 September 2017.
  10. ^ "Japan". Home.zipworld.com.au. Retrieved 29 September 2017.
  11. ^ "Mexico". Home.zipworld.com.au. 2 June 2013. Retrieved 29 March 2014.
  12. ^ Rob Copsey (26 February 2021). "The Official Top 50 best-selling songs of 1980". Official Charts. Retrieved 10 July 2021.
  13. ^ UK Official Charts ABBA's Official Top 20 biggest songs
  14. ^ "Hits of the Week" (PDF). Record World. 28 March 1981. p. 1. Retrieved 19 February 2023.
  15. ^ David Kent (2006). Australian Charts Book 1993—2005. Australian Chart Book Pty Ltd, Turramurra, N.S.W. p. 10. ISBN 978-0-646-45889-2.
  16. ^ "ABBA – Super Trouper" (in German). Ö3 Austria Top 40. Retrieved 28 October 2021.
  17. ^ "ABBA – Super Trouper" (in Dutch). Ultratop 50. Retrieved 28 October 2021.
  18. ^ "Top RPM Singles: Issue 0371." RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved 28 October 2021.
  19. ^ Pennanen, Timo (2006). Sisältää hitin – levyt ja esittäjät Suomen musiikkilistoilla vuodesta 1972 (in Finnish) (1st ed.). Helsinki: Tammi. ISBN 978-951-1-21053-5.
  20. ^ "The Irish Charts – Search Results – ABBA". Irish Singles Chart. Retrieved 28 October 2021.
  21. ^ "Hits of The World". Billboard. 13 December 1980. p. 74.
  22. ^ "Nederlandse Top 40 – week 49, 1980" (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40. Retrieved 28 October 2021.
  23. ^ "ABBA – Super Trouper" (in Dutch). Single Top 100. Retrieved 28 October 2021.
  24. ^ "ABBA – Super Trouper". VG-lista. Retrieved 28 October 2021.
  25. ^ Salaverri, Fernando (September 2005). Sólo éxitos: año a año, 1959–2002 (in Spanish) (1st ed.). Spain: Fundación Autor-SGAE. ISBN 84-8048-639-2.
  26. ^ "ABBA – Super Trouper". Singles Top 100. Retrieved 28 October 2021.
  27. ^ "ABBA – Super Trouper". Swiss Singles Chart. Retrieved 28 October 2021.
  28. ^ "ABBA Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved 28 October 2021.
  29. ^ "ABBA Chart History (Dance Club Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved 28 October 2021.
  30. ^ Downey, Pat; Albert, George; Hoffmann, Frank W (1994). Cash Box pop singles charts, 1950–1993. Libraries Unlimited. p. 1. ISBN 978-1-56308-316-7.
  31. ^ "Offiziellecharts.de – ABBA – Super Trouper" (in German). GfK Entertainment charts. Retrieved 28 October 2021.
  32. ^ "Jaaroverzichten 1980" (in Dutch). Ultratop. Retrieved 28 October 2021.
  33. ^ "Top 100-Jaaroverzicht van 1980" (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40. Retrieved 28 October 2021.
  34. ^ "Jaaroverzichten – Single 1980" (in Dutch). Dutch Charts. Retrieved 28 October 2021.
  35. ^ "Chart File". Record Mirror. London, England: Spotlight Publications. 21 March 1981. p. 37.
  36. ^ "Jahreshitparade Singles 1981" (in German). Ö3 Austria Top 40. Retrieved 28 October 2021.
  37. ^ "Jaaroverzichten 1981" (in Dutch). Ultratop. Retrieved 28 October 2021.
  38. ^ "Top 100 Single-Jahrescharts" (in German). Offizielle Deutsche Charts. 1981. Retrieved 28 October 2021.
  39. ^ "Danish single certifications – ABBA – Super Trouper". IFPI Danmark. Retrieved 3 January 2024.
  40. ^ Syndicat National de l'Édition Phonographique (SNEP). Fabrice Ferment (ed.). "TOP – 1980". 40 ans de tubes : 1960–2000 : les meilleures ventes de 45 tours & CD singles (in French). OCLC 469523661. Archived from the original on 8 October 2021. Retrieved 31 May 2022 – via Top-France.fr.
  41. ^ "Spanish single certifications – ABBA – Super Trouper". El portal de Música. Productores de Música de España. Retrieved 29 October 2024.
  42. ^ "Российская индустрия звукозаписи 2011" (PDF) (in Russian). Lenta. Archived from the original (PDF) on 17 April 2019. Retrieved 26 June 2023.
  43. ^ Myers, Justin (7 November 2021). "ABBA's Official Top 20 biggest songs". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 10 November 2021.
  44. ^ "British single certifications – ABBA – Super Trouper". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved 27 October 2023.
  45. ^ [1] Archived 28 September 2006 at the Wayback Machine
  46. ^ "A*Teens – Super Trouper" (in German). Ö3 Austria Top 40. Retrieved 11 March 2020.
  47. ^ "A*Teens – Super Trouper" (in French). Ultratop 50. Retrieved 11 March 2020.
  48. ^ "A*Teens – Super Trouper" (in German). GfK Entertainment charts. Retrieved 11 March 2020.
  49. ^ "Nederlandse Top 40 – week 38, 1999" (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40. Retrieved 11 March 2020.
  50. ^ "A*Teens – Super Trouper" (in Dutch). Single Top 100. Retrieved 11 March 2020.
  51. ^ "A*Teens – Super Trouper". VG-lista. Retrieved 11 March 2020.
  52. ^ "A*Teens – Super Trouper". Singles Top 100. Retrieved 11 March 2020.
  53. ^ "A*Teens – Super Trouper". Swiss Singles Chart. Retrieved 11 March 2020.
  54. ^ "Top 100-Jaaroverzicht van 1999". Dutch Top 40. Retrieved 11 March 2020.
  55. ^ "Jaaroverzichten – Single 1999". dutchcharts.nl. Retrieved 11 March 2020.
  56. ^ "Årslista Singlar – År 1999" (in Swedish). Sverigetopplistan. Retrieved 11 March 2020.
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  58. ^ "Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 3 August 2018.
  59. ^ "Official Singles Download Chart Top 100". Music Week. London, UK. 27 July 2018. Retrieved 27 July 2018.
  60. ^ "Official Singles Sales Chart Top 100". Music Week. London, UK. 27 July 2018. Retrieved 27 July 2018.
  61. ^ "British single certifications – Cher, Streep, Baranski, Walters – Super Trouper". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved 12 July 2024.
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