ABBA - I Wonder

ABBA - I Wonder



This park and these houses, old streets I have walked
Everything dear, will it be here
One day when I am returning
My friends will get married, have children and homes
It sounds so nice, well-planned and wise
Never expecting surprises

I wonder, it's frightening
Leaving now, is that the right thing
I wonder, it scares me
But who the hell am I if I don't even try
I'm not a coward
Oh no, I'll be strong
One chance in a lifetime
Yes I will take it, it can't go wrong

My friends and my family, this dull little town
Buses I've missed, boys that I've kissed
Everything old and familiar

I wonder, it's frightening
Leaving now, is that the right thing
I wonder, it scares me
But who the hell am I if I don't even try
I'm not a coward
Oh no, I'll be strong
One chance in a lifetime
Yes I will take it oh yes
Yes I will take it, it can't go wrong

[talkingmotanka]

How can the members of ABBA possibly know how much their songs touch the lives of people? I'm one of them, with this song.

As a little girl, about seven or eight years old listening to this in about 1981, I was bewitched by this piece. I'd listen to it over and over, sometimes with tears in my eyes (yes, a sensitive girl), thinking of the probability that this one day might be me. Growing up, leaving my town, and maybe coming back to it. My best friend lived across the street from me, and I thought of her growing up, getting married and having kids, and the two of us no longer being friends. These thoughts were a little scary to think about as an eight year-old!

When I was in my teens, I knew I wanted to get into broadcasting, and when I graduated and went to college I knew that the reality would be that I would have to leave the only place I knew to venture out to other markets to get experience. More than ever, hearing this song again as a young adult made me think, "Finally, this is happening." I really did miss buses. There were boys that I kissed. All of that had now passed into shades of memories.

Several years later, I reconnected with my childhood best friend, and she was out in a different town herself, of course as predicted, married, house, children. The song hadn't failed to predict the future! Then the "one day when I am returning" part had come along in my mid-30s when I had worked in broadcast, traveled the world, and experienced different relationships and friendships over the years. I returned to that old street, a little sad that it had become something familiar, but very changed. The trees had become enormous, new residents were living in the houses, and the sounds of a small community were overcome by louder noises. Only one resident had remained -- a couple who lived beside my best friend, who saw me parked outside and invited me in. It was as if thirty years was gone in the blink of an eye. Shortly after, a different friend I had on that street was a little boy from Hong Kong who had returned for the same sentiments, and we reconnected and walked down our old street toward our old school and took a snapshot together. It was as though we both felt we had to remember where we came from and hold on tight to the memories of the innocent things that we took for granted.

I did wonder.. if I had left would it be the right thing? It was and wasn't. But I needed to try. I eventually met and married my husband late in life, a first time bride at the age of 41, and both of us had remained child-free by choice while I watched everyone make "well-planned" and "wise" decisions. Today we live our lives on our terms, but fondly take each other back to our roots.

It was this song that touched me as such a young girl, and haunts me even to this day.
Thank you, ABBA. Thank you for the music. ♥

[joegoodman]

What a Beautiful song sung by a beautiful Frida and with a voice of an Angel.
Also, thank you for a spectacular Video. What a great tribute to Frida and ABBA ❤ !

[SÖSmn]

It's undoubtedly up there Among ABBA's top ten masterpieces. If that is even possible to rate. Thank you ABBA for having been there during my teenage period, and now yet again when I'm turning 62 🙏👏👍❤🇸🇪

[lorivissell]

Stunning voice sung by a stunning Frida!

[popazz]

At the weekend, on UK tv, there was a programme where brits had voted for their 25 all-time favourite Abba songs.I absolutely couldn't figure why this song didn't make it into that poll! It is, for me, a stunning track, and her voice was perfect for it.So glad I found it.

[gary]

Just another ABBA masterpiece. Beautifully written and beautifully performed....as usual.

[nickmorrell]

One of my favourite songs ever ...let alone Abba songs ...adore it ....

[johannesmuller]

Zufällig entdeckte ich das mir bisher unbekannte Lied, gesungen und gespielt von der einzigartigen Musikgruppe "ABBA". Die Stimmen der beiden Sängerinnen Agnetha und Frida sind wunderschön. Ebenso wunderschön sind auch diese beiden Sängerinnen. Sympathisch sind auch die Musiker Björn und Benny. Dieses Lied ist -ebenso wie die anderen Lieder von "ABBA" großartig und sehr gefühlsvoll.

[Perle]

Frida's voice so beautiful....in my teenage years I used to listen to this countless times....

[beatzbinden]

Für mich werden ABBA für alle Ewigkeit ihren unangefochtenen Platz in der Welt der Popmusik haben.
Auch wenn man den Text nicht genau versteht, begreift man dennoch, dass er viel Tiefe hat. Bravo!!!

[ariro]

Otra magistral interpretación de mi Frida. Toda una estrella de la interpretación.

[mfwamwangola]

Soundtrack of my life when I left my home country 25 years to study abroad. It so perfectly captured my feelings then I must have worn out the ABBA cassette tape I carried with me that had it LOL! Listening now a constant encouragement each time I need to take my courage in both hands and step out in faith. I know this is a cliché but: "Thank you for the music, ABBA!"

[anandajayasooriya]

Beautiful music and Frida's voice. Love ABBA ever.

[TheWolfontherun]

I was 12 years old and I thought this song was was so tender and melancholic. Now I am 47 and I think this song is gorgeous and moving. The ears of a 12 years old boy are different from the ones of a 47 years old man but I found out the heart is the same, Thanks Abba for being the soundtrack of my life.

[amparocantillogomerocant]

Beautiful Frida WONDERFUL...GOD BLESSED

[rickrodrigues]

So beautiful, haunting & dramatic! Almost operatic!

[popazz]

This is one of my all-time favourite tracks ever! I don't know quite what sets this apart from all the other magnificent songs Abba released, but it just gets to me.Anna really is a beauty, & has certainly just improved with age!

[karmarml]

What a beautiful haunting song sung by Frida. Maybe if there is a Mama Mia 3 it will be included. But no one could sing it as beautifully as Frida.

[FranceBernardof]

ABBA deserves the Peace Nobel Prize for their unsurpassed contribution to the joy, the peace and the beauty they brought throughout their magnificient career. In this song it is another example of the beautiful feelings they have been able to entwine with a marvellous music and Frida's stunning voice carry them to the utmost part of the world. Thank you very much for posting this song

[davefk]

Four people who contributed something of themselves, to write such poignant and memorable songs. It's just sad that it ended.