About the song
Ah, ABBA. The Swedish pop group that dominated the airwaves in the 70s and early 80s with their infectious melodies and catchy hooks. But beneath the shiny veneer of disco beats and singalong choruses, ABBA often explored themes of love, loss, and the bittersweet realities of life. This complexity is particularly evident in their 1982 single, “The Day Before You Came.”
Released on the heels of their critically acclaimed album “The Visitors,” “The Day Before You Came” emerged from a period of transition for the band. The members were juggling personal priorities – new babies, solo endeavors – and a potential shift in their creative direction. This sense of change permeates the song, creating a fascinating listen that defies easy categorization.
What initially strikes the listener is the melancholic melody. Unlike many of ABBA’s upbeat tracks, “The Day Before You Came” is shrouded in a somber atmosphere. Synth washes and a repetitive, almost monotonous melody create a sense of emptiness, a stark contrast to the group’s usual dancefloor energy.
The song’s brilliance lies in its lyrical ambiguity. Björn Ulvaeus, the lyricist, paints a picture of a seemingly mundane day: reading a book, watching TV, riding the subway. These are the actions of someone existing in a routine, a life devoid of passion or excitement. But the key to the song’s emotional depth lies in the title. “The Day Before You Came” hints at a shift, a seismic change that has left the narrator adrift.
Intriguingly, the lyrics themselves don’t explicitly dwell on the romantic encounter. Instead, they suggest the aftermath, a hollow emptiness left by the departed lover. This ambiguity allows the listener to project their own interpretations. Was it a passionate love affair that ended tragically? A fleeting fling that left a lasting mark? Perhaps it represents something more abstract, a loss of innocence or a disillusionment with life.
Whatever the specific narrative, “The Day Before You Came” is a powerful meditation on the lasting impact of love, even in its absence. It’s a bittersweet reminder that even fleeting moments can leave an indelible mark on our lives, casting a long shadow over the days that follow.
Video
Lyrics
Must have left my house at eight, because I always do
My train, I’m certain, left the station just when it was due
I must have read the morning paper going into town
And having gotten through the editorial, no doubt I must have frowned
I must have made my desk around a quarter after nine
With letters to be read, and heaps of papers waiting to be signed
I must have gone to lunch at half past twelve or so
The usual place, the usual bunch
And still on top of this I’m pretty sure it must have rained
The day before you came
I must have lit my seventh cigarette at half past two
And at the time I never even noticed I was blue
I must have kept on dragging through the business of the day
Without really knowing anything, I hid a part of me away
At five I must have left, there’s no exception to the rule
A matter of routine, I’ve done it ever since I finished school
The train back home again
Undoubtedly I must have read the evening paper then
Oh yes, I’m sure my life was well within it’s usual frame
The day before you came
Must have opened my front door at eight o’clock or so
And stopped along the way to buy some Chinese food to go
I’m sure I had my dinner watching something on TV
There’s not, I think, a single episode of Dallas that I didn’t see
I must have gone to bed around a quarter after ten
I need a lot of sleep, and so I like to be in bed by then
I must have read a while
The latest one by Marilyn French or something in that style
It’s funny, but I had no sense of living without aim
The day before you came
And turning out the light
I must have yawned and cuddled up for yet another night
And rattling on the roof I must have heard the sound of rain
The day before you came