ABBA blog

One of the most popular chapters in my book ABBA On Record is The Michael B. Tretow Tapes, where I detail the contents of the recording engineer's "secret" tapes, captured during ABBA's recording sessions. The other day, I happened to re-read the section about the making of Rock Me, and it is quite fascinating.

In the book, we can follow the song coming to life, from the musicians working out the backing track, to Agnetha and Frida attempting to record a lead vocal, and then Björn and Benny working on the male vocals for the final version – and more!

My favourite bit in the Rock Me section might be where Agnetha and Frida are trying to find their way into the song, working out a suitable vocal style. From their studio dialogue, as presented in the book:

---
“Well, this is not going to be easy…,” says Agnetha, and Frida replies, with a layer of irony, “You don’t think so? I’m sure it’s going to be very easy.” However, they’re not ready to give up just yet, as evidenced by the dialogue that follows. Agnetha: “If we could just find a cool way of singing it. How the hell would The Supremes sing this song? We will never manage it.” Frida: “No, they have that Lotta voice [referring to Lotta Hedlund, the female half of Polar Music recording artists Svenne & Lotta, whose high-pitched voice is similar to Supremes lead singer Diana Ross]. You could do it, but I can’t.” Agnetha: “I can’t do it anymore [i.e. reach those high notes].” The Supremes reference indicate that they may have identified a Motown feel in the song’s arrangement: the rhythm is similar to The Supremes’ 1964 hit ‘Where Did Our Love Go’, which, like ‘Rock Me’, also features a vibraphone.
---

Since publishing the book, I've been thinking that The Supremes' I Hear A Symphony is perhaps an even better comparison to Rock Me than Where Did Our Love Go. But aside from that: the Michael B. Tretow chapter is full of similar, previously unknown insights into ABBA's recording sessions – and, indeed, the entire book has innumerable ABBA stories that you won't have read before. Learn more and order your copy at abbaonrecord.com.