The Piper

ABBA

About The Piper

"The Piper" is a 1980 track off the Super Trouper album by Swedish pop group ABBA. The song is loosely based on the famous story of The Pied Piper of Hamelin. It is regarded by some ABBA fans as being very different from the more mainstream songs they had recorded until this time. In particular, the dark lyrics dealing with the seduction by fascistic leaders and a somewhat medieval sound (drums, flute, choral) are not seen in their earlier songs. It is also the only ABBA song where a part of the refrain is in Latin. The song has gained a small cult following among ABBA fans. ABBA: Uncensored on the road explains the song "was also the flip side of the Super Trouper single". From Abba to Mamma Mia!: The Official Book explains "After a two-week break in March for the concluding tour of Japan, by the end of April ABBA had completed the songs "Andante, Andante", "On And On And On", "Happy New Year", "Elaine" and "The Piper"." 


Year:
1980
3:26
303 
#3

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They came from the hills
And they came from the valleys and the plains
They struggled in the cold
In the heat and the snow and in the rain
Came to hear him play
Play their minds away  

We're all following a strange melody
We're all summoned by a tune
We're following the piper
And we dance beneath the moon
We're following the piper
And we dance beneath the moon for him
And we dance beneath the moon  
Sub luna saltamus  

They came from the south
From the west and the north and from the east
They waited for the man
Like a parish is waiting for the priest
Longed to hear him play
Play their minds away  

We're all following a strange melody
We're all summoned by a tune
We're following the piper
And we dance beneath the moon
We're following the piper
And we dance beneath the moon for him
And we dance beneath the moon  
Sub luna saltamus  

He gave them a dream
He seduced everybody in the land
The fire in his eyes
And the fear was a weapon in his hand
So they let him play
Play their minds away  

We're all following a strange melody
We're all summoned by a tune
We're following the piper
And we dance beneath the moon
We're following the piper
And we dance beneath the moon for him
And we dance beneath the moon  

And we dance beneath the moon

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ABBA

ABBA was a Swedish pop group formed in Stockholm in 1972, comprising Agnetha Fältskog, Benny Andersson, Björn Ulvaeus and Anni-Frid Lyngstad. ABBA is an acronym of the first letters of the band members' first names and is sometimes stylized as the registered trademark ᗅᗺᗷᗅ. They became one of the most commercially successful acts in the history of pop music, topping the charts worldwide from 1972 to 1982. They are also known for winning the 1974 Eurovision Song Contest, giving Sweden its first victory in the history of the contest and being the most successful group ever to take part in the contest. more »

14 fans

Written by: BENNY GORAN BROR ANDERSSON, BJOERN K. ULVAEUS

Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind


15 facts about this song

Genre
"The Piper" is classified under the Pop genre.
Album Inclusion
The song "The Piper" is included in ABBA's seventh studio album, "Super Trouper", released in 1980.
Songwriters
"The Piper" was written by Benny Andersson and Björn Ulvaeus, members of the band ABBA.
Track Position
The song was featured as the B-side to the massively successful single "Super Trouper."
Unusual Theme
"The Piper" tells a story about a town seduced by a charismatic Piped piper figure, a somewhat unusual theme for a pop song.
Producers
The song was produced by Benny Andersson and Björn Ulvaeus themselves.
Lead Singers
The song has primary vocals by Anni-Frid Lyngstad and backing vocals by Agnetha Fältskog.
Structure
The song features a haunting and peculiarly charming melody that maintains its critical acclaim even today.
Popularity
While not released as a single, "The Piper" has remained a fan favourite over the years.
The Piper's Role
The song metaphorically demonstrates the hypnotic power of an enchanting tune and a charismatic leader.
Song Length
The album version of "The Piper" by ABBA has a duration of 3 minutes and 26 seconds.
Influence from Swedish Folk Music
"The Piper" reflects ABBA's trademark sound combined with slight influences from traditional Swedish folk music.
Other Uses
The song has been used in some ABBA compilations’ unreleased material, like "Thank You for the Music" in 1994.
Live Performances
ABBA performed "The Piper" during their 1979 tour. It was the only song from the "Super Trouper" album performed live by ABBA before the album was released.
Painting Description
The song was inspired by a painting which tells the same story of a population following a piper's alluring song.

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