ABBA

Lyrics

[Verse 1]
No more champagne
And the fireworks are through
Here we are, me and you
Feeling lost and feeling blue
It's the end of the party
And the morning seems so grey
So unlike yesterday
Now's the time for us to say

[Chorus]
Happy new year, happy new year
May we all have a vision now and then
Of a world where every neighbour is a friend
Happy new year, happy new year
May we all have our hopes, our will to try
If we don't we might as well lay down and die
You and I

[Verse 2]
Sometimes I see
How the brave new world arrives
And I see how it thrives
In the ashes of our lives
Oh yes, man is a fool
And he thinks he'll be okay
Dragging on, feet of clay
Never knowing he's astray
Keeps on going anyway
[Chorus]
Happy new year, happy new year
May we all have a vision now and then
Of a world where every neighbour is a friend
Happy new year, happy new year
May we all have our hopes, our will to try
If we don't we might as well lay down and die
You and I

[Verse 3]
Seems to me now
That the dreams we had before
Are all dead, nothing more
Than confetti on the floor
It's the end of a decade
In another ten years time
Who can say what we'll find
What lies waiting down the line
In the end of eighty-nine

[Chorus]
Happy new year, happy new year
May we all have a vision now and then
Of a world where every neighbour is a friend
Happy new year, happy new year
May we all have our hopes, our will to try
If we don't we might as well lay down and die
You and I

If there's one song that has become synonymous with the New Year's celebration, it's ABBA's "Happy New Year". An upbeat song with a catchy tune, it has been a part of the New Year's eve playlist for as long as anyone can remember. It is known for its emotional and affecting lyrics, which are said to describe lost dreams and the dawning of a new year.

About Happy New Year

The song "Happy New Year" was written by the famous Swedish duo, Benny and Bjorn from ABBA. Originally, the title of the song was "Daddy, don't get drunk on Christmas", but later, they decided to rework the lyrics and title to make it more in sync with the New Year. It was released in 1980, and since then, it has become a global phenomenon. This song has an optimistic vibe, and it captures the essence of the year-end festivities perfectly.

The song is just over four minutes long and has a moderately fast tempo. The melody is beautiful and uplifting, with hints of nostalgia present throughout. The use of the piano, guitar, and drums instrumentally lend themselves to a dance floor-ready number, while the harmonizing vocals of all four ABBA members create a beautiful and catchy tune.

The lyrics of the song are also an important aspect to note. It describes the passing of the old year with a sense of melancholy, and looking ahead to the new year with fresh hope and optimism. It's that time of the year when people reflect on what they have achieved, what they have lost, and what they hope to accomplish in the coming year. The lyrics instigate a deep sense of reflection and contemplation and urge the listener to move on with the passage of time.

The introduction of the song starts with the sound of the cathedral bells chiming, adding to the celebratory mood. The opening verse describes the deep sense of loss that people experience when they couldn't achieve what they set out to do. The next verse has a more positive spin, where it impels people to renew their hope and aspirations, looking forward to the new year with high expectations, bidding goodbye to all their heartbreaks and setbacks.

The central theme of the song is expressed in the chorus - "Happy new year, happy new year, may we all have a vision now and then, of a world where every neighbor is a friend." Here, the message is clear that, despite our differences and past conflicts, we should all strive towards unity and friendship.

The song, in its entirety, is a perfect testament to the end of the year's celebrations. It articulates the emotions that everyone feels and celebrates the new beginnings that come with the turn of the year. To listen to it is to remember all the good moments of the year that has passed, and to look forward to the year to come in good spirits.

Overall, ABBA's "Happy New Year" song has captured the essence of new beginnings, reflected the optimism, and celebrated the joy of living through the most festive season of the year. It has been an evergreen hit over the years and continues to be an all-time favorite on New Year's eve playlists around the globe.

• Release Date: 1980
• Artist: ABBA