Super Trouper by ABBA

Album: Super Trouper (1980)

Charted: 1 45

License This Song

lyrics

artistfacts

Songfacts®:

Tonight the super trouper lights are gonna find me
Shining like the sun
Smiling, having fun
Feeling like a number one

Super troupers are massive spotlights used in big concerts and events that can light up a whole stadium. Back in 1956, when they were introduced to the public, they were considered the brightest lights in the world. ABBA's lyrics for "Super Trouper" reflect what it's like to be superstars with the light shining on them.
"Super Trouper" is the title track of ABBA's seventh studio album. The song was the last to be written for Super Trouper. In fact, the name "Super Trouper" had already been chosen as an album title, named after the stage lights of the same name. It was a lucky coincidence that the song Benny and Bjorn were writing to be an uptempo single ended up fitting with the title.
ABBA's Benny Andersson and Björn Ulvaeus wrote "Super Trouper." The quartet don't like performing onstage, preferring the studio to the road. "Super Trouper" came in the wake of an extensive period of heavy touring.

The song explores the impact of fame on the personal life of a pop star. Lead vocalist Anni-Frid Lyngsta sings of feeling trapped between the demands of the stage and longing for a loved one. In typical ABBA style, the lyrics are presented as upbeat, yet tinged with an underlying hint of sadness.
"Super Trouper" continued ABBA's run of chart success, particularly in Europe. It became ABBA's ninth (and final) #1 in the United Kingdom, and also topped the charts in Belgium, West Germany, Ireland and the Netherlands.

Outside of Europe, "Super Trouper" was a more modest hit. The single reached #45 in the United States and #77 in Australia.
Super Trouper was the best-selling album in the UK for 1980.
The song's working title was "Blinka Lilla Stjarna," which means "Twinkle Little Star" in Swedish.
"Super Trouper" features in both the Mamma Mia! stage musical and its 2008 film adaptation. Donna, Tanya, and Rosie perform the song at Sophie's hen party, wearing the tight Lycra suits they dressed in during their days as a girl band called Donna and the Dynamos. In the context of the musical, the song highlights the challenges of Donna's life, but ultimately expresses the idea that knowing her daughter Sophie is there is enough to bring her comfort.
Deep Purple's 1973 rock album Who Do We Think We Are features an entirely different song titled "Super Trouper." The lyrics describe how the Super Trouper spotlight illuminates and magnifies the performer on stage. Concurrently, it blinds them both literally and figuratively, causing them to lose sight of the audience and their surroundings.

Comments: 7

Olik Valera from Asunción, ParaguayGlasgow was the penultimate stop on Abba's 1979 tour, which continued until mid-1980. It also held sentimental significance for Björn and Agnetha, despite their impending divorce in July 1980. The song is believed to be a message from Björn to his future wife, Lena Källersjö, and was recorded for the Super Trouper album released on November 3, 1980. It's hard to imagine the emotional challenge of rehearsing and performing the song for Björn and Agnetha, given the personal meaning and context behind the lyrics. Björn remarried in January 1981.
Peter Beninger from Nantes FranceOf course this was perhaps the greatest pop group of all time. But what I will never understand is how Benny and Bjorn could leave these two incredible women!
Daniel Miller from Houston, TxI swear I hear Frida singing, "ABBA the success that never ends" rather than "part of a success that never ends." Listen to it in headphones.
This is another example of ABBA's deeply personal, bittersweet lyrics that many people missed---back in the day, as it were. The counter-lyric in the second verse, where Agnetha sings "You'll soon be changing everything" is probably a reference to the group's breakup, which, while never officially announced, was virtually in place by the time this album was released in November of 1980.
Sioraf from Macroon, IrelandI thought they meant super trooper as in some elite soldier. I wasn't alive during that era you see.
Scott from Halifax, NsMany people have assumed that "Super Trouper" was written for Agnetha Faltskog, who hated being away from her children on tour and who developed a fear of flying as well. But Bjorn Ulvaeus has admitted in recent interviews that he wrote the song about himself after his divorce from Agnetha. The subject of the song was his longing for his new girlfriend and his excitement on learning she was going to fly to meet him on tour.
Joe from New York, NyMy favorte song of all time. Only AbbA could make so many songs and each song was betetr than the other. I go every year to see ABBA perform which are 4 musicians who look like the group. Great fun
Jason from Dublin, Irelandi believe that what abba are trying to convey with this song is how difficult stardom can be and also how people can misunderstand and think stars lives are perfect.'facing twenty thousand of your fans how can anyone be so lonely part of a success that never ends'. they don't realise that even famous and succesful people can get down

see more comments

More Songfacts:

The JokerSteve Miller Band

The "pompatus of love" from the Steve Miller song "The Joker" comes from a line in a '50s doo-wop song Miller misheard: "puppetutes of love."

Ziggy StardustDavid Bowie

David Bowie's "Ziggy Stardust" was likely based on various musicians in his ambit, including Iggy Pop (zIGGY), and Jimi Hendrix, who played guitar left-handed ("He played it left hand").

Cigarettes And Chocolate MilkRufus Wainwright

"Cigarettes And Chocolate Milk" describes a time in Rufus Wainwright's life when he found himself hungover and pounding chocolate milk to feel better. It didn't work, so he smoked a cigarette, which is when he realized his addictive personality could be a problem.

Closing TimeSemisonic

"Closing Time" by Semisonic was written by the lead singer when his wife was pregnant. Some of the lyrics are about being born.

AllentownBilly Joel

Billy Joel's song "Allentown" was written as "Levittown," which is the town in Long Island where he grew up. He got the idea to change it after taking a trip to Pennsylvania.

Do The BartmanThe Simpsons

"Do The Bartman," released at the peak of Simpsons-mania, has uncredited backup vocals by Michael Jackson, who later appeared on the show.