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  1. Tracks
  2. ABBA
  3. Greatest Hits
  4. SOS
SOS by ABBA

TRACK

ABBA

SOS

Release date: 21st April 1975

From Greatest Hits
Spotify

About This Track

One of the first songs recorded for the group's 1975 album of the same name, 'SOS' became the opening track of their classic Greatest Hits LP released later that year. The title itself was coined by manager Stig Anderson, though the lyrics he provided were rewritten by Benny Andersson and Björn Ulvaeus. It reached number one in several countries and peaked at number fifteen on the Hot 100 in America, solidifying ABBA as international pop superstars. Agnetha Fältskog's lead vocal carries the emotional weight, the lyric framing romantic collapse as a distress signal. 'Where are those happy days?' she asks, the chorus repeating the plea: the love you gave me, nothing else can save me. The production layers the urgency beneath the melody's bright surface, a tension that became a hallmark of the group's craft.

"SOS" is a track by ABBA, from the album Greatest Hits, released 21st April 1975. Full lyrics are available below.

About the Artist

ABBA

ABBA

Lyrics

SOS

[Verse 1]

Where are those happy days? They seem so hard to find

I tried to reach for you, but you have closed your mind

Whatever happened to our love? I wish I understood

It used to be so nice, it used to be so good

[Chorus]

So, when you're near me, darling, can't you hear me? S.O.S. 

The love you gave me, nothing else can save me, S.O.S. 

When you're gone, how can I even try to go on?

When you're gone, though I try, how can I carry on?

[Verse 2]

You seem so far away though you are standing near

You made me feel alive, but something died I fear

I really tried to make it out, I wish I understood

What happened to our love? It used to be so good

[Chorus]

So, when you're near me, darling, can't you hear me? S.O.S. 

The love you gave me, nothing else can save me, S.O.S. 

When you're gone, how can I even try to go on?

When you're gone, though I try, how can I carry on?

[Interlude]

[Chorus]

So, when you're near me, darling, can't you hear me? S.O.S. 

And the love you gave me, nothing else can save me, S.O.S. 

When you're gone, how can I even try to go on?

When you're gone, though I try, how can I carry on?

[Outro]

When you're gone, how can I even try to go on?

When you're gone, though I try, how can I carry on?

Lyrics provided by LRCLIB

View full lyrics page →

Track details

From Greatest Hits

1975
Listen
Album
Greatest Hits
Greatest Hits
ABBA
Release year
1975
  1. —

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    Credits

    Production & Engineering

    Writer
    Benny Andersson, Björn Ulvaeus, Stig Anderson
    Producer
    Benny Andersson, Björn Ulvaeus
    Engineer
    Michael B. Tretow
    Bass
    Mike Watson
    Drums
    Ola Brunkert
    Guitar
    Björn Ulvaeus, Janne Schaffer, Lasse Wellander
    Keyboards
    Benny Andersson
    Vocals
    Agnetha Fältskog
    Arranger
    Benny Andersson, Björn Ulvaeus
    Assistant Remastering Engineer
    Michael B. Tretow
    Background Vocals
    Agnetha Fältskog, Anni-Frid Lyngstad, Benny Andersson, Björn Ulvaeus
    Remastering Engineer
    Erik Broheden, Henrik Jonsson, Jon Astley, Tim Young
    Synthesizer
    Benny Andersson
    READ MORE ABOUT ABBAREAD MORE ABOUT ABBAREAD MORE ABOUT ABBAREAD MORE ABOUT ABBA
    READ MORE ABOUT ABBAREAD MORE ABOUT ABBAREAD MORE ABOUT ABBAREAD MORE ABOUT ABBA
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