Song Analysis - Fernando

In 1975, Frida began working on her next solo album, and album that mostly consisted of cover songs of various songs by different artists like David Bowie, The Beach Boys.  The songs were all performed in Frida's own unique style and take, and she has so many different types of songs on there.  A really good album showcasing Frida's dynamic style and range.  

In September of 1975, Bjorn, Benny, and Stig contributed an original song for the album, titled Fernando.   Originally that song had been called Tango, and when the song eventually got the lyrics and title Fernando, they had recorded the song in a bit of a tango style, as can be heard at the 10:26 minute mark in ABBA's undeleted medley.    But it wasn't long before it became the version that we're all familliar with, with the beautiful flutes in the intro and slow rising introduction idk how to describe it haha.  I'm not a music person.  Anyways, Frida sings this song absolutely beautifully, with her lovely harmonies with herself and soft and sweet vocals.  

Lyrics wise, the original version of Fernando is very much like ABBA's Chiquitita from nearly four years later. It's about the narrator comforting their friend Fernando after the loss of his love.  I'm not sure whether it means actual loss, like his love died, or just the heartbreak of breaking up.  There are lines like, "Has she left you, your great, great love, is that so? The one who loved and lost know that this can still happen from time to time," and "Grief can be heavy to bear but friends letting you down is something you have to learn."

Regardless, the whole chorus is basically hyping up Fernando, as Frida sings, "Long, long live, love, our best friend, Fernando. Fill your glass and raise a toast, to it for love, Fernando.  Play, play the melody and sing the song about happiness.  Long, long live, love that love, Fernando."  

Honstly the similarity to Chiquitia is quite strong.  Just like Agnetha and Frida remind Chiquitita that she'll be "dancing once again, and the pain will end.  You will have no time for grieving," Frida in the original Swedish version of Fernando tells Fernando, "Do you have any happy songs left? so play, play, play them for me," and in the chorus, "play, play the melody and sing the song about happiness."  I've always found the structure of the songs to be quite similar as well honestly.  

When ABBA decided to record the song in English, they structured it as such: Verse 1, featuring just Frida, verse 2 featuring Agnetha harmonzing with Frida, Chrorus, Verse 3 featuring Agnetha harmonizing with Frida, and then chorus.  Chiqutita is verse 1 with just Agnetha singing solo, Verse 2 featuring Frida harmonizing with her, Chorus, Verse 3 featuring Frida harmonzing with Agnetha, and then the chorus, and then of course the finale and the amazing instrumental break.  Just food for thought....

Anyways, Frida's Fernando was released in November 1975, however I think it's reasonable to think that despite Frida's solo version coming out first, Bjorn and Benny were already working on and had probably always intended to record it in English as ABBA.  Instead of being about comforting a friend, the English version, which was released as a single in March 1976, is about I'm assuming an old couple, whether they're married, friends, colleagues, I have no idea - sitting outside on a beautiful, starry night, reminiscing about some shared and honestly traumatic memories and experiences.  If I remember correctly, the song is about freedom fighters during the Mexican Revolution.  Crossing the Rio Grande, hiding and feeling scared and frightened by the sounds of guns and cannons, fighting for their liberty...  However, they don't look back on those memories in a negative light, rather Frida and Agnetha sing in the chorus, "If I had to do the same again I would my friend, Fernando."

Of course the song would go on to be a major success for ABBA, and when the time came to record a Spanish language album in 1980, Fernando was included.  The song is generally the same, about two people reminiscing about the past and how they shared a lot of experiences and memories together.  Though interestingly enough there isn't much reference to the Mexican Revolution in this version, instead it's quite vague.  First verse: "Can you listen, Fernando? reminds me of time ago stars and a night there in the blue light Fernando you hummed your song with that soft guitar playing I could hear those drums with a dull roll".  Second verse: "Fernando was getting closer and the moment that passed it seemed like eternity and I felt afraid Fernando for life and youth no one thought about dying and today I do not feel ashamed confess that I had desire to cry."  Chorus: "Maybe there was something around of clarity Fernando that shined for both of us in protection Fernando we never thought we would lose nor back down If I had to do it again Fernando would do it now If I had to do it again Fernando would do it now." and Third verse: "Old age arrived Fernando and with her a peace that today we can enjoy Fernando the drummer fell asleep it seems like it was yesterday that you and I lived it and in your eyes I still see that pride that reflects your value."

With Agnetha being a soprano and Frida being a mezzo-soprano, usually Agnetha sings a higher harmony and very rarely sings lower than Frida.  However, at least in the first half of the verses, Agnetha actually sings lower than Frida, and it's pretty interesting as she normally doesn't sing that low.  I'll always be amazed by how far and wide Agnetha and Frida pushed their vocal performances, and this is another prime example of how amazing they were and still are.   

With Fernando being amongst their most popular songs, of course the song was included on the setlist for the 1977 and 1979 tour.  For the 1977 tour they even had a lovely sing-a-long section with the audience where they would have the audience sing with them and it's really sweet to see.  And of course they performed the song on many different TV-shows from 1976 onwards, their last TV performance being in Japan 1978.  

Fernando is an amazing song, and it's popularity is absolutely deserved.  I love it.