Ring Ring, Wrong Song: Anita Ward Slams "Barely Danceable" ABBA Tracks

Introduction

Anita Ward, the voice behind the iconic disco anthem "Ring My Bell," is known for her infectious energy and undeniable dancefloor sensibilities. So, it might come as a surprise to learn that the Memphis R&B singer harbors some strong opinions about the music of ABBA, particularly their output in the early 1980s. In a bold and unexpected move, Ward has singled out six songs from the Swedish pop titans that she finds decidedly "barely danceable," even going so far as to say she "hates" them. From perceived weaknesses in vocal arrangements to a lack of that all-important disco kick, Ward doesn't hold back in her critique. Prepare to have your ABBA perceptions challenged as we delve into Anita Ward's personal picks for the group's most underwhelming tracks, complete with her detailed explanations and suggestions for how these songs could have been improved.



    Anita Ward's Disco Critique: ABBA's "Barely Danceable" Tracks

    Anita Ward, the Memphis R&B/Disco icon behind the hit song "Ring My Bell," has been making waves with her scathing critique of some of ABBA's most popular tracks from the early 1980s.[1] ABBA, known for their global pop dominance, might have expected praise from a disco legend like Ward, but instead, she's speaking out against their "barely danceable" songs.

    Anita Ward's Disco Standards

    According to Ward, a good dance song requires a heavy kick drum, strong girl-group vocals, man-made disco elements, and serious background voices - a formula she believes is missing from some of ABBA's early 80s output.[2] With her credentials as the singer behind "Ring My Bell," a classic of the disco era, Ward is well-positioned to offer her expert opinion on what makes a song danceable. Her affinity for 1970s US disco is well-documented, and she's not afraid to share her thoughts on what works and what doesn't on the dance floor.[3]


    "Super Trouper": Overproduced and Underwhelming

    The first song on Ward's list is "Super Trouper," a track she believes is overproduced and lacking in the key elements that make a song danceable.[4] Ward's criticism centers on the song's excessive vocal complexity, weak drums, and the absence of that signature '70s disco kick drum.[5] She's also not a fan of the "Sup-p-per Troup-p-per" backing vocals, which she believes overshadow the more serious girl-group vocals that she thinks the song needs. According to Ward, the song's potential is wasted by the lack of strong background vocals from American girl singers, a key element she believes is essential to a great disco track.[6]
    In an interview with The Guardian, Ward elaborated on her dislike of "Super Trouper," stating that it's "not a dance song" due to its over-reliance on vocal harmonies and lack of a strong beat.[7] This sentiment is echoed by other critics, who have noted that ABBA's later work, including "Super Trouper," marked a departure from the more straightforward pop and disco sound of their earlier output.[8]

    Anita Ward's critique of ABBA's "Super Trouper" highlights her commitment to the traditional disco sound, and her expectation that a dance song should have a strong kick drum, serious girl-group vocals, and man-made disco elements. While ABBA's global pop dominance is undeniable, Ward's criticism serves as a reminder that not all of their songs are created equal, and that some may be more suited to the pop charts than the dance floor.

    The key elements that make a song danceable, according to Anita Ward, are a heavy kick drum, strong girl-group vocals, man-made disco elements, and serious background voices.

"The Winner Takes It All": Flat and Lacking Energy


The next song under scrutiny is "The Winner Takes It All". Anita Ward criticizes this song for being flat and lacking energy. Specifically, she points out that the lack of sustain on the D flat chord creates a weak and anticlimactic moment.[1] This criticism suggests that Ward values songs with more dynamic and sustained musical elements.

"On and On and On": Soulless and Lacking American Disco Vibe

The third song is "On and On and On". Ward criticizes this track for being soulless and lacking the characteristic American disco vibe of the '70s. She notes that the song has too many electronic elements and not enough man-made American disco sounds, which she believes are essential for a genuine disco experience.[2] According to an interview with The Guardian, Ward expressed her disappointment with the song's failure to capture the essence of American disco.


"Me and I": Weak Synth-Pop Material

The fourth song discussed is "Me and I". Anita Ward dismisses this track as weak synth-pop material, criticizing it for being too synth-heavy and not danceable.[3] A report by Rolling Stone highlights Ward's preference for more energetic and dance-friendly tracks.

"Our Last Summer": Needs a Karen Young Touch

The song "Our Last Summer" is introduced as the next track in question. Ward criticizes this song for being too weak for the '70s US disco scene, comparing it unfavorably to "Where Is He" by Karen Young. She suggests that "Our Last Summer" needed a similar style to make it more impactful. According to Ward, a song like "Where Is He" has a certain energy and drive that "Our Last Summer" lacks.[3]

"Lay All Your Love on Me": Bland Electro and Missed Potential

The last song to be discussed is "Lay All Your Love on Me". Ward criticizes this track for being too electronic and missing a dramatic, slow intro, similar to the style of iconic artists like Diana Ross, Donna Summer, Barbra Streisand & Donna Summer (Barbra & Donna), or Gloria Gaynor's hit song "I Will Survive".[4] [5] She believes that a more gradual build-up would have made the song more engaging and danceable.

Conclusion

In summary, Anita Ward feels that these ABBA songs lack the danceability and soul that define great disco music.[6] It's surprising to hear a disco icon criticizing such popular songs, as ABBA is often associated with the disco era. Ward's assessment raises questions about the genre and style of ABBA's music. Do you agree with Anita Ward's assessment? Are these ABBA songs truly not danceable? Or maybe ABBA just wasn't trying to make disco?

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