Introduction
ABBA’s “Soldiers”: A Haunting Look at War’s Disconnect
ABBA’s “Soldiers,” released in 1981 on their album “The Visitors,” is a stark departure from their usual upbeat pop anthems. The song confronts the realities of war and the disconnect between those who fight and those who live sheltered lives.
Originally titled “Peasants,” the song reflects a somber mood that pervaded the band’s songwriting during this period. Björn Ulvaeus and Benny Andersson, the band’s principal songwriters, were going through personal struggles, and the Cold War cast a long shadow over the world. These anxieties manifested in a collection of introspective songs on “The Visitors,” with “Soldiers” being a particularly poignant example.
The lyrics paint a vivid picture of a world on the brink. The opening lines establish a sense of unease: “Do I hear what I think I hear? Do I see the signs I think I see?” The imagery of a restless beast and a cold December night sets a tense atmosphere.
The central theme of the song is encapsulated in the repeated line: “Soldiers write the songs that soldiers sing / The songs that you and I don’t sing.” This highlights the gulf between those who experience the horrors of war firsthand and those who remain untouched. The soldiers’ songs, presumably filled with hardship and loss, are a stark contrast to the carefree melodies most people enjoy.
The chorus urges the listener to not “look the other way” and to confront the harsh realities of war. The lines “Taking a chance ‘Cause if the bugler starts to play / We too must dance” hold a sense of impending doom and a call to action.
“Soldiers” is a powerful and thought-provoking song that stands out in ABBA’s catalog. It serves as a reminder of the human cost of war and the responsibility we all share to seek peace.