Lovers (Live a Little Longer)
"Lovers (Live a Little Longer)" | |
---|---|
Song by ABBA | |
from the album Voulez-Vous | |
Released | 23 April 1979 |
Recorded | 13 March 1978 – 29 March 1979 |
Studio | Polar Music |
Genre | Disco |
Length | 3:28 |
Label | |
Songwriter(s) | |
Producer(s) |
|
Audio | |
"Lovers (Live A Little Longer)" on YouTube |
"Lovers (Live a Little Longer)" is a song by ABBA, released on their 1979 album Voulez-Vous.
Production
The song premiered in the TV show ABBA in Switzerland in February 1979.[1]
Synopsis
The song argues that a recent scientific study has shown that love is a factor in longevity. It then uses this to say "lovers live a little longer baby, you and me we got a chance to live twice".
Composition
The song contains "electric guitars and restless strings", which blend together to simulate the "dynamite drug" spoken of in the narrative. The song consists of a "vocal baton-changing" between
Critical reception
In his book Abba – Uncensored on the Record, John Tobler describes the song as "fairly frantic, but also fairly sexy". He adds that the song illustrates Frida's "thespian and theatrical inclinations".[2] In an article by The Daily Telegraph about ABBA's "hidden gems", it offers the song's "slow, sexy, understated grooves with sweeping strings" as an alternative to The Name of the Game.[3] The Sydney Morning Herald said it was a "steamy, even sensual number".[4] Times Online listed "Lovers (Live a Little Longer)" and "Kisses of Fire" as "shoulda-been hits" that were passed over in favour of other lesser songs.[5] ABBA: Let The Music Speak describes the song as "alternative and risqué".[1] Internet reviewer Michael Lawrence gave the song a C+.[6] ABBA the Blog said: "On "Lovers (Live A Little Longer)" and "Kisses of Fire," ABBA created an adult image of themselves by singing about sex".[7] Internet reviewer George Starostin says of Voulez Vous: "There's also quite a bit of generic filler that shows far less concern for melody than usual, with three songs in a row built on simplistic rhythms, containing no hooks and simply being way too formulaic for ABBA: 'If It Wasn't For The Nights', 'Lovers Live A Little Longer', and 'Kisses of Fire' could have been written by just about any disco-abusing band at the time, Boney M included."[8] Culture Fusion Reviews said ""Lovers (Live a Little Longer)" ... stands as the most complex song on the album. It has a slight disco feel but it moves through so many tempo, time signature and melody changes that it becomes a weirdo highlight of the album."[9] BBC reviewer Sean Egan said "Lovers (Live a Little Longer), a would-be saucy anthem which is merely shrill", is one of the few "clinkers" of the album.[10]
References
- ^ ISBN 978-0-6464-9676-4.
- ISBN 9781908538239.
- ^ McNulty, Bernadette (10 July 2008). "Abba: take a chance on these". The Daily Telegraph. Retrieved 25 September 2013.
- ^ "ABBA make a comeback". The Sydney Morning Herald. 27 May 1979. p. 48.
- ^ "Music Review". Account.thetimes.co.uk. Retrieved 24 May 2023. (subscription required)
- ^ Lawrence, Michael. "ABBA Song Reviews – Don Ignacio's Music Reviews". Retrieved 25 September 2013.
- ^ Chris (15 September 2013). "Album Review: Voulez-Vous". ABBA The Blog. Retrieved 25 September 2013.
- ^ "ABBA Reviews". Starling.rinet.ru. Retrieved 25 September 2013.
- ^ ""Voulez Vous" Review". Culture Fusion Reviews. WordPress. 11 September 2012. Retrieved 25 September 2013.
- ^ "ABBA Voulez-Vous – Deluxe Edition Review". BBC Music. 31 May 2010. Retrieved 25 September 2013.