David Vance SubstackRead More
I have been an Abba fan since “Waterloo” in 1974. I loved their music and I also found Agnetha (the blonde one!) very very easy on the eye! Abba’s songs were popular but often sad songs, “The Winner takes it all” being the ultimate break up ballad and one of the greatest songs of all time!
Another fab song was “Knowing Me, Knowing You”. This was the follow up single to “Dancing Queen” and another sad ballad. I love that Abba original but I also love this stunning cover by Elvis Costello and the Attractions.
He did it back in 1986 and I was present at some of those shows. It was spine chilling to hear. What gets me about this cover is the intense passion Elvis injects. He stays entirely faithful to the original and it is rocks along nicely until we get to the 3 minute mark. Then the passion explodes as he spits out the refrain
“Knowing me, knowing you, There is nothing we can do
Knowing me, knowing you, We just have to face it, this time we’re through
Breakin’ up is never easy, I know, but I have to go Knowing me, knowing you
It’s the best I can do”
Watch his face. I find this really moving. maybe it’s the male perspective on the words of the song.
