Many have classified ABBA as pure disco but this is the closest they ever got to that particular music genre. Their other albums were mostly pop with maybe a few disco flavoured tunes thrown in. Whether you're a fan of disco or not, VOULEZ-VOUS is music to the ears. The songs offered are all catchy, complicated SUPERTUNES with exquisite vocals and tight intricate harmonies. Agnetha and Frida never sounded better. The contrast between their voices is clearly evident in this album. Frida's sultry and sexy lower register is at it's vocal best in THE KING HAS LOST HIS CROWN and LOVERS (LIVE A LITTLE LONGER). Agnetha's voice is at it's most stunning in AS GOOD AS NEW. Her high pitched belt is energetic, lively and unique. Not many singers can belt out those high notes but Agnetha makes it look so easy. Her vocal work in CHIQUITITA is also outstanding. She starts off soft but digs in to the chorus with all her might. One of my favourite songs on this album is the appealing IF IT WASNT'T FOR THE NIGHTS. The song itself is completely over the top in every conceivable way but it's irresistable nontheless. This song is definately one of the albums showstoppers and showcases the raw talent of both singers. Although they're both singing in unison for the most part during the verse, we still get to hear the delightful contrast between the 2 star vocalists- Frida's Mezzo-pop is lovely & soulfull while Agnetha impresses with her "OHHHH baby I miss you so/I know I'm never gonna make it...." and her "OOHHHH, so bad!". And during the chorus, Agnetha is specially delightful, althought her voice might be a bit too strong and loud for those who are not use to superstar calibre singing. The song is outstanding and I still can't get over the fact that it was never released as a single. It may have been a little too long for radio play but that could have been easily remedied by skillful editing.

VOULEZ-VOUS (the album) did BIG business internationally. It reached #4 on the Album charts here in Canada, it reached #1 in the UK and made the TOP 20 in the US.

The first single SUMMER NIGHT CITY was not included in this album originally. The song was released in 1978 (before VOULEZ-VOUS was released) and peaked in the TOP 5 in the UK and the TOP 40 in Canada. Sadly it was never released as a single in the US- I have no idea why. It's not my favourite song but it's definately superior to alot of the stuff released at the time. The singles released from the album also did well. In the UK- VOULEZ-VOUS, ANGELEYES, CHIQUITITA, DOES YOUR MOTHER KNOW and I HAVE A DREAM all reached the TOP 5 and another single released that year (1979) GIMMIE GIMMIE GIMMIE peaked at #3- however that single was not included in this album originally either. It's included on this CD, along with LOVELIGHT (CHIQUITITA'S B-side) and SUMMER NIGHT CITY as bonus tracks.

In North America, the songs did fairly well also, DOES YOUR MOTHER KNOW reached #8 in Canada and #19 in the US. CHIQUITITA reached #17 in Canada and #29 in the US. ANGELEYES (CAN #39, US #64) & VOULEZ-VOUS (CAN #42, US #80)were both minor hits and the other singles, GIMMIE GIMMIE GIMMIE and I HAVE A DREAM were never released as singles in North America.

Vibrant, melodic, glamourous, joyous & exiting, VOULEZ-VOUS is ABBA at it's hypnotic & charming best. True music lovers will not be disappointed.


I Love ABBA   January 10, 2007
J. Lunkowski (Ormond Beach, FL USA)
2 out of 2 found this review helpful

Any purchaser who enjoys ABBA will enjoy Voulez-vous. My favorites on this CD are "Angel Eyes," and "Voulez-vous." ABBA had a certain type of fans - those of us who loved them in their hey day and still listen to their music now because it never ages.