Little Things (ABBA song) explained

Little Things
Cover:ABBA Little Things.jpg
Type:single
Artist:ABBA
Album:Voyage
Released:3 December 2021
Studio:Riksmixningsverket, Stockholm[1]
Length:3:08
Label:
Composer:Benny Andersson
Lyricist:Björn Ulvaeus
Producer:
  • Benny Andersson
  • Björn Ulvaeus
Prev Title:Just a Notion
Prev Year:2021
Next Title:No Doubt About It
Next Year:2022

"Little Things" is a song by ABBA, released on their 2021 album Voyage. It is the third track on the album. It was released as a single on 3 December 2021.

Background and synopsis

The song was written by Benny Andersson and Björn Ulvaeus, who contributed music and lyrics respectively.[2] The song is partly based on "Godnattvisa" ("lullaby" or "cradle song"), an instrumental by Benny Anderssons Orkester, released on the album BAO 3 in 2007.

It was announced in December 2021 that all of the band's royalties earned from the song in the next five years would be donated to UNICEF, the United Nations agency responsible for providing humanitarian and developmental aid to children worldwide. In 1979, the band similarly donated their royalties from the single "Chiquitita" to UNICEF, in recognition of that year's designation as "International Year of the Child".[3]

Described as a "gentle reflection on the joy of Christmas morning and family time around this special time of year", "Little Things" is about a woman who wakes up on Christmas morning and reflects on the joy that the season brings her and her family, and all the 'little things' that make Christmas special.[4] The outro features the Children's Choir of the Stockholm International School.[2]

Music video

A lyric video for the song was published to ABBA's official YouTube channel on 5 November 2021. It was directed by Mike Anderson, and produced by Nick Barratt, of the Able production company.[5]

On 3 December 2021, the official music video for the song was published to the band's YouTube channel. The video features schoolchildren getting together at Christmastime and producing their own ABBA Voyage-inspired concert. The video features an extended version of the song (additional parts before and after the choir), not available on the CD single. The band members themselves do not make a direct appearance in the video, showing only on screen as part of the depicted production effort. The music video was directed by Sophie Muller.[6] [7]

Personnel

ABBA

Other personnel and production staff

Charts

Chart (2021)! scope="col"
Peak
position
New Zealand Hot Singles (Recorded Music NZ)[8] 37

Release history

Region! scope="col"
DateFormatLabel
Italy10 December 2021Contemporary hit radioUniversal[9]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: ABBA Debut New Songs, Announce 'Voyage' Album. 2 September 2021. 12 September 2021.
  2. Web site: Abba: Voyage review - no thank you for the music . Rogers . Jude . . 5 November 2021 . 8 November 2021.
  3. Web site: ABBA to donate all royalties from new Little Things single to UNICEF . 3 December 2021 . 6 December 2021 . UNICEF.
  4. ABBA Releasing First-Ever Christmas Single, 'Little Things' . Kaufman . Gil . Billboard . 16 November 2021 . 6 December 2021.
  5. Web site: ABBA - Little Things (Lyric Video) . . 5 November 2021 . 8 November 2021.
  6. Web site: ABBA - Little Things . . 3 December 2021 . 6 December 2021.
  7. Web site: ABBA Release New Holiday Song "Little Things" . Benitez-Eves . Tina . . 3 December 2021 . 6 December 2021.
  8. Web site: NZ Hot Singles Chart. Recorded Music NZ. 15 November 2021. 9 December 2021.
  9. Web site: ABBA "Little Things" (Radio Date: 10/12/2021). radiodate.it. it. 10 December 2021.