ABBA: "Just Like That" – If it Were on the "Voyage" Album and Concert.

ABBA: "Just Like That" – If it Were on the "Voyage" Album and Concert.

Please note: The following text consists of fan analyses and speculations created by ABBA9fans, and not official statements from the band ABBA or their representatives.

After a forty-year hiatus, ABBA's return with the "Voyage" album and innovative concert reignited fans' love for their music. For many of us, this comeback carried a quiet hope for the official release of lost gems—foremost among them, the legendary track "Just Like That" (JLT). Let's analyze how this beloved bootleg could have been resurrected in the "Voyage" era—both on the album and on stage.

The Return of "Just Like That": From Rejection to Rebirth

JLT was recorded in 1982 but never officially released. Benny and Björn, known for their perfectionism, felt there was something "not quite right" with it. Despite this, three demo versions quickly became iconic among fans, circulating on bootlegs. Interestingly, fragments of JLT later found their way into other projects, such as "Under Attack" and the musical "Chess," showcasing the creators' modular approach to their melodies.

In 1985, the Swedish duo Gemini released their version of JLT, produced by Benny and Björn themselves. Decades later, Benny Andersson openly expressed regret over this decision, stating that the Gemini version "was not better at all" than ABBA's original demo. This creates a fascinating tension between the "official" history and the "fan canon," who have long yearned for an authentic ABBA version. Benny's public admission offers hope that, with a potential "Voyage" release, the band might finally address this desire.

On the "Voyage" Album: Sound and Precedent

The "Voyage" album was created with a deliberate "trend-blind" approach—ABBA consciously ignored contemporary trends, focusing on their timeless, iconic sound. This means that if JLT had been included on "Voyage," its core sound and arrangement would not have been modernized, but rather refined and polished within ABBA's classic sound palette, likely drawing heavily from the character of the original 1982 recording.

The most important precedent for JLT is the presence of "Just a Notion" on "Voyage"—another unreleased track from the 70s. It retained its original vocal recordings but received a "new arrangement and ending" and re-arranged music. This success clearly demonstrates that ABBA is willing to use older material, updating the instrumentation while meticulously preserving the original vocal essence.

Hypothetical Arrangement of JLT on "Voyage"

If JLT had appeared on "Voyage," we would likely have heard:

  Agnetha's and Frida's original vocals from 1982, carefully cleaned and remastered. This would be crucial for fans and would allow them to avoid the pitfall of the Gemini version, which Benny himself regretted.

  New instrumentation recorded in 2021, featuring Benny's characteristic sound. One could expect a predominance of piano, subtle synthesizers, and rich vocal arrangements, typical of "Voyage."

  Mature lyrical themes. "Voyage" explores themes of relationships, loneliness, and reflection. JLT's melancholic undertones, speaking of fleeting love and memories, would perfectly fit the album's overall mood, enhancing its emotional depth.

Where on the album?

JLT could have been positioned as track 8, after "Keep an Eye on Dan" and before "Bumblebee." Its reflective, bittersweet nature would fit perfectly after the theme of parental worries, offering a moment of personal introspection.

At the "Voyage" Concert: A Digital Spectacle

The ABBA Voyage concert is a meticulously curated, emotional show. JLT, with its beloved "na-na-na" intro and powerful harmonies, would have been an exceptionally compelling, fan-favorite addition, guaranteed to elicit immense excitement and emotional resonance. Its themes align perfectly with the often bittersweet narrative of the entire spectacle.

Visualizing the Performance with ABBAtars

On stage, hyper-realistic "ABBAtars," depicting the group in their prime from 1979, could fully capture the energy and emotion of JLT:

  The iconic "na-na-na" intro could be visually emphasized with close-ups of Agnetha and Frida on the massive LED screens, showcasing their breathtaking harmonization.

  Subtle, evocative choreography by Wayne McGregor, along with nuanced lighting changes and abstract backgrounds, could visually mirror the "river" metaphor from the lyrics, highlighting the fleeting nature of love.

  The line "smug as a cat" could inspire a playful, confident stance or gesture from the male ABBAtars, adding character to the digital performance.

Enhancement by the Live Band

A crucial element of the concert is the 10-piece live instrumental band, performing in perfect sync with the ABBAtars. For JLT, this would mean:

  The distinct guitar riff, famously repurposed in "Under Attack," played powerfully and dynamically by the live guitarist.

  The piano, central to Benny's arrangements, would drive the song's melodic core with precision and warmth.

  Live drums would give the song a contemporary "punch" and rhythmic drive, ensuring JLT sounded vibrant and current without losing its classic ABBA sound.

Emotional Impact

The cutting-edge technology of the "Voyage" concert allows for an unparalleled level of storytelling and emotional depth. The narrative embedded in JLT—the sudden appearance and equally sudden departure of a lover, followed by lingering echoes of memories—is inherently emotional and universally relatable. Through the expressive, realistic ABBAtar performances, seamlessly combined with immersive visuals and powerful, crystal-clear sound, the audience would be deeply drawn into the song's poignant story.

Where in the setlist? (ABBA Voyage Concert)

JLT could have been placed as track 20, after the energetic "Money, Money, Money" and just before "Thank You For The Music." This strategic position would place it after a sequence of high-energy hits, offering a moment of poignant reflection and personal narrative that would prepare the audience for the more ceremonial and iconic closing songs.

The Enduring Legacy of Unreleased Gems

A "Voyage"-era version of "Just Like That" would be a powerful and harmonious synthesis of ABBA's rich past and innovative present. It would preserve the original 1982 vocals, update the instrumentation, and seamlessly fit into the album's mature themes. At the concert, it would be brought to life breathtakingly, leveraging the show's unique technological capabilities.

JLT's intricate history symbolizes ABBA's meticulousness, their willingness to discard material that didn't meet their standards, and their ingenious tendency to recycle musical ideas. For fans, it's more than just a song—it embodies the captivating "what if" and the "hidden treasures." Its hypothetical inclusion in "Voyage" would be a profound testament to the band's appreciation for their fans and would represent a true full-circle moment for a song almost lost to time, ultimately cementing its rightful place in the official ABBA canon.

Do you also long to hear "Just Like That" in its full glory, officially released and presented by the ABBAtars? Let us know in the comments!

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First published July 22, 2025