Meaning and Lyrics of Cassandra by ABBA
Song Lyrics meaning of Cassandra by ABBA
About ABBA
ABBA, the Swedish pop sensation, burst onto the global music scene in the 1970s, revolutionizing the genre with their catchy melodies and impeccable harmonies.
Formed in Stockholm in 1972, the group consisted of two couples: Agnetha Fältskog, Björn Ulvaeus, Benny Andersson, and Anni-Frid Lyngstad. Their name, ABBA, is an acronym of their first names.
The quartet’s breakthrough came with their Eurovision Song Contest win in 1974 with “Waterloo,” catapulting them to international stardom. What followed was a string of chart-topping hits including “Dancing Queen,” “Mamma Mia,” and “Take a Chance on Me.”
ABBA’s music, characterized by its lush production and intricate vocal arrangements, dominated the disco era. Their 1979 track “Cassandra,” while not as commercially successful as their biggest hits, showcases the group’s ability to blend mythological themes with pop sensibilities.
Despite their divorce-fueled breakup in 1982, ABBA’s legacy endured. Their music found new life through the jukebox musical “Mamma Mia!” and its film adaptation. In 2021, after a 40-year hiatus, ABBA made a triumphant return with the album “Voyage,” proving their enduring appeal across generations.
Formed in Stockholm in 1972, the group consisted of two couples: Agnetha Fältskog, Björn Ulvaeus, Benny Andersson, and Anni-Frid Lyngstad. Their name, ABBA, is an acronym of their first names.
The quartet’s breakthrough came with their Eurovision Song Contest win in 1974 with “Waterloo,” catapulting them to international stardom. What followed was a string of chart-topping hits including “Dancing Queen,” “Mamma Mia,” and “Take a Chance on Me.”
ABBA’s music, characterized by its lush production and intricate vocal arrangements, dominated the disco era. Their 1979 track “Cassandra,” while not as commercially successful as their biggest hits, showcases the group’s ability to blend mythological themes with pop sensibilities.
Despite their divorce-fueled breakup in 1982, ABBA’s legacy endured. Their music found new life through the jukebox musical “Mamma Mia!” and its film adaptation. In 2021, after a 40-year hiatus, ABBA made a triumphant return with the album “Voyage,” proving their enduring appeal across generations.
Meaning of Cassandra by ABBA
“Cassandra” by ABBA is a poignant song that tells the story of a woman named Cassandra who possesses the gift of foresight but faces disbelief and rejection from those around her. The song is rich in symbolism, drawing parallels between Cassandra’s experiences and the struggles of individuals who are misunderstood and undervalued in society.
In the first verse, the lyrics depict a stark contrast between the outward façade of people in a city “singing and shouting,” masking their true feelings, and Cassandra’s inner turmoil and isolation as she cries alone in her bed. The mention of hiding shame behind hollow laughter alludes to the theme of superficiality and the failure of others to see beyond appearances. The reference to selling secrets and aching in hearts suggests a sense of betrayal and emotional pain that accompanies Cassandra’s unheeded warnings.
The chorus reflects regret and remorse for not listening to Cassandra’s warnings, symbolizing a collective failure to recognize her insights and powers. The impending doom on the “last day” and the inability of others to fight or heed the warnings imply a tragic outcome awaiting those who dismiss Cassandra’s foresight.
In the second verse, the imagery of Cassandra preparing to sail away on a ship after the loss of her family emphasizes her alienation and acceptance of her predetermined fate. Despite knowing her destiny and the impending darkness, she remains resolute and resigned to her path. The ship symbolizes her journey towards a future that others fail to perceive or acknowledge.
The chorus is repeated, reinforcing the sense of missed opportunities and the consequences of ignoring Cassandra’s wisdom. The visual description of Cassandra watching the ship leave in the outro conveys a sense of finality and sorrow, highlighting her isolation and pain as she moves forward alone.
Overall, “Cassandra” serves as a poignant reflection on belief, betrayal, and the isolation that comes from being misunderstood. The song’s narrative unfolds like a tragic tale of a woman burdened with foresight but unheeded by those around her, ultimately leading to a sense of powerlessness and resignation in the face of impending doom. Through its evocative lyrics and emotional melodies, the song captures the essence of Cassandra’s plight and the consequences of ignoring truth and intuition.
In the first verse, the lyrics depict a stark contrast between the outward façade of people in a city “singing and shouting,” masking their true feelings, and Cassandra’s inner turmoil and isolation as she cries alone in her bed. The mention of hiding shame behind hollow laughter alludes to the theme of superficiality and the failure of others to see beyond appearances. The reference to selling secrets and aching in hearts suggests a sense of betrayal and emotional pain that accompanies Cassandra’s unheeded warnings.
The chorus reflects regret and remorse for not listening to Cassandra’s warnings, symbolizing a collective failure to recognize her insights and powers. The impending doom on the “last day” and the inability of others to fight or heed the warnings imply a tragic outcome awaiting those who dismiss Cassandra’s foresight.
In the second verse, the imagery of Cassandra preparing to sail away on a ship after the loss of her family emphasizes her alienation and acceptance of her predetermined fate. Despite knowing her destiny and the impending darkness, she remains resolute and resigned to her path. The ship symbolizes her journey towards a future that others fail to perceive or acknowledge.
The chorus is repeated, reinforcing the sense of missed opportunities and the consequences of ignoring Cassandra’s wisdom. The visual description of Cassandra watching the ship leave in the outro conveys a sense of finality and sorrow, highlighting her isolation and pain as she moves forward alone.
Overall, “Cassandra” serves as a poignant reflection on belief, betrayal, and the isolation that comes from being misunderstood. The song’s narrative unfolds like a tragic tale of a woman burdened with foresight but unheeded by those around her, ultimately leading to a sense of powerlessness and resignation in the face of impending doom. Through its evocative lyrics and emotional melodies, the song captures the essence of Cassandra’s plight and the consequences of ignoring truth and intuition.
Lyrics of Cassandra by ABBA
Verse 1
Down in the street they're all singing and shouting
Staying alive though the city is dead
Hiding their shame behind hollow laughter
While you are crying alone in your bed
Pity, Cassandra, that no one believed you
But, then again, you were lost from the start
Now we must suffer and sell our secrets
Bargain, playing smart, aching in our hearts
Chorus
Sorry Cassandra, I misunderstood
Now the last day is dawning
Some of us wanted but none of us would
Listen to words of warning
But on the darkest of nights
Nobody knew how to fight
And we were caught in our sleep
Sorry Cassandra, I didn't believe
You really had the power
I only saw it as dreams you would weave
Until the final hour
Verse 2
So in the morning your ship will be sailing
Now that your father and sister are gone
There is no reason for you to linger
You're grieving deeply ,still moving on
You know the future is casting a shadow
No one else sees it, but you know your fate
Packing your bags, being slow and thorough
Knowing, though you're late, that ship is sure to wait
Chorus
Sorry Cassandra, I misunderstood
Now the last day is dawning
Some of us wanted but none of us would
Listen to words of warning
But on the darkest of nights
Nobody knew how to fight
And we were caught in our sleep
Sorry Cassandra, I didn't believe
You really had the power
I only saw it as dreams you would weave
Until the final hour
Verse 3
I watched the ship leaving harbour at sunrise
Sails almost slack in the cool morning rain
She stood on deck, just a tiny figure
Rigid and restrained, blue eyes filled with pain
Chorus
Sorry Cassandra, I misunderstood
Now the last day is dawning
Some of us wanted but none of us would
Listen to words of warning
But on the darkest of nights
Nobody knew how to fight
And we were caught in our sleep
Sorry Cassandra, I didn't believe
You really had the power
I only saw it as dreams you would weave
Until the final hour
Outro
(I'm sorry Cassandra)
(I'm sorry Cassandra)
(I'm sorry Cassandra)
(I'm sorry Cassandra)
(I'm sorry Cassandra)
Down in the street they're all singing and shouting
Staying alive though the city is dead
Hiding their shame behind hollow laughter
While you are crying alone in your bed
Pity, Cassandra, that no one believed you
But, then again, you were lost from the start
Now we must suffer and sell our secrets
Bargain, playing smart, aching in our hearts
Chorus
Sorry Cassandra, I misunderstood
Now the last day is dawning
Some of us wanted but none of us would
Listen to words of warning
But on the darkest of nights
Nobody knew how to fight
And we were caught in our sleep
Sorry Cassandra, I didn't believe
You really had the power
I only saw it as dreams you would weave
Until the final hour
Verse 2
So in the morning your ship will be sailing
Now that your father and sister are gone
There is no reason for you to linger
You're grieving deeply ,still moving on
You know the future is casting a shadow
No one else sees it, but you know your fate
Packing your bags, being slow and thorough
Knowing, though you're late, that ship is sure to wait
Chorus
Sorry Cassandra, I misunderstood
Now the last day is dawning
Some of us wanted but none of us would
Listen to words of warning
But on the darkest of nights
Nobody knew how to fight
And we were caught in our sleep
Sorry Cassandra, I didn't believe
You really had the power
I only saw it as dreams you would weave
Until the final hour
Verse 3
I watched the ship leaving harbour at sunrise
Sails almost slack in the cool morning rain
She stood on deck, just a tiny figure
Rigid and restrained, blue eyes filled with pain
Chorus
Sorry Cassandra, I misunderstood
Now the last day is dawning
Some of us wanted but none of us would
Listen to words of warning
But on the darkest of nights
Nobody knew how to fight
And we were caught in our sleep
Sorry Cassandra, I didn't believe
You really had the power
I only saw it as dreams you would weave
Until the final hour
Outro
(I'm sorry Cassandra)
(I'm sorry Cassandra)
(I'm sorry Cassandra)
(I'm sorry Cassandra)
(I'm sorry Cassandra)
Discography ABBA
Voyage
Release: 2021-11-05
Label: Polar Music International AB
Popularity: 👏👏👏
1. I Still Have Faith In You
2. When You Danced With Me
3. Little Things
4. Don’t Shut Me Down
5. Just A Notion
6. I Can Be That Woman
7. Keep An Eye On Dan
8. Bumblebee
9. No Doubt About It
10. Ode To Freedom
Tracklist
Collapse
2. When You Danced With Me
3. Little Things
4. Don’t Shut Me Down
5. Just A Notion
6. I Can Be That Woman
7. Keep An Eye On Dan
8. Bumblebee
9. No Doubt About It
10. Ode To Freedom
Live At Wembley Arena
Release: 2014-01-01
Label: Polar Music International AB
Popularity: 👏👏
1. Gammal fäbodpsalm – Live
2. Voulez-Vous – Live
3. If It Wasn’t For The Nights – Live
4. As Good As New – Live
5. Knowing Me, Knowing You – Live
6. Rock Me – Live
7. Chiquitita – Live
8. Money, Money, Money – Live
9. I Have A Dream – Live
10. Gimme! Gimme! Gimme! (A Man After Midnight) – Live
11. SOS – Live
12. Fernando – Live
13. The Name Of The Game – Live
14. Eagle – Live
15. Thank You For The Music – Live
16. Why Did It Have To Be Me? – Live
17. Intermezzo No. 1 – Live
18. I’m Still Alive – Live
19. Summer Night City – Live
20. Take A Chance On Me – Live
21. Does Your Mother Know – Live
22. Hole In Your Soul – Live
23. The Way Old Friends Do – Live
24. Dancing Queen – Live
25. Waterloo – Live
Tracklist
Collapse
2. Voulez-Vous – Live
3. If It Wasn’t For The Nights – Live
4. As Good As New – Live
5. Knowing Me, Knowing You – Live
6. Rock Me – Live
7. Chiquitita – Live
8. Money, Money, Money – Live
9. I Have A Dream – Live
10. Gimme! Gimme! Gimme! (A Man After Midnight) – Live
11. SOS – Live
12. Fernando – Live
13. The Name Of The Game – Live
14. Eagle – Live
15. Thank You For The Music – Live
16. Why Did It Have To Be Me? – Live
17. Intermezzo No. 1 – Live
18. I’m Still Alive – Live
19. Summer Night City – Live
20. Take A Chance On Me – Live
21. Does Your Mother Know – Live
22. Hole In Your Soul – Live
23. The Way Old Friends Do – Live
24. Dancing Queen – Live
25. Waterloo – Live
Thank You For The Music
Release: 1994-01-01
Label: Polar Music International AB
Popularity: 👏👏
1. People Need Love
2. Another Town, Another Train
3. He Is Your Brother
4. Love Isn’t Easy (But It Sure Is Hard Enough)
5. Ring Ring – English Version
6. Waterloo
7. Hasta Manana
8. Honey, Honey
9. Dance (While The Music Still Goes On)
10. So Long
11. I’ve Been Waiting For You
12. I Do, I Do, I Do, I Do, I Do
13. SOS
14. Mamma Mia
15. Fernando
16. Dancing Queen
17. That’s Me
18. When I Kissed The Teacher
19. Money, Money, Money
20. Crazy World
21. My Love, My Life
22. Knowing Me, Knowing You
23. Happy Hawaii
24. The Name Of The Game
25. I Wonder (Departure) – Live From Sydney Showground, Australia / 1977
26. Eagle
27. Take A Chance On Me
28. Thank You For The Music
29. Summer Night City
30. Chiquitita
31. Lovelight
32. Does Your Mother Know
33. Voulez-Vous
34. Angeleyes
35. Gimme! Gimme! Gimme! (A Man After Midnight)
36. I Have A Dream
37. The Winner Takes It All
38. Elaine
39. Super Trouper
40. Lay All Your Love On Me
41. On And On And On
42. Our Last Summer
43. The Way Old Friends Do – Live At Wembley Arena, London, England / 1979
44. The Visitors
45. One Of Us
46. Should I Laugh Or Cry
47. Head Over Heels
48. When All Is Said And Done
49. Like An Angel Passing Through My Room
50. The Day Before You Came
Tracklist
Collapse
2. Another Town, Another Train
3. He Is Your Brother
4. Love Isn’t Easy (But It Sure Is Hard Enough)
5. Ring Ring – English Version
6. Waterloo
7. Hasta Manana
8. Honey, Honey
9. Dance (While The Music Still Goes On)
10. So Long
11. I’ve Been Waiting For You
12. I Do, I Do, I Do, I Do, I Do
13. SOS
14. Mamma Mia
15. Fernando
16. Dancing Queen
17. That’s Me
18. When I Kissed The Teacher
19. Money, Money, Money
20. Crazy World
21. My Love, My Life
22. Knowing Me, Knowing You
23. Happy Hawaii
24. The Name Of The Game
25. I Wonder (Departure) – Live From Sydney Showground, Australia / 1977
26. Eagle
27. Take A Chance On Me
28. Thank You For The Music
29. Summer Night City
30. Chiquitita
31. Lovelight
32. Does Your Mother Know
33. Voulez-Vous
34. Angeleyes
35. Gimme! Gimme! Gimme! (A Man After Midnight)
36. I Have A Dream
37. The Winner Takes It All
38. Elaine
39. Super Trouper
40. Lay All Your Love On Me
41. On And On And On
42. Our Last Summer
43. The Way Old Friends Do – Live At Wembley Arena, London, England / 1979
44. The Visitors
45. One Of Us
46. Should I Laugh Or Cry
47. Head Over Heels
48. When All Is Said And Done
49. Like An Angel Passing Through My Room
50. The Day Before You Came
Upcoming Events for ABBA
MANIA: The ABBA Tribute
Price Range: $21 – 51
Date: 2024-10-22
Location: The Santander Performing Arts Center
MANIA: The ABBA Tribute
Price Range: $21 – 61
Date: 2024-10-16
Location: DECC Symphony Hall
MANIA: The ABBA Tribute
Price Range: $25 – 65
Date: 2024-10-30
Location: Ovens Auditorium
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