I Wonder
ABBA Lyrics
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Old streets, I have walked
Everything dear, will it be here?
One day when I am returning
My friends will get married
Have children and homes
It sounds so nice, well planned and wise
I wonder, it's frightening
Leaving now, is that the right thing?
I wonder, it scares me
But who the hell am I if I don't even try?
I'm not a coward
Oh no, I'll be strong
One chance in a lifetime
Yes, I will take it, it can't go wrong
My friends and my family
This dull little town
Buses I've missed, boys that I've kissed
Everything old and familiar
I wonder, it's frightening
Leaving now, is that the right thing?
I wonder, it scares me
But who the hell am I if I don't even try?
I'm not a coward
Oh no, I'll be strong
One chance in a lifetime
Yes, I will take it
Yes, I will take it, it can't go wrong
In "I Wonder," ABBA's lyrical approach is one of personal reflection as the singer considers leaving behind the people and places they've come to know and love. The park, the old streets, and their friends and family are all part of a world that is warm and dear to them. They detail the lives of their friends who will eventually get married, have children and buy homes, painting a picture of an idyllic life. The singer grapples with whether or not they should leave it all behind, as they consider what their life could be outside of these familiar and comforting surroundings.
The singer understands that leaving behind everything that they have ever known is a frightening prospect as they consider the unknown. The repetition of the lyric "I wonder" conveys the singer's sense of uncertainty and questioning, with a mix of fear and excitement. The lyrics are also an anthem to independence and bravery. Though the singer is scared, they refuse to be a coward, and decide to take the one chance in life that they have to chase their dreams, no matter the potentially negative outcomes.
Line by Line Meaning
This park and these houses, old streets I have walked
The singer is reflecting on the familiar places of their hometown.
Everything dear, will it be here
The singer wonders if the familiar things will still be around when they return.
One day when I am returning?
The singer is thinking about the possibility of returning home.
My friends will get married, have children and homes
The singer predicts the future of their friends.
It sounds so nice, well-planned and wise
The singer approves of their friends' plans.
Never expecting surprises
The singer assumes that their friends' plans will all go accordingly.
I wonder, it's frightening
The singer is anxious about leaving everything they know behind.
Leaving now, is that the right thing?
The singer questions whether leaving is the best decision.
But who the hell am I if I don't leave it
The singer is afraid of not taking action and living a stagnant life.
I'm not a coward
The singer asserts that they are not afraid.
Oh no, I'll be strong
The singer affirms their determination to take action.
One chance in a lifetime
The singer recognizes this as a rare opportunity.
Yes I will take it, it can't go wrong
The singer is confident that taking action is the right decision.
My friends and my family, this dull little town
The singer is reflecting on their attachments to their hometown.
Buses I've missed, boys that I've kissed
The singer is reflecting on past experiences in their hometown.
Everything old and familiar
The singer is describing their surroundings in their hometown.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Stig Anderson, Benny Andersson, Bjoern K. Ulvaeus
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
GarryJones61
Without this song I would not have moved to Sweden from London in 1988.
I had my window of opportunity in the spring of 1988. I had a career job, a great family and lots going on. But something was pulling me to Sweden.
I was debating it over and over in my head for several weeks. One evening I played an Abba album. Suddenly I actually "listened" to a song that I had "heard" a hundred times before and I shivered. Abba's words echoed through my head.
The record lasts for four minutes and as soon as the record ended the decision was made.
I handed in my notice at work and booked the ferry. Today it is 31 years since my last day in the UK prior to emigration.
My guess is just about everyone who moves to Sweden can relate to these words.
"
I wonder, it's frightening
Leaving now, is that the right thing?
I wonder, it scares me
But who the the hell am I if I don't even try
I'm not a coward
Oh no, I'll be strong
One chance in a lifetime
Yes I will take it.........
Yes I will take it, it can't go wrong
"
31 years later?
3 kids. A great life. A life saving heart op in 2013.
I took my one chance in a lifetime and it didn't go wrong.
DJ
I highly recommend her solo stuff... particularly her Swedish language songs.
1967-1972 / Frida, EMI Sweden
- includes 1971 album, Frida
- lots of songs studio and LIVE.
- she is amazing LIVE!
- 1967, National Best Vocalist, her big break. She had worked on stage from 1958-1967, fronting bands and orchestra's, before her big break in 1967.
She first got noticed by her teachers for her vocal skills in grade school. Took the stage in 1956 at age 10/11. Pro in 1958 at age 13.
1975 / 'Frida Ensum' (Frida Alone). - #1 album, too include the huge hit by Frida 'Fernando'. Of course this song was re-written in english for ABBA. I think most people think Frida's original 'Fernando' is better than ABBA english version.
- I call this album, her 'show off' album. Shows how elite a vocalist she really is.
1996, Djupa Andetag
- BEAUTIFUL!!!!
- many think it is Frida's best solo album. They are all awesome. 'Frida Ensum', 1975 is my favorite.
Qamara Clark
This park and these houses
Old streets I have walked
Everything dear, will it be here
One day when I am returning?
My friends will get married
Have children and homes
It sounds so nice
Well-planned and wise
Never expecting surprises
I wonder
It's frightening
Leaving now
Is that the right thing?
I wonder
It scares me
But who the the hell am I
If I don't even try
I'm not a coward
Oh no, I'll be strong
One chance in a lifetime
Yes I will take it
It can't go wrong
My friends and my family
This dull little town
Buses I've missed
Boys that I've kissed
Everything old and familiar
I wonder
It's frightening
Leaving now
Is that the right thing?
I wonder
It scares me
But who the the hell am I
If I don't even try
I'm not a coward
Oh no, I'll be strong
One chance in a lifetime
Yes I will take it
Yes I will take it
It can't go wrong
GarryJones61
Without this song I would not have moved to Sweden from London in 1988.
I had my window of opportunity in the spring of 1988. I had a career job, a great family and lots going on. But something was pulling me to Sweden.
I was debating it over and over in my head for several weeks. One evening I played an Abba album. Suddenly I actually "listened" to a song that I had "heard" a hundred times before and I shivered. Abba's words echoed through my head.
The record lasts for four minutes and as soon as the record ended the decision was made.
I handed in my notice at work and booked the ferry. Today it is 31 years since my last day in the UK prior to emigration.
My guess is just about everyone who moves to Sweden can relate to these words.
"
I wonder, it's frightening
Leaving now, is that the right thing?
I wonder, it scares me
But who the the hell am I if I don't even try
I'm not a coward
Oh no, I'll be strong
One chance in a lifetime
Yes I will take it.........
Yes I will take it, it can't go wrong
"
31 years later?
3 kids. A great life. A life saving heart op in 2013.
I took my one chance in a lifetime and it didn't go wrong.
Mark Dadson
Wonderful and uplfiting , goes to show the power of music can change lives.
It's Jay!
Wow! I love this! I had a similar experience.
instamdgram
Wonderful story! Thanks for sharing. 💐 Best wishes...
Geoffrey Leggett
Well done to you Garry. M👍
ipa ja
that's wonderful to hear. hope u contacted abba to thank them esp as u so close to them geographically
Marcos Adriano Chicatto
1977: Incredible song!!! 👏👏👏
2020: Incredible song!!! 👏👏👏
2021: Incredible song!!! 👏👏👏
9985: Incredible song!!! 👏👏👏
no
I get goosebumps everytime I hear this song, fridas voice is just magic. I can listen to her forever💞
nne ragland
Exactly how I feel. Beautiful song, ❤️
gbrockley
Such a beautiful song and arrangement, my favourite from ABBA. It never really received the acclaim it truly deserves. ♥