On and On and On
ABBA Lyrics


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I was at a party
And this feller said to me
Something bad is happening
I'm sure you do agree
People care for nothing
No respect for human rights
Evil times are coming
We are in for darker nights?
I said who are you
To talk about impending doom?
He got kinda wary
As he looked around the room
He said, I'm a minister
A big shot in the state?
I said I just can't
Believe it, boy
I think it's great
Brother can you tell me
What is right and what is wrong?
He said, keep on rocking baby
'Til the night is gone?

On and on and on
Keep on rocking baby
'Til the night is gone

Over in the corner
I could see this other guy
He was kinda flirty
He was giving me the eye
So I took advantage
Of the fact that I'm a star
Shook my hair and took
A casual stroll up to the bar
And as sure as hell
This guy was coming up to me
He said, who am I and
Who are you and who are we
What's our situation do
We have some time for us?
I said, I was not exactly
Waiting for the bus
He said, if you're going
Somewhere can I come along?
I said, keep on rocking baby
'Til the night is gone?

On and on and on




Keep on rocking baby
'Til the night is gone

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of ABBA's song "On and On and On" seem to portray a party scene where two men approach the singer and seem to be seeking meaning in their lives. The first man, a minister, expresses concern about the state of the world, saying that evil times are coming and there is no respect for human rights. He seems to be looking for answers from someone that he sees as an influential person. However, the singer is dismissive of his dire predictions and urges him to just enjoy the moment by saying "keep on rocking baby 'til the night is gone." The second man seems more interested in flirting with the singer and asking her out. She again brushes off his advances by saying that she was not exactly waiting for the bus and again tells him to just enjoy the night and keep on rocking.


The song appears to be a satirical take on the state of the world and how people seek meaning and answers during times of uncertainty. The minister represents those who seek guidance and hope while the second man represents those who seek pleasure and companionship. The singer, however, appears to be jaded and cynical, perhaps suggesting that there are no easy answers or solutions to the problems of the world. The repeated refrain of "keep on rocking baby 'til the night is gone" may be seen as a way of urging people to just have fun in the moment and to not worry too much about the future.


Line by Line Meaning

I was at a party
I was present at a social gathering


And this feller said to me
And a man said to me


Something bad is happening
Something unfortunate is underway


I'm sure you do agree
I'm sure you concur as well


People care for nothing
Individuals are indifferent


No respect for human rights
People aren't showing respect for the rights of others


Evil times are coming
Malevolent circumstances are looming


We are in for darker nights?
Are we going to experience more troublesome nights?


I said who are you
I replied with a question of their identity


To talk about impending doom?
To discuss the possibility of future misfortune?


He got kinda wary
He became somewhat cautious


As he looked around the room
As he surveyed the surroundings


He said, I'm a minister
He stated he was a religious official


A big shot in the state?
A prominent figure in the government?


I said I just can't
I said I am unable to comply


Believe it, boy
Trust it, young man


I think it's great
I highly approve


Brother can you tell me
Can you inform me, friend


What is right and what is wrong?
What is the morally correct and incorrect action?


He said, keep on rocking baby
He responded by encouraging me to continue dancing


'Til the night is gone?
Until the evening is over?


On and on and on
Continuing without ceasing


Keep on rocking baby
Continue having fun and dancing


'Til the night is gone
Until the evening ends


Over in the corner
In another area of the space


I could see this other guy
I noticed another man


He was kinda flirty
He was mildly flirtatious


He was giving me the eye
He was looking at me in a suggestive way


So I took advantage
So I utilized the opportunity


Of the fact that I'm a star
The fact that I am a famous person


Shook my hair and took
I shook my hair and walked


A casual stroll up to the bar
A relaxed walk up to the counter


And as sure as hell
And it was certain


This guy was coming up to me
That man was approaching me


He said, who am I and
He questioned his own identity and


Who are you and who are we
Who are you and who are we as individuals


What's our situation do
What is our present circumstance


We have some time for us?
Do we possess some leisure time for ourselves?


I said, I was not exactly
I replied by saying I wasn't precisely


Waiting for the bus
Waiting for public transportation




Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: BENNY GORAN BROR ANDERSSON, BJOERN K. ULVAEUS

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Most interesting comments from YouTube:

@user-ip9yu7lp1q

"On And On And On"

I was at a party and this fella said to me
"Something bad is happening, I'm sure you do agree
People care for nothing, no respect for human rights
Evil times are coming, we are in for darker nights"
I said, "Who are you to talk about impending doom?"
He got kinda wary as he looked around the room
He said, "I'm a minister, a big shot in the state"
I said, "I just can't believe it, boy I think it's great
Brother can you tell me what is right and what is wrong?"
He said, "Keep on rocking baby, 'til the night is gone"

On and on and on
Keep on rocking baby
'Til the night is gone

Over in the corner I could see this other guy
He was kinda flirty, he was giving me the eye
So I took advantage of the fact that I'm a star
Shook my hair and took a casual stroll up to the bar
And as sure as hell this guy was coming up to me
He said, "Who am I and who are you and who are we?
What's our situation, do we have some time for us?"
I said I was not exactly waiting for the bus
He said, "If you're going somewhere can I come along?"
I said, "Keep on rocking baby, 'til the night is gone"

[Extra Video Verse]
Standing up is scary if you think you're gonna fall
Like a Humpty Dumpty, 'fraid of falling off the wall
I say if you ever want to know what's going on
Gotta keep on rockin baby till the night is gone

[repeat chorus and fade]



@mavhhh

I was at a party and this fella said to me
"Something bad is happening, I'm sure you do agree
People care for nothing, no respect for human rights
Evil times are coming, we are in for darker nights"
I said, "Who are you to talk about impending doom?"
He got kinda wary as he looked around the room
He said, "I'm a minister, a big shot in the state"
I said, "I just can't believe it, boy I think it's great
Brother can you tell me what is right and what is wrong?"
He said, "Keep on rocking baby, 'til the night is gone"

On and on and on
Keep on rocking baby
'Til the night is gone
On and on and on
'Til the night is gone
On and on and on
Keep on rocking baby
'Til the night is gone
On and on and on
'Til the night is gone

Over in the corner I could see this other guy
He was kinda flirty, he was giving me the eye
So I took advantage of the fact that I'm a star
Shook my hair and took a casual stroll up to the bar
And as sure as hell this guy was coming up to me
He said, "Who am I and who are you and who are we?
What's our situation, do we have some time for us?"
I said I was not exactly waiting for the bus
He said, "If you're going somewhere can I come along?"
I said, "Keep on rocking baby, 'til the night is gone"

On and on and on
Keep on rocking baby
'Til the night is gone
On and on and on
'Til the night is gone
On and on and on
Keep on rocking baby
'Til the night is gone
On and on and on
'Til the night is gone

[Extra Video Verse]
Standing up is scary if you think you're gonna fall
Like a Humpty Dumpty, 'fraid of falling off the wall
I say if you ever want to know what's going on
Gotta keep on rockin baby till the night is gone



All comments from YouTube:

@nicolek.3614

No one can tell me there is a better sound in the history of music than the blended voices of Agnetha Fältskog and Anni-Frid Lyngstad.

@kyachdistent1301

Only Kim Wilde is that truth. But blended voices of two people are ABBA girls yes, and the Pierces do a cool emulatuion. Comes closest.

@helixmoore7636

True. But Cindy and Kate are pretty dang good too.

@luanunes14

YES!!

@anderlundberg9297

@Kyach Distent Kim Wilde aint near but sheàs good - And we shose Agnetha as a Solo singer - ABBA girls are the one`s whole be in the Music history

@kyachdistent1301

@ander lundberg She is, she's the all round perfect voice blended to perfect songs. But vocally, regarding duos, no one beats Agnetha and Frida, except Frida and Agnetha.

9 More Replies...

@eduardoabreu1785

This song is so infectious. One of the best that ABBA ever recorded.

@audvidgeek

My father has the Super Trooper album, and he listened to it frequently. I would have this song stuck in my head as an earworm while I was at school! I thought it was the coolest song though, with the energetic, electrified sounding singing, and the power-chords on the keyboards and guitars!

@steveh4290

@audvidgeek - I’m 42 & rediscovered ABBA this year, total coincidence that the new album was out. I was only talking to my father today about his vinyl Super Trooper album today & how he used to let me listen to it when I was a boy. The cover of the album was what drew me to it. Now I’m looking at going to London next year for one of the shows they are doing with the ABBAtars.

@fredtracy3931

It's my favorite ABBA tune!!🎧

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