"SOS" marked a huge turnaround in ABBA's fortunes, most notably in the UK and Ireland, where it returned the group to the Top 10 for the first time since "Waterloo". Reaching #6 and #4 respectively, "SOS" started a run of 18 consecutive Top 10 hits for ABBA in the UK and Ireland. "SOS" reached #1 in Australia, Belgium, France, West Germany (where it spent 7 weeks at the top), New Zealand and South Africa, and was a Top 3 hit in Austria, the Netherlands, Norway, Italy (where it became ABBA's most successful hit), Mexico, Rhodesia and Switzerland. The song also became ABBA's second Top 20 hit in the United States, peaking at #15 (due to the single charting in the U.S. before "I Do, I Do, I Do, I Do, I Do", whereas elsewhere "SOS" charted afterwards).
S.O.S.
ABBA Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I tried to reach for you, but you have closed your mind
Whatever happened to our love?
I wish I understood
It used to be so nice, it used to be so good
So when you're near me, darling can't you hear me?
S. O. S.
S. O. S.
When you're gone
How can I even try to go on?
When you're gone
Though I try how can I carry on?
You seem so far away though you are standing near
You made me feel alive, but something died I fear
I really tried to make it out
I wish I understood
What happened to our love? It used to be so good
So when you're near me, darling can't you hear me?
S. O. S.
The love you gave me, nothing else can save me
S. O. S.
When you're gone
How can I even try to go on?
When you're gone
Though I try how can I carry on?
So when you're near me, darling can't you hear me?
S. O. S.
And the love you gave me, nothing else can save me
S. O. S.
When you're gone
How can I even try to go on?
When you're gone
Though I try how can I carry on?
When you're gone
How can I even try to go on?
When you're gone
Though I try how can I carry on?
In ABBA's S.O.S, the singer is haunted by the memories of happier times in her relationship that she cannot seem to find again. She begs her partner to listen to her and screams out for help as she cannot bear the heartache of losing the love they once shared. She questions what went wrong in their relationship and desperately seeks closure to understand the end of their love story. However, she doesn't feel heard or seen by her partner as they have closed their mind and pushed her away. The chorus acts as a call for help, for someone to save her from the pain of losing a love she once cherished. The singer is struggling to move on when her partner is not around and cannot even imagine how she will carry on without their love.
The somber melody of the song intensifies the emotions conveyed by the lyrics, making this ABBA hit into a melancholic ballad. The words of the song express an all too human account of longing and the emptiness that follows the strains of heartbreak. Ultimately, the song is a plea for help, for someone to save her from the heartbreak of a love she cannot let go of.
Line by Line Meaning
Where are those happy days? They seem so hard to find
The singer is lamenting the loss of happy times and wishes they could experience them again, but they feel like those times are impossible to find.
I tried to reach for you, but you have closed your mind
The singer has attempted to connect with someone they love or care for, but that person seems unwilling or unable to reciprocate.
Whatever happened to our love?
The singer is expressing confusion and sadness about the current state of a romantic relationship that used to be positive and fulfilling.
I wish I understood
The artist desperately wants to comprehend what went wrong in their relationship and why things have changed so drastically.
It used to be so nice, it used to be so good
The artist is highlighting the stark difference between how their relationship was previously and how it is now in order to emphasize the loss they feel.
So when you're near me, darling can't you hear me?
S. O. S.
The singer is appealing to their loved one to listen to them and try to bridge the emotional gap between them. The repeated cry of 'S. O. S.' is a plea for help, emphasizing the urgent need the singer feels for their partner's attention and affection.
The love you gave me, nothing else can save me
S. O. S.
The singer is acknowledging that the affection and connection they receive from their partner is the most important thing in their life right now, and without it, they feel lost and in need of rescue.
When you're gone
How can I even try to go on?
When you're gone
Though I try how can I carry on?
The artist is expressing the intense pain and sadness they feel when apart from their partner, and the difficulty they have in carrying on with their life without them. They are essentially saying that they cannot imagine living without this person.
You seem so far away though you are standing near
You made me feel alive, but something died I fear
The artist is feeling emotionally distant from their partner, despite their physical proximity. They acknowledge that the relationship used to make them feel alive and fulfilled, but now it seems like that vitality has been lost.
I really tried to make it out
I wish I understood
What happened to our love? It used to be so good
The artist is highlighting their own efforts to improve the relationship and asks for an explanation of what caused the shift in their love. They emphasize again how much they miss the way things used to be.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sentric Music
Written by: Stig Erik Leopold Anderson, Benny Goran Bror Andersson, Bjoern K. Ulvaeus
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@kennethadam13
[Verse 1]
Where are those happy days? They seem so hard to find
I tried to reach for you, but you have closed your mind
Whatever happened to our love? I wish I understood
It used to be so nice, it used to be so good
[Chorus]
So, when you're near me, darling, can't you hear me? S.O.S
The love you gave me, nothing else can save me, S.O.S
When you're gone, how can I even try to go on?
When you're gone, though I try, how can I carry on?
[Verse 2]
You seem so far away though you are standing near
You made me feel alive, but something died I fear
I really tried to make it out, I wish I understood
What happened to our love? It used to be so good
[Chorus]
So, when you're near me, darling, can't you hear me? S.O.S
The love you gave me, nothing else can save me, S.O.S
When you're gone, how can I even try to go on?
When you're gone, though I try, how can I carry on?
[Interlude]
[Chorus]
So, when you're near me, darling, can't you hear me? S.O.S
And the love you gave me, nothing else can save me, S.O.S
When you're gone, how can I even try to go on?
When you're gone, though I try, how can I carry on?
[Outro]
When you're gone, how can I even try to go on?
When you're gone, though I try, how can I carry on?
@JohnDoe-id7zv
So true! The first song I listened from them was "One Of Us" (which ironically is one of the last ones) and now I am addicted to them, so perfect!
Dancing Queen
Knowing me, knowing you
When all is said and done
I have a dream
Another town, another train
Winners take it all
Summer night city
I've been waiting for you
This one (SOS)
Thank you for the music
Angeleyes
One of us
Lay all your love on me
And sooo many other great perfect songs! Surely they are one of the best bands ever, with lots of top songs. Love them! #ABBA2018
@christinapennington5403
Lyrics Enjoy
Where are those happy days? They seem so hard to find
I try to reach for you, but you have closed your mind
Whatever happened to our love? I wish I understood
It used to be so nice, it used to be so good
So when you're near me, darling
Can't you hear me, S.O.S.?
The love you gave me
Nothing else can save me, S.O.S.
When you're gone, how can I even try to go on?
When you're gone, though I try, how can I carry on?
You seemed so far away, though you were standing near
You made me feel alive, but something died, I fear
I really tried to make it up, I wish I understood
What happened to our love? It used to be so good
So when you're near me, darling
Can't you hear me, S.O.S.?
The love you gave me
Nothing else can save me, S.O.S.
When you're gone, how can I even try to go on?
When you're gone, though I try, how can I carry on?
So when you're near me, darling
Can't you hear me, S.O.S.?
And the love you gave me
Nothing else can save me, S.O.S.
When you're gone, how can I even try to go on?
When you're gone, though I try, how can I carry on?
When you're gone, how can I even try to go on?
When you're gone, though I try, how can I carry on?
@roanold
"S. O. S."
Where are those happy days, they seem so hard to find
I tried to reach for you, but you have closed your mind
Whatever happened to our love?
I wish I understood
It used to be so nice, it used to be so good
So when you're near me, darling can't you hear me
S. O. S.
The love you gave me, nothing else can save me
S. O. S.
When you're gone
How can I even try to go on?
When you're gone
Though I try how can I carry on?
You seem so far away though you are standing near
You made me feel alive, but something died I fear
I really tried to make it out
I wish I understood
What happened to our love, it used to be so good
So when you're near me, darling can't you hear me
S. O. S.
The love you gave me, nothing else can save me
S. O. S.
When you're gone
How can I even try to go on?
When you're gone
Though I try how can I carry on?
So when you're near me, darling can't you hear me
S. O. S.
And the love you gave me, nothing else can save me
S. O. S.
When you're gone
How can I even try to go on?
When you're gone
Though I try how can I carry on?
When you're gone
How can I even try to go on?
When you're gone
Though I try how can I carry on?
@amilliondreams7916
Lyrics:
Where are those happy days
They seem so hard to find
I try to reach for you
But you have closed your mind
Whatever happened to our love?
I wish I understood
It used to be so nice
It used to be so good
So when you're near me
Darling, can't you hear me, S.O.S.
The love you gave me
Nothing else can save me, S.O.S.
When you're gone
How can I even try to go on?
When you're gone
Though I try, how can I carry on?
You seemed so far away
Though you were standing near
You made me feel alive
But something died, I fear
I really tried to make it up
I wish I understood
What happened to our love?
It used to be so good
So when you're near me
Darling, can't you hear me, S.O.S.
The love you gave me
Nothing else can save me, S.O.S.
When you're gone
How can I even try to go on?
When you're gone
Though I try, how can I carry on?
So when you're near me
Darling, can't you hear me, S.O.S.
And the love you gave me
Nothing else can save me, S.O.S.
When you're gone
How can I even try to go on?
When you're gone
Though I try, how can I carry on?
When you're gone
How can I even try to go on?
When you're gone
Though I try, how can I carry on?
@Dk15ification
Once you play one, there is no going back
@samanthaallott2596
YAAAAAAS
@Letsmarchishere
True hahahaha... I have started since 2 hours ago and keep on going
@smokiebird06
Incredibly addictive, aren't they?
@amycrunch3812
Never. 😀
@AUDREY-ph6zi
Yes you can almost feel the lyrics it’s a great feeling
@Appleholic1
Oh the melody, the harmony, the music.....thank you ABBA
@sitdownandshutup3598
+Will Pack there is over 65000 likes, how could you tell it wasn't registering
@harleybombz6863
+Sitdownand Shut up pretty sure he means liking the comment not the video
@Dustshoe
Ooohhhh! Oohhh, the ... melody, the ... ahh, the ... the harmony, James! Oh yes! The music, James! Aahhhh!
Thank you Mr Bond! What a performance!
I cannot find all the words!
"Well, my dear, I shall get you a dictionary so you can keep on improving your English vocabulary." (To paraphrase the opening scene to The Spy Who Loved Me.)
That's what was great about the 70s: Pop was fun. Bond was fun, not a robot. Nothing too forlorn or God-forsaken.