Agnetha was born in 1950 in Jönköping, Sweden. She began her singing career around 1967 as lead singer for the Bernt Enghardt band, a typical 1960s Swedish dance band. In 1968, she signed a contract as a solo artist and released her first album, Agnetha Fältskog. It was a significant hit, as were the follow-ups, Agnetha Fältskog Vol. 2 (1969) and Som jag är (1970). By this time, Agnetha was established as a major recording star in Sweden.
In 1969, Agnetha had become romantically involved with Björn Ulvaeus. Björn was at that time working with fellow songwriter/producer Benny Andersson on a series of projects. One such project was an occasional singing group, Festfolket, comprising of Agnetha, Björn, Benny and Benny's girlfriend, Anni-Frid Lyngstad (who also recorded as Frida).
During this time, Agnetha's solo career continued with more successes, including taking the role of Mary Magdalene in the Swedish stage version of Jesus Christ Superstar. In 1970, the two couples scored a significant hit, "Hej, gamle man", although it was credited as Benny & Björn. In 1971, Agnetha released her final "pre-ABBA" album, När en vacker tanke blir en sång.
In 1972, the foursome released their first official collaborative effort, the song "People Need Love", credited to Björn & Benny, Agnetha & Anni-Frid. An album, Ring Ring followed.
In 1974 with the release of their second album, the group was oficially renamed ABBA and would go on to dominate music charts for the next decade. Agnetha released one solo album during this period, Elva kvinnor i ett hus (1975). As ABBA began to wind down, she released an album of Christmas songs with her daughter entitled Nu tändas tusen juleljus in 1981.
Her first recording following her divorce from Bjorn (as well as the breakup of ABBA) was her first English solo album, Wrap Your Arms Around Me in 1983, followed by Eyes of a Woman in 1985.
She released two albums in 1987, the Swedish collection of children's songs Kom följ med i vår karusell, recorded with her young son and the English-language I Stand Alone. This would be her final studio album for seventeen years.
During this period, hits included "The Heat Is On", "Can't Shake Loose", "The Way You Are", "The Last Time" and "I Won't Let You Go".
In 2004, Agnetha returned to the public eye with both a compilation of her early work, The First Years 1967-1979 and a new English-language album, My Colouring Book. The singles "If I Thought You'd Ever Change Your Mind" and "When You Walk In The Room" became big hits.
In the years since, her public profile has increased, even hinting at the possibility of an ABBA reunion some time in the future.
Perfume In The Breeze
Agnetha Fältskog Lyrics
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This time of year
The mongers and the tourists
And the children
Have all disappeared
I'm not sure what happened
But it happened so fast
People say love like this can never last
What a night
What a night
I'm still not alright
Oh, you vanished
Like a rainbow
From the horizon of my heart
Left me seaside like a homeless
I pushed my sorrows in the car
Oh, you vanished
Like a shadow
Into the darkness of the seas
Maybe next time, my sweet lover
I'll catch your perfume in the breeze
Flicking through channels on the TV set
To quiet my mind
Reality shows and the news replaces
The piece I can't find
I'm not sure what happened
But it happened so fast
People say love like this can never last
Fortune tellers
And tarot cards
Can't find the clues
Won't heal my scars
Oh, you vanished
Like a rainbow
From the horizon of my heart
Left me seaside like a homeless
I pushed my sorrows in the car
Oh, you vanished
Like a shadow
Into the darkness of the seas
Maybe next time, my sweet lover
I'll catch your perfume in the breeze
And you'll bring summer back again
Oh, you vanished
Like a rainbow
From the horizon of my heart
Left me seaside like a homeless
I pushed my sorrows in the car
Oh, you vanished
Like a shadow
Into the darkness of the seas
Maybe next time, my sweet lover
I'll catch your perfume in the breeze
In "Perfume in the Breeze," Agnetha Fältskog sings of heartbreak on a desolate beach. She recalls a magical night with a lover who has now vanished from her life like a rainbow, leaving her feeling homeless and adrift. The emptiness she feels is palpable and all-consuming, as she tries to fill the void with distractions like reality shows and news channels. The enigmatic disappearance of her lover is a mystery that fortune tellers and tarot cards cannot solve or heal.
The imagery in the song is layered with symbolism that adds to its emotional intensity. The lonely beach represents a space of isolation and longing, while the vanishing of the lover like a rainbow signifies the fleeting and ephemeral nature of love. The perfume in the breeze that the singer hopes to catch is a fleeting scent that represents a connection to the lost lover and the possibility of a future where they may be reunited.
Line by Line Meaning
The beach is a lonely place
During this time of year, the beach is a deserted place as tourists, sellers and children have disappeared.
This time of year
Refers to the current season when people don't typically visit the beach.
The mongers and the tourists
Indicates that all the vendors and holidaymakers have left the beach.
And the children
Suggests that even the children have gone, making it a very lonely place.
Have all disappeared
Signifies that everyone has left the beach, leaving it empty and lonely.
I'm not sure what happened
The singer is confused about why her love vanished so suddenly.
But it happened so fast
Indicates that the singer's lover disappeared quickly, with no warning.
People say love like this can never last
Refers to the belief that some people have that true love doesn't last forever, implying that the singer's love has come to an end.
But, what a night
The singer is reminiscing about a past night with her lover, remembering it as a special moment.
I'm still not alright
The singer has not yet moved on from her love's sudden disappearance and remains heartbroken.
Oh, you vanished
The singer is addressing her lost lover.
Like a rainbow
Refers to the sudden, colorful departure of the singer's love, which disappeared as suddenly as it appeared.
From the horizon of my heart
The singer's heart was full of love for her partner, but now it's gone and has left her feeling empty and alone.
Left me seaside like a homeless
The singer feels like she's been left stranded by her lover, on the beach, homeless and without any direction.
I pushed my sorrows in the car
The singer is trying to move on and forget her sorrows by driving away from the beach.
Like a shadow
The singer's lover disappeared as quickly and silently as a shadow would fade away.
Into the darkness of the seas
Referring to the vastness and depth of the ocean, symbolizing the unknown, uncertain future for the singer without her love.
Maybe next time, my sweet lover
The singer is holding out hope for another chance with her lover.
I'll catch your perfume in the breeze
The scent of her lover's perfume in the air would symbolize the return of her lost love and bring back happy memories.
Flicking through channels on the TV set
The singer is distracting herself from her thoughts by watching TV.
To quiet my mind
The singer is trying to dispel the negative thoughts that are running through her mind.
Reality shows and the news replaces
The things that the singer watches on TV have replaced the love and companionship that she's lost.
The piece I can't find
The singer feels like a part of her is missing, and she can't find the missing piece.
Fortune tellers
People believed to have the ability to predict the future.
And tarot cards
A pack of playing cards used for divination purposes.
Can't find the clues
Despite seeking guidance and insight through fortune tellers and tarot cards, the singer is still lost and cannot find the answers she needs to move on.
Won't heal my scars
The singer's emotional wounds are so deep that neither advice nor time can fully heal them.
And you'll bring summer back again
The singer believes that her lover will return and bring back the warmth and sunshine of summer, both literally and metaphorically.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: FREDRIK NILS THOMANDER, JORGEN KJELL ELOFSSON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind