In the winter of 1981, as the world danced to the memory of glittering disco nights, ABBA returned with a song that was far more introspective than celebratory. “One of Us”, released as the lead single from their final studio album The Visitors, marked a turning point in the group’s sound — and perhaps more poignantly, in their personal journeys. Behind its polished pop melody lay a deep sense of longing, regret, and quiet heartbreak, a stark contrast to the exuberance that had defined much of their earlier work.
Written by Benny Andersson and Björn Ulvaeus, “One of Us” captures the emotional aftermath of a relationship breakdown — a theme that mirrored the real-life separations happening within the band. Both couples, Agnetha Fältskog and Björn, Frida Lyngstad and Benny, had divorced by this time, and the emotional weight of those personal changes rippled through their music. But rather than dramatize those experiences, “One of Us” offered something subtler and far more powerful: a portrait of quiet self-realization.
Musically, the song begins with a gentle acoustic guitar, quickly joined by a haunting synthesizer motif that gives it an icy, fragile beauty. Then comes Agnetha’s lead vocal — vulnerable, measured, and filled with a kind of emotional maturity that only comes after the storm has passed. Her voice doesn’t plead or shout; it confesses. It carries the story of a woman who left a relationship believing it was the right decision, only to discover too late that she wants to return. The line “One of us is crying” lands like a whispered truth.
While the arrangement carries the polish of ABBA’s earlier hits, there is a distinct difference in tone. The rhythms are restrained. The harmonies, while beautiful, are more subdued. The production, handled as always by Benny and Björn, reflects the group’s shift toward more sophisticated, layered songwriting. This wasn’t just pop music — it was pop as introspection, as quiet catharsis.
When released in December 1981, “One of Us” quickly rose to the top of the charts in several countries, becoming one of ABBA’s last major international hits. Yet its success was bittersweet. By the time the album The Visitors was released, it was clear to many that ABBA was nearing the end of their era. Public appearances were rare. Tensions were present. And though the group never formally announced a breakup, they would not record another studio album together for four decades.
In hindsight, “One of Us” feels like a farewell without words. It’s a song that doesn’t shout its sadness, but wraps it in melody — allowing the listener to feel rather than simply hear. And perhaps that’s why it continues to resonate. Long after its release, the song has been covered, reinterpreted, and rediscovered by new generations who recognize its emotional truth.
For a band often associated with upbeat anthems and sparkling production, “One of Us” reveals another side of ABBA: reflective, human, and deeply honest. It remains one of their most moving works — not because it’s grand, but because it’s quietly, painfully real.