“When You Really Loved Someone” is a poignant and heartfelt song by Agnetha Fältskog, featured on her 2013 album A—her first solo album in over a decade. This track is one of the album’s standout songs, showcasing Agnetha’s deep emotional range and her ability to convey vulnerability through her voice.
The song deals with the pain and sorrow of unrequited love or the loss of someone deeply cherished. It reflects on the emotional aftermath of loving someone with all your heart, yet realizing that the love was not returned or has ended. The lyrics of the song capture the intensity of feeling and the difficulty of moving on after experiencing deep love, making it a relatable and moving ballad for anyone who has dealt with heartache.
Agnetha’s performance of “When You Really Loved Someone” is stunning. Her voice, with its signature clarity and emotion, brings the song’s themes of longing and heartbreak to life. She sings with a tenderness that resonates deeply, pulling the listener into the vulnerability of the lyrics. Her vocal delivery has an aching quality, which perfectly matches the sentiment of the song.
Musically, “When You Really Loved Someone” features a soft, orchestral arrangement, with lush strings and subtle instrumentation that allow Agnetha’s voice to shine. The arrangement is elegant yet simple, underscoring the raw emotion conveyed in the song’s lyrics.
Released after her time with ABBA, this song highlights Agnetha Fältskog’s ability to deliver deeply emotional performances and showcase a more mature, reflective side of her artistry. “When You Really Loved Someone” is a beautiful example of her evolution as a solo artist and remains a powerful ballad in her catalog. It’s a perfect track for fans of Agnetha’s vocal talents and anyone who appreciates a moving love song.