"The Visitors", originally "Den första" (meaning "The First"), was the final single release from Swedish pop group ABBA's studio album of the same name, released in the United States in 1982. The lead vocal was sung by Anni-Frid Lyngstad and its mix of psychedelic, Indian-flavoured verse melody and 1980s synth rock in the chorus, was an unusual and intriguing step for ABBA.
The official stated theme is a protest against the mistreatment of political dissidents in the Soviet Union at the time, as ABBA seemed to input political issues into their lyrics in the final days of the group.That said, Björn deliberately made the lyrics obscure enough to be open to other interpretations.
In 1982, the album The Visitors was banned from the Soviet Union, though it is likely due to the band's participation on the United States Information Agency television special, Let Poland Be Poland, broadcast via satellite around the world on January 31, 1982. The show, which also featured Frank Sinatra, Paul McCartney, Orson Welles, Henry Fonda and U.S. President Ronald Reagan, was a public protest against the then-recent imposition of martial law in Poland.
"The Visitors" was released as the album's second (and final) single in the US instead of "Head Over Heels", which remained as the b-side.
The single peaked just outside of the Top 60 at #63 on the singles chart in the U.S., and a double A-sided "The Visitors" / "When All Is Said and Done" 12" single reached #8 on the Billboard dance chart. The song did not have any success in any other countries.
audio link
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=59hkcS5wr9k
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