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When I Kissed the Teacher

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"When I Kissed the Teacher"
Song by ABBA
from the album Arrival
Released11 October 1976 (1976-10-11)
Recorded14 June 1976[1]
Genre
Length3:01
LabelPolar
Songwriter(s)Björn Ulvaeus, Benny Andersson
Producer(s)Björn Ulvaeus, Benny Andersson
Audio
"When I Kissed The Teacher" on YouTube

"When I Kissed the Teacher" is a song by the pop band ABBA. It is the opening track on their 1976 album Arrival.

Synopsis

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The song's recording sessions began on 14 June 1976 with the name "Rio de Janeiro". Eventually, the track was renamed "When I Kissed the Teacher".[4] The song's light-hearted lyrics tell the story of a student who has a crush on her teacher, one day cannot restrain herself and kisses him.[5] The lyrics are set to spirited music.[6] Benny Andersson considered this one of his favourite ABBA songs.[1][5]

The video clip "goes from a female student longing for her teacher to her taking direct action by kissing him as he leans over her in class."[7] The actor playing the part of the teacher was Magnus Härenstam.[8]

Release

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The song was also released on the compilation album More Gold: More Hits and the video was included on The Definitive Collection.[9][10]

Composition

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Lyrically and musically, the song is filled with "schoolgirl imagery".[11] Agnetha Fältskog is the lead vocal.[12]

Critical reception

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Buffalo News describes it as "bouncy".[13] The Daily Telegraph lists the song as one of ABBA's hidden gems, offering it as an alternative to "Waterloo". It says the song "Starts off slow, but quickly turns into a surreal, pop homage to low level sexual harassment".[2] Robert Hilburn of the Malaysian Star said "My nomination for the best ABBA track that wasn't a hit in the U.S.: "When I Kissed the Teacher", a zestful number that recalls the teen passion of such Phil Spector productions as the Ronettes' 'Be My Baby'".[14] In a Voulez-Vous review, "When I Kissed the Teacher" is listed alongside "Dancing Queen" as an example of the group's "soaring female harmonies, uplifting melodies, and festive instrumental touches" in their earlier hits.[15] Chris Joens of the Chicago Tribune, in a review of the Mamma Mia musical, noted "A soundtrack has become a discography. I've even almost forgotten my favorite ABBA ditty, 'When I Kissed the Teacher', just because it's not in the show."[16] The Los Angeles Times said "'When I Kissed the Teacher' is the most convincing thing Abba has done because it injects some sly, mocking humor and passion that offsets the group seriousness".[17] Abba – Uncensored on the Record said When I Kissed The Teacher is an example of what was "expected of ABBA".[12] The Teacher in American Society: A Critical Anthology lists "When I Kissed the Teacher" with the Van Halen song "Hot for Teacher" and the Jethro Tull song "Teacher" as examples of "how teachers are viewed by [students] as sexual objects.[18]

Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again version

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Lily James, Jessica Keenan Wynn, Alexa Davies and Celia Imrie recorded When I Kissed the Teacher, with a slightly changed lyric, as the first single from the soundtrack of Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again. Their version was released on 8 May 2018 by Capitol[19][failed verification] and Polydor Records. It was produced by Benny Andersson, and Björn Ulvaeus plays one of the teachers in the clip.[20]

Charts

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Chart (2018) Peak
position
Hungary (Single Top 40)[21] 15
Ireland (IRMA)[22] 38
New Zealand Hot Singles (RMNZ)[23] 17
Scotland (OCC)[24] 31
Sweden (Sverigetopplistan)[25] 78
UK Singles (OCC)[26] 40

Certifications

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Certifications for When I Kissed The Teacher
Region Certification Certified units/sales
United Kingdom (BPI)[27] Gold 400,000‡

‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

Other cover versions

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References

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  1. ^ a b Palm, C. (2005). Abba: The Complete Guide to their Music. p. 36. ISBN 1844495051.
  2. ^ a b McNulty, Bernadette (9 July 2008). "Abba: take a chance on these". Telegraph.co.uk.
  3. ^ Sheffield, Rob (September 2, 2021). "The 25 Best ABBA Songs, Ranked". Rolling Stone. Retrieved December 8, 2024. But in "When I Kissed The Teacher," they take on the Swedish educational system. It's an innocent bubblegum tune...
  4. ^ "Rio de Janeiro". Abbaomnibus.net.
  5. ^ a b Scott, R. (2003). ABBA Thank You for the Music. p. 74. ISBN 1842227939.
  6. ^ "Arrival". AllMusic. Retrieved 2009-02-13.
  7. ^ Roy Fisher; Ann Harris; Christine Jarvis (2008). Education in Popular Culture: Telling Tales on Teachers and Learners. Routledge. ISBN 9780415332422. Retrieved 2013-10-08.
  8. ^ "Rafaels and Stefans pictures". Raffem.com. Retrieved 8 January 2022.
  9. ^ "More ABBA Gold: More ABBA Hits". AllMusic. Retrieved 2009-02-11.
  10. ^ "The Definitive Collection". AllMusic. Retrieved 2009-02-11.
  11. ^ Louise FitzGerald; Melanie Williams (2013-04-15). Mamma Mia! The Movie: Exploring a Cultural Phenomenon. Bloomsbury Academic. ISBN 9781848859425. Retrieved 2013-10-08.
  12. ^ a b Tobler, John (2012-01-04). Abba - Uncensored on the Record. Coda Books. ISBN 9781908538239.
  13. ^ [1] [dead link‍]
  14. ^ Hilburn, Robert (24 March 2009). "ABBA set reveals more than one-hit wonder". Articles.latimes.com.
  15. ^ Robert Hilburn (Jul 19, 1979). "Abba to start U.S. tour in Seattle". The Spokesman-Review.
  16. ^ "Review: 'Mamma Mia!' at the Oriental Theatre - Chicago Tribune". Archived from the original on 2013-10-01. Retrieved 2013-09-29.
  17. ^ "British Regress to Innocent '50s". Los Angeles Times. Feb 1, 1977.
  18. ^ Eugene f. Provenzo, Jr (2010-02-02). The Teacher in American Society: A Critical Anthology. SAGE Publications. ISBN 9781412965934.
  19. ^ "ABBA's 'When I Kissed the Teacher' Receives Modern Makeover in 'Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again': Watch". Billboard. 27 July 2018.
  20. ^ Lenker, Maureen Lee (August 3, 2022). "Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again: Everything you need to know about the ABBA cameos". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved February 27, 2024.
  21. ^ "Archívum – Slágerlisták – MAHASZ" (in Hungarian). Single (track) Top 40 lista. Magyar Hanglemezkiadók Szövetsége. Retrieved 16 August 2018.
  22. ^ "Official Irish Singles Chart Top 50". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 30 September 2021.
  23. ^ "NZ Hot Singles Chart". Recorded Music NZ. July 30, 2018. Retrieved 7 August 2018.
  24. ^ "Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 7 August 2018.
  25. ^ "Lily James, Jessica Keenan Wynn, Alexa Davies & Celia Imrie – When I Kissed The Teacher". Singles Top 100. Retrieved 30 September 2021.
  26. ^ "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 18 August 2018.
  27. ^ "British single certifications – James/Keenan Wynn/Davies/Imrie – When I Kissed The Teacher". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved March 1, 2024.
  28. ^ "När jag kysste lärar'n". Svensk mediedatabas. 1982. Retrieved 30 May 2011.
  29. ^ "Svensktoppen". Sveriges Radio. 1982. Retrieved 30 May 2011.
  30. ^ "Jag sjunger för dej - Svensk mediedatabas (SMDB)". smdb.kb.se.
  31. ^ "Dej ska jag älska all min tid - Svensk mediedatabas (SMDB)". smdb.kb.se.
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