Lyrics: The Visitors by ABBA
I hear the door-bell ring and suddenly the panic takes me The sound so ominously tearing through the silence I cannot move, I'm standing Numb and frozen Among the things I love so dearly The books, the paintings and the furniture Help me... The signal's sounding once again and someone tries the doorknob None of my friends would be so stupidly impatient And they don't dare to come here Anymore now But how I loved our secret meetings We talked and talked in quiet voices Smiling... Now I hear them moving Muffled noises coming through the door I feel I'm Crackin' up Voices growing louder, irritation building And I'm close to fainting Crackin' up They must know by now I'm in here trembling In a terror evergrowing Crackin' up My whole world is falling, going crazy There is no escaping now, I'm Crackin' up These walls have witnessed all the anguish of humiliation And seen the hope of freedom glow in shining faces And now they've come to take me Come to break me And yet it isn't unexpected I have been waiting for these visitors Help me... Now I hear them moving Muffled noises coming through the door I feel I'm Crackin' up Voices growing louder, irritation building And I'm close to fainting Crackin' up They must know by now I'm in here trembling In a terror evergrowing Crackin' up My whole world is falling, going crazy There is no escaping now, I'm Crackin' up Now I hear them moving Muffled noises coming through the door I feel I'm Crackin' up Voices growing louder, irritation building And I'm close to fainting Crackin' up (I have been waiting for these visitors) They must know by now I'm in here trembling In a terror evergrowing Crackin' up (I have been waiting for these visitors) My whole world is falling, going crazy There is no escaping now, I'm Crackin' up (I have been waiting for these visitors) Now I hear them moving Muffled noises coming through the door I feel I'm Crackin' up (I have been waiting for these visitors) Voices growing louder, irritation building And I'm close to fainting Crackin' up (I have been waiting for these visitors) They must know by now I'm in here trembling In a terror evergrowing Crackin' up (I have been waiting for these visitors) My whole world is falling, going crazy There is no escaping now, I'm Crackin' up [fade]
Song Meaning and Interpretation
Haunting Fear and Isolation
“The Visitors” by ABBA is an intense exploration of fear, anxiety, and the feeling of being watched or pursued. The lyrics immediately set a tense atmosphere: the sound of a doorbell shatters the silence, throwing the narrator into panic. The singer stands frozen among beloved possessions, indicating both a longing for safety and a realization that nowhere is truly secure.
Political Allegory and Secret Meetings
The narrative unfolds with references to “secret meetings” and friends who no longer dare to visit. These lines, along with the sense of looming danger, suggest a deeper political allegory. Many listeners interpret the song as a depiction of life under oppressive regimes, where surveillance, fear, and the threat of arrest are constant. The “visitors” could symbolize government agents or authorities coming to silence dissent or punish those who hope for freedom.
The Breaking Point
Throughout the song, the repeated phrase “Crackin’ up” underscores the narrator’s deteriorating mental state. The mounting terror and claustrophobia become overwhelming, culminating in a sense of inevitable capture and collapse. The lyrics’ repetitive structure and escalating urgency mirror the psychological unraveling of the character.
Personal and Universal Themes
While the song has clear political undertones, it also resonates on a personal level. The emotion of being trapped, whether by external forces or internal anxieties, is universally relatable. ABBA’s poignant delivery and the song’s haunting melody amplify the sense of vulnerability and helplessness, making “The Visitors” a powerful and evocative piece in their discography.
Song Credits
- Songwriters: Benny Andersson, Björn Ulvaeus
- Artist: ABBA
- Release Year: 1981
- Label: Polar Music