About the Song

Released in 1980 as part of their album “Super Trouper,” “The Day Before You Came” is a melancholic ballad that explores the themes of loneliness and longing. The song’s gentle melody and ABBA’s signature harmonies create a reflective and introspective atmosphere, inviting listeners to delve into the depths of their own emotions.

The Meaning Behind the Music

A Portrait of Loneliness

“The Day Before You Came” paints a vivid picture of loneliness and isolation. The song’s lyrics convey a sense of emptiness and despair, as the narrator describes a life devoid of joy and fulfillment.

A Search for Connection

The song explores the universal human need for connection and companionship. The lyrics suggest a longing for love and a desire to escape the loneliness of solitude.

A Celebration of Love’s Transformative Power

Despite its melancholic tone, “The Day Before You Came” also celebrates the transformative power of love. The song implies that the arrival of a loved one can bring light into a dark world, suggesting the possibility of happiness and fulfillment.

A Timeless Exploration of Human Emotion

The song’s universal themes of loneliness and the search for connection have ensured its enduring popularity. “The Day Before You Came” continues to resonate with audiences who have experienced feelings of isolation and longing, offering a sense of solace and understanding.

A Cultural Touchstone

“The Day Before You Came” has become a cultural touchstone, appearing in numerous films, television shows, and advertisements. The song’s ability to evoke strong emotions and connect with listeners on a deep level has solidified its place in the hearts of music lovers worldwide.

Video

Lyrics

🎵 Let’s sing along with the lyrics! 🎤

Must have left my house at eight, because I always doMy train, I’m certain, left the station just when it was dueI must have read the morning paper going into townAnd having gotten through the editorial, no doubt I must have frownedI must have made my desk around a quarter after nineWith letters to be read, and heaps of papers waiting to be signedI must have gone to lunch at half past twelve or soThe usual place, the usual bunchAnd still on top of this I’m pretty sure it must have rainedThe day before you came
I must have lit my seventh cigarette at half past twoAnd at the time I never even noticed I was blueI must have kept on dragging through the business of the dayWithout really knowing anything, I hid a part of me awayAt five I must have left, there’s no exception to the ruleA matter of routine, I’ve done it ever since I finished schoolThe train back home againUndoubtedly I must have read the evening paper thenOh yes, I’m sure my life was well within it’s usual frameThe day before you came
Must have opened my front door at eight o’clock or soAnd stopped along the way to buy some Chinese food to goI’m sure I had my dinner watching something on TVThere’s not, I think, a single episode of Dallas that I didn’t seeI must have gone to bed around a quarter after tenI need a lot of sleep, and so I like to be in bed by thenI must have read a whileThe latest one by Marilyn French or something in that styleIt’s funny, but I had no sense of living without aimThe day before you came
And turning out the lightI must have yawned and cuddled up for yet another nightAnd rattling on the roof I must have heard the sound of rainThe day before you came