Introduction
“Just Like That” is a song by Swedish pop group ABBA, released in 2021 as part of their first album in 40 years, Voyage. This track stands out as one of the more reflective and poignant moments on the album, which marked the band’s long-awaited return to music after their breakup in the early 1980s. The song was written by ABBA’s iconic songwriting duo, Björn Ulvaeus and Benny Andersson, and like much of Voyage, it highlights the group’s evolution, both musically and emotionally, after decades of personal and professional changes.
“Just Like That” is a ballad with a melancholic tone, which contrasts with the upbeat pop songs that made ABBA famous. The song deals with themes of love, loss, and the passage of time, with lyrics that reflect on the unpredictability of life and the sudden, often unexplained shifts in relationships. The song’s central message revolves around the fleeting nature of love, with the narrator reflecting on how things can change “just like that,” capturing the bittersweet moments when emotions shift unexpectedly.
Musically, “Just Like That” features a lush orchestral arrangement and a sophisticated blend of ABBA’s classic pop sound with more mature, introspective qualities. The vocals, particularly those of Agnetha Fältskog and Anni-Frid Lyngstad, remain as rich and compelling as ever, adding emotional depth to the song’s poignant lyrics.
The release of Voyage in November 2021, including “Just Like That,” marked a significant moment in ABBA’s legacy, showing that their ability to create timeless, emotional pop music still resonates with audiences. The song, while slower and more contemplative than much of ABBA’s earlier work, solidified the band’s place in pop history and demonstrated their enduring creative spirit.