Introduction
“What About Livingstone?” is a track by the Swedish pop group ABBA, featured on their 1974 album Waterloo. The song pays homage to the 19th-century British missionary and explorer David Livingstone, known for his extensive travels in Africa. Interestingly, the lyrics mention Livingstone “travelling up the Nile,” though historically, his expeditions did not follow the Nile River.
The song showcases the vocal talents of Agnetha Fältskog and Anni-Frid Lyngstad (Frida), with a catchy bass synth riff in the chorus. This track marks a point in ABBA’s musical evolution, introducing more complex vocal arrangements
Critical reception of “What About Livingstone?” has been mixed. The Guardian referred to the song’s lyrics as “weird,” while The Telegraph expressed surprise at its existence, stating, “believe it or not, there’s an Abba song called What About Livingstone?”. Despite these critiques, the song is noted for its whimsical charm and catchy melod
For those interested in experiencing the song, it is available for listening on Spotify.
Additionally, a live performance can be viewed on YouTube.