Introduction
“When All Is Said and Done” is a song by ABBA, released in 1981 as a single from their album The Visitors. It was written by ABBA’s primary songwriters Benny Andersson and Björn Ulvaeus, with the song reflecting a more introspective and somber tone compared to some of the group’s earlier hits. The lyrics speak to the emotional aftermath of a relationship, where the romanticized notion of love fades and gives way to the harsh realities of life, suggesting that after everything is said and done, the most important thing left is the understanding that life goes on.
The song is characterized by its poignant melody and reflective mood, with the vocal harmonies of Agnetha Fältskog and Anni-Frid Lyngstad carrying much of the emotional weight. “When All Is Said and Done” was one of the tracks that marked a transition in ABBA’s music as the band faced internal struggles, including the dissolution of both of the group’s couples (Agnetha and Björn, Anni-Frid and Benny), which inevitably influenced their songwriting. This shift towards more mature and emotional subject matter reflected the end of an era for ABBA, as The Visitors was their final studio album before they went on an indefinite hiatus.
While “When All Is Said and Done” did not achieve the same level of commercial success as some of ABBA’s previous chart-toppers, it remains a fan favorite for its emotional depth and the mature sound it introduced to the band’s music. The song remains one of ABBA’s most notable examples of their ability to tackle complex themes through their music.