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ABBA — Fernando
Album: ABBA Gold
Avg rating:
6.5

Your rating:
Total ratings: 1514









Released: 1977
Length: 4:05
Plays (last 30 days): 0
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Can you hear the drums, Fernando?
I remember long ago another starry night like this
In the firelight, Fernando
You were humming to yourself and softly strumming your guitar
I could hear the distant drums
And sounds of bugle calls were coming from afar

They were closer now, Fernando
Every hour, every minute, seemed to last eternally
I was so afraid, Fernando
We were young and full of life and none of us prepared to die
And I'm not ashamed to say
The roar of guns and cannons almost made me cry

There was something in the air that night
The stars were bright, Fernando
They were shining there for you and me
For liberty, Fernando
Though I never thought that we could lose
There's no regret
If I had to do the same again
I would, my friend, Fernando

Now we're old and grey, Fernando
And since many years I haven't seen a rifle in your hand
Can you hear the drums, Fernando?
Do you still recall the frightful night we crossed the Rio Grande?
I can see it in your eyes
How proud you were to fight for freedom in this land

There was something in the air that night
The stars were bright, Fernando
They were shining there for you and me
For liberty, Fernando
Though I never thought that we could lose
There's no regret
If I had to do the same again
I would, my friend, Fernando

There was something in the air that night
The stars were bright, Fernando
They were shining there for you and me
For liberty, Fernando
Though I never thought that we could lose
There's no regret
If I had to do the same again
I would, my friend, Fernando
Yes, if I had to do the same again
I would, my friend, Fernando...
Comments (232)add comment
knowing me knowing you...
Posted 2 months ago by waterschap    [ Reply ]
 ipestell wrote:

Generally I quite like ABBA, but this is not one of their best, the production of the girl's voices is not good, they are better than that.



not my favorite of theirs either but nostalgia. I have fond memories of my sister and I pretending to be Abba. 
Posted 4 months ago by smartn1    [ Reply ]
ABBA!!
Posted 4 months ago by smartn1    [ Reply ]
Cher singing this song to Andy Garcia in Mama Mia 2....so great! 
Posted 5 months ago by diannemck56    [ Reply ]
Generally I quite like ABBA, but this is not one of their best, the production of the girl's voices is not good, they are better than that.
Posted 5 months ago by ipestell    [ Reply ]
When I listen to this song, I imagine myself at a roller skating rink with the colored sparkles rotating around the rink. The wind in my face and in a trance without a care in the world.
Posted 6 months ago by TheGolfster    [ Reply ]
I admit, ABBA was not my favorite back in the day but have grown to really enjoy & appreciate more of their music. No matter what the opinion was then and now they were one of the biggest groups in the world.
Posted 6 months ago by romangaslan    [ Reply ]
it was drek back then, it's still drek 
Posted 6 months ago by onemorebyte    [ Reply ]
Blimey 
Posted 6 months ago by lovelyhelicopter    [ Reply ]
I admit I really like this Abba song - it's romantic, heroic
and sad. 
Posted 7 months ago by makelings    [ Reply ]
 steviedeant wrote:

Don't tell anybody, but I like this song.

Me too. And I can see Priscilla sailing across the Desert or Murial coming into her own.

Posted 8 months ago by sunybuny    [ Reply ]
Long live RP for being different
Posted 9 months ago by Easyrider    [ Reply ]
 timmus wrote:

 Thank you Bill... even ABBA deserves some airplay here.  You definitely picked their best song.


I disagree. Their best song (in my opinion) was the b-side of their first single (and Eurovision winning song, 1974) it was called 'Watch Out' and sounded nothing like anything else they did. Just my tu'pence worth as always. Cheers. 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?...
Posted 1 year ago by springof63    [ Reply ]
 Thank you Bill... even ABBA deserves some airplay here.  You definitely picked their best song.
Posted 1 year ago by timmus    [ Reply ]
So happy to hear this, back in the day only the females would admit to liking this.
 
Posted 1 year ago by SRAY    [ Reply ]
Can you hear the drums?
Posted 1 year ago by bader1489    [ Reply ]
Slim Borgudd died today. He was ABBA ‚s drummer. RIP
Posted 1 year ago by bader1489    [ Reply ]
I wonder how many people ABBA exposed to world history by this song?  As many as Les Misérables?  
Posted 1 year ago by Grayson    [ Reply ]
Skip!
Posted 1 year ago by springof63    [ Reply ]
 steviedeant wrote:

Don't tell anybody, but I like this song.




You shouldn't be shy about ABBA in any respect. Guys (BB) are just great composers in the pop music field they choose. And the girls (AA) perfectly interpreted these songs.  I think this stands beyond the usual '(musical)' tastes are not under discussion' statement. 
Posted 1 year ago by Pjesnik    [ Reply ]
They were shining there for you and me
For liberty, Fernando
 
OK after 45 years I finally figure out it's not "for you and me, for me and tea".
Posted 2 years ago by timmus    [ Reply ]
 BCarn wrote:

Everyone loves or likes ABBA or at least a song or two. If they deny it, they're lying.



Who are you calling a liar?
Posted 2 years ago by Edweirdo    [ Reply ]
PSD now!
Posted 2 years ago by marysclark    [ Reply ]
 BCarn wrote:

Everyone loves or likes ABBA or at least a song or two. If they deny it, they're lying.


I like quite a few ABBA songs, though this is not one of my favorites.  I did see them in concert in 1979 at Radio City Music Hall.  In contrast, that was about two weeks after I had seen The Clash at The Palladium.
Posted 2 years ago by Proclivities    [ Reply ]
I never cared for ABBA. Just not my cup of tea. I originally rated this song a 3 when I first heard it here on RP. However, today I paid closer attention to the vocals. They really have a unique and beautiful blending of voices on this song. I think I'll raise my rating.
Posted 2 years ago by Laptopdog    [ Reply ]
What a hoot! Bravo!
Posted 2 years ago by bimmerfan739    [ Reply ]
Oh wow, never thought I'd hear this on RP....
Posted 2 years ago by newbolddrive    [ Reply ]
 Pieter wrote:

OMG. Is this allowed?



RP man.  Love it or leave it.  Or hit PSD.....
Posted 2 years ago by gerritv    [ Reply ]
 davidgweeden wrote:

been listening to RP a few months now and its rare I really, really dislike a song or a band..  usually they blow me away or occasionally not my cuppa, but I really, really don't like ABBA. I don't know why, but its one of the few bands and this song is my least fav that gives me the heebie jeebies...



Part of the magic of RP is listening to songs you've heard before in an entirely different context/light/perspective. I believe this is accomplished by the song sets that Bill and Rebecca choose. Although you may be listening to a song you've heard hundreds, if not thousands, of times before; on RP you are hearing it before and after a songs that you likely have not previously heard played together. Bill and Rebecca create their playlists based off from musical themes and patterns that are often subtle and cross genres and time. This creates a new context which allows you to let go of preconceived notions and find you may actually like the song. I'm a long-time RP listener and can't count how many times this has happened to me. Welcome to RP and enjoy!
Posted 2 years ago by Kajukenbo    [ Reply ]
This has always been my #1 favourite Abba song.
Posted 2 years ago by lewisv66    [ Reply ]
never owned an ABBA record, or wanted to. Now I have the Cher version in my head after a Graham Norton clip memory, I think...please play something catchy?!
Posted 2 years ago by xcranky_yankee    [ Reply ]

So.. What actual went down that night?

They didn't think they could lose.. But did they?



I didn't get that far.  I'm still trying to figure out who shot the deputy.
Posted 2 years ago by david927    [ Reply ]
 nickt1 wrote:

This is completely inconsistent with RPs policy of not playing top 40 songs that were bashed to death to the point they have become painful. 
Bill if you think you are being clever or funny - you are not.



Where exactly is this policy you speak of?

From the "who they are" section of this website:

"Together they have created a radio station quite unlike any other — one that breaks more rules than it follows. Their goal is to create a station that you can listen to every day, for as long as you choose, and remain entertained, delighted,  and surprised by their music choices."

This definitely surprised me, and having not heard it ever before on RP, I was delighted because I enjoyed it more than I expected to.
Posted 2 years ago by GwaiLo    [ Reply ]
OK.  This band has a few catchy, cheeesy pop songs. 

This ain't one of them. This sucks. 

What's next: the Osmonds? Bobby Sherman?  
Posted 2 years ago by idiot_wind    [ Reply ]
Pop perfection
Posted 3 years ago by pfreet    [ Reply ]
All I can think of is Bea Arthur with a rose between her teeth.
Posted 3 years ago by aelfheld    [ Reply ]
 steviedeant wrote:

Don't tell anybody, but I like this song.



I hate this song. It's my 1st name and you can imagine... 
Posted 3 years ago by fcatalao    [ Reply ]
Ha ha. Not normal RP material. But I love it.
Posted 3 years ago by Madness1954    [ Reply ]
A segue. Submitted for your approval. 

Claude Debussy "Jardins sous la pluie" ---> Abba "Fernando"


posted 12 years ago by Pieter:
OMG. Is this allowed?

hortsman wrote:
It is his station. I'm sure he's sitting back reading the comments and laughing his silly ass off.
Way to go Bill, shake it up.
Posted 3 years ago by kcar    [ Reply ]
 folkes.tom wrote:

I was thinking exactly the same thing when this came on. It is a pleasant song. Don't tell my friends



In '77 this was a guilty pleasure, never spoken of. Years later I found several friends felt the same way, Solid 7 for me.
Posted 3 years ago by Kilgoretrout    [ Reply ]
 steviedeant wrote:

Don't tell anybody, but I like this song.




i had to log in to say i completely hate this song, and abba as well
Posted 3 years ago by ra67195708    [ Reply ]
 pbouchar wrote:

All I have to say about this song is....I was 11 when it came out.




And i was 1
Posted 3 years ago by jasko    [ Reply ]
The older I get the more I appreciate the simple craftsmanship ABBA produced. They are one of those cultural phenomenons you can't fully grasp at the time but thankfully as time moves on you see how music can unify us regardless of where you come from. 
Posted 3 years ago by Toronto_Bhoy    [ Reply ]
 steviedeant wrote:
Don't tell anybody, but I like this song.
 
I was thinking exactly the same thing when this came on. It is a pleasant song. Don't tell my friends
Posted 3 years ago by folkes.tom    [ Reply ]
All I have to say about this song is....I was 11 when it came out.
Posted 3 years ago by pbouchar    [ Reply ]
The lyrics are better than the vocal style

YMMV
Posted 3 years ago by radioparadise9    [ Reply ]
 steviedeant wrote:
Don't tell anybody, but I like this song.
 

I won't. Believe me.
Posted 3 years ago by sunnyS    [ Reply ]
I'm sure I love something that others find as loathsome as I find this. Hitting the PSD button to find it.
Posted 3 years ago by dwlangham    [ Reply ]
 uxbiff wrote:
Hearing this I just had to check the comments. It didn’t let me down! Another RP moment
 
Agree...just to see how many minds explode over a quite joyful song.  Isn't that anger better reserved for bigger issues like hunger, social injustice, pollution etc?  
Keep the mix going Bill, Rebecca & the RP team!
Posted 3 years ago by kanabeanz    [ Reply ]
I used to love their song SOS!!!
Posted 3 years ago by molson    [ Reply ]
Much simpler, down to Earth times. Will be dearly missed. <3
Posted 3 years ago by maboleth    [ Reply ]
I can't hear Abba w/o thinking of some cousins of mine in Ireland. I spent a few summers there as a kid in the 70s and we got into a passionate argument about who was the greater band, Abba or the Beatles. I had no idea how huge Abba was in Europe then.

bumped from 6 to 7
Posted 3 years ago by phlattop    [ Reply ]
This song makes me happy and I don't even know Fernando.
Posted 4 years ago by d16rr702    [ Reply ]
 Pumpkincat wrote:
Guilty pleasure! Play the whole album! 
 
Sweet guilty pleasure.  Abba reminds me of Australia. Thanks Muriel.
Posted 4 years ago by sunybuny    [ Reply ]
Guilty pleasure! Play the whole album! 
Posted 4 years ago by Pumpkincat    [ Reply ]
 Mackmoney3000 wrote:
Landing on this track after a piece by Debussy is why we're here.
 
Word. :)
Posted 4 years ago by k1j2cat    [ Reply ]
Landing on this track after a piece by Debussy is why we're here.
Posted 4 years ago by Mackmoney3000    [ Reply ]
No rating. Just listened to Claude Debussy -> now ABBA -> What's next?! -> ZAPPA? 
I hope so, 'cause in the 70s we had the 2 opposing fan groups: ABBA or ZAPPA at school. :) 
Posted 4 years ago by Piego    [ Reply ]
Yes. And More.
Posted 4 years ago by ace-marc    [ Reply ]
HaHa... Just ended a Teams meeting and this was playing...

First thought was 'What the hell has my computer done'...

Thanks guys - Quality
Posted 4 years ago by meanderer    [ Reply ]
Frequency distribution of ratings shows equal number of 1s and 10s. Interesting. 
Otherwise, ABBA rulz. 
Posted 4 years ago by Pjesnik    [ Reply ]
So.. What actual went down that night?

They didn't think they could lose.. But did they?
Posted 4 years ago by edwinlegters    [ Reply ]
I had just started my career in radio as a new announcer/dj when this song was breaking. I became so sick of it, it forever turned me off anything by ABBA. So, these are the times I appreciate the 'Advance' function on RP!  (And, thus I  have not and will never watch "Momma Mia"..)
Posted 4 years ago by Chwkbud    [ Reply ]
These guys were FANTASTIC at times. Brilliant songwriting and performance. No shame in loving them.
Posted 4 years ago by Steely_D    [ Reply ]
Everyone loves or likes ABBA or at least a song or two. If they deny it, they're lying.
Posted 4 years ago by BCarn    [ Reply ]
Ouch
Posted 4 years ago by danoboy075484205    [ Reply ]
SEE YA....... 
Posted 4 years ago by aspicer    [ Reply ]
Love it! Guilty pleasure
Posted 4 years ago by tlbritton    [ Reply ]
 SpinyNorma wrote:
At some point back in the late seventies when I was a teen, I had the legend, 'KILL ABBA' on my bedroom door.  I don't remember when the switch in the Department of Music Appreciation in my noggin got thrown, but I appreciate their genius in my mid-fifties.  Who'd've thunk it?
 
Pretty much sums up how I feel also.
Posted 4 years ago by NoisyMiner    [ Reply ]
Oh Non au secours!
Posted 4 years ago by Surfeurseb    [ Reply ]
By all means, play Abba but please make it "The Day Before  You Came" 
Posted 4 years ago by Alastair    [ Reply ]
Abba showed us that the family business is something that might not work well.
Posted 4 years ago by pawelcitak83    [ Reply ]
Posted 4 years ago by noe.architecte169    [ Reply ]
You have a great sense of humour Bill 😂🤣😂🤣
Posted 4 years ago by mach-hog    [ Reply ]
 horstman wrote:

It is his station. I'm sure he's sitting back reading the comments and laughing his silly ass off.

Way to go Bill, shake it up.

 

I, for one am grateful.
This is what makes RP worth getting up for in the morning.
And why I love Bill and Rebecca so. 
Keep on shaking on.
Posted 4 years ago by memoryboxer    [ Reply ]
Abba and I were ships passing in the night - and I am fine with that.
Posted 4 years ago by NeilBlanchard    [ Reply ]
 aelfheld wrote:
 planet_lizard wrote:
Love it when you through in a gem like this that'll annoy the music snobs!
 

1) It's 'throw', not 'through'

2) One doesn't have to be a music snob to find this unbearably saccharine.

 

Posted 4 years ago by inozjeff    [ Reply ]
I really dislike ABBA and this song in particular

But

I will fight to keep it playing
Posted 4 years ago by ExploitingChaos    [ Reply ]
Good memories. This reminds me of being at my grandmother's house. She liked ABBA and Neil Diamond.   
Posted 4 years ago by TestForEcho    [ Reply ]
I prefer ABBA's later stuff, when the angst in their ranks came out in the writing
Posted 4 years ago by jkforde    [ Reply ]
At some point back in the late seventies when I was a teen, I had the legend, 'KILL ABBA' on my bedroom door.  I don't remember when the switch in the Department of Music Appreciation in my noggin got thrown, but I appreciate their genius in my mid-fifties.  Who'd've thunk it?
Posted 4 years ago by SpinyNorma    [ Reply ]
I know a lot of RP listeners hate this. However, many of
their songs are pop classics;;;;;I have to give this hit a "8"..
Posted 4 years ago by neptunejeff    [ Reply ]
ok, I succumb. {#Propeller}  Bill wins the universe.

 
Posted 4 years ago by NoEnzLefttoSplit    [ Reply ]
Penso em ti Fernando.

  rate 10 
Posted 4 years ago by sonymagellan    [ Reply ]
No sir I didn't like em
Posted 4 years ago by murr69st335    [ Reply ]
 philbertr wrote:
 
Yeah your right it REALLY is crap and polarizes listeners the Donald would be proud!
Posted 4 years ago by nickt1    [ Reply ]
 planet_lizard wrote:
Love it when you through in a gem like this that'll annoy the music snobs!
 
You mean polarize listeners by playing insipid top 40 -way to go RP!
Posted 4 years ago by nickt1    [ Reply ]
I guess the US no longer has a functioning democracy and is technically a dictatorship and nobody is doing anything about helps explain why RP is playing insipid top 40 music that was bashed to death (outside the US at least) and RP calls this "eclectic" and "diverse"but as intended has the effect of polarizing.
Posted 4 years ago by nickt1    [ Reply ]
Giving this a 10 because my older -- and coincidentally gay -- brother  graced my childhood with Abba, Abba and Abba. Thanks, bro'! And thanks Bill and Rebecca.
Posted 4 years ago by mattenuttall    [ Reply ]
Posted 4 years ago by Dj_Yonke    [ Reply ]
Whaaaaaaaaaaat!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Posted 4 years ago by tomperth1    [ Reply ]
 nickt1 wrote:
This is completely inconsistent with RPs policy of not playing top 40 songs that were bashed to death to the point they have become painful. 
Bill if you think you are being clever or funny - you are not.
 
I think you must have missed his intro. Yeah, it got "bashed into his head", but he kind of likes it there now. I don't object. Not that it matters a bunch.
Oh, and playing it is entirely in keeping with RP’s actual policy of playing any recorded song from any genre or decade that they darn well feel like playing. For which policy I am grateful even though it does entail enduring or skipping some songs. The net positive enjoyment more than compensates. 
Posted 4 years ago by easmann    [ Reply ]
There is nothing wrong with ABBA on Radio Paradise. But why this song? They made a lot better.
Posted 4 years ago by justin4kick    [ Reply ]
Where are the jumpsuits? 
Posted 4 years ago by idiot_wind    [ Reply ]
Not my favourite ABBA song, but still not bad. How about Slipping Through My Fingers? Get all the mums (and possibly a few dads) crying. 😉
Posted 4 years ago by andy.ormsby955    [ Reply ]
 Proclivities wrote:

ABBA had a lot of songs that I like, not this one so much though.  I'm glad Bill plays them though - it is funny to see some of the outraged comments here.
 
Funny, and thankfully for me (having not been old enough yet) this WAS NOT sledgehammered into my brain back in the day...so I'll go +1 to 5 on this one...Long Live RP with or without a sledgehammer!! 
Posted 4 years ago by lizardking    [ Reply ]
 redart wrote:


I don't care who you tell, I like this song too.  In fact, I like a lot of ABBA's music.......always have, always will.   Modern pop music owes an awful lot to Sweden's fab four, IMO.   Tack för musiken, ABBA  
 
ABBA had a lot of songs that I like, not this one so much though.  I'm glad Bill plays them though - it is funny to see some of the outraged comments here.
Posted 4 years ago by Proclivities    [ Reply ]
ABBA?

I always wondered why you never played them? Been listening a long time - never heard them.

Delighted you did.

Thanks
Posted 4 years ago by Captain_Leisure    [ Reply ]
Sweden's biggest export after Volvo. A 10.
Posted 4 years ago by 25demayo    [ Reply ]
Just very good. 

Dancing Queen -  10
Posted 4 years ago by philip1    [ Reply ]
 steviedeant wrote:
Don't tell anybody, but I like this song.
 
Why not? I'm seriously asking. Do you care what other people think about your musical tastes? Do you noly listen to RP with headphones on? 
Posted 4 years ago by pfreet    [ Reply ]
 tonyjory wrote:
Oh! And "Chiquita" "Voulez-vous" - all of 'em!!

 

Posted 4 years ago by tonyjory    [ Reply ]
 tonyjory wrote:
Abba - Genius pop!

 

Posted 4 years ago by tonyjory    [ Reply ]
 Rockit9 wrote:
Come on..That chorus HOOK makes this a great POP song.
 

Posted 4 years ago by tonyjory    [ Reply ]
Come on..That chorus HOOK makes this a great POP song.
Posted 4 years ago by Rockit9    [ Reply ]
One of the best from a group that dominated the world for a decade and produced some of the best pop music ever recorded. Sheer genius!
If you told me I could only have an ABBA CD or a Led Zeppelin CD on the desert island, I'd have a tough time deciding. They both give me goosebumps for different reasons.
Thankfully, I don't have to decide. Radio Paradise gives me ABBA to Zep and everything in between.
Long live RP! Thank you Bill and Rebecca!
  
Posted 4 years ago by agkagk    [ Reply ]
Okay, yeah, this is pop, even silly pop, but like most Abba hits, it's fun and super hummable.  I was a member of the rock vs disco era, and now I think that whole thing is nuts.  I just enjoy Abba, even if not as much as a lot of bands out there.
Posted 4 years ago by cely    [ Reply ]
Well I unashamedly love ABBA. I love nearly every track they ever released. There are less saccharine songs though, that aren’t disco.
Posted 5 years ago by MrsTom    [ Reply ]
Jetzt muss ich mir auch hier trivialen ABBA-Scheiß anhören! Ich bin echt enttäuscht und schalte aus.
Posted 5 years ago by ger-man    [ Reply ]
In the same way I do when any Coldplay comes around, I was just about to turn this off ... but then didn't. In a screwed up world, we actually need more Abba. So there.
Posted 5 years ago by ncarus    [ Reply ]
 steviedeant wrote:
Don't tell anybody, but I like this song.
 

I don't care who you tell, I like this song too.  In fact, I like a lot of ABBA's music.......always have, always will.   Modern pop music owes an awful lot to Sweden's fab four, IMO.   Tack för musiken, ABBA  
Posted 5 years ago by redart    [ Reply ]
When you're known for playing an eccentric mix, you play an eccentric mix. Bravo!
Posted 5 years ago by xray38    [ Reply ]
 well played Bill, well played indeed...
Posted 5 years ago by sjmorrison2    [ Reply ]
SEE YA! .....gotta PSD right away!
Posted 5 years ago by aspicer    [ Reply ]
And now for something completely different...
Posted 5 years ago by StfuDonny    [ Reply ]
I was busy doing "stuff" but had to check out the comments when I heard this song come on.  Pop and popular as it was, and probably still is, I have to admit that it makes a nice change once in awhile from the "heavier" normal playlist.
Posted 5 years ago by dandueck07    [ Reply ]
I thought my computer was playing a trick on me.
Posted 5 years ago by mrgus    [ Reply ]
Well, for '77, at least it isn't disco. 
Posted 5 years ago by rharvey658    [ Reply ]
 planet_lizard wrote:
Love it when you through in a gem like this that'll annoy the music snobs!
 

1) It's 'throw', not 'through'

2) One doesn't have to be a music snob to find this unbearably saccharine.

Posted 5 years ago by aelfheld    [ Reply ]
 steviedeant wrote:
Don't tell anybody, but I like this song.
 

I know, right? Don't care for ABBA, but have always liked this song, popular in high school
Posted 5 years ago by LaurieinTucson    [ Reply ]