I know I’ve been ragging on McCain — he deserves it, and oh so much more — but amazingly enough, I found something we agree on: McCain likes ABBA. He even says so on his community blog.
I’ve mentioned the group once or twice on the blog before. And it’s true: I like ABBA. I’ve been a fan since I was about 12. My older brother had a couple of their albums (yeah, yeah, albums, with vinyl inside and everything) and I used to listen to them. I was pretty unhappy when they broke up in the 80s, and was hopeful when Frieda released a new song, but it didn’t catch on (though in fact I liked it).
A few years ago Mrs. BA and caught "Mamma Mia!" in San Francisco, and loved it. I’d go again if I could. I can sing most ABBA songs by heart, or with a little prompting. I still think Agnetha is hot (or was, I guess). I watched "Muriel’s Wedding" and "Priscilla, Queen of the Desert".
So there you go. McCain and me, with common ground. I’ll forgo all the obvious puns here, but I can’t resist: I’m hoping that come November, after saying Take a Chance on Me, McCain will face his Waterloo because people don’t want Bush’s policies to go On and On and On. McCain will finally understand that The Winner Takes It All*, forgo sending out an S.O.S, and finally be forced to say So Long.
But hey! When All is Said and Done, that’s the Name of the Game.
*The song is actually about losing.
June 8th, 2008 at 10:29 pm
That is the most frightening (and awesome) Photoshop I’ve ever seen…
June 8th, 2008 at 10:32 pm
Mamma Mia (the song itself) could be his ‘maverick’ anthem.
June 8th, 2008 at 10:35 pm
Ack! Now I will never remember ABBA in the same pleasant way that I always have. Funny, Funny pic!
June 8th, 2008 at 10:35 pm
It takes a very secure man to make a confession like this.
June 8th, 2008 at 10:36 pm
AYE CARUMBA!
June 8th, 2008 at 10:38 pm
I doubt he sincerely likes ABBA. He’s probably just pandering for the Disco vote.
June 8th, 2008 at 10:39 pm
Gimme! Gimme! Gimme!
Gimme freedom from religion.
Gimme freedom from McCain
June 8th, 2008 at 10:41 pm
I also sincerely like ABBA. Now listening to Knowing Me, Knowing You. Weeeee, woohoo!
June 8th, 2008 at 10:49 pm
D’oh! I could’ve made a Disco ‘tute joke!
June 8th, 2008 at 10:51 pm
ABBA, for Saturn’s sake?!! Next thing I know, you’ll be saying you don’t like Rush. Please, no!
June 8th, 2008 at 10:55 pm
For the record: I like Bee Gees too. More than ABBA…
June 8th, 2008 at 10:55 pm
I always wondered what you looked like with hair!!!!!!
June 8th, 2008 at 10:57 pm
I also like Pink Floyd, Led Zeppelin, Deep Purple, Black Sabbath, etc…
Just felt like posting something more manly to be sure…
Need a beer
June 8th, 2008 at 11:19 pm
Ugh! What a shocking picture …
ABBA may not be cool (okay I’ll admit I don’t mind their songs either …) but McCain is really NOT cool!
USA-ites; please, please do NOT vote for that stupid, ugly man from a stupid ugly and evil pro-war, pro-Big Oil party. Voting retardican the last few times with George the lesser has surely done your nation and the rest of the globe more than enough damage.
&, hey, apparently Barack Obama is a Star Trek fan.
Star Trek fans have more in common with good pro-science, pro-sanity people than ABBA fans any day!
June 8th, 2008 at 11:22 pm
“stupid, * ugly * man” :
‘Ugly’ here meaning ugly (in fact hideous) in terms of ethics and personal character more than his physical appearance – although that’s pretty bad too!
June 8th, 2008 at 11:35 pm
Can I make a plea for everyone here to nip this sort of puerile name-calling in the bud? I don’t care what you say about the candidates themselves (within reason) but using these babyish, stupid, offensive names for the party you oppose isn’t clever, it isn’t funny, and it cheapens the political debate to the point where mudslinging would be a more honorable pursuit.
Most people here know I disagree vehemently with the Republican party, but this type of name-calling gets us nowhere. (Not to mention it violates Phil’s first rule about comments — Be Polite).
June 8th, 2008 at 11:40 pm
Phil, have you blogged about this:
http://blog.washingtonpost.com/the-trail/2008/06/05/mccain_wants_a_man_on_mars.html
yet? Perhaps this is something else you agree on.
Archie
June 8th, 2008 at 11:49 pm
Actually, ‘retarded’, literally, just means ‘lagging behind’. If you look through the perspective of the shifting zeitgeist, republicans DO seem to be often lagging behind.
So the word retardican does not need to mean something inpolite (if you look at it creatively)
June 9th, 2008 at 12:11 am
ABBA.
Phil, you would have lost less respect from me if you claimed to have gone Born Again, and were giving up your blog to be a regular contributer to Hoagland’s site.
And now, a grown engineer will weep.
June 9th, 2008 at 12:14 am
Since he’s a Republican we can assume he’s not a “Dancing Queen”?
BTW:
http://messagesfromearth.files.wordpress.com/2008/06/rescue-john-mccain2.jpg
June 9th, 2008 at 12:33 am
I just saw Mama Mia today in St. Louis…a lot of fun.
June 9th, 2008 at 1:05 am
Well, it is nice to see you can agree with McCain on something. We’ll turn you into a McCain supporter yet (hopefully by November ‘08 and I all but guarantee it by November ‘12).
StevoR, who else would I vote for? Obama…umm, no. Seems like a very nice man…but he seems too much like my generation’s Jimmy Carter.
Archangel, good point!
June 9th, 2008 at 1:08 am
BA, if you’re coming back to London you can catch “Mamma Mia”, I could arrange it, all you have to do is Ring Ring.
Also, soon you can catch the movie and treat it to a “Bad Astronomy review”: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0795421/
Trivia: Did you know that Frida did the female voice heard on Adam Ant’s “Strip”? And that the whole Album was recorded in the ABBA studios in Stockholm?
It’s a bit of a worry that I know these things, but I have an understanding wife
June 9th, 2008 at 1:16 am
Shame on you even for just guessing “Agnetha *was* hot”, does your mother know? A woman like that will always be hot, there’s something about her “hotness” that nothing can ever take away.
Otherwise, great post …
Michael
June 9th, 2008 at 1:22 am
Hi Phil!
Did you know Björn Ulvaeus is an active critic of religion? You guys would have been good friends.
June 9th, 2008 at 2:20 am
I agree with Tacitus:
I abhor the use of the word “retarded” in any context, as I am the parent of a mentally and physically disabled child. Just something that really bugs me, and I wish people wouldn’t use it.
June 9th, 2008 at 2:52 am
OMG!!! I just realized that was Phil! Ironic since a bunch of us in the chat room were looking at Emily and said if only Phil looked like that! Then someone suggested you wear a wig.
I must say… you’re no Emily, but are you free next Saturday…?
June 9th, 2008 at 3:40 am
I’m waiting for this thread to devolve into an argument as to why there’s never been a gay Star Trek character.
June 9th, 2008 at 3:41 am
In near-infrared spectroscopic observations, the prescribed telescopic nodding technique is known as the ABBA pattern. So in addition to the smooth vocals and melodious turns of phrase, there’s an astronomical-extra-musical reason for your love of ABBA songs.
June 9th, 2008 at 5:15 am
I almost fell of my chair when I saw that pic :’)
June 9th, 2008 at 5:16 am
Sideshow Bob style shudder…
June 9th, 2008 at 5:26 am
You’re going to give me nightmares…
June 9th, 2008 at 5:59 am
There are somethings that one never discloses to the world….Being an Abba fan is one Taboo that should never be spoken about.
June 9th, 2008 at 6:20 am
You forgot to mention McCain’s lobbyist policy (”Money, Money, Money”), the Bush administration’s attitude towards McCain (”One of Us”), and his justification for stripping crucial constitutional rights (”Under Attack”).
June 9th, 2008 at 7:07 am
Gosh, what is that fluttering I hear? Moonbats!
June 9th, 2008 at 7:09 am
Hey, now you look like Aphex twin’s ugly twin! AWEScUM! >:))
June 9th, 2008 at 7:30 am
I’m still doing double-takes on the link provided. I think some of my brain cells just cried out in unison before ceasing all communication.
June 9th, 2008 at 7:42 am
Thanks for the laugh this morning. After the last 4 days surrounded by floodwaters here in central Indiana, I really needed a little dose of silly. I may make that picture my phone’s wallpaper for a day or two.
June 9th, 2008 at 7:59 am
The Bad Astronomer:
D’oh! I could’ve made a Disco ‘tute joke!
I thought Cocaine was ‘disco toot’…..
J/P=?
June 9th, 2008 at 8:29 am
Love ABBA! Have for 30 years. I know most of their songs by heart. Nice to see I’m not the only guy who does.
June 9th, 2008 at 8:41 am
“Burn Baby Burn, Disco Inferno…”
June 9th, 2008 at 8:45 am
The BA is an ABBA fan?
That’s not true!
That’s IMPOSSIBLE!
June 9th, 2008 at 9:05 am
If you put a mirror at the front of BA, you get the ABBA standard logo:
http://www.abbaannual.com/1976.htm
Coincidence? Hmmmm….
June 9th, 2008 at 9:12 am
It’s like a wizard letting people know his real name. I think we can totally take control of the BA now and bend him to our will! I’ll get the cauldron…
June 9th, 2008 at 9:32 am
Phil,
I owe you a HUGE thank you. Unfortunately, I have been constipated for about 4-5 days now. Luckily, I had the pleasure of viewing your Abba pic first thing this morning which caused immediate and uncontrollable loss of all bowel control. (Dumb & Dumber toilet scene comes to mind)
June 9th, 2008 at 9:34 am
@QD:
Like a human telling Adama he’s the final Cylon…
*stops BSG blabbering*
June 9th, 2008 at 9:46 am
Eeeewwwww! I didn’t need to see this on Monday morning. Now I’m trying to purge “Dancing Queen” from playing in my brain. Where’s the icepick?
June 9th, 2008 at 9:52 am
I thought Phil was against manned spaceflight and all in favor of robotic exploration. Is that not so, Phil?
June 9th, 2008 at 9:52 am
“Gosh, what is that fluttering I hear? Moonbats!” – Better than the constant whine of wingnuts!
June 9th, 2008 at 9:56 am
my sympathies
but, it doesn’t make you a bad person
June 9th, 2008 at 10:23 am
Agnetha Still hot?
http://www.moonchildproductions.net/blog/images/agnetha.jpg
Not in my book:
http://aycu28.webshots.com/image/29907/2003842565112855288_rs.jpg
June 9th, 2008 at 10:59 am
StevoR:
ST:Voyager had an episode where they escaped a singularity by slipping out a crack in the event horizon. ST hasn’t exactly been the paragon of scientific accuracy. FWIW Red Dwarf was more accurate than ST . . .
June 9th, 2008 at 11:01 am
BJN:
No! Not the icepick! Quickly now: Recite the lyrics to “Disco Duck.” That should purge it.
June 9th, 2008 at 11:17 am
Phil, That image is pure gold. Thanks.
June 9th, 2008 at 11:17 am
@Bonogamy:
You are kidding right? You have seen the ST uniforms from every series? I’m still wondering if there is a straight ST Character!
June 9th, 2008 at 11:22 am
ABBA was the first band I was *prepared* to go see in concert. Alas, they canceled the show in Washington DC. I don’t think I put much thought in how I would get to the concert since I couldn’t drive yet. And, they were the first and last album I bought from K-Tel records, purchased within minutes of seeing “Magic of ABBA” on TV and going to the store. I caught “Mama Mia!” in NYC when I was down there for a weekend — $20 for standing room!
June 9th, 2008 at 11:54 am
The sad thing is, there are quite a few voters who make their electoral decisions based on even dumber reasons than this.
Hmm… I wonder if Obama is a Browncoat?
June 9th, 2008 at 12:56 pm
There should be a constellation named ABBA IMO, with the brightest star being Agnatha.
–swoon–
June 9th, 2008 at 1:15 pm
@ gg:
You forgot to mention McCain’s lobbyist policy (”Money, Money, Money”), the Bush administration’s attitude towards McCain (”One of Us”), and his justification for stripping crucial constitutional rights (”Under Attack”).
or do you mean…
McCain’s policy toward earmarks – “never taken ‘em!”
McCain’s policy toward the Bush admin – “I’m with Feigold and Kennedy!”
Now, regarding “crucial constitutional rights,” I’d like to be told what rights have been stripped! If a man woke from an eight year coma right after Obama had been sworn in, aside from ridiculous gas prices as a result of oil speculators, not the Bush admin. (funny the Dem. congress HASN’T DONE ANYTHING ABOUT GAS PRICES!!!), he would notice no difference. I’m so sick of bumper-sticker liberals ambiguously complaining about the freedoms they’ve lost without citing anything specific!
June 9th, 2008 at 3:28 pm
Actually, the gas prices only doubled AFTER the Democrats “took over” Congress. While there was some up and down in the first six years of the Bush Administration, it was the election of Democrats in ‘06 that triggered the huge price increases. Just like in the 60’s, and again in the 70’s. When will “educated” people finally understand Keyensian Economics don’t work?
Funny how people love to BDS, but don’t want to admit the fact that the current economic conditions have anything to do with the do-nothing incompetents currently running the National Legislature. But, good news! We now have a promise of higher taxes and other economy stopping measures if Obama gets elected. Not to mention Maxine Waters’ plan to nationalize the oil industry!
Robert
June 9th, 2008 at 4:48 pm
Michael: Um, your McCain quotations are not in the form of an ABBA song, thus demonstrating a lack of humor and a skin thinner than that on soup.
Robert: Much the same comment here. Also, this isn’t the place to have a lengthy debate on politics (this is primarily a science blog; go rant at Little Green Footballs if you feel the urge), but gas prices have increased pretty much continuously since Bush came into office.
In other words, get out of your “Dream World” and take your rant to “Another Town, Another Train”.
Thank you! Goodnight!
June 9th, 2008 at 5:07 pm
I like ABBA too, and have since I was 6 or 7. My wife unfortunately loathes such music. We are discoherent in that respect.
June 9th, 2008 at 5:32 pm
BA, what antimatter universe are you from? ABBA and Doctor Who? That’s a taste spectrum that means instant annihilation should the two ever meet! What powerful electromagnetic force is keeping you from exploding?
June 9th, 2008 at 5:45 pm
My girlfriend and her daughter in the next room keep asking me what I’m laughing at, and I refuse to tell them. That picture was like getting hit in the face with a large fish: painful, but still funny.
I think Malcom in the Middle still has the best ABBA tribute I’ve seen, though.
June 9th, 2008 at 6:31 pm
Thanks, Phil, you made my day. But tell me, do you have their entire back catalogue on 24-bit digitally-remastered CDs like me? How tragic is that?
For those who keep perpetuating the myth, ABBA was not a disco group, at least not exclusively. In fact, Benny and Bjorn (and occasionally Stig) had a go at just about every popular modern style except C&W. The disco thing was fairly fleeting, probably to cash in on what was popular during the late seventies (no doubt the Bee Gees had the same idea).
As much as I like ABBA, I actually prefer Electric Light Orchestra. How does Mr McCain feel about them?
June 9th, 2008 at 7:28 pm
It is nice that McCain actually put his neck out to say we should go to Mars. The space vote doesn’t get any respect these days, so maybe he is sincere.
June 9th, 2008 at 7:28 pm
@Bonogamy: I refer you to Hideen Frontier, which is Star Trek with gay characters: http://www.hiddenfrontier.com/.
Are you sure you’ve never heard of these people?
—
@Phil: Not the Nine O’Clock News was a British ensemble comedy show in the early 1980s, and wsa the show that lkaunched the career of Rowan Atkinson (Mr. Bean). They too did an ABBA parody:
http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=bM1ugtwpjpM
Enjoy.
June 9th, 2008 at 7:43 pm
I suppose it could be worse. You could like Air Supply.
June 9th, 2008 at 7:54 pm
“I’m all out of love I’m so lost without you….”
Thanks Lugosi, thanks. Gaaaak.
Could be worse, you could’ve mentioned the Little River Band… Aaaw crap…
June 10th, 2008 at 12:48 am
Just Al: I like this better: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vmmg5LraFcM&NR=1
Maybe I just think it’s better because I have been… erm.. have heard about someone in a similar situation…
June 10th, 2008 at 10:46 am
Ooooh Phil! I’m swooning at you with all that hair! I’m an old hippie…..what can I say…
June 11th, 2008 at 7:25 am
gg… I hope you’ll accept my lack of ABBA quotes not as fault in my sense of humor, but rather a sign of my *extremely refined musical taste.* I doubt that Tony Bourdain knows what’s on the value menu at Mickey Dees either…
June 11th, 2008 at 10:40 am
# tacitus on 08 Jun 2008 at 11:35 pm
You can – & have made your plea, Tacitus.
& I can & will disagree with you and speak as I choose anyway!
I call the so-called “republican” (& what is ‘republican’ supposed to mean anyway? Pro-republic? Hah! Pro-dictatorship & theocractic oligarchy more like!
) party theRetardicans because that name seems tofit their anti-progress, medieval, feudalistic philosphies & policies best. 
I do not agree with you that it is impolite either. On the contrary, its actually quite restrained when you consider what else I’d choose to call ‘em! (Hint : it’d violate Phil’s no swearing rule!)
… & what else they deserve to be called! The words evil, stupid, war-criminals and fascists all spring to mind. Invading Iraq was afterall the sort of act for which the Japanese leadesrof WWII were rightly hung -that&for torturing & mistreating prisoners too. Like them, Bush & co should not only have been impeached but tried and executed too! Where’s the difference? Racism – they are white yanks vs yellow people? They hurt white ppl we hurt brown? Come on – objectively, they are nearly identical crimes and acts of aggression and evil.
Yes, I’ve got strong opinions and yes I’ll express ‘em! Wish more folks did. Especially us liberals & progressives who are far too mild with Wrong-wing idiots -IMHON.
Michael L on 09 Jun 2008 at 2:20 am
My sympathies. I can relate too (family not parent) believe it or not.
However, the word is apt for the party is definitely NOT aimed at mental impairment but at the direction using it in the sense of “to retard” means to slow down and fall backwards. And under the Republicnas the USA has certainly been slowed down and fallen backwards in so many ways.
& if its any consolation, I’m sure your mentally and physically disabled child would do a far better job as President than George Dubya Bush!
Jason Perry on 09 Jun 2008 at 1:05 am :
“Well, it is nice to see you can agree with McCain on something. We’ll turn you into a McCain supporter yet (hopefully by November ‘08 and I all but guarantee it by November ‘12).
StevoR, who else would I vote for? Obama…umm, no. Seems like a very nice man…but he seems too much like my generation’s Jimmy Carter.”
What was wrong with Jimmy Carter? He was a good President and human being & a Nobel peace-prize winner. From my reading of history certainly one of your better ones & his peacework now is admirable and willachive farmore good than any sabre-rattling. You should be very proud of him & want more like him in politics!
You should also be very ashamed at your current mob of retardican party marching morons – & that’s being polite to them!
As for getting the BA or anybody else with much intelligence or compassion to vote for your 100 year old lunatic who wants a 100 years more bloodshed and carnage and suffering in Iraq and the US – you’ve got to be dreaming!
Quite honestly I cannot understand why anyone would vote for McCain over Obama – or for McCain and his Retardican party (& yes I’ll call em what best fits em still!) at all.
# KCon 09 Jun 2008 at 10:59 am
I’m no huge Star Trek fan either – personally, I much preferred ‘Babylon-5′ & ‘Serenity / Firefly’. Oh & ‘Dr Who’ as well.
However, I still think its a good thing that Obama is a Star Trek fan. Okay, its science may not be great but that series was positive, forward looking (generally) pro-science entertainment which inspires many people & that’s a good thing ..