Evolution of ABBA's "Take A Chance On Me": Five Predecessor Prototypes to the Hit Song ;)
CopyrightK
One of the most daunting tasks for a Swedish rock group whose
knowledge of English is only as a second language is to compose lyrics
that not only hook one's attention aesthetically along with its melody but
also make good sense. Even so, as the evolution of ABBA's "Take A Chance
On Me" demonstrates, one has to take many chances indeed just to come up
with compelling-enough lyrics to faithfully capture the emotional thrust
of the music -- and that may only come after many, many trials and
failures as these first five early predecessors to the hit song clearly
illustrate.....
"PUT YOUR PANTS ON ME"
The First Incarnation of Benny & Bjourn's Song "Take A Chance On Me" circa
1976
An ABBA Song Parody a la The Ruttles ; )
(C) Copyright 1996 by James W. King; All Rights Reserved.
(Sung to the tune of ABBA's 1977 hit song "Take A Chance On Me" on "ABBA
Gold," "ABBA's Greatest Hits II" and "ABBA: The Album" on Polydor CDs &
cassettes.)
When you change your clothes (Put your pants, Put your pants)
and are indisposed, (Put your pants, put your pants)
Honey, I'm still free, (Put your pants, pants, pants.... )
Put your pants on me!
When you need'em, let me know, gonna be around;
Gonna hem'n cinch'em so they won't fall down.
If you're all alone when the clothes horses have blown,
Honey, I'm still free;
Put your pants on me!
Wanna put'em to the test and it ain't no lie:
I'll have'em ironed'n pressed if you let me try.
Put your pants on me!
(That's all I ask of you, Honey!)
Put your pants on me!
We can go strolling, (Uh-huh)
we can go bowling, (Yeah!)
as long as we're together, (As long as we're together.)
windowshop at men's stores, (Uh-huh!)
maybe log-rolling, (Yeah!)
get to know ya better. (Get to know ya better.)
'Cause I know you've got
so much that I wanna wear,
can't help dream I'm debonair;
It's magic!
You want me coquettish,
afraid o' my clothes fetish;
But I think you know
I can't let it go!
If you change your mind,
and are so inclined,
Honey, just feel free;
Put your pants on me!
If you need'em, let me know, gonna be downtown,
promise not to show'em off with your friends around.
If you're all alone when the clothes horses have blown,
Honey, I'm still free;
Put your pants on me!
Gonna put'em to the test if you let me try,
Gonna look my very best, gonna catch your eye!
Put your pants on me!
(Come on, give me a break, will ya!)
Put your pants on me!
Oh, you can take your time, Baby, (Uh-huh)
I'm in no hurry, (Yeah!)
know I'm gonna get'em; (I'm gonna get'em!)
You know I won't hurt'em, (No!)
Baby, don't worry, (Yeah!)
I ain't gonna stretch'em! (Ain't gonna stretch'em!)
Let me tell you now
my love is strong enough to last when styles are fluff;
It's magic!
You say I look quite a mess,
but you won't e'en try on my dress,
No, I can't let go
'cause I love it so!
If you change your clothes
and are predisposed,
Honey, just feel free;
Put your pants on me!
When you need'em, let me know, gonna be around;
Gotta hem'n cinch'em so they won't fall down.
If you're all alone when the clothes horses have blown,
Honey, I'm still free;
Put your pants on me!
Gonna look my very best and it ain't no lie;
I'll have'em ironed'n pressed if you let me try.
(Put your pants, Put your pants, Put your pants on me!)
Pa-pa-pa-pa-POW! Wa-wee-wa-wa-WOW! Pa-pa
Honey, I'm still free;
Put your pants on me!
Gonna look my very best, Baby, can't you see?
Gotta put ya in my dress, put your pants on me.
(Put your pants, Put your pants, Put your pants on me!)
Pa-pa-pa-pa-POW! Wa-wee-wa-wa-WOW! Pa-pa
Honey, I'm still free;
Put your pants on me!
Gonna look my very best, Baby, can't you see?
Gonna put ya in my dress, put your pants on me.
(Put your pants, Put your pants, Put your pants on me!) ....
_____________________________________________
> Clothes Horse = Anybody, male or female, who is well-dresed in the
latest styles; in the context of the song, however, it also adds another
meaning: that the stylish clothes of those women in question outshine
their personalities; essentially, that they're shallow and little more
than store mannequins.
> To blow = American slang for to leave or depart.
________________________________________________________
"LICK A STAMP FOR ME"
The Second Incarnation circa 1976 descending from "Put Your Pants On Me"
in the Evolution of Benny & Bjourn's Song "Take A Chance On Me"
An ABBA Song Parody a la The Ruttles ; )
(C) Copyright 1996 by James W. King; All Rights Reserved.
(Sung to the tune of ABBA's 1977 hit song "Take A Chance On Me" on "ABBA
Gold," "ABBA's Greatest Hits II" and "ABBA: The Album" on Polydor CDs &
casettes.)
When my mouth is dry, (Lick a stamp, Lick a stamp)
how you come to mind! (Lick a stamp, Lick a stamp)
Honey, doncha flee; (Lick a stamp, stamp, stamp.... )
Lick a stamp for me!
Yes, I need ya once again, got some mail to post
Just stick out your tongue'n let saliva flow.
When I'm all alone when the postman's come and gone,
Honey, doncha flee;
Lick a stamp for me!
Just gimme your very best, doncha be so quick;
Gonna put it to the test, gotta make it stick.
Lick a stamp for me!
(That's all I ask of you, Honey!)
Lick a stamp for me!
You can lick slowly, (Uh-huh)
You can lick boldly (Yeah!)
long as it holds together; (Long as it holds together.)
Try to wet your whistle, (Uh-huh!)
maybe just gargle, (Yeah!)
No one does it better. (No one does it better.)
'Cause I know you've got
saliva as fresh as dew,
sticky enough to hold like glue;
It's magic!
You want me to leave off there,
afraid of the constant wear;
But I think I know
when your juices flow.
Woncha change your mind?
It's about that time;
Honey, doncha flee;
Lick a stamp for me!
Yes, I need ya, gotta go to the post office;
Gimme justa yes or no, doncha get so pissed!
When I'm all alone when the postman's come and gone,
Honey, doncha flee,
Lick a stamp for me!
Don't need no clamps or glue and it's no surprise:
No one's gonna cancel it until it dries!
Lick a stamp for me!
(Come on, give me a break, will ya!)
Lick a stamp for me!
Or you can take your time, Baby; (Uh-huh)
Though I'm in a hurry, (Yeah!)
know it's gonna get there; (It's gonna get there.)
Delayin' won't hurt me, (No!)
Baby, don't worry, (Yeah!)
I'm sendin' it by air. ( I'm sendin' it by air.)
Let me tell you now
your lick-hold's strong enough
to sell as stamp-glue stuff;
It's magic!
You say that I waste your drool
actin' like a stamp-lickin' fool;
I admit it's so
stickin' by you so!
Woncha change your mind?
Gotta watch the time;
Honey, doncha flee;
Lick a stamp for me!
Yes, I need ya, gotta go to the post office;
Gimme justa yes or no, doncha get so pissed!
When I'm all alone when the postman's come and gone,
Honey, doncha flee,
Lick a stamp for me!
Yes, I need ya once again, got some mail to post
Just stick out your tongue'n let saliva flow.
(Lick a stamp, lick a stamp, lick a stamp for me!)
La-la-la-la-LAH! La-la-la-la-LAH! Ha-ha!
Honey, doncha flee;
Lick a stamp for me!
Given ya my very best, Baby, can't you see:
I stick by you, woncha lick a stamp for me?
(Lick a stamp, lick a stamp, lick a stamp for me!)
La-la-la-la-LAH! La-la-la-la-LAH! Ha-ha!
Honey, doncha flee;
Lick a stamp for me!
Given ya my very best, Baby, can't you see:
I stick by you, woncha lick a stamp for me?
(Lick a stamp, lick a stamp, lick a stamp for me!) ....
________________________________________
"CALL YOUR AUNT FOR ME"
The Third Incarnation circa 1976 descending from "Lick A Stamp For Me" in
the Evolution of Benny & Bjourn's "Take A Chance On Me"
An ABBA Song Parody a la The Ruttles ; )
(C) Copyright 1996 by James W. King; All Rights Reserved.
(Sung to the tune of ABBA's 1977 hit song "Take A Chance On Me" on "ABBA
Gold," "ABBA's Greatest Hits II" and "ABBA: The Album" on Polydor CDs &
casettes.)
If you'd change your mind, (Call your aunt, call your aunt!)
we'll be first in line; (Call your aunt, call your aunt!)
Honey, we're still free; (Call your aunt, aunt, aunt!....)
Call your aunt for me!
If she's at home, let her know, gonna be around;
If she's got no other plans while we're there in town.
If she's all alone and your other folks have gone,
Honey, she's toll-free,
Call your aunt for me!
Gonna try to cheer her up, though it's no pip;
Gonna try to hear her out, gonna take her lip.
Call your aunt for me!
(That's all I ask of ya, Honey!)
Call your aunt for me!
We can go shoppin'; (Uh-huh)
We can eat ice cream, (Yeah!)
long as it's Baskin-Robbins; (Long as it's Baskin-Robbins)
shop till she's droppin', (Uh-huh!)
maybe just daydream, (Yeah!)
listen to her gossip. (Listen to her gossip.)
'Cause you know she's got
so much in common with you,
whenever I compare you two,
it's magic!
You wanna drop me off there,
afraid it's a dull affair;
But I think you know
she's loaded with dough!
If you'd change your mind,
we'll be first in line;
Honey, just for tea,
call your aunt for me!
If she'd like to, let her know, gonna go downtown
where we used to always ride the merry-go-round.
If she's all alone and your other folks have gone,
Honey, we're still free,
Call your aunt for me!
Gonna schmooze our very best to get in her will;
Though she's old'n quite a pest, still it's worth the shill.
Call your aunt for me!
(Come on, give her a break, woncha?)
Call your aunt for me!
Oh, we can take our time, Baby; (Uh-huh)
I'm in no hurry, (Yeah!)
know we're gonna get there; (We're gonna get there.)
You don't wanna hurt her, (No!)
Baby, don't worry, (Yeah!)
Not yet I won't let ya! (Not yet I won't let ya!)
Let me tell you now
your blood is thick enough
to last when things are rough;
She's fam'ly!
You say she's a waste of time,
but I can't get her off my mind!
No I can't let go --
not with all that dough!
If you'd change your mind,
We'll be first in line;
Honey, we're still free,
Call your aunt for me!
If she's at home, let her know, gonna be around;
If she's got no other plans while we're there in town.
If she's all alone and your other folks have gone,
Honey, we're still free,
call your aunt for me!
Gonna schmooze our very best; Baby, can't you see?
Gotta earn her treasure chest, call your aunt for me!
(Call your aunt, call your aunt, call your aunt for me!)
Pa-pa-pa-pa-POW! Pa-pa-pa-pa-POW! Pa-pa
Honey, she's toll-free,
Call your aunt for me!
Gotta schmooze our very best; Baby, can't you see?
Gonna earn her treasure chest, call your aunt for me!
(Call your aunt, call your aunt, call your aunt for me!)
Pa-pa-pa-pa-POW! Pa-pa-pa-pa-POW! Pa-pa
Honey, just for tea,
call your aunt for me!
Gonna schmooze our very best; Baby, can't you see?
Gonna earn her treasure chest, call your aunt for me!
(Call your aunt, call your aunt, call your aunt for me!) ....
____________________
We'll be the first in line = We'll be the first in line to receive the
best goodies in her will!
________________________________________
"CHASE A BAT TOWARD ME"
The Fourth Incarnation circa 1976 descending from "Call Your Aunt For Me"
in the Evolution of Benny & Bjourn's Song "Take A Chance On Me"
An ABBA Song Parody a la The Ruttles ; )
(C) Copyright 1996 by James W. King; All Rights Reserved.
(Sung to the tune of ABBA's 1977 hit song "Take A Chance On Me" on "ABBA
Gold," "ABBA's Greatest Hits II" and "ABBA: The Album" on Polydor CDs &
casettes.)
If you change your mind, (Chase a bat, chase a bat!)
then be here on time; (Chase a bat, chase a bat!)
Honey, I'm still free, (Chase a bat, bat, bat!....)
chase a bat toward me!
If ya spot some, let me know, gonna be around;
They've got nowhere else to go hangin' upside-down.
If it takes all night 'til the vampire flocks take flight,
Honey, stand by me;
Chase a bat toward me!
Gonna do my very best to net one or two;
If you'll chase'em toward my net, I should catch a few!
Chase a bat toward me!
(That's all I ask of you, Honey!)
Chase a bat toward me!
We can go hiking, (Uh-huh)
We can go skulking, (Yeah!)
as long as we're together; (As long as we're together.)
Listen to night music, (Uh-huh)
maybe spelunking, (Yeah!)
get to know ya better. (Get to know ya better.)
'Cause ya know I've got
so much that I wanna do,
when I'm out here alone with you;
It's magic!
You'd prefer to leave me here,
afraid to confront your fears;
But I think you know
I can't let you go!
In abandoned mines,
in their tight confines,
Honey, they fly free;
Chase a bat toward me!
If you see some, let me know, gonna hide nearby;
If you get one on the run, catch it on the fly.
If you're all alone when the vampire flocks have flown,
Honey, I'm still free,
Chase a bat toward me!
Gotta watch out for their fangs though that's no excuse:
If I can't net just one bat, then oh, what's the use!
Chase a bat toward me!
(Come on, gimme a break, will you?)
Chase a bat toward me!
Oh, we can take our time, Baby; (Uh-huh)
I'm in no hurry, (Yeah!)
know I'm gonna catch one; (I'm gonna catch one!)
You know they won't hurt me, (No!)
Baby, don't worry, (Yeah!)
I ain't gonna let one. (Ain't gonna let one.)
Let me tell you now
my love is strong'n true
to last the whole night through
It's magic!
You say they're a waste of time,
but I can't get bats off my mind!
No I can't let go,
'cause I like'em so!
Outta mouths of caves,
how they fly in waves!
Honey, 'hind this tree,
chase a bat toward me!
If you spot one, let me know, gonna be around;
If you're gonna catch me some, doncha make a sound!
If it takes all night 'til the vampire flocks take flight,
Honey, stand by me;
Chase a bat toward me!
Gotta do my very best although bats can't see;
Wanna catch one in my net, chase a bat toward me!
(Chase a bat, chase a bat, chase a bat toward me!)
Pa-pa-pa-pa-POW! Pa-pa-pa-pa-POW! Pa-pa
Honey, 'hind this tree,
chase a bat toward me!
Gonna do my very best although bats can't see;
Gotta catch one in my net, chase a bat toward me!
(Chase a bat, chase a bat, chase a bat toward me!)
Pa-pa-pa-pa-POW! Pa-pa-pa-pa-POW! Pa-pa
Honey, they fly free;
Chase a bat toward me!
Gonna do my very best although bats can't see;
Gonna catch some in my net, chase a bat toward me!
(Chase a bat, chase a bat, chase a bat toward me!)....
_____________________________
To Skulk = To move about furtively; to lie close or keep hidden.
Spelunking = The process or hobby of exploring or charting caves.
'hind = Behind
______________________________________________
"CATCH MY CAT FOR ME"
The Fifth Incarnation circa 1976 descending from "Chase A Bat Toward Me"
in the Evolution of Benny & Bjourn's Song "Take A Chance On Me"
An ABBA Song Parody a la The Ruttles ; )
(C) Copyright 1996 by James W. King; All Rights Reserved.
(Sung to the tune of ABBA's 1977 hit song "Take A Chance On Me" on "ABBA
Gold," "ABBA's Greatest Hits II" and "ABBA: The Album" on Polydor CDs &
casettes.)
If you've got the time, (Catch my cat, catch my cat!)
he's the first in line; (Catch my cat, catch my cat!)
It's an emergency, (Catch my cat, cat, cat!....)
catch my cat for me!
Yes, I beg ya, woncha help?! Doncha bring your hound!
He's got nowhere else to go 'cept for fallin' down.
If he's still up there when those tempting birds have flown,
Honey, up that tree;
Catch my cat for me!
Try to do your very best; Lemme tell you why:
If he comes back safe'n sound, I'll bake you a pie!
Catch my cat for me!
(That's all I ask of you, Honey!)
Catch my cat for me!
We'll have to reach him; (Uh-huh)
I've got some catnip; (Yeah!)
You can climb up my ladder; (Climb up my ladder.)
Give him a whiff of it; (Uh-huh)
Maybe sweet-talk him, (Yeah!)
Can't lose my best ratter! (Can't lose my best
ratter!)
Yes, I know you've got
places that you'd rather be
than here climbin' up a tree
for Tabby!
Can't afford to leave him there,
out on a limb 'lone'n scared;
But I think you know
I can't let him go!
So to my feline
cast a fast life-line;
Honey, up that tree,
catch my cat for me!
If he slips some, let me know, gonna be around;
I'll stop his fall with my shawl 'fore he hits the ground.
If he's still up there when those chickadees have flown,
Please, I'm on my knees,
catch my cat for me!
Gotta watch out for your hands 'cause he's got sharp claws:
Better wear some thick cloth gloves if they give you pause.
Catch my cat for me!
(Come on, give him a break, will you?)
Catch my cat for me!
Now, you can't take your time, Baby; (Nuh-uh!)
We've gotta hurry (Yeah!)
or he might just scratch ya! (He might just scratch ya!)
So try not to scare him; (No!)
Though height's your worry, (Yeah!)
I'm down here to catch ya! (I'm down here to catch
ya!)
Let me tell you now
we fight like dogs and cats,
yet we forget those spats;
It's magic!
You hate Tabby when he sheds;
I put up with your dog in bed!
No, we can't let go,
'cause we love'em so!
If you'd take the time,
I'll be so sublime;
Honey, don't teehee!
Catch my cat for me!
Try to do your very best; Lemme tell you why:
If he comes back safe'n sound, I'll bake you a pie!
If he's still up there when those tempting birds have flown,
Honey, up that tree,
catch my cat for me!
Gotta do your very best; Baby, can't you see?
Tabby keeps out rodent pests; Catch my cat for me!
(Catch my cat, catch my cat, catch my cat for me!)
Paw-paw-paw-paw-PAW! Paw-paw-paw-paw-PAW! Paw-paw
Honey, he's flea-free;
Catch my cat for me!
Gotta do your very best; Baby, can't you see?
Tabby keeps out rodent pests; Catch my cat for me!
(Catch my cat, catch my cat, catch my cat for me!)
Paw-paw-paw-paw-PAW! Paw-paw-paw-paw-PAW! Paw-paw
Honey, up that tree,
catch my cat for me!
Gotta do your very best; Baby, can't you see?
Tabby keeps out rodent pests; Catch my cat for me!
(Catch my cat, catch my cat, catch my cat for me!)
_______________________
> 'cept = Except
> Lemme = Let me
> Ratter = A dog or cat that catches rats.
> 'lone = Alone
> Sublime = To feel inspiring awe or deep emotion.
> Teehee = To laugh in a silly, snickery sort of way that sounds vaguely
like one is saying, "Teehee! Teehee! Teehee!" when he/she laughs.
______________________________________________
Evolution of ABBA's "Take A Chance On Me":
1. "Put Your Pants On Me"
2. "Lick A Stamp For Me"
3. "Call Your Aunt for Me"
4. "Chase A Bat Toward Me"
You are here > 5. "Catch My Cat For Me"
6. TBA (means "To Be Announced," not a song
title itself)
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