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{{Short description|1975 single by ABBA}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=February 2012}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=September 2020}}
{{Infobox single
{{Infobox song
| Name = SOS
| Cover = SOS_-_Man_In_The_Middle.jpg
| name = SOS
| cover = SOS_-_Man_In_The_Middle.jpg
| Artist = [[ABBA]]
| alt =
| caption = Danish picture sleeve
| from Album = [[ABBA (album)|ABBA]]
| B-side = "Man in the Middle"
| type = single
| artist = [[ABBA]]
| Released = June 1975 (Sweden)<br>8 September 1975 (US)<br>20 September 1975 (UK)
| Format = [[Single (music)|7" single]]
| album = [[ABBA (album)|ABBA]]
| Genre = [[Pop music|Pop]]
| B-side = Man in the Middle
| Length = 3:23
| released = June 1975
| recorded = 22–23 August 1974
| Label = [[Polar Music|Polar]] (Sweden)<br>[[Epic Records|Epic]] (UK)<br>[[Atlantic Records|Atlantic]] (US)<br>[[Mushroom Records|Mushroom]]/[[Warner Bros. Records|Warner Bros.]] (Oceania)
| studio = Glen Studio
| Writer = [[Björn Ulvaeus]]<br>[[Benny Andersson]]<br>[[Stig Anderson]]
| venue =
| Producer = Björn Ulvaeus<br>Benny Andersson
| genre =
| Last single = "[[Bang-A-Boomerang]]"<br />(1975)
* [[Europop]]<ref name="Stanley 2014">{{cite book|first= Bob |last= Stanley |year= 2014 |title= Yeah! Yeah! Yeah! The Story of Pop Music from Bill Haley to Beyoncé|chapter= See That Girl: Abba|publisher= [[W. W. Norton & Company]]|location= New York|page= 280}}</ref>
| This single = "'''SOS'''"<br />(1975)
* [[pop rock]]<ref name="AllMusic">{{AllMusic |class=album |id= mw0000171715|title=''Thank You for the Music'' (1995): Review |last= Ruhlmann|first= William|access-date=December 22, 2023}}</ref>
| Next single = "[[Mamma Mia (song)|Mamma Mia]]"<br />(1975)
| length = 3:22
| Misc = {{External music video|{{YouTube|cvChjHcABPA|"SOS"}} }}
| label = [[Polar Music|Polar]] (Sweden)<br/>[[Epic Records|Epic]] (UK)<br/>[[Atlantic Records|Atlantic]] (US)<br/>[[Mushroom Records|Mushroom]]/[[Warner Bros. Records|Warner Bros.]] (Oceania)
| writer = {{hlist|[[Björn Ulvaeus]]|[[Benny Andersson]]|[[Stig Anderson]]}}
| producer = {{hlist|Björn Ulvaeus|Benny Andersson}}
| prev_title = [[Bang-A-Boomerang]]
| prev_year = 1975
| next_title = [[Mamma Mia (ABBA song)|Mamma Mia]]
| next_year = 1975
| misc = {{External music video|{{YouTube|cvChjHcABPA|"SOS"}} }}
}}
}}
"'''SOS'''" is a song by Swedish pop group [[ABBA]]. It was released in June 1975 as the fifth single from their [[ABBA (album)|self-titled 1975 album]].<ref name=":0">{{Cite book|last=Palm, Carl Magnus.|url=https://www.worldcat.org/oclc/60589495|title=Abba : the complete guide to their music|publisher=Omnibus Press|year=2005|isbn=1-84449-505-1|location=London|pages=29–30|oclc=60589495}}</ref>
"'''SOS'''" was the third single from [[Sweden|Swedish]] pop group [[ABBA]]'s self-titled 1975 album, their third for [[Polar Music]] and their second for [[Epic Records|Epic]] and [[Atlantic Records|Atlantic]]. It was released with "Man in the Middle" as the [[A-side and B-side|B-side]]. [[Agnetha Fältskog]], who sang lead, recorded the song in [[Swedish language|Swedish]] on her 1975 solo album ''[[Elva kvinnor i ett hus]]''. "SOS" was ABBA's first major worldwide hit since "[[Waterloo (ABBA song)|Waterloo]]".

It was released with "Man in the Middle" as the [[A-side and B-side|B-side]]. [[Agnetha Fältskog]], who sang lead, recorded the song in [[Swedish language|Swedish]] on her 1975 solo album ''[[Elva kvinnor i ett hus]]''.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Agnetha Fältskog - Elva Kvinnor I Ett Hus|url=https://www.discogs.com/Agnetha-F%C3%A4ltskog-Elva-Kvinnor-I-Ett-Hus/master/595386|access-date=2020-12-30|website=Discogs|year=1975 |language=en}}</ref> "SOS" was ABBA's first major worldwide hit since "[[Waterloo (ABBA song)|Waterloo]]".


==History==
==History==
"SOS" (working title; "Turn Me On") was written by [[Benny Andersson]], [[Björn Ulvaeus]] and [[Stig Anderson]] and was recorded at Glen Studio on 22–23 August 1974. The title itself was coined by Stig, though the lyrics he provided were re-written by Ulvaeus. "SOS" was among the first of three songs recorded for the group's 1975 album, ''[[ABBA (album)|ABBA]]''.
"SOS" (working title; "Turn Me On") was written by [[Benny Andersson]], [[Björn Ulvaeus]] and [[Stig Anderson]] and was recorded at Glen Studio in [[Långängen]], Sweden on 22–23 August 1974.<ref name=":1">{{Cite book|last=Palm|first=Carl Magnus|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=CILUDgAAQBAJ&pg=PT387|title=Bright Lights, Dark Shadows: The Real Story of ABBA|date=28 October 2009|publisher=Omnibus Press|isbn=9780857120571|via=Google Books}}</ref> The title itself was coined by Stig, though the lyrics he provided were re-written by Ulvaeus.<ref name=":0" /> "SOS" was among the first of three songs recorded for the group's 1975 album, ''[[ABBA (album)|ABBA]]'' and the opening track of their classic Greatest Hits LP released at the end of the same year.


The song opens with a piano intro, followed by the first verse sung by Fältskog. Biographer Carl Magnus Palm described it as 'Agnetha's first 'heartbreak classic, wherein the tear-filled vocal delivery, her trademark, would blend a pop melody, with a dash of melancholy.<ref name=":0" /> The song features a heavy influence from the [[Wall of Sound]] instrumentation of [[Phil Spector]] and the melodies of [[the Beach Boys]].<ref>{{cite magazine |last1=Bronson |first1=Fred |title=45 Years Ago Today, ABBA Started Its Global Conquest With Eurovision Win for 'Waterloo' |url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/pop/8505890/abba-waterloo-global-conquest-eurovision-win |magazine=Billboard |access-date=7 November 2021 |language=en |date=6 April 2019}}</ref>
The song is unique among pop songs of the period, opening with unaccompanied classical keyboard in a subdued D-minor key. Unlike most ABBA tracks that preceded it, the vocal begins with an emotional solo performance by Fältskog. The descending chords and ominous [[Minimoog]] synthesizer melody line of the introduction set the tone for Fältskog’s vocals, sounding almost as if she were breaking down in tears. The song then transitions to a rock chorus in a major key, dominated by a distorted electric guitar and full vocals.


Lyricist Ulvaeus has said that, after three years of trying to figure out what style would define them, ABBA found its identity as a pop group with the release of "SOS",<ref name="autogenerated1">BBC documentary "The Joy of ABBA", produced by Ben Whalley (2013)</ref> while Palm described it as 'pure ABBA'.<ref name=":0" />
Despite the song's catchiness, it was passed over as the lead single from the album; the track "[[So Long (ABBA song)|So Long]]" was chosen instead. "So Long" was chosen primarily because it had the same uptempo beat as their 1974 hit single, "[[Waterloo (ABBA song)|Waterloo]]".


During the band's first visit to the United States, ABBA performed "SOS" on the long-running television programs ''[[American Bandstand]]'' and ''[[Saturday Night Live (season 1)|Saturday Night Live]]'' on 15 November 1975.<ref>{{cite web |author=AwardsShowNetwork |url=http://www.abbaontv.com/1975/description-american-bandstand.html |title=American Bandstand |publisher=Abba on Tv |access-date=2016-10-10 |archive-date=29 October 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171029104145/http://www.abbaontv.com/1975/description-american-bandstand.html |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{Cite book|last=Rees|first=Dafydd|url=https://www.worldcat.org/oclc/41137541|title=Rock stars encyclopedia|publisher=DK Publishers|others=Crampton, Luke., Rees, Dafydd.|year=1999|isbn=0-7894-4613-8|edition=New rev., 1st American|location=New York|pages=8|oclc=41137541}}</ref> The promotional video was directed by Lasse Hallström and released in the same year, along with the single.<ref name="hallstro">Sheridan, Simon. ''The Complete ABBA'', London, England, Titan Books, 22 May 2012. Retrieved 30 September 2017. {{ISBN|9781781164983}}</ref> The video and three others (for "[[I Do, I Do, I Do, I Do, I Do]]", "[[Mamma Mia (ABBA song)|Mamma Mia]]" and "[[Bang-A-Boomerang]]"), were completed in two days for a total cost of [[Swedish krona|Kr]] 50,000 (£5,500).<ref name=":1" /> The video was uploaded to [[YouTube]] on 8 October 2009, on the AbbaVEVO channel, and has 88 million views as of February 2024.<ref>{{Citation|last=AbbaVEVO|title=Abba - SOS|date=2009-10-08|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cvChjHcABPA|access-date=2024-02-11}}</ref>
Lyricist Ulvaeus has said that, after three years of trying to figure out what style would define them, ABBA found its identity as a pop group with the release of "SOS".<ref>BBC documentary "The Joy of ABBA", produced by Ben Whalley (2013).</ref>


The song is also featured in the concert film ''[[ABBA: The Movie]]'' (1977), ''[[Good Night Oppy]]'' (2022), and ''[[Live at Wembley Arena]]'', released in 2014.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Elliott|first=Mark|date=2020-11-10|title='Live At Wembley Arena': How ABBA Went Beyond All Expectations|url=https://www.udiscovermusic.com/stories/abba-live-at-wembley-arena-album/|access-date=2020-12-30|website=uDiscover Music|language=en-US}}</ref>
The song was the subject of one of the first pioneering music videos produced by director [[Lasse Hallström]] for the band. Much of the video is filmed from an overhead camera, as if from a tower or lighthouse, with the bandmates' faces sometimes distorted, as though shot through a prism.<ref>https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cvChjHcABPA</ref>


==Reception==
During the band's first visit to the United States, ABBA performed "SOS" on the long-running television program [[American Bandstand]] on November 15, 1975.<ref>http://www.abbaontv.com/1975/description-american-bandstand.html</ref>
{{quote box|quote= I remember hearing "S.O.S". on the radio in the States and realizing that it was Abba. But it was too late, because I was already transported by it. I just thought it was such a great sound, you know – great bass drum and the whole thing...|source=— [[Pete Townshend]],<br> ''[https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/pete-townshend-the-whos-final-days-108427/ Rolling Stone Magazine, June 1982]''|width=30%|align=right|style=padding:8px;}}


"SOS" marked a significant turnaround in ABBA's fortunes and returned them to the Top 10 in many countries.<ref>{{Cite book|last=Kennaugh|first=Jonathan|url=https://www.worldcat.org/oclc/35981756|title=Rock : the rough guide|publisher=Rough Guides|others=Jonathan Buckley, Mark Ellingham, Justin Lewis, Jill Furmanovsky (eds)|year=1996|isbn=1-85828-201-2|edition=1st|location=London|pages=3–4|chapter=Abba|oclc=35981756}}</ref> Reaching #6 and #4 respectively, "SOS" started a run of 18 consecutive Top 10 hits for ABBA in the UK and Ireland.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://home.zipworld.com.au/~callisto/uk.html |title=United Kingdom |website=Home.zipworld.com.au |date=2015-09-04 |access-date=2016-10-10}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://home.zipworld.com.au/~callisto/ireland.html |title=Ireland |website=Home.zipworld.com.au |date=2015-11-09 |access-date=2016-10-10}}</ref> "SOS" reached #1 in Australia, Belgium, France, West Germany (where it spent 7 weeks at the top), New Zealand and South Africa, and was a Top 3 hit in Austria, the Netherlands, Norway, Italy (where it became ABBA's most successful hit), Mexico, [[Rhodesia]] and Switzerland. The song also became ABBA's second Top 20 hit in the United States, peaking at #15.<ref>{{Cite magazine|title=S.O.S Chart History|url=https://www.billboard.com/artist/abba/chart-history/hsi/|access-date=2020-12-30|magazine=Billboard}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|date=2009-10-13|title=United States of America|url=http://home.zipworld.com.au/~callisto/usa.html|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091013215347/http://home.zipworld.com.au/~callisto/usa.html|archive-date=2009-10-13|access-date=2020-12-30}}</ref>
ABBA performs the song live in the concert film ''[[ABBA: The Movie]]'', Hallström's first English-language feature film, filmed during the band's tour of Australia in 1977.


As of September 2021, it is ABBA's 19th-biggest song in the UK, including both pure sales and digital streams.<ref>UK Official Charts [https://www.officialcharts.com/chart-news/abbas-official-top-20-biggest-songs__26113/ ABBA's Official Top 20 biggest songs]</ref>
ABBA performed the song on its 1979 tour of Europe and North America. While the track does not appear on the filmed record of that tour—released on DVD as "ABBA in Concert"—it is featured on the 2014 audio release, ''[[Live at Wembley Arena]]''. For the first time on that tour, vocalists Fältskog and Lyngstad traded the line "when you're gone" responsively at the song's climax. Actors [[Meryl Streep]] and [[Pierce Brosnan]] would mimic the approach in recording "SOS" for the [[Mamma Mia! The Movie Soundtrack|soundtrack]] of the film version of [[Mamma Mia! (film)|Mamma Mia!]] in 2008.


Chicago radio station [[WLS (AM)|WLS]], which gave "SOS" much airplay, ranked the song as the 61st biggest hit of 1975.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.oldiesloon.com/il/wls89of75.htm |title=WLS : THE BIG 89 OF 1975 |website=Oldiesloon.com |access-date=2016-10-10}}</ref> It peaked at number six on their survey of 22 November 1975.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.users.qwest.net/~oldiesloon/wls112275.htm |title=WLS : MUSICRADIO SURVEY : NOVEMBER 22, 1975 VOL. 16, NO. 7|website=Users.qwest.net |date=1975-11-22 |access-date=2016-10-10}}</ref>
==Reception==
"SOS" marked a huge turnaround in ABBA's fortunes, most notably in the UK and Ireland, where it returned the group to the Top 10 for the first time since "[[Waterloo (ABBA song)|Waterloo]]". Reaching #6 and #4 respectively, "SOS" started a run of 18 consecutive Top 10 hits for ABBA in the UK and Ireland.<ref>http://home.zipworld.com.au/~callisto/uk.html</ref><ref>http://home.zipworld.com.au/~callisto/ireland.html</ref> "SOS" reached #1 in Australia, Belgium, France, [[West Germany]] (where it spent 7 weeks at the top), New Zealand and South Africa, and was a Top 3 hit in [[Austria]], the [[Netherlands]], Norway, Italy (where it became ABBA's most successful hit), Mexico, [[Rhodesia]] and [[Switzerland]]. The song also became ABBA's second Top 20 hit in the United States, peaking at #15 (due to the single charting in the U.S. before "[[I Do, I Do, I Do, I Do, I Do]]", whereas elsewhere "SOS" charted afterwards).<ref>http://home.zipworld.com.au/~callisto/usa.html</ref>


"SOS" has been recorded and performed in concert by several prominent artists, including [[John Frusciante]], [[Peter Cetera]], [[Chris deBurgh]], [[Cher]], [[Portishead (band)|Portishead]], [[Fozzy]], and Canadian rock group [[Headstones (band)|Headstones]]. English synth-pop duo [[Erasure (duo)|Erasure]] covered "SOS" and three other ABBA songs on their 1992 ''[[Abba-esque]]'' EP, reaching number one in the UK singles chart.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Official Singles Chart Top 75 {{!}} Official Charts Company|url=https://www.officialcharts.com/charts/singles-chart/19920607/7501/|access-date=2020-12-30|website=www.officialcharts.com|language=en}}</ref>
Chicago radio station [[WLS (AM)|WLS]], which gave "SOS" much airplay, ranked the song as the 61st biggest hit of 1975.<ref>http://www.oldiesloon.com/il/wls89of75.htm</ref> It peaked at number six on their survey of 22 November 1975.<ref>http://www.users.qwest.net/~oldiesloon/wls112275.htm</ref>


[[Ray Davies]] of [[The Kinks]] said that he was taken with the song after seeing the group perform it on the [[BBC]] television show ''[[Seaside Special]]''.<ref>''A is for ABBA'', TV documentary. [[BBC television]], July 1993</ref> [[Pete Townshend]] said the song had "a great sound".<ref>{{Cite magazine|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/pete-townshend-the-whos-final-days-108427/|title = Pete Townshend: The Who's Final Days|magazine = [[Rolling Stone]]|date = 24 June 1982}}</ref>
"SOS" is one of the most-covered of ABBA's songs. It has been recorded and performed in concert by several prominent artists, including [[John Frusciante]], [[Peter Cetera]], and [[Chris deBurgh]].


American singer-songwriter and former [[The Czars|Czars]] frontman [[John Grant (musician)|John Grant]] has called "SOS" "one of the greatest pieces of music ever made", adding that [[Agnetha Fältskog]]'s "perfect" lyrical interpretation and emotional delivery is "a beautiful thing".<ref name="autogenerated1"/> British conductor and producer [[Charles Hazlewood]] called the song's "supersonic" transition from an acoustic D-minor key to an electric rock motif "absolutely genius".<ref name="autogenerated1" />
The track has a number of music industry devotees. [[The Who]] guitarist [[Pete Townshend]] has said "SOS" is one of the best pop songs ever written,<ref>Palm, C.M. (2002). Bright Lights, Dark Shadows. London: Omnibus</ref> adding that when he first heard the song he "was transported by it".<ref>Loder, K. (1982). "Pete Townshend: The Who's final days", in Rolling Stone (June 24, 1982)</ref>


[[Sex Pistols]] bassist [[Glen Matlock]] has claimed to have been inspired to write the main riff of "[[Pretty Vacant]]" after hearing "SOS" on a jukebox.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://thequietus.com/articles/10663-glen-matlock-sex-pistols-bio-extract|title=I Was A Teenage Sex Pistol|website=The Quietus|date=14 November 2012 }}</ref>
Former [[The Beatles|Beatle]] [[John Lennon]] declared that it was one of his favourite pop songs{{citation needed}}, while [[Ray Davies]] of [[The Kinks]] said that he was taken with the song after seeing the group perform it on the [[BBC]] television show ''[[Seaside Special]]''.<ref>''A is for ABBA'', TV documentary. [[BBC television]], July 1993</ref>


ABBA's performance of "SOS" on ''[[American Bandstand]]'' in 1975 has been included on lists of the most significant performances in the show's 31 seasons by several reviewers and critics. Bill Lamb put the song at number five,<ref>{{cite web |last=Lamb |first=Bill |url=http://top40.about.com/od/popmusictiv/tp/American-Bandstand-10-Great-Performances.htm |title=American Bandstand - 10 Great Performances |website=Top40.about.com |access-date=2016-10-10 |archive-date=6 September 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150906172417/http://top40.about.com/od/popmusictiv/tp/American-Bandstand-10-Great-Performances.htm |url-status=dead }}</ref> as did Alicia Diaz Dennis<ref>{{cite web|author=Alicia Dennis |url=http://www.zimbio.com/Beyond+the+Charts/articles/jtkosR8kp99/Remembering+Dick+Clark+Best+American+Bandstand |title=Remembering Dick Clark: The Best of 'American Bandstand' - Beyond the Charts |website=Zimbio.com |date=2012-04-19 |access-date=2016-10-10}}</ref> and Andres Jauregui.<ref>{{cite news|author=Andres Jauregui |url=http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/04/18/american-bandstand-dick-clark-greatest-moments_n_1435854.html |title='American Bandstand': Dick Clark's Greatest Moments (VIDEOS) |work=HuffPost|date=2012-04-18 |access-date=2016-10-10}}</ref>
American singer-songwriter and former [[The Czars|Czars]] frontman [[John Grant (musician)|John Grant]] has called "SOS" "one of the greatest pieces of music ever made", adding that [[Agnetha Fältskog]]'s "perfect" lyrical interpretation and emotional delivery is "a beautiful thing".<ref>BBC documentary "The Joy of ABBA", produced by Ben Whalley (2013).</ref>


ABBA performed "SOS" on episode five of the inaugural season of the long-running comedy-variety show ''[[Saturday Night Live]]'' (SNL) on 15 November 1975.<ref>{{Cite web|title=SNL Season 01 Episode 05 - Robert Klein, ABBA, Loudon Wainwright III - NBC.com|url=https://www.nbc.com/saturday-night-live/season-1/episode/5-robert-klein-with-abba-65526|access-date=2020-12-30|website=NBC}}</ref> SNL head writer [[Michael O'Donoghue]] staged the performance on a set of the deck of the [[Titanic]] and continued the sketch while the band were performing, according to bandleader [[Paul Shaffer]], "They kept on singing like the pros that they are."<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.last.fm/group/ABBA |title=Archive interview: Paul Shaffer (Part 2 of 4) |publisher=Television Academy Foundation |date=24 June 2009 |access-date=6 April 2020}}</ref>
British conductor and producer [[Charles Hazlewood]] called the song's "supersonic" transition from an acoustic D-minor key to an electric rock motif "absolutely genius".<ref>BBC documentary "The Joy of ABBA", produced by Ben Whalley (2013).</ref>


To date, the song is the only US [[Billboard Hot 100|Hot 100]] or [[Official Charts|UK Official Charts]] single (or #1 single in Australia<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.last.fm/group/ABBA|title=ABBA – Group|date=11 February 2009|access-date=5 February 2012 |website=[[Last.fm]] groups}}</ref>) in which both the title and the artist are [[palindrome]]s.<ref>Whitburn, J. (2004) ''The Billboard Book of Top 40 Hits'', 8th ed. New York: Billboard Books</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Official Singles Chart turns 70: Seven historic controversies |work=BBC News |date=13 November 2022 |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-63574453 |access-date=14 November 2022}}</ref>
ABBA's performance of "SOS" on ''[[American Bandstand]]'' in 1975 has been included on lists of the most significant performances in the show's 31 seasons by several reviewers and critics. Bill Lamb put the song at number five,<ref>http://top40.about.com/od/popmusictiv/tp/American-Bandstand-10-Great-Performances.htm</ref> as did Alicia Diaz Dennis<ref>http://www.zimbio.com/Beyond+the+Charts/articles/jtkosR8kp99/Remembering+Dick+Clark+Best+American+Bandstand</ref> and Andres Jauregui.<ref>http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/04/18/american-bandstand-dick-clark-greatest-moments_n_1435854.html</ref>


==Track listing==
To date the song is the only [[Billboard Hot 100|Hot 100]] single (or #1 single in Australia<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.last.fm/group/ABBA |title=ABBA – Group at |publisher=Last.fm |date=11 February 2009 |accessdate=5 February 2012}}</ref>) in which both the title and the credited act (and also the musical genre) are [[palindrome]]s.{{cn|date=May 2016}}
{{Track listing
| headline = A-side
| title1 = SOS
| writer1 = {{hlist|Andersson|Ulvaeus|Anderson}}
| length1 = 3:24
| title2 = Man in the Middle
| writer2 = {{hlist|Andersson|Ulvaeus}}
| length2 = 3:04
}}

==Personnel==
* [[Agnetha Fältskog]] – [[double tracking|double-tracked]] vocals
* [[Anni-Frid Lyngstad]] – backing vocals
* [[Björn Ulvaeus]] – guitar, backing vocals
* [[Benny Andersson]] – keyboards, synthesizer, backing vocals
* [[Ola Brunkert]] – drums
* Lasse Wellander, Janne Schaffer – guitar
* Mike Watson – bass


==Chart performance==
==Chart performance==
===Weekly singles charts===
{{col-begin}}
{{col-begin}}
{{col-3}}
{{col-2}}

{| class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders"
===Weekly charts===
{|class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center"
|-
|-
! Chart (1975)
!Chart (1975–1976)
! Peak <br> position
!Peak<br/>position
|-
|-
!scope="row"|Australia ([[Kent Music Report]])<ref name="Kent 1993">{{cite book|first= David |last= Kent |author-link= David Kent (historian) |title= [[Kent Music Report|Australian Chart Book 1970-1992]] |publisher= Australian Chart Book |location= [[St Ives, New South Wales|St Ives]], N.S.W. |year= 1993 |isbn= 0-646-11917-6}}</ref>
|align="left"|[[ARIA Charts|Australia]]
| style="text-align:center;"|1
| style="text-align:center;"|1
|-
|-
{{single chart|Austria|2|artist=ABBA|song=S.O.S.|rowheader=true}}
|align="left"|[[Ö3 Austria Top 40|Austria]]
| style="text-align:center;"|2
|-
|-
{{single chart|Belgium (Flanders)|1|artist=ABBA|song=S.O.S.|rowheader=true}}
|align="left"|Belgium
|-
| style="text-align:center;"|1
{{single chart|Belgium (Wallonia)|4|artist=ABBA|song=S.O.S.|rowheader=true}}
|-
|-
|align="left"|Canada (''[[RPM (magazine)|RPM]]'')
!scope="row"|Canada (''[[RPM (magazine)|RPM]]'') Top Singles
| style="text-align:center;"|9
| style="text-align:center;"|9
|-
|-
{{single chart|Canadatopsingles|17|chartid=4056|rowheader=true}}
|align="left"|[[Dutch Top 40|Netherlands]]
| style="text-align:center;"|2
|-
|-
!scope="row"|Denmark ([[Danmarks Radio]])
|align="left"|France<ref>[http://tsort.info/music/yr1975.htm]</ref>
|7
| style="text-align:center;"|1
|-
|-
{{single chart|Germany|1|artist=ABBA|song=S.O.S.|songid=362|rowheader=true}}
|align="left"|[[Media Control Charts|Germany]]
| style="text-align:center;"|1
|-
|-
{{single chart|Ireland2|4|song=S.O.S.|rowheader=true}}
|align="left"|[[Irish Singles Chart|Ireland]]
| style="text-align:center;"|4
|-
|-
!scope="row"|Italy (''[[Musica e dischi]]'')<ref>Spinetoli, John Joseph. ''Artisti In Classifica: I Singoli: 1960-1999''. Milano: Musica e dischi, 2000</ref>
|align="left"|Italy
|2
| style="text-align:center;"|2
|-
|-
{{single chart|Dutch40|2|year=1975|week=26|rowheader=true}}
|align="left"|Mexico
| style="text-align:center;"|2
|-
|-
{{single chart|Dutch100|2|artist=ABBA|song=S.O.S.|rowheader=true}}
|align="left"|New Zealand
| style="text-align:center;"|1
|-
|-
{{single chart|New Zealand|1|artist=ABBA|song=SOS|rowheader=true}}
|align="left"|[[VG-lista|Norway]]
| style="text-align:center;"|2
|-
|-
{{single chart|Norway|2|artist=ABBA|song=SOS|rowheader=true}}
|align="left"|Rhodesia
| style="text-align:center;"|2
|-
|-
!scope="row"|Rhodesia ([[Lyons Maid]])<ref>Kimberley, C. ''Zimbabwe: Singles Chart Book''. Harare: C. Kimberley, 2000</ref>
|align="left"|South Africa
|2
| style="text-align:center;"|1
|-
!scope="row"|South Africa ([[Springbok Radio]])<ref>{{cite web|title=SA Charts 1965–March 1989|url=http://www.rock.co.za/files/springbok_top_20_(A).html|access-date=1 September 2018}}</ref>
|1
|-
|-
{{single chart|Switzerland|3|artist=ABBA|song=SOS|rowheader=true}}
|align="left"|[[Swiss Music Charts|Switzerland]]
| style="text-align:center;"|3
|-
|-
{{single chart|UKsinglesbyname|6|artist=ABBA|artistid=8604|rowheader=true}}
|align="left"|[[UK Singles Chart|UK]]
| style="text-align:center;"|6
|-
|-
{{single chart|Billboardhot100|15|artist=ABBA|rowheader=true}}
|align="left"|US [[Billboard Hot 100|''Billboard'' Hot 100]]
| style="text-align:center;"|15
|-
|-
!scope="row"|US [[Cashbox (magazine)|''Cashbox'']] Top 100 <ref>{{cite book|title=Cash Box pop singles charts, 1950–1993|year=1994|publisher=Libraries Unlimited|last1=Downey|first1=Pat|last2=Albert|first2=George|last3=Hoffmann|first3=Frank W|page=1|isbn=978-1-56308-316-7}}</ref>
!scope="row"|US ''Billboard'' [[Adult Contemporary (chart)|Adult Contemporary]]<ref>{{cite book |title= Top Adult Contemporary: 1961-1993|last=Whitburn |first=Joel |author-link=Joel Whitburn |year=1993 |publisher=Record Research |page=11}}</ref>
|19
|{{center|12}}
|-
|-
!scope="row"|US [[Cashbox (magazine)|''Cash Box'']] Top 100<ref>{{cite book |title=Cash Box pop singles charts, 1950–1993 |year=1994 |publisher=Libraries Unlimited |last1=Downey |first1=Pat |last2=Albert |first2=George |last3=Hoffmann |first3=Frank W |page=[https://archive.org/details/cashboxpopsingle00down/page/1 1] |isbn=978-1-56308-316-7 |url-access=registration |url=https://archive.org/details/cashboxpopsingle00down/page/1 }}</ref>
|12
|}
|}
{|class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center"
{{col-3}}
{| class="wikitable"
!align="left"|Chart (2001)
! style="text-align:center;"|Peak <br> position
|-
|-
!Chart (2001)
|align="left"|Japan
!Peak<br/>position
| style="text-align:center;"|15
|-
|-
!scope="row"|Japan ([[Oricon]])
|15
|}
|}
{{col-3}}
{{col-2}}


===Year-end charts===
===Year-end charts===
{|class="wikitable sortable"
{|class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center"
|-
|-
! scope="col"|Chart (1975)
!Chart (1975)
! scope="col"|Rank
!Rank
|-
|-
!scope="row"|Australia (Kent Music Report)<ref name="aus75">{{cite web|url=https://imgur.com/a/8a2fnGs|title= National Top 100 Singles for 1975|publisher= [[Kent Music Report]] |issue= 79 |via= [[Imgur]] |date= 29 December 1975 |access-date= 15 January 2022 }}</ref>
|align="left"|Australia
|52
| style="text-align:center;"|52
|-
|-
!scope="row"|Belgium (Ultratop Flanders)<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.ultratop.be/nl/annual.asp?year=1975|title=Jaaroverzichten 1975|publisher=Ultratop|access-date=9 November 2021}}</ref>
|align="left"|Canada <ref>http://www.bac-lac.gc.ca/eng/discover/films-videos-sound-recordings/rpm/Pages/image.aspx?Image=nlc008388.4057b&URLjpg=http%3a%2f%2fwww.collectionscanada.gc.ca%2fobj%2f028020%2ff4%2fnlc008388.4057b.gif&Ecopy=nlc008388.4057b</ref>
|22
| style="text-align:center;"|160
|-
|-
!scope="row"|Canada Top Singles (''RPM'')<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.bac-lac.gc.ca/eng/discover/films-videos-sound-recordings/rpm/Pages/image.aspx?Image=nlc008388.4057b&URLjpg=http%3a%2f%2fwww.collectionscanada.gc.ca%2fobj%2f028020%2ff4%2fnlc008388.4057b.gif&Ecopy=nlc008388.4057b |title=Image : RPM Weekly - Library and Archives Canada |website=Bac-lac.gc.ca |access-date=2016-10-10 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161006110138/http://www.bac-lac.gc.ca/eng/discover/films-videos-sound-recordings/rpm/Pages/image.aspx?Image=nlc008388.4057b&URLjpg=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.collectionscanada.gc.ca%2Fobj%2F028020%2Ff4%2Fnlc008388.4057b.gif&Ecopy=nlc008388.4057b |archive-date=6 October 2016}}</ref>
|align="left"|US ''Billboard'' <ref>http://www.bullfrogspond.com/whitburn/1975wye.htm</ref>
|160
| style="text-align:center;"|140
|-
|-
!scope="row"|Germany (Official German Charts)<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.offiziellecharts.de/charts/single-jahr/for-date-1975|title=Top 100 Single-Jahrescharts|language=German|work=[[GfK Entertainment]]|publisher=offiziellecharts.de|access-date=9 November 2021}}</ref>
|[[UK singles chart|UK]]
|18
| style="text-align:center;"|48
|-
|-
!scope="row"|Netherlands (Dutch Top 40)<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.top40.nl/bijzondere-lijsten/top-100-jaaroverzichten/1975|title=Top 100-Jaaroverzicht van 1975|publisher=Dutch Top 40|access-date=9 November 2021}}</ref>
|27
|-
!scope="row"|Netherlands (Single Top 100)<ref>{{cite web|title= Jaaroverzichten – Single 1975 |publisher= [[Single Top 100]]. Hung Medien |access-date= 13 March 2018 |url= http://dutchcharts.nl/jaaroverzichten.asp?year=1975&cat=s |language= nl}}</ref>
|29
|-
!scope="row"|South Africa (Springbok Radio)<ref>{{cite web|title=Top 20 Hit Singles of 1975|url=http://www.rock.co.za/files/sahits_1975.html|access-date=2 September 2018}}</ref>
|8
|-
!scope="row"|Switzerland (Schweizer Hitparade)<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://swisscharts.com/charts/jahreshitparade/1975|title=Swiss Year-End Charts 1975 |website=swisscharts.com}}</ref>
|8
|-
!scope="row"|UK Singles (OCC)<ref>{{cite magazine |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |title=Britain's best selling records of '75 |url=http://scans.chartarchive.org/UK/1975/53%20-%20Best%20Selling%20Singles%20Albums%20Record%20Mirror.jpg |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160921055325/http://scans.chartarchive.org/UK/1975/53%20-%20Best%20Selling%20Singles%20Albums%20Record%20Mirror.jpg |url-status=dead |archive-date=21 September 2016 |magazine=[[Record Mirror]] |location=London |page=12 |date=10 January 1976 |access-date=29 August 2016 }}</ref>
|48
|-
!scope="row"|US ''Billboard'' Hot 100<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bullfrogspond.com/whitburn/1975wye.htm |title=1975 Year End |website=Bullfrogspond.com |access-date=2016-10-10}}</ref>
|140
|}
|}
{|class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center"

{|class="wikitable"
|-
|-
! scope="col"|Chart (1976)
!Chart (1976)
! scope="col"|Rank
!Rank
|-
|-
!scope="row"|Australia (Kent Music Report)<ref>{{cite book|last=Kent|first=David|author-link=David Kent (historian)|title=Australian Chart Book 1970–1992|edition=illustrated|publisher=Australian Chart Book|location=St Ives, N.S.W.|year=1993|isbn=0-646-11917-6|page=428}}</ref><ref name="aus76">{{cite web|url=https://imgur.com/a/QxANsEK|title= National Top 100 Singles for 1976|publisher= [[Kent Music Report]] |issue= 131 |via= [[Imgur]] |date= 27 December 1976 |access-date= 15 January 2022 }}</ref>
|align="left"|New Zealand <ref>http://nztop40.co.nz/chart/?chart=3865</ref>
|16
| style="text-align:center;"|37
|-
|-
!scope="row"|New Zealand (Recorded Music NZ)<ref>{{cite web|url=https://aotearoamusiccharts.co.nz/archive/annual-singles/1976-12-31 |title=Top Selling Singles of 1976 &#124; The Official New Zealand Music Chart |website=Nztop40.co.nz |date=1963-12-08 |access-date=2016-10-10}}</ref>
|37
|}
|}
{{col-end}}
{{col-end}}


==Certifications and sales==
{{s-start}}
{{certification Table Top}}
{{succession box
{{Certification Table Entry |region=France|artist=ABBA|title=SOS|type=single|nocert=true|relyear=1975|salesamount=500,000|salesref=<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=6CMEAAAAMBAJ&q=abba+the+world+france+500%2C000&pg=PT62|magazine= [[Billboard magazine|Billboard]]|title=ABBA the World - France|first=Henry|last=Kahn|page=ABBA-14|date=8 September 1979|access-date=19 August 2022}}</ref>}}
| before= "If You Go" by Barry and Eileen
{{Certification Table Entry|region=Germany|nocert=true|relyear=1975|salesamount=500,000|title=SOS|artist=ABBA|type=single|salesref=<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-Billboard/70s/1976/Billboard%201976-04-17.pdf|title=International - From The Music Capitols of the World - Hamburg|magazine=Billboard|page=74|volume=40|issue=36|date=17 April 1976|via=World Radio History|access-date=16 September 2020}}</ref>}}
| title = Belgian [[VRT Top 30]] number-one single
{{Certification Table Entry|region=Japan|type=single|artist=ABBA|title= SOS|award=Platinum|relyear=2001|certyear=2001|certmonth=2|note=2001 release|access-date=6 May 2020}}
| years = 19 July 1976 – 26 July 1976
{{Certification Table Entry|region=United Kingdom|type=single|artist=ABBA|title=SOS|award=Gold|relyear=2004|certyear=2023|id=9622-1693-1|note=digital sales since 2004|access-date=7 June 2023}}
| after = "[[Stand by Your Man]]" by [[Tammy Wynette]]
{{Certification Table Entry|region=Yugoslavia|type=single|title=SOS|artist=ABBA|award=Silver|salesamount=60,000|relyear=1976|certref=<ref name=Džuboks>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.popboks.com/dzuboks/dzubrowser.html|title=ABBA fenomen ili fenomenalna ABBA|magazine=[[Džuboks]]|page=5|issue=33|date=April 1977|via=Popboks|access-date=16 March 2023}}</ref>|salesref=<ref name=Džuboks/>}}
}}
{{Certification Table Summary}}
{{succession box
{{Certification Table Entry|region=Europe|nocert=true|salesamount=4,000,000|salesref=<ref>{{cite book|title=Million selling records from the 1900s to the 1980s : an illustrated directory|url=https://openlibrary.org/works/OL120558W/Million_selling_records_from_the_1900s_to_the_1980s|first=Joseph|last=Murrells|year=1985 |publisher=Arco Pub.|quote=It was another triumph for the group, mainly in Europe where it sold four million|isbn=0668064595|page=393}}</ref>}}
| before= "[[Paloma Blanca]]" by [[George Baker Selection]]
{{Certification Table Bottom|nosales=true|streaming=true}}
| title = [[German Singles Chart]] [[Number-one hits of 1975 (Germany)|number-one single]]

| years = 12 September 1976 – 24 October
==Swedish version by Agnetha Fältskog==
| after = "[[Lady Bump]]" by Penny McLean
{{Infobox song
| name = SOS
| cover =
| alt =
| type = single
| artist = [[Agnetha Fältskog]]
| album = [[Elva kvinnor i ett hus]]
| B-side = Visa I Åttonde Månaden
| released = November 1975
| recorded =
| studio = Glen Studio
| venue =
| genre = [[Pop music|Pop]]
| length = 3:22
| label = [[Cupol Records|Cupol]]
| writer = {{hlist|[[Björn Ulvaeus]]|[[Benny Andersson]]|[[Stig Anderson]]}}
| producer = {{hlist|Björn Ulvaeus|Benny Andersson}}
| chronology = [[Agnetha Fältskog]]
| prev_title = [[Dom har glömt|Dom Har Glömt]]
| prev_year = 1975
| next_title = [[När du tar mig i din famn|När Du Tar Mej I Din Famn]]
| next_year = 1979
| misc = {{External music video|{{YouTube|cvChjHcABPA|"SOS"}} }}
}}
}}
{{succession box
| before= "[[Mamma Mia (song)|Mamma Mia]]" by [[ABBA]]
| title = Australian [[Kent Music Report]] [[List of number-one singles in Australia during the 1970s|number-one single]]
| years = 12 January 1976
| after = "[[Jump in My Car]]" by [[Ted Mulry|Ted Mulry Gang]]
}}
{{succession box
| before= "[[Wasted Days and Wasted Nights]]" by [[Freddy Fender]]
| title = New Zealand [[Recorded Music NZ|RIANZ]] [[List of number-one singles in 1976 (New Zealand)|number-one single]]
| years = 30 January 1976
| after = "[[Convoy]]" by [[C.W. McCall]]
}}
{{s-end}}


[[Agnetha Fältskog]]'s version was the second single from her fifth Swedish solo-album ''[[Elva kvinnor i ett hus]]'' (Eleven Women in One House).<ref name=":0" /> It was the only song from this album not to have been composed by Fältskog herself.
==Agnetha Fältskog's version==

{{Infobox single
Despite the fact that Fältskog never promoted the single in Sweden, it peaked at No. 4 on the singles chart on 1 January 1976 during a 20-week chart run, and it also became Fältskog's third No. 1 on radio chart [[Svensktoppen]], entering the chart on 22 November 1975 and spending a total of eleven weeks on the listing.<ref>{{Cite web|title=swedishcharts.com - Swedish Charts Portal|url=https://swedishcharts.com/search.asp?todo=notfound|access-date=2020-12-30|website=swedishcharts.com}}</ref>
| Name = SOS

| Cover = Agnetha Fältskog - S.O.S..jpg
The B-side of the single, "Visa I Åttonde Månaden" (Song in the Eighth Month) was a song written from a very personal perspective, as it was composed during Fältskog's pregnancy with daughter [[Linda Ulvaeus]] in 1973.<ref name=":1" />
| Artist = [[Agnetha Fältskog]]

| from Album = [[Elva kvinnor i ett hus]]
==Cher version==
| Released = November 1975
{{Infobox song
| Format = [[Single (music)|7" single]]
| Recorded = 1975
| name = SOS
| cover = Cher - SOS - Single.png
| Genre = [[Europop]], Pop
| Length = 3:35
| type= single
| Label = [[Sony Music|CBS Cupol]]
| artist = [[Cher]]
| album = [[Dancing Queen (album)|Dancing Queen]]
| Writer =
| released = 23 August 2018
| Producer = [[Benny Andersson]]<br />[[Björn Ulvaeus]]<br />[[Agnetha Fältskog]]
| recorded = 2018
| [ Certification =
| genre = [[Pop music|Pop]]
| Last single = "[[Dom har glömt]]"<br />(1975)
| length = 3:22
| This single = "'''SOS'''"<br />(1975)
| label = [[Warner Bros. Records|Warner Bros.]]
| Next single = "[[Never Again (Agnetha song)|Never Again]]"<br />(1982)
| writer =
*[[Benny Andersson]]
*[[Björn Ulvaeus]]
*[[Stig Anderson]]
| producer = [[Mark Taylor (music producer)|Mark Taylor]]
| prev_title = [[Gimme! Gimme! Gimme! (A Man After Midnight)#Cher version|Gimme! Gimme! Gimme! (A Man After Midnight)]]
| prev_year = 2018
| next_title = [[Chiquitita#Cher version|Chiquitita]]
| next_year = 2020
| misc = {{External music video|{{YouTube|7T4rz4NsYjk|"SOS"}}}}
}}
}}


American singer [[Cher]]'s version was the second single from her 2018 album ''[[Dancing Queen (album)|Dancing Queen]]''. It was released on 23 August 2018.<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/cher-abba-sos-cover-714376/|title=Hear Cher Belt Out Emotional Version of ABBA's 'SOS'|magazine=Rolling Stone|date=23 August 2018|access-date=31 August 2018|archive-date=2 February 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210202030857/https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/cher-abba-sos-cover-714376/|url-status=dead}}</ref> The song peaked at number 56 in the Scottish singles chart in August of that year.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart Top 100 {{!}} Official Charts Company|url=https://www.officialcharts.com/charts/scottish-singles-chart/20180831/41/|access-date=2021-07-16|website=www.officialcharts.com|language=en}}</ref>
[[Agnetha Fältskog]]'s version was the second single from her fifth Swedish solo-album ''[[Elva kvinnor i ett hus]]'' (Eleven Women In One House). It was the only song from this album not to have been composed by Fältskog herself.


===Critical reception===
Despite the fact that Fältskog never promoted the single in Sweden, it peaked at No. 4 on the singles chart on 1 January 1976 during a 20-week chart run, and it also became Fältskog's third No. 1 on radio chart [[Svensktoppen]], entering the chart on 22 November 1975 and spending a total of eleven weeks on the listing.


Writing for ''[[Rolling Stone]]'', Brittany Spanos felt that "working with producer [[Mark Taylor (music producer)|Mark Taylor]] who helped seal Cher’s legacy with the game-changing "[[Believe (Cher song)|Believe]]" in the late Nineties, she finds subtle changes that update ABBA classics without totally stripping them of the catchiness that made those songs beloved hits well beyond their heyday. "[[Gimme! Gimme! Gimme! (A Man After Midnight)]]," "SOS" and "[[Mamma Mia (ABBA song)|Mamma Mia]]" are given just enough of a knob turn that they're transformed from upbeat [[FM broadcasting|FM radio]] pop into club bangers, pulsating with every beat."<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-album-reviews/review-cher-dancing-queen-abba-mamma-mia-730316/|title=Review: Cher Lovingly Updates ABBA's Hits on 'Dancing Queen'|date=13 October 2018|magazine=Rolling Stone|access-date=13 October 2018}}</ref>
The B-side of the single, "Visa I Åttonde Månaden" (Song In The Eighth Month) was a song written from a very personal perspective, as it was composed during Fältskog's pregnancy with daughter [[Linda Ulvaeus]] in 1973.
{{clear}}


===Music video===
==Other cover versions==
* Dance covers of the song have been recorded by Abbacadabra (through [[Almighty Records]]), German Eurodance group [[E-Rotic]] on their album ''Thank You For The Music'',<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.eurodancehits.com/erotic.html |title=E-Rotic Page |publisher=Eurodancehits.com |accessdate=5 February 2012}}</ref> The Element on the ''Lay All Your Love On ABBA'' compilation, Angeleyes on their album ''ABBAdance'', Euphorica on their 2003 album ''ABBA Dance'',<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.artistdirect.com/nad/store/artist/album/0,,2556016,00.html?src=search&artist=Abba+Dance |title=Euphorica by Abba Dance @ ARTISTdirect.com – Shop, Listen, Download |publisher=Artistdirect.com |accessdate=5 February 2012}}</ref> Les Blue Belles, Kyria, and DJ Ensamble on the 2006 album ''Trancing Queen''.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.eurodancehits.com/review.html |title=Reviews |publisher=Eurodancehits.com |accessdate=5 February 2012}}</ref>
* An [[electronica]] version by Radha Kali is included on the compilation ''The Electronic Tribute To ABBA''.
* Finnish rock group [[The Rasmus]] recorded a cover of the song for the 2006 compilation ''Come Together – A Tribute to BRAVO''. An audio sample can be heard on the official German website for the compilation.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bravo.de/online/render.php?render=034098 |title="Come Together – A Tribute To BRAVO": Die CD! &#124; Archiv &#124; Bravo (Family) |publisher=Bravo.De |date=14 September 2006 |accessdate=5 February 2012}}</ref>
* American singer/songwriter [[Pamela McNeill]] covers it on her album ''Tribute To ABBA'', which was produced by her husband [[Dugan McNeill]].
* Swedish studio musicians The Black Sweden included a version of the song on their ABBA tribute album ''Gold''. This version includes a [[riff]] from the [[Kiss (band)|Kiss]] song "God of Thunder".
* Alternative U.K. band [[Th' Faith Healers]] recorded a cover of the song.
* Canadian rock band [[Harem Scarem]] recorded a cover of the song.
* Indie artists Brad Sucks and The Hip Cola recorded an acoustic version that was available for download on the Internet.
* In 1975, Swedish soprano Lena Andersson released a German-language version as a single, which used the original backing track.
* In 1975, French musician Marie released a French-language version as a single.
* In 1976, Czech singer Jana Giergielová released a Czech-language version as a single.
* Released in the early 1980s, the "[[Stars on 45]] Medley 2" started off with a bunch of 60's songs then ended the last third with several ABBA tracks. This section of the medley kicked off with "SOS", followed by "Money, Money, Money"/"Knowing Me, Knowing You"/"Fernando"/"The Winner Takes It All"/"Super Trouper".
* In 1988, Kees Zaaijer released a fully synthesized version of "SOS", which he recorded using the up-and-coming [[Commodore 64]] [[synth]].
* In 1989, [[Canadian]] [[New wave music|new wave]] band [[Men Without Hats]] released a cover on their album ''[[The Adventures of Women & Men Without Hate in the 21st Century]]''.
* In 1990, Los Angeles indie band Celebrity Skin released a version on their album ''Melting Pot''.
* In 1991, Norwegian rock group Israelvis released a cover on their album ''We Only Live Twice''.
* In 1992, Swedish band Stonecake released a version on the compilation ''ABBA: The Tribute''..
* In 1992, the song was covered on [[Erasure]]'s ''[[Abba-esque]]'' EP.
* In 1995, [[Russians|Russian]] [[black metal]] band Trizna included a cover of the song on their album ''Out of Step''. It was also later included on their 1996 album ''Need For Speed''.
* In 1995, [[Peter Cetera]] released a [[cover version]] of the song as a duet with singer Ronna Reeves on his album ''[[One Clear Voice]]''. The song was also included on the 1999 compilation ''ABBA: A Tribute – The 25th Anniversary Celebration''.
* The 1995 New Zealand compilation ''[[Abbasalutely]]'' includes a cover by the [[Able Tasmans]].
* In 1996 British musician [[Hazell Dean]] released a version on her tribute album ''The Winner Takes It All''.
* In 1998, alternative band The Fire Apes covered the song for their album ''A Perfect Day For Bananafish''.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://cdbaby.com/cd/fireapes1 |title=The Fire Apes &#124; A Perfect Day For Bananafish |publisher=CD Baby |accessdate=5 February 2012}}</ref>
* In 1999, the Swedish pop group [[A-Teens]] did a cover of "SOS" for their debut album, ''[[The ABBA Generation]]''.
* In 2000, the [[ska]] band [[Mad Caddies]] covered "SOS" on their ''[[The Holiday Has Been Cancelled]]'' EP.
* In 2000, German [[neo-classical metal]] band At Vance recorded a version for their album ''Heart of Steel''.
* In 2001, 2 dance covers of the song by [[Donna Burke]] were included on the Japanese import ''ABBA Ibiza Caliente Mix'' compilation.
* In 2001, the tribute album ''ABBAMetal'' (also released as ''[[A Tribute to ABBA]]'') included a heavy metal version by German band Paradox.
* In 2001, Serbian punk rock band [[KBO!]] recorded a version on their cover album ''(Ne) Menjajte Stanicu'' ((Do Not) Change The Station)
* In 2002, [[the Meat Purveyors]] covered the song on their album, ''All Relationships Are Doomed to Fail''.
* In 2003, American artist Lionel's Dad (a.k.a. Mark Towner Williams) covered the song for his album ''Break The Normal''.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bekkoame.ne.jp/~takeito/M_Williams.html |title=MARK T. WILLIAMS on Adult Contemporary Music In Japan |publisher=Bekkoame.ne.jp |accessdate=5 February 2012}}</ref>
* In 2004, the song was covered by TV actress [[Tricia Penrose]] on the British ''ABBAMania 2'' album.
* In 2004, Joie Starr released a version on ''Abbalicious'', a 2004 compilation album performed by American [[drag queens]].
* In 2004, Swedish musician [[Nils Landgren (musician)|Nils Landgren]] covered the song on his album ''Funky ABBA''.
* On the 2005 German ''ABBA Mania'' compilation, the song was covered by [[Swiss]] actress/model/singer [[Michelle Hunziker]].
* In 2005, the song was covered by indie band Dodd Ferrelle and The Tin Foil Stars on their album ''The Murder of Love''.<ref>{{cite web|author=jmsdeeter |url=http://cdbaby.com/cd/doddferrelle |title=Dodd Ferrelle & the Tinfoil Stars &#124; The Murder of Love |publisher=CD Baby |accessdate=5 February 2012}}</ref>
* In 2006, American indie band Masonic recorded a cover of the song for their album ''Without Warning''. A sample can be heard on their official website.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.masonictheband.com/masonic/wow.html |title=www.masonictheband.com |publisher=masonictheband.com |accessdate=5 February 2012}}</ref>
* In 2007, the song was covered by Dutch rock singer/musician Robby Valentine on his album ''Falling Down In Misanthropolis''.
* In 2007, an acoustic cover of the song by indie band [[Nekked]] was included on their album ''A Barrier of Skin''.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://cdbaby.com/cd/nekked |title=NEKKED &#124; A Barrier of Skin |publisher=CD Baby |accessdate=5 February 2012}}</ref>
* In 2008, the song was covered in a [[jazz]]/[[lounge music]] style by American group BNB on their album ''Bossa Mia: Songs of ABBA''.<ref>[http://www.manilatimes.net/national/2008/jan/09/yehey/life/20080109lif4.html ] {{wayback|url=http://www.manilatimes.net/national/2008/jan/09/yehey/life/20080109lif4.html |date=20081205035323 |df=y }}</ref>
* Tribute band [[Gabba (band)]] recorded a cover of the song, in the style of [[The Ramones]]. A sample can be heard on their official website.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gabba.co.uk/media.html |title=GABBA The Discopunk Sensation – MEDIA |publisher=Gabba.co.uk |accessdate=5 February 2012}}</ref>
* The song is performed in the ''[[Mamma Mia!]]'' musical. In the context of the musical, the song is sung by Sam and Donna when they are expressing desire for each other, unbeknownst to each other. In the 2008 ''[[Mamma Mia! (film)|Mamma Mia!]]'' film adaptation, the song is performed by [[Meryl Streep]] and [[Pierce Brosnan]].
* American indie band Divorcee recorded a cover which was available for download on the Internet.
* Indie band Mortimer Bustos recorded a cover of the song. An audio sample was available on their official MySpace page in the past.
* The [[Royal Philharmonic Orchestra]] recorded an instrumental cover of the song. [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Edr1ForUC1A]
* In 2009, a DNA-repair themed scientific reprise of the song appeared in the journal ''Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Education'' [http://www3.interscience.wiley.com/journal/122611059/abstract] [http://www3.interscience.wiley.com/cgi-bin/fulltext/122611059/sm001.mp3?PLACEBO=IE.pdf]
* In 2009, the song was covered by [[Eurobeat]] label Eurogrooves on the album [[Super Eurobeat]] 198.
* [[Versant (band)|Versant]] released a cover of the song on 9 October 2009
* In 2011, [[Chris De Burgh]] covered the song on his album ''[[Footsteps 2]]''.
* [[Marina Prior]] recorded the song for her 2012 album ''[[Both Sides Now (Marina Prior album)|Both Sides Now]]''
* In 2013, [[The Headstones]] covered the song on their latest album ''[[Love + Fury]]''.
* On the 2013 compilation album ''[[Soldans på din grammofon]]'' [[Gyllene Tider]] (featuring [[Per Gessle]] of [[Roxette]] fame) released a rehearsal room recording of the song recorded in 1980.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://smdb.kb.se/catalog/id/002975313|title=Soldans på din grammofon|publisher=Svensk mediedatabas|language=Swedish|date=2013|accessdate=16 June 2015}}</ref>
* In 2014, [[Fozzy]] covered the song on their album [[Do You Wanna Start a War]].
* In 2015 Israeli electro pop duo The Young Professionals covered the song for their album remixes and cover<ref>http://www.advocate.com/arts-entertainment/music/2015/07/14/exclusive-young-professionals-premiere-their-sexy-cover-abbas-so</ref>
* In 2015, [[Portishead (band)|Portishead]] covered the song for [[High-Rise (film)]]. In June 2016, on the eve of the [[Brexit]] referendum, an official video was released in honour of the recently murdered [[Member of Parliament|MP]] [[Jo Cox]].


An accompanying music video for "SOS" was directed by Jake Wilson, and was premiered through Cher's official YouTube channel on 18 September 2018. The video features [[Rumer Willis]], singer [[Betty Who]], ''[[Transparent (TV series)|Transparent]]'' star [[Trace Lysette]], comedian [[Sabrina Jalees]], ''[[Elena of Avalor]]'' voice actor [[Aimee Carrero]] and ''[[Crazy Ex-Girlfriend]]'' cast member [[Vella Lovell]]. It was styled by fashion director William Graper in a similar fashion to the original ABBA video.<ref name="musiz1">{{cite news|title=Betty Who, Trace Lysette, Rumer Willis, Vella Lovell, Lauren Weedman and More Lip Sync Cher's ABBA-esque 'S.O.S.' Video|url=http://www.towleroad.com/2018/09/cher-sos-video/|newspaper=towleroad.com|date=12 October 2018}}</ref> It was also listed as the 18th best music video of 2018 by ''[[Paper (magazine)|Paper]]''. Roytel Montero said that "in a studied homage to the original ABBA classic from 1975, [the] interpretation of the video renders it a poignant call to female solidarity".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.papermag.com/top-music-videos-2018-2623668521.html?rebelltitem=11|title=PAPER's Top 20 Music Videos of 2018|last=Montero|first=Roytel|date=17 December 2018|work=Paper|access-date=22 March 2018}}</ref>
==Live cover performances==
* Former [[Chicago]] frontman [[Peter Cetera]] performed the song regularly on his [[One Clear Voice]] concert tour of 1995-96 <ref>Seigel, B. (November 14, 1995). Making Tracks: Harley Crash Just a Temporary Setback as Ex-Chicago Singer Peter Cetera Hits the Road to Tout Latest CD. Los Angeles Times</ref> and again on tour in 2009-2010.<ref>http://www.setlist.fm/stats/peter-cetera-63d6be53.html?year=2015</ref>
* An acoustic version of the song was recorded by American rock band [[Tonic (band)|Tonic]] for the radio program [[Andrew Denton]] Breakfast Show. Their cover was included on the 2000 compilation ''[[Andrew Denton's Musical Challenge]]''.
* In 2005, [[The Conway Sisters]] sang the song on [[The X Factor (UK series 2)|Series 2
]] of ''[[The X Factor (UK)|The X Factor]]''.
* The [[James Last Orchestra]] performed "SOS" on tour in 2006 as part of a big band ABBA tribute. The band's performance at London's [[Royal Albert Hall]] was recorded and released on CD and DVD.<ref>https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ODQ5kQ4qzgg</ref>
* In 2006, [[Dizzy Reed]] played an instrumental piano version of the song as his solo spot in [[Stockholm]] on the [[Chinese Democracy Tour]].
* In 2007, [[John Frusciante]] sung the song six times during a solo portion of [[Red Hot Chili Peppers]] concerts on the Stadium Arcadium tour.
* [[Chris de Burgh]] performed SOS regularly in concert in 2011 and 2012, and, at an April concert in her home town of [[Zermatt, Switzerland]], de Burgh dedicated the song to [[Frida Lyngstad]], who was in attendance.<ref>https://www.facebook.com/officialabbafanclub/posts/10150826911482780</ref>
* In 2012, [[James Arthur (singer)|James Arthur]] played an acoustic version of the song live on [[The X Factor (UK series 9)]] 24 November 2012.


===Live performances===
==Appearances in other media==

* In 2000, "SOS" was the main theme song in [[Lukas Moodysson]]'s film ''[[Tillsammans]]''.
Cher appeared on [[The Ellen Degeneres Show|The Ellen Show]] on 7 September 2018, to promote her [[ABBA]] [[tribute album]], ''Dancing Queen''. During her appearance on Ellen, Cher also performed her rendition of ABBA’s "[[SOS (ABBA song)#Cher version|SOS]]" and discussed her upcoming world tour.<ref name="musiz2">{{cite news|title=Ellen DeGeneres Trolls Cher With Cheesy Impersonation of 'If I Could Turn Back Time'|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/ellen-degeneres-trolls-cher-with-cheesy-impersonation-of-if-i-could-turn-back-time-720549/|newspaper=Rolling Stone|date=12 October 2018}}</ref> During her [[Here We Go Again Tour]] she performs "SOS" together with "[[Waterloo (song)|Waterloo]]" and "[[Fernando (song)#Cher version|Fernando]]".<ref name="Setlist">{{cite web|last=Cashmere|first=Paul|url=http://www.noise11.com/news/cher-opens-here-we-go-again-tour-in-auckland-and-then-heads-out-for-gelato-20180924|work=Nosie11|date=24 September 2018|access-date=24 September 2018|title=Cher Opens Here We Go Again Tour in Auckland And Then Heads Out For Gelato}}</ref> On 31 October 2018 "[[The Shoop Shoop Song (It's in His Kiss)]]" and "[[Take Me Home (Cher song)|Take Me Home]]" were cut from her [[Classic Cher]] [[concert residency]] and "Waterloo", "SOS" and "Fernando" were added.<ref>{{cite magazine | url=http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/7685315/cher-returns-concert-stage-vegas | title=Cher Returns to the Concert Stage With Glitz & Hits (But No Politics) | magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]] | date=9 February 2017 | access-date=9 February 2017 | author=Caulfield, Keith}}</ref>
* In 2001, ABBA's original version of "SOS" was used as the theme song of the Japanese [[Japanese television drama|TV drama]] ''[[Strawberry on the Shortcake]]''. The song was re-released as a single, some twenty-five years after its original release, followed by a soundtrack album. Both the single and the album were successful on the Japanese charts, and the former became that year's best-selling single by an international music act in Japan, selling some 130,000 copies.<ref>[http://www2.wbs.ne.jp/~ms-db/oricon/japan%20no1%20single%2068-.htm List of the best-selling international singles on the Japanese Oricon Year-End Charts (1968–2006)] {{wayback|url=http://www2.wbs.ne.jp/~ms-db/oricon/japan%20no1%20single%2068-.htm |date=20070101062900 |df=y }}</ref> The following year "SOS" won a gold prize at the 17th [[Japan Gold Disc Award]]s in honor of its renewed commercial success.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.riaj.or.jp/e/data/gdisc/2002.html |title=RIAJ 17th Annual Gold Disc Awards |publisher=Riaj.or.jp |accessdate=5 February 2012}}</ref>

* The song frequently used as bumper music for the radio program ''[[Coast to Coast AM]]''.
===Track listings and formats===
====Digital download====
* "SOS" – 3:22

===Credits and personnel===
Credits for ''Dancing Queen'' adapted from [[AllMusic]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/dancing-queen-mw0003202360/credits|title=Dancing Queen - Cher &#124; Credits|publisher=AllMusic}}</ref>

====Management====
* Published by Universal Songs of PolyGramInt., Inc. (ASCAP) and EMI Grove Park Music Inc. (BMI)
* Recorded by Mark Taylor and Paul Meehan at Metrophonic Studios, London
* Mixed at by Matt Furmidge and Mark Taylor at Metrophonic Studios, London
* Mastered by Sthephen Marcussen Mastering, Hollywood, CA

====Personnel====
* [[Cher]] – primary vocals
* [[Benny Andersson]] – songwriter
* [[Stig Anderson]] – songwriter
* [[Björn Ulvaeus]] – songwriter
* [[Ash Soan]] – drums
* [[Adam Phillips (musician)|Adam Phillips]] – guitars
* [[Hayley Sanderson]] – backing vocals
* Andy Caine – backing vocals

===Charts===

{|class="wikitable plainrowheaders sortable" style="text-align:center"
!Chart (2018)
!Peak<br/>position
|-
{{single chart|CIS|688|artist=Cher|song=SOS|rowheader=true|songid=91753|access-date=10 September 2020}}
|-
{{single chart|Scotland|56|date=20180831|rowheader=true|access-date=19 August 2018}}
|-
! scope="row"|UK Singles Sales ([[Official Charts Company|OCC]])<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.officialcharts.com/charts/singles-sales-chart/|title=Official Singles Sales Chart Top 100|work=Music Week|date=31 August 2018|location=London|access-date=1 September 2018}}</ref>
|78
|}


==Sampling/Influence on other songs==
* [[Punk rock]] band [[The Sex Pistols]] used the riff of "SOS" as the introduction to their track "[[Pretty Vacant]]". The chorus of "Pretty Vacant" was also inspired by "SOS".
* In 1989, [[Austria]]n group [[Edelweiss (band)|Edelweiss]] used the melody behind "SOS" as part of their biggest-selling single "Bring Me Edelweiss".
==Radio performances==
*21 april 2016-bbc radio merseyside-tony snell in the morning cite web|url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p03q6h1n,and then Sean Styles http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p03rmtv2
==References==
==References==
{{Reflist}}
{{reflist|colwidth=30em}}


==External links==
==External links==
* {{YouTube|CxMcD8QHVag|SOS}}
* {{MetroLyrics song|abba|sos}}<!-- Licensed lyrics provider -->


{{ABBA}}
{{ABBA songs}}
{{Cher singles}}
{{Authority control}}


[[Category:1975 singles]]
[[Category:1975 singles]]
[[Category:1970s ballads]]
[[Category:2018 singles]]
[[Category:ABBA songs]]
[[Category:ABBA songs]]
[[Category:Agnetha Fältskog songs]]
[[Category:Agnetha Fältskog songs]]
[[Category:Atlantic Records singles]]
[[Category:Cher songs]]
[[Category:Epic Records singles]]
[[Category:Mushroom Records singles]]
[[Category:Number-one singles in Australia]]
[[Category:Number-one singles in Australia]]
[[Category:Number-one singles in Belgium]]
[[Category:Number-one singles in France]]
[[Category:Number-one singles in Germany]]
[[Category:Number-one singles in Germany]]
[[Category:Number-one singles in New Zealand]]
[[Category:Number-one singles in New Zealand]]
[[Category:Number-one singles in South Africa]]
[[Category:Polar Music singles]]
[[Category:Polar Music singles]]
[[Category:Pop ballads]]
[[Category:Oricon International Singles Chart number-one singles]]
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Latest revision as of 05:48, 8 January 2025

"SOS"
Danish picture sleeve
Single by ABBA
from the album ABBA
B-side"Man in the Middle"
ReleasedJune 1975
Recorded22–23 August 1974
StudioGlen Studio
Genre
Length3:22
LabelPolar (Sweden)
Epic (UK)
Atlantic (US)
Mushroom/Warner Bros. (Oceania)
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)
  • Björn Ulvaeus
  • Benny Andersson
ABBA singles chronology
"Bang-A-Boomerang"
(1975) 		"SOS"
(1975) 		"Mamma Mia"
(1975)
Music video
"SOS" on YouTube

"SOS" is a song by Swedish pop group ABBA. It was released in June 1975 as the fifth single from their self-titled 1975 album.[3]

It was released with "Man in the Middle" as the B-side. Agnetha Fältskog, who sang lead, recorded the song in Swedish on her 1975 solo album Elva kvinnor i ett hus.[4] "SOS" was ABBA's first major worldwide hit since "Waterloo".

History

[edit]

"SOS" (working title; "Turn Me On") was written by Benny Andersson, Björn Ulvaeus and Stig Anderson and was recorded at Glen Studio in Långängen, Sweden on 22–23 August 1974.[5] The title itself was coined by Stig, though the lyrics he provided were re-written by Ulvaeus.[3] "SOS" was among the first of three songs recorded for the group's 1975 album, ABBA and the opening track of their classic Greatest Hits LP released at the end of the same year.

The song opens with a piano intro, followed by the first verse sung by Fältskog. Biographer Carl Magnus Palm described it as 'Agnetha's first 'heartbreak classic, wherein the tear-filled vocal delivery, her trademark, would blend a pop melody, with a dash of melancholy.[3] The song features a heavy influence from the Wall of Sound instrumentation of Phil Spector and the melodies of the Beach Boys.[6]

Lyricist Ulvaeus has said that, after three years of trying to figure out what style would define them, ABBA found its identity as a pop group with the release of "SOS",[7] while Palm described it as 'pure ABBA'.[3]

During the band's first visit to the United States, ABBA performed "SOS" on the long-running television programs American Bandstand and Saturday Night Live on 15 November 1975.[8][9] The promotional video was directed by Lasse Hallström and released in the same year, along with the single.[10] The video and three others (for "I Do, I Do, I Do, I Do, I Do", "Mamma Mia" and "Bang-A-Boomerang"), were completed in two days for a total cost of Kr 50,000 (£5,500).[5] The video was uploaded to YouTube on 8 October 2009, on the AbbaVEVO channel, and has 88 million views as of February 2024.[11]

The song is also featured in the concert film ABBA: The Movie (1977), Good Night Oppy (2022), and Live at Wembley Arena, released in 2014.[12]

Reception

[edit]

I remember hearing "S.O.S". on the radio in the States and realizing that it was Abba. But it was too late, because I was already transported by it. I just thought it was such a great sound, you know – great bass drum and the whole thing...

"SOS" marked a significant turnaround in ABBA's fortunes and returned them to the Top 10 in many countries.[13] Reaching #6 and #4 respectively, "SOS" started a run of 18 consecutive Top 10 hits for ABBA in the UK and Ireland.[14][15] "SOS" reached #1 in Australia, Belgium, France, West Germany (where it spent 7 weeks at the top), New Zealand and South Africa, and was a Top 3 hit in Austria, the Netherlands, Norway, Italy (where it became ABBA's most successful hit), Mexico, Rhodesia and Switzerland. The song also became ABBA's second Top 20 hit in the United States, peaking at #15.[16][17]

As of September 2021, it is ABBA's 19th-biggest song in the UK, including both pure sales and digital streams.[18]

Chicago radio station WLS, which gave "SOS" much airplay, ranked the song as the 61st biggest hit of 1975.[19] It peaked at number six on their survey of 22 November 1975.[20]

"SOS" has been recorded and performed in concert by several prominent artists, including John Frusciante, Peter Cetera, Chris deBurgh, Cher, Portishead, Fozzy, and Canadian rock group Headstones. English synth-pop duo Erasure covered "SOS" and three other ABBA songs on their 1992 Abba-esque EP, reaching number one in the UK singles chart.[21]

Ray Davies of The Kinks said that he was taken with the song after seeing the group perform it on the BBC television show Seaside Special.[22] Pete Townshend said the song had "a great sound".[23]

American singer-songwriter and former Czars frontman John Grant has called "SOS" "one of the greatest pieces of music ever made", adding that Agnetha Fältskog's "perfect" lyrical interpretation and emotional delivery is "a beautiful thing".[7] British conductor and producer Charles Hazlewood called the song's "supersonic" transition from an acoustic D-minor key to an electric rock motif "absolutely genius".[7]

Sex Pistols bassist Glen Matlock has claimed to have been inspired to write the main riff of "Pretty Vacant" after hearing "SOS" on a jukebox.[24]

ABBA's performance of "SOS" on American Bandstand in 1975 has been included on lists of the most significant performances in the show's 31 seasons by several reviewers and critics. Bill Lamb put the song at number five,[25] as did Alicia Diaz Dennis[26] and Andres Jauregui.[27]

ABBA performed "SOS" on episode five of the inaugural season of the long-running comedy-variety show Saturday Night Live (SNL) on 15 November 1975.[28] SNL head writer Michael O'Donoghue staged the performance on a set of the deck of the Titanic and continued the sketch while the band were performing, according to bandleader Paul Shaffer, "They kept on singing like the pros that they are."[29]

To date, the song is the only US Hot 100 or UK Official Charts single (or #1 single in Australia[30]) in which both the title and the artist are palindromes.[31][32]

Track listing

[edit]
A-side
No.TitleWriter(s)Length
1."SOS"
  • Andersson
  • Ulvaeus
  • Anderson
3:24
2."Man in the Middle"
  • Andersson
  • Ulvaeus
3:04

Personnel

[edit]

Chart performance

[edit]

Certifications and sales

[edit]
Region Certification Certified units/sales
France — 500,000[65]
Germany — 500,000[66]
Japan (RIAJ)[67]
2001 release 		Platinum 100,000^
United Kingdom (BPI)[68]
digital sales since 2004 		Gold 400,000‡
Yugoslavia[69] Silver 60,000[69]
Summaries
Europe — 4,000,000[70]

^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.
‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

Swedish version by Agnetha Fältskog

[edit]
"SOS"
Single by Agnetha Fältskog
from the album Elva kvinnor i ett hus
B-side"Visa I Åttonde Månaden"
ReleasedNovember 1975
StudioGlen Studio
GenrePop
Length3:22
LabelCupol
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)
  • Björn Ulvaeus
  • Benny Andersson
Agnetha Fältskog singles chronology
"Dom Har Glömt"
(1975) 		"SOS"
(1975) 		"När Du Tar Mej I Din Famn"
(1979)
Music video
"SOS" on YouTube

Agnetha Fältskog's version was the second single from her fifth Swedish solo-album Elva kvinnor i ett hus (Eleven Women in One House).[3] It was the only song from this album not to have been composed by Fältskog herself.

Despite the fact that Fältskog never promoted the single in Sweden, it peaked at No. 4 on the singles chart on 1 January 1976 during a 20-week chart run, and it also became Fältskog's third No. 1 on radio chart Svensktoppen, entering the chart on 22 November 1975 and spending a total of eleven weeks on the listing.[71]

The B-side of the single, "Visa I Åttonde Månaden" (Song in the Eighth Month) was a song written from a very personal perspective, as it was composed during Fältskog's pregnancy with daughter Linda Ulvaeus in 1973.[5]

Cher version

[edit]
"SOS"
Single by Cher
from the album Dancing Queen
Released23 August 2018
Recorded2018
GenrePop
Length3:22
LabelWarner Bros.
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)Mark Taylor
Cher singles chronology
"Gimme! Gimme! Gimme! (A Man After Midnight)"
(2018) 		"SOS"
(2018) 		"Chiquitita"
(2020)
Music video
"SOS" on YouTube

American singer Cher's version was the second single from her 2018 album Dancing Queen. It was released on 23 August 2018.[72] The song peaked at number 56 in the Scottish singles chart in August of that year.[73]

Critical reception

[edit]

Writing for Rolling Stone, Brittany Spanos felt that "working with producer Mark Taylor who helped seal Cher’s legacy with the game-changing "Believe" in the late Nineties, she finds subtle changes that update ABBA classics without totally stripping them of the catchiness that made those songs beloved hits well beyond their heyday. "Gimme! Gimme! Gimme! (A Man After Midnight)," "SOS" and "Mamma Mia" are given just enough of a knob turn that they're transformed from upbeat FM radio pop into club bangers, pulsating with every beat."[74]

Music video

[edit]

An accompanying music video for "SOS" was directed by Jake Wilson, and was premiered through Cher's official YouTube channel on 18 September 2018. The video features Rumer Willis, singer Betty Who, Transparent star Trace Lysette, comedian Sabrina Jalees, Elena of Avalor voice actor Aimee Carrero and Crazy Ex-Girlfriend cast member Vella Lovell. It was styled by fashion director William Graper in a similar fashion to the original ABBA video.[75] It was also listed as the 18th best music video of 2018 by Paper. Roytel Montero said that "in a studied homage to the original ABBA classic from 1975, [the] interpretation of the video renders it a poignant call to female solidarity".[76]

Live performances

[edit]

Cher appeared on The Ellen Show on 7 September 2018, to promote her ABBA tribute album, Dancing Queen. During her appearance on Ellen, Cher also performed her rendition of ABBA’s "SOS" and discussed her upcoming world tour.[77] During her Here We Go Again Tour she performs "SOS" together with "Waterloo" and "Fernando".[78] On 31 October 2018 "The Shoop Shoop Song (It's in His Kiss)" and "Take Me Home" were cut from her Classic Cher concert residency and "Waterloo", "SOS" and "Fernando" were added.[79]

Track listings and formats

[edit]

Digital download

[edit]
  • "SOS" – 3:22

Credits and personnel

[edit]

Credits for Dancing Queen adapted from AllMusic.[80]

Management

[edit]
  • Published by Universal Songs of PolyGramInt., Inc. (ASCAP) and EMI Grove Park Music Inc. (BMI)
  • Recorded by Mark Taylor and Paul Meehan at Metrophonic Studios, London
  • Mixed at by Matt Furmidge and Mark Taylor at Metrophonic Studios, London
  • Mastered by Sthephen Marcussen Mastering, Hollywood, CA

Personnel

[edit]

Charts

[edit]
Chart (2018) Peak
position
CIS Airplay (TopHit)[81] 688
Scotland (OCC)[82] 56
UK Singles Sales (OCC)[83] 78

References

[edit]
  1. ^ Stanley, Bob (2014). "See That Girl: Abba". Yeah! Yeah! Yeah! The Story of Pop Music from Bill Haley to Beyoncé. New York: W. W. Norton & Company. p. 280.
  2. ^ Ruhlmann, William. Thank You for the Music (1995): Review at AllMusic. Retrieved December 22, 2023.
  3. ^ a b c d e Palm, Carl Magnus. (2005). Abba : the complete guide to their music. London: Omnibus Press. pp. 29–30. ISBN 1-84449-505-1. OCLC 60589495.
  4. ^ "Agnetha Fältskog - Elva Kvinnor I Ett Hus". Discogs. 1975. Retrieved 30 December 2020.
  5. ^ a b c Palm, Carl Magnus (28 October 2009). Bright Lights, Dark Shadows: The Real Story of ABBA. Omnibus Press. ISBN 9780857120571 – via Google Books.
  6. ^ Bronson, Fred (6 April 2019). "45 Years Ago Today, ABBA Started Its Global Conquest With Eurovision Win for 'Waterloo'". Billboard. Retrieved 7 November 2021.
  7. ^ a b c BBC documentary "The Joy of ABBA", produced by Ben Whalley (2013)
  8. ^ AwardsShowNetwork. "American Bandstand". Abba on Tv. Archived from the original on 29 October 2017. Retrieved 10 October 2016.
  9. ^ Rees, Dafydd (1999). Rock stars encyclopedia. Crampton, Luke., Rees, Dafydd. (New rev., 1st American ed.). New York: DK Publishers. p. 8. ISBN 0-7894-4613-8. OCLC 41137541.
  10. ^ Sheridan, Simon. The Complete ABBA, London, England, Titan Books, 22 May 2012. Retrieved 30 September 2017. ISBN 9781781164983
  11. ^ AbbaVEVO (8 October 2009), Abba - SOS, retrieved 11 February 2024
  12. ^ Elliott, Mark (10 November 2020). "'Live At Wembley Arena': How ABBA Went Beyond All Expectations". uDiscover Music. Retrieved 30 December 2020.
  13. ^ Kennaugh, Jonathan (1996). "Abba". Rock : the rough guide. Jonathan Buckley, Mark Ellingham, Justin Lewis, Jill Furmanovsky (eds) (1st ed.). London: Rough Guides. pp. 3–4. ISBN 1-85828-201-2. OCLC 35981756.
  14. ^ "United Kingdom". Home.zipworld.com.au. 4 September 2015. Retrieved 10 October 2016.
  15. ^ "Ireland". Home.zipworld.com.au. 9 November 2015. Retrieved 10 October 2016.
  16. ^ "S.O.S Chart History". Billboard. Retrieved 30 December 2020.
  17. ^ "United States of America". 13 October 2009. Archived from the original on 13 October 2009. Retrieved 30 December 2020.
  18. ^ UK Official Charts ABBA's Official Top 20 biggest songs
  19. ^ "WLS : THE BIG 89 OF 1975". Oldiesloon.com. Retrieved 10 October 2016.
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