"Why Did It Have to Be Me?" is a song by the Swedish

pop Pop or POP may refer to: Arts, entertainment, and media * Pop music, a musical genre Artists * POP, a Japanese idol group now known as Gang Parade * Pop! (British group), a UK pop group * Pop! featuring Angie Hart, an Australian band Album ...

band

ABBA ABBA ( ) were a Swedish pop group formed in Stockholm in 1972 by Agnetha Fältskog, Björn Ulvaeus, Benny Andersson, and Anni-Frid Lyngstad. They are one of the most popular and successful musical groups of all time, and are one of the List ...

. The song was released on the 1976 album ''Arrival''. "Why Did It Have to Be Me?" has been called a "

Fats Domino Antoine Caliste Domino Jr. (February 26, 1928 – October 24, 2017), known as Fats Domino, was an American singer-songwriter and pianist. One of the pioneers of rock and roll music, Domino sold more than 65 million records. Born in New Orl ...

flavoured" song, and has been noted for its mix of

blues Blues is a music genre and musical form that originated among African Americans in the Deep South of the United States around the 1860s. Blues has incorporated spiritual (music), spirituals, work songs, field hollers, Ring shout, shouts, cha ...

jazz Jazz is a music genre that originated in the African-American communities of New Orleans, Louisiana, in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Its roots are in blues, ragtime, European harmony, African rhythmic rituals, spirituals, h ...

and

rock Rock most often refers to: * Rock (geology), a naturally occurring solid aggregate of minerals or mineraloids * Rock music, a genre of popular music Rock or Rocks may also refer to: Places United Kingdom * Rock, Caerphilly, a location in Wale ...

stylings. A live version of the song appears on the album ''

Live at Wembley Arena ''Live at Wembley Arena'' is an album of live recordings by Swedish pop group ABBA, released by Polar Music on 26 September 2014, on 2 CD, 3 LP and digital format. The album, produced by Ludvig Andersson, includes the complete concert at London' ...

''.

Background

"Why Did It Have To Be Me" was the final song to be completed for ''Arrival''. Originally, the song "Happy Hawaii", which featured lead vocals by

Agnetha Fältskog Agneta Åse "Agnetha" Fältskog (; born 5 April 1950) is a Swedish singer, songwriter, and a former member of the pop group ABBA. She first achieved success in Sweden with the release of her 1968 Agnetha Fältskog (album), self-titled debut alb ...

and

Anni-Frid Lyngstad Anni-Frid Synni Lyngstad (born 15 November 1945), also known simply as Frida, is a Swedish singer who is best known as one of the founding members and lead singers of the pop band ABBA. Courtesy titles ''Principality of Reuss-Gera, Princess Re ...

, was written for the album; however, this was discarded. A more country-styled track was then attempted, but it too was discarded. The song was then re-written and re-recorded, becoming "Why Did It Have To Be Me?", as a duet between Lyngstad and

Björn Ulvaeus Björn Kristian Ulvaeus (; born 25 April 1945) is a Swedish musician, singer, songwriter, and producer best known as a member of the musical group ABBA. He is also the co-composer of the musicals ''Chess (musical), Chess'', ''Kristina från Duve ...

. "Happy Hawaii" was later released as the B-side to the hit single "

Knowing Me, Knowing You "Knowing Me, Knowing You" is a song recorded by Swedish pop group ABBA, released in February 1977 as the third single from the group's fourth album, '' Arrival'' (1976). It was written by Benny Andersson, Björn Ulvaeus and Stig Anderson, with ...

", released in 1977 and as a bonus track on selected versions of the ''Arrival'' album.

Reception

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described the song as " Björn’s barroom boogie about a sap who loses his heart, all but one lap-steel and two fingers of whisky short of vintage

Hank Williams Hiram "Hank" Williams (September 17, 1923 – January 1, 1953) was an American singer, songwriter, and musician. An early pioneer of country music, he is regarded as one of the most significant and influential musicians of the 20th century. W ...

" and notes the use of a male voice in the album, as it is the only song on the album featuring Ulvaeus on lead vocals. Similarly, Sputnikmusic notes the song as being "for the guys" and praises it as an example of the "professional songwriting" on the album.

''Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again'' version

Lily James Lily Chloe Ninette Thomson (born 5 April 1989), known professionally as Lily James, is an English actress. She studied acting at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama in London and began her career in the British television series '' Just Wi ...

Josh Dylan Josh Dylan (born 19 January 1994) is a British actor. He is best known for his role as Captain Adam Hunter in '' Allied'' (2016), as well as Young Bill in ''Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again'' (2018). Career Josh Dylan trained at the Guildhall School ...

and

Hugh Skinner Hugh William Skinner (born 6 January 1985) is an English actor. He is best known for starring in sitcoms '' W1A'' (2014–2017) and ''The Windsors'' (2016–present), and his appearances in musical films ''Les Misérables'' (2012) and ''Mamma M ...

recorded a cover of "Why Did It Have to Be Me?" for the

soundtrack A soundtrack is a recorded audio signal accompanying and synchronised to the images of a book, drama, motion picture, radio program, television show, television program, or video game; colloquially, a commercially released soundtrack album of m ...

of ''

Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again ''Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again'' is a 2018 jukebox musical romantic comedy film written and directed by Ol Parker, from a story by Parker, Catherine Johnson (playwright), Catherine Johnson, and Richard Curtis. It is the sequel and prequel to t ...

''. The version was released on 13 July 2018 alongside the rest of the soundtrack, by

Capitol Capitol, capitols or The Capitol may refer to: Places and buildings Legislative building * United States Capitol, in Washington, D.C. * National Capitol of Colombia, in Bogotá * Palacio Federal Legislativo, in Caracas, Venezuela * National Ca ...

and

Polydor Records Polydor Limited, also known as Polydor Records, is a British record label that operates as part of Universal Music Group. It has a close relationship with Universal's Interscope Geffen A&M Records label, which distributes Polydor's releases in ...

. The song was produced by

Benny Andersson Göran Bror Benny Andersson (; born 16 December 1946) is a Swedish musician, composer and producer best known as a member of the pop group ABBA and co-composer of the musicals ''Chess (musical), Chess'', ''Kristina från Duvemåla'', and ''Mamm ...

Charts

Certifications

References

{{ABBA songs ABBA songs Songs written by Benny Andersson and Björn Ulvaeus 1976 songs