♫ Happy New Year ♫ 😞

Posted on by under Bits 'n Pieces, History, Holidays, music, Social commentary

A promise is a promise, and when I make a promise, I keep it.  And thus I am playing today the single most depressing holiday song never heard before!  Back in August, our dear friend Clive asked me to play this one by Swedish group ABBA on January 1st.  I didn’t listen to the song then, just thought the title was appropriate for January 1st, so I promised that I would play it.  And now, it is January 1st … and I am playing it.  Next year, Clive, I’m returning to Auld Lang Syne or something else!

The song’s working title back in 1980 was “Daddy Don’t Get Drunk on Christmas Day,” if that gives you any idea.

According to SongFacts, the song was written by Benny Andersson and Björn Ulvaeus of ABBA during a working holiday in Barbados. The song actually started life as an idea for a musical. The plot was to be centered around a New Year’s Eve, a thought that got into Björn and Benny’s heads on a plane over to the island. They ran into the comedian John Cleese at the holiday resort and asked him if he would be interested in writing a manuscript. When Cleese turned them down, the idea was abandoned.

It originally had a very limited release as a single in December of 1980, but the Spanish version, Felicidad, did somewhat better in the Spanish-speaking countries that year, hitting the #5 spot in Argentina.  In 1999, the English version of the song was re-released for the new millennium, and charted at #27 in Sweden, #15 in the Netherlands and #75 in Germany.  As far as I can tell, it has never charted in Canada, the UK, or the U.S.  Gee, I wonder why?  The one positive thing I can say is that the voices are nice. Anyway … this one’s for you, Clive!  Happy New Year!!!

Happy New Year

ABBA

No more champagne
And the fireworks are through
Here we are, me and you
Feeling lost and feeling blue
It’s the end of the party
And the morning seems so grey
So unlike yesterday
Now’s the time for us to say

Happy New Year
Happy New Year
May we all have a vision now and then
Of a world where every neighbor is a friend
Happy New Year
Happy New Year
May we all have our hopes, our will to try
If we don’t we might as well lay down and die
You and I

Sometimes I see
How the brave new world arrives
And I see how it thrives
In the ashes of our lives
Oh yes, man is a fool
And he thinks he’ll be okay
Dragging on, feet of clay
Never knowing he’s astray
Keeps on going anyway

Happy New Year
Happy New Year
May we all have a vision now and then
Of a world where every neighbor is a friend
Happy New Year
Happy New Year
May we all have our hopes, our will to try
If we don’t we might as well lay down and die
You and I

Seems to me now
That the dreams we had before
Are all dead, nothing more
Than confetti on the floor
It’s the end of a decade
In another ten years time
Who can say what we’ll find
What lies waiting down the line
In the end of eighty-nine

Happy New Year
Happy New Year
May we all have a vision now and then
Of a world where every neighbor is a friend
Happy New Year
Happy New Year
May we all have our hopes, our will to try
If we don’t we might as well lay down and die
You and I

Writer/s: Benny Andersson, Bjoern K Ulvaeus
Publisher: Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Universal Music Publishing Group
Lyrics licensed and provided by LyricFind

52 thoughts on “♫ Happy New Year ♫ 😞”

  2. Sorry I’m late. Things are very strange for me at present and doing ‘normal’ things is hard. I don’t actually remember that conversation, but thank you for playing this. And I completely disagree with anyone who says this is a depressing song: just read the lyrics and you can see that it is clearly an optimistic look ahead to how things will develop for them. Happy New Year!

    Liked by 1 person

    • Awww Clive … I’m really sorry to hear that. Holiday stress, or something more serious? Yeah, I know … none of my business, but as a friend, I care and worry. Ha ha … I likely wouldn’t have remembered the conversation from August either, but as soon as you sent me the link to the song, I copied it into a draft post, then set a reminder on my phone! I was determined to play this one for you on the 1st as you requested! I found the lyrics rather depressing, but I guess we each see things from our own perspective. Not surprisingly, rawgod agreed with you that the lyrics were hopeful and optimistic. Happy New Year to you, my friend … I hope you feel better soon. I care.

      Liked by 1 person

  4. You know I love ABBA, even if the song is on the sad side. I did play it last night. LOL! I love how their voices blend, so sorry, I am on Clive’s side. It just not a song that you play over and over like Dancing Queen. 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

  7. Pingback: ♫ Happy New Year ♫ 😞 | Ned Hamson's Second Line View of the News

  8. It doen’t have that ABBA sound, but I disagree on how depressing the song is. I think it as more of a realistic look at what can happen if people let their hopes and dreams slide or go sour, especially in a relationshjip.
    But maybe that is because I never entered a relationship with hopes and dreams. I always took them one day at a time, and still do, as a work in progress. If you don’t work at a relationship it will not progress. I actually find hope in this song, though I could have wished for more…

    Liked by 1 person

  11. Okay. I listened to a few lines but it was ruining my love of ABBA music completely. I thought I had all of their songs but this one is completely new to me. I can’t say I’m sorry to never have heard it before.

    HAPPY NEW YEAR!, Jill. Looking forward to next year’s Auld Lang Syne! And meanwhile starting a new thread of posts about assisted living facilities. Mainly in Kentucky because we have the lowest standards in the country apparently.. No accountability and the administrator only needs a high school education and two years experience to administer the place. I think I’m just peeved because they have messed up my meds for the past four nights and from the way my head has been feeling I think it was several days before that. My bad for not checking them out before swallowing. No more. Something to think about if your girls ever suggest assisted living for you. Wish I had checked it out before landing here.

    Liked by 1 person

    • That is unconscionable, ka! Having worked in a senior’s home earlier in my life, the way we did pills was bringing the bottles to the people who needed them, and had them remove their pills from the bottles or watch us do it for them if they could not do it for themselves. We kept them locked up otherwise so no one could overdose, but really so no one could steal medications or trade them amongst themselves, which some people tried to do anyway.
      From what you say, Kentucky needs to be sued in a class action suit for not regulaging a very important necessity, the happiness, comfort, and safety of residents of “care”facilities.
      I wonder now what else they are doing in your facility.
      I actually got fired from that position because I tried everything I could to help the people I cared for keep their dignity. The way management wanted us to treat them, almost like herd animals, went against my sense of what corners could or could not be cut. And our province had regulations — but only for some things. Too many things were left up to facility owners.

      Liked by 3 people

      • I’m wondering the same thing about what all they are doing, rg. I know the food is lacking in nutrition as well as being cooked to shoe leather stage. I’ve bought my own utensils since theirs are constantly missing and am Curnow buying my own food. Not the most nutritious way to go but at least I don’t choke trying to eat it. Unfortunately the day I informed them I would be deducting the price of food from my rent the microwave disappeared. Now I have to get someone on staff to take things into the kitchen to heat them. Not surprising that the microwave burned up though. I had to clean it before using it each time. It was consistently full of caked on food that popped out of what others nuked and the odors were pretty bad. Not as bad as one of the other things that have been going on here since before I moved in. Everyone on the unit has to share 4 toilets (no way to make this sound better), and someone consistently poops all over the toilet, the seat, the floor and most of the time the wall. Not sure how it gets all those places, but the same person doesn’t seem to know how to flush. I invested in gloves, cleaning products and disinfectant so I can clean it when I have to go to that one. To say it’s disgusting is a huge understatement. So far no one knows who it is, although I might have discovered the culprit a couple of days ago when she came out of the one i went in to and it was not flushed. Keeping my eyes on that one. And they wonder why so many people are getting so many diseases! Unfortunately in the state of Kentucky any building operating before June 14, 2000 does not have to follow the guidlines for these homes which control the space as well as state that each room shall have a restroom with shower or tub. It also sets the size of the toom to 200 square feet, not very large, but it beats the 120 square feet we have here. I am in a private room, but others are sharing this 120 sq. feet with 2 beds and NO CURTAIN between them. Claustrophobia time for me. Just being in one alone is overcrowding to say the least.

        Liked by 1 person

        • I hope you are not stuck in that hellhole. If you cannot afford to move, try starting a Go Fund Me page. Take a picture of the “used” toilet before you clean it.
          Just curious but 4 toilets for how many residents? I bet staff have their own toilets. Use theirs
          And why aren’t the staff cleaning toilets, or the microwave. No, you gotta get out of there. That is not l8ving!

          Liked by 2 people

          • Unfortunately I’m stuck here until there is an opening in one of the other places I’ve checked into. Most of the places that have openings are two storey, and the empty apartment is on the second floor. Impossible for me to get to because of the power chair. If my legs worked I could take that, but since they don’t work I need an elevator. And I do take photos now of everything. Next thing though is to get a bucket and scrub brush and start cleaning the carpet in my room. It’s filthy. Staff is supposed to do a lot of things here but there is only one person in housekeeping and 50 rooms so it just doesn’t get done. My room hasn’t been vacuumed for a couple of weeks and the laundry that is supposed to be done on Friday wasn’t done last week. Not enough staff for the things they have to do. I’m going to start on the carpet this afternoon though and hope the administrator goes out this way and has to see me do it.

            When I told her about having to clean the toilet she said i should have found one of the “girls” to do it for me. I could only laugh at that. First of all it is impossible to find one of them because usually there is only one and she is run ragged doing her job. Then if i leave the room to find someone by the time I get back I will have lost my turn in the bathroom. Also Kentucky statutes say there should be one toilet for every 12 residents. With 50 residents when the place is full (which it’s not at present) they are within the letter of the law with the 4 they have.

            I think it’s time for the next installment for the blog. Too much information and too little time to write it all. Oh, by the way, I worked in the worst nursing home in this town and it was cleaner than this place.

            Liked by 1 person

            • My fingers are crossed you get an opening soon. You’re administrator sounds like a fool.
              Technically speaking, your building has over 48 residents, so should have 5 washrooms. When it comes to humans, you cannot round down, you should gave to round up. Even still, whoever wrote that statute was not an elderly person. I hope they regretted it when they got old, or will rbret it if they are not there yet.

              Liked by 2 people

              • I sincerely hope they end up in a place like this. I also hope all the people in charge of this place and all the places like it end up in one themselves. It’s not very nice of me but I’ve been reduced to this. I’m actually planning to move out of here and take my chance on the street before much longer. I’m really sick at the moment, possibly one of the flu viruses going around the building. So dizzy when I stand up. Going back to try to sleep now.

                Liked by 1 person

                  • It’s a sinus infection that is moving down into my chest. I am still checking the meds, because I was supposed to be getting Benedryl for my sinuses but they were not brigi g it unless I asked. Even after I told them it is necessary at times to take it every day they continued to make me ask for it. After a while I forgot to specifically ask for Benedryl, but was telling them I needed everything ordered. Realized too late the were still withholding the Benedryl. Have told them several times I am sick now but no response from them. Criminal? probably, but not against the law here. Have smuggled in some cough medicine and feeling better at times, but ribs hurting from coughing. No real hope for help from any of them.

                    Liked by 1 person

                    • Is there no ombudsman for seniors in Kentucky? No watchdog of any kind? Then how about the newspapers? Some journalist should love a story like yours. Because if they are doing this to you, they are doing this to someone else, SOMEPLACE ELSE! Cases like yours are not solitary. And being in an electric wheelchair should pull at their heartstrings. You need a woman journalist, a mother, preferably not white, as a person of colour may be more likely to have an axe to grind. Elder abuse is a crime in Canada, and should be a crime in every state too. Yours is a classic case.

                      Liked by 2 people

    • I’m with you on the ABBA song … I loved their voices, but the lyrics were anything but a happy, upbeat song. Ah well.

      Thanks so much, Angie. I’m so sorry for all you’re currently going through at the new place and I hope you can get out of there soon! My girls have promised that my home will be right here until I die, and I don’t think they’ll change their mind on that. In fact, if I thought that were my future, I’d just as soon die, I think. Hang in, my friend. I’m thinking about you. Love ‘n hugs!

      Liked by 1 person

      • Quite frankly I’m seriously considering moving out to the street. I wouldn’t be so closed in out there and probably would be killed soon for my power chair anyway. It’s very tempting, especially since my kids obviously don’t care one way or the other what happens to me as long as they aren’t bothered with it. Just the way it is for some reason.

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          • Update on the laundry situation. I had it out in the hall yesterday which is the day they do my sections laundry. One of the aides picked it up and took it to the laundry room which is off limits to the riffraff who live here. About midnight she brought it back, still unwashed, because whoever is doing the laundry this week had towels to wash and didn’t have time to do resident laundry as well. So, two weeks without clean clothes and now it looks like another week of hand washig the essentials and hoping I don’t spill on my jeans or sweatshirts. They are too bulky for me to hand wash. Atleast Kentucky does have a statute that says we have to have access to a laundry room but they don’t let us in the room with the washer. Amd from what I’ve seen when the door is open there is only one machine!

            For RG, I haven’t contacted the Ombudsman yet, hoping to get it all done myself. Sinus infection has slowed me down for a few days but at least after yesterday when the assistat manager poked her head in the door to ask how i am and heard me coughing I got the Benedryl late in the morning, but still had to ask for it last night. I don’t know what they talk about at change of shift when the problems with anyone on the floor are supposed to be disussed for continuation of treatment and updated but they don’t seem to pass on any problems. They all seemed surprised to find out later that I am sick. Aaarrrggghhhh! I’m ready to pack as much as I can on my chair and get out to the street. First though I have to get my clothes washed.

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            • That is beyond ridiculous, my friend! I wouldn’t survive a week there, for I would have kicked the door in and done my laundry at 2:00 a.m. and dared them to do something about it (secretly hoping they would evict me!) You need an attorney! But no, my friend, you cannot live on the street. It is winter and you would freeze. Is there a friend you could stay with for a while until you find a better place?

              Liked by 1 person

              • There are places, considered to be on the street but actually in “roach motels” where people crash for a time, then move on to the next place. I do have some cousins who might consider taking me in for a short time, some possibly for longer times, but don’t really want to go that route. I’m going to talk to my youngest tomorrow about a shed/workshop behind his house that I could stay in without much rearranging, and possibly that could lead to an apartment built on the side of his house. He’s the only one who checks up on me on a weekly basis, but he’s had a lot of flu and COVID this year, plus the baby having so many problems.
                My older son has a full apartment in his basement with kitchen, bathroom, living room and bedroom with easy exit to the back patio and he also has several outside buildings that are heated and air conditioned and used for storing his tractors, four wheelers and other play stuff. I used to think we got along well but now am beginning to wonder what the problem with us happens to be. As for my daughter, well, suffice to say we are friends from a distance but can’t be together more than half an hour before sparks fly. Not certain what happened there either, but she has always been daddy’s little girl, and when I slip up and say something she perceives as criticism of daddy she gets upset.
                seriously though, I have never wanted to live with one of my kids. My grandmother lived with my parents for several years and it was a bad situation all around. I just want a place of my own somewhere out of town where I can put in a garden and do my own thing without interference from anyone!

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                • Sigh. It seems an untenable situation, and I understand you not wanting to live with your kids, but … Angie, your safety and health must be considered. You’ll find a good place soon, but meanwhile you must do something that will allow you to breathe, to live rather than merely subsist! Maybe the ‘roach motel’ would be a temporary improvement … at least you’d have space to yourself! But please, think long and hard before you jump out of the frying pan and into the fire. And please, if I can help financially, my offer stands. Love ‘n hugs, dear friend.

                  Liked by 1 person

                  • Things might be looking up. I have used Apartments.com for open and available units in the past with nothing being available. This morning I checked again and there are several available units now, most of them having washer and dryers available in the units. Have messaged most of them already but they are closed until tomorrow so I’m waiting it out. Now big problem will be furnishing it. The kids got rid of everything I had, so I will move in with a lift chair, a power chair, my sewing table and machine, a few clothes, some quilts and some storage bags. Not a heck of a lot to begin over with, but hopefully I can work my way back up to dishes — oh, I do have one plate, one bowl, three large storage bowls (or mixing bowls), three forks, knives and spoons. Two cups and a small refrigerator. If I remember correctly one of the places does have furnished apartments, but not sure of availability yet. Whatever, I can make it without everything and maybe won’t ever get it all back again since most of it would be in the way. I am now filled with hope. And I might have to take you up on that offer, depending on whether they ever cash my check here or not. If not cashed by the time i find a new place it will go for the deposit, if cashed I’ll scream out your name! Thank you for everything. Now just keep your fingers crossed and pray.

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                    • Keeping my fingers tightly crossed that you find a lovely little apartment that you can afford and that will give you some room for your quilting and other crafts, as well as some space and privacy, my dear friend! Huge Hugs!!!

                      Liked by 1 person

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