Agnetha Fältskog (ABBA) & Ola Håkansson (Secret Service) — The Way You Are (OFFICIAL VIDEO, 1985)

Sponsor Tim Norell Greatest Hits Musical: NEW ALBUM LP VINYL: Tim Norell: We were asked if we could create a real hit for the Swedish campaign for Olympic winter games 1992. Maybe Ola in a duet with some internationally known female artist? Ola called Agnetha Fältskog (ABBA) and asked. Yes, we were welcome to her home and play the imaginary song for her... I worked at the piano both day and night. Finally I got a ballad and a slightly more “up-tempo“ song. I was still worried. None of them sounded like a battle song for Sweden. But Ola said: if we still do not get the Olympics, such a song is dead! Let’s make hits instead! Ola and Alexander wrote lyrics while Anders and I started a feverish work in the studio, as usual with Mats “Limpan“ Lindberg with his bandless bass. Some singer with Agnetha-like voice sang and so two demos were ready. One evening Ola and I nervously went home to Agnetha in her large villa at Lidingö, with the two songs “The Way You Are“ and “Fly Like The Eagle“. Given the fame, I had expected a slightly unbearable diva, but Agnetha was warm and sweet and welcomed us. She received the cassette with both songs, listened and asked to keep it and then return as soon as she made her decision. Nervous days followed but then Ola called and announced that Agnetha had decided to do it! My heart beat twice… “But which of the songs?“, I peeped. “Both“ Ola said! She liked both songs equally… The day Agnetha came to the studio is really worth a chapter. Agnetha slipped in like a beautiful goddess, asked for a high bar stool in front of the microphone stand and then sang so that the hair raised on all of us in the control room. Especially when she sang “you take me on“, I almost died. She was brilliant! Inspired by her intensity, Ola also did one of his best song recordings ever, even though he sang in Agnetha’s key that was actually too high for his voice. Sadly Sweden did not get the Winter Olympics but the single “The Way You Are“ with “Fly Like The Eagle“ as b-side sold platinum in Sweden. Both songs arranged and produced by Tim Norell, Ola Håkansson and Anders Hansson and with Secret service bassist Mats Lindberg on amazing fretless bass. Music: Tim Norell Lyrics: Oson/Bard Lyrics: Ola: You take me high out of the blue You’re by my side whenever I need you The way you smile, the way you move Why should I try I can’t get over you Agnetha: All through the night you take me on When we unite, I know where I belong When winter rains I’ll be your friend What we create may last until the end Duet: And through the time that’s passing by I hope you’ll always be you’ll be forever The way you are The way you are Ola: Where mountains rise I stand by you My heart assigned like only lovers do Agnetha: If we’re apart I’ll cross the sea Don’t close your heart this love was always free Duet: And through the time that’s passing by I hope you’ll always be you’ll be forever The way you are The way you are And if you leave Don’t go too far In your beliefs Just be the way you are The way you are The way you are Links: — Secret Service’s official site — Tim Norell’s official page — Tim Norell’s official Facebook — Secret Service’s BandCamp page #ABBA #AgnethaFältskog #OlaHåkansson #SecretService #TimNorell #80s