About The Song
The arrival of ABBA‘s Voyage album in November 2021 was met with global anticipation, offering the first new music from the legendary quartet in nearly four decades. While some tracks revisited their classic euphoric pop sound, others showcased a profound maturity, tackling complex emotional landscapes with the sophisticated songwriting honed by Benny Andersson and Björn Ulvaeus over the intervening years. Perhaps no song on the album exemplifies this mature depth more powerfully than the stunning pop ballad, “I Can Be That Woman”, featuring a truly remarkable lead vocal performance by Agnetha Fältskog.
As we listen today, April 4, 2025, “I Can Be That Woman” stands out for its raw emotional honesty and intricate storytelling. Musically, it’s a beautifully crafted ballad, likely built around Benny Andersson‘s expressive piano work, possibly complemented by acoustic guitar, subtle bass and drums, and perhaps swelling string arrangements that underscore the emotional weight of the narrative. There might even be faint echoes of a country influence in its directness and focus on narrative detail, a stylistic thread sometimes present in Andersson and Ulvaeus‘s later work. The tempo is slow and deliberate, allowing every word and nuance of the performance to land with impact. The mood is deeply reflective, tinged with regret, vulnerability, and a fragile sense of hope.
The lyrical narrative of “I Can Be That Woman” is where the song’s profound impact lies. It unfolds as an intimate observation, a moment of stark self-awareness seemingly prompted by witnessing a quiet domestic scene involving another individual and a pet (Tammy). The narrator reflects on past actions and acknowledges fault (“You’re right, I’d be the first to say that I’m a slacker / And I’ve screwed up again”). This admission of error leads to a poignant expression of regret for the consequences these actions have had on important connections. The core of the song, however, resides in the hopeful plea embedded in its title. It’s a declaration of intent, a vulnerable assertion of the capacity for positive change and a desire to mend strained bonds – “I Can Be That Woman” read not as a statement of current identity, but as an aspiration: “I can become the better person this situation requires; I can embody the positive qualities needed to repair what’s been damaged.”
Agnetha Fältskog delivers one of the most compelling vocal performances of her career on this track. Her voice, instantly recognizable yet imbued with decades of life experience, conveys a breathtaking range of emotions. There’s profound sadness and regret in her reflection on past mistakes, palpable vulnerability in the admission of fault, and a deeply affecting sincerity in the expressed hope for reconciliation and personal transformation. She doesn’t shy away from the difficult emotions, delivering the lyrics with a nuance and honesty that makes the narrator’s internal struggle utterly convincing. It’s a performance that reminds listeners of her extraordinary gifts as a vocal interpreter.
Within the context of the Voyage album, “I Can Be That Woman” represents the mature heart of the record. It tackles complex themes of personal failing, consequence, regret, and the difficult path towards making amends. It showcases the depth and sophistication Andersson and Ulvaeus achieved as songwriters, moving far beyond simpler pop themes to explore the intricate dynamics of long-term connections and personal growth. Its inclusion demonstrated that ABBA‘s comeback wasn’t solely about nostalgia, but also about presenting new material that reflected their own journeys and addressed resonant, mature themes.
In conclusion, “I Can Be That Woman” is a masterful and deeply moving ballad that stands as a highlight of ABBA‘s celebrated return on the Voyage album. Through its poignant narrative of regret, self-awareness, and the difficult hope for personal change and reconciliation, brought stunningly to life by Agnetha Fältskog‘s exceptional vocal performance, the song resonates with profound emotional honesty. It is a testament to the enduring songwriting genius of Benny Andersson and Björn Ulvaeus and a powerful example of ABBA‘s ability to connect with listeners through sophisticated, heartfelt storytelling.