Rediscovering Harmony: Enjoy “The Way Old Friends Do” by Agnetha Fältskog (2023)
There are few voices in popular music that exude both warmth and strength quite like Agnetha Fältskog. Best known, of course, as one of the luminous members of ABBA, the Swedish songstress has always possessed a vocal quality that manages to be simultaneously introspective and expansive—a rare balance that very few performers achieve with such consistency. In her 2023 release of “The Way Old Friends Do”, Agnetha returns to one of the more cherished songs from the ABBA catalogue, offering a fresh interpretation that resonates deeply with themes of friendship, time, and enduring connection.
Originally written and released as part of ABBA’s 1980 album, Super Trouper, the song was often performed live by the band in the early ‘80s, closing their concerts with a stirring sense of unity. Now, more than four decades later, Agnetha offers a new rendition—one stripped down to its delicate emotional core, accompanied simply yet effectively in an acoustic arrangement that lets the lyrics breathe and her vocal strengths shine. Listeners familiar with the original will find something profoundly comforting in this revisitation: a familiar melody reinterpreted with the wisdom of years and the softness that only time can bring.
Unlike the glittering stage productions and high-energy rhythms often associated with ABBA’s discography, “The Way Old Friends Do (2023)” is intimate, almost conversational. It mirrors the experience of settling into a quiet room with someone you’ve known for a lifetime, reflecting on moments shared, hardships faced, and the joy of simply remaining connected through time’s inevitable turns. Fältskog’s approach here is remarkably restrained, and it’s that restraint that makes the delivery so moving. She does not force emotion upon us; she invites us in, encourages us to listen—not just to her, but perhaps also to our own memories.
There’s a maturity underlying this version that speaks to Fältskog’s own journey—not only as a musician, but as a human being. Released in 2023 as part of her solo project A+, this performance exemplifies how music can evolve with its artist, taking on new meaning in a different life chapter. The lyrics remain unchanged, but their message somehow feels more profound when sung by someone who has lived more of life’s joys and sorrows.
Long-time fans will rejoice at the chance to hear this beloved tune once again, framed in a new context, while those who are new to the song may find themselves drawn in by its understated charm. Either way, “The Way Old Friends Do” in this 2023 version is not merely a nostalgic look back—it’s a moving reminder of what connects us as people: companionship, resilience, and undying affection.
There is beauty in growing alongside a song. And listening to this acoustic rendition by Agnetha Fältskog is like revisiting a dear friend—not to dwell in the past, but to acknowledge how far both of you have come.