"When I Kissed the Teacher" is a song by the pop band ABBA. It is the opening track on their 1976 album Arrival.
"When I Kissed the Teacher" | |
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Song by ABBA | |
from the album Arrival | |
Released | 11 October 1976 |
Recorded | 14 June 1976[1] |
Genre | Pop rock |
Length | 3:01 |
Label | Polar |
Songwriter(s) | Björn Ulvaeus, Benny Andersson |
Producer(s) | Björn Ulvaeus, Benny Andersson |
Audio | |
"When I Kissed The Teacher" on YouTube |
The song's recording sessions began on 14 June 1976 with the name "Rio de Janeiro". Eventually, the track was renamed "When I Kissed the Teacher".[2] The song's light-hearted lyrics tell the story of a student who has a crush on her teacher, one day cannot restrain herself and kisses him.[3] The lyrics are set to spirited music.[4] Benny Andersson considered this one of his favorite ABBA songs.[1][3]
The video clip "goes from a female student longing for her teacher to her taking direct action by kissing him as he leans over her in class."[5] The actor playing the part of the teacher was Magnus Härenstam.[6]
The song was also released on the compilation album More Gold: More Hits and the video was included on The Definitive Collection.[7][8]
Lyrically and musically, the song is filled with "schoolgirl imagery".[9] Agnetha Fältskog is the lead vocal.[10]
Buffalo News describes it as "bouncy".[11] The Daily Telegraph lists the song as one of ABBA's hidden gems, offering it as an alternative to "Waterloo". It says the song "Starts off slow, but quickly turns into a surreal, pop homage to low level sexual harassment".[12] Robert Hilburn of the Malaysian Star said "My nomination for the best ABBA track that wasn't a hit in the U.S.: "When I Kissed the Teacher", a zestful number that recalls the teen passion of such Phil Spector productions as the Ronettes' 'Be My Baby'".[13] In a Voulez-Vous review, "When I Kissed the Teacher" is listed alongside "Dancing Queen" as an example of the group's "soaring female harmonies, uplifting melodies, and festive instrumental touches" in their earlier hits.[14] Chris Joens of the Chicago Tribune, in a review of the Mamma Mia musical, noted "A soundtrack has become a discography. I've even almost forgotten my favorite ABBA ditty, 'When I Kissed the Teacher', just because it's not in the show."[15] The Los Angeles Times said "'When I Kissed the Teacher' is the most convincing thing Abba has done because it injects some sly, mocking humor and passion that offsets the group seriousness".[16] Abba – Uncensored on the Record said When I Kissed The Teacher is an example of what was "expected of ABBA".[10] The Teacher in American Society: A Critical Anthology lists "When I Kissed the Teacher" with the Van Halen song "Hot for Teacher" and the Jethro Tull song "Teacher" as examples of "how teachers are viewed by [students] as sexual objects.[17]
Lily James, Jessica Keenan Wynn, Alexa Davies and Celia Imrie recorded When I Kissed the Teacher, with a slightly changed lyric, as the first single from the soundtrack of Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again. Their version was released on 8 May 2018 by Capitol[18][failed verification] and Polydor Records. It was produced by Benny Andersson, and Björn Ulvaeus plays one of the teachers in the clip.[19]
Chart (2018) | Peak position |
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Hungary (Single Top 40)[20] | 15 |
Ireland (IRMA)[21] | 38 |
New Zealand Hot Singles (RMNZ)[22] | 17 |
Scotland (OCC)[23] | 31 |
Sweden (Sverigetopplistan)[24] | 78 |
UK Singles (OCC)[25] | 40 |
Region | Certification | Certified units/sales |
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United Kingdom (BPI)[26] | Gold | 400,000‡ |
‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone. |