Released October 11, 1976 Genre Pop rock Label Polar | Recorded June 14, 1976 Length 3:01 | |
Writer(s) Björn Ulvaeus and Benny Andersson | ||
"When I Kissed the Teacher" is a song from ABBA. It is the opening track on their 1976 album Arrival.
Contents
Synopsis
The song's recording session's began on June 14, 1976, with the name "Rio de Janeiro". Eventually, the track was renamed "When I Kissed the Teacher". 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. The lyrics are set to spirited music. Benny Andersson considered this one of his favorite ABBA songs.
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."
Release
The song was also released on the compilation album More Gold: More Hits and the video was included on The Definitive Collection.
Composition
Lyrically and musically, the song is filled with "schoolgirl imagery". Agnetha is lead vocal.
Critical reception
Buffalo News describes it as "bouncy". The 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". 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'". 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. Chris Joens of the Chicago Tribute, 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." 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". Abba - Uncensored on the Record said When I Kissed The Teacher is an example of what was "expected of ABBA". The Teacher in American Society: A Critical Anthology lists the song with Van Halen's Hot For Teacher and Jethro Tull's Teacher as examples of "how teachers are viewed by [students] as sexual objects.