Introduction
ABBA – “Put On Your White Sombrero”
Among ABBA’s vast catalogue of pop treasures, there lies a song that never quite saw the light of day during the group’s peak years—“Put On Your White Sombrero.” Recorded in 1980 during the sessions for Super Trouper, the track was shelved and left unreleased for more than a decade, only to finally emerge in 1994 on the compilation ABBA – Thank You for the Music.
What makes this song fascinating is not only its rarity but its strikingly different flavor. While ABBA is usually remembered for their disco sparkle, melodic pop, and heartfelt ballads, “Put On Your White Sombrero” leans into a more theatrical, almost cinematic sound. With its Latin-inspired rhythm, sweeping arrangement, and lush orchestration, the song transports listeners to a different musical landscape—one that feels both playful and grand.
Agnetha Fältskog delivers the lead vocal, and her performance is nothing short of captivating. She balances tenderness with drama, her voice soaring above the layered backing harmonies provided by Frida, Benny, and Björn. In many ways, her vocal gives the track its unique charm, blending romance with a touch of mystery. The lyrics—urging a farewell with imagery of sombreros and Spanish nights—add to the song’s colorful atmosphere, though some fans see them as more whimsical than profound.
One reason the song didn’t make the Super Trouper album was reportedly its unusual style. ABBA’s team may have worried it didn’t fit the tight, polished pop direction of the record. Still, hearing it now, “Put On Your White Sombrero” feels like a bold experiment—a glimpse of ABBA stretching beyond their usual soundscape.
Over the years, the song has gained a kind of cult status among devoted fans. Because it remained unreleased for so long, its eventual appearance felt like a gift from the vaults, a secret jewel hidden in the group’s history. For many, it showed once again ABBA’s versatility, their ability to take inspiration from different genres and transform it into something unmistakably their own.
In the grand story of ABBA, “Put On Your White Sombrero” might never be mentioned alongside the likes of “Dancing Queen” or “Mamma Mia.” But for listeners willing to dig deeper, it offers something special—a rare track that captures the band at a moment of creativity and transition, trying on new styles while still holding onto their signature emotional core.
Today, the song stands as both a curiosity and a reminder: ABBA’s music was never just about formula or commercial success. It was about exploring, experimenting, and sometimes leaving behind hidden gems that fans would only discover years later.