He Is Your Brother

"He Is Your Brother" is a song recorded in 1972 by Swedish folk group "Björn & Benny, Agnetha & Anni-Frid" (which became the pop group ABBA soon after).

"He Is Your Brother"
Cover of an early Swedish release
Single by Björn & Benny, Agnetha & Anni-Frid
from the album Ring Ring
B-side	"Santa Rosa"
Released	1 November 1972
Recorded	17 October 1972 at Europa Film Studios
Genre	Pop
Length	3:18
Label	Polar
Songwriter(s)	Benny Andersson Björn Ulvaeus
Producer(s)	Benny Andersson, Björn Ulvaeus
Björn & Benny, Agnetha & Anni-Frid singles chronology
"People Need Love" (1972) "He Is Your Brother" (1972) "Ring Ring (Bara Du Slog En Signal)" (1973)
Audio video
"He Is Your Brother" on YouTube

The song continued on the lyrical theme from the band's previous single "People Need Love" - reaching out to your fellow man. It was issued as a single in Scandinavia (Polar Music POS 1168), New Zealand (Family Label FAY 1054) and the United States (Playboy Records P 50037).

The song only charted in Scandinavian countries. In Sweden, it did not reach the sales chart but was a big radio hit reaching #1 on the Tio i Topp singles chart.

The four musicians involved soon formed "ABBA". The song appeared on the group's debut album Ring Ring, which was released in 1973 in Scandinavia and a few European countries, (and not the United Kingdom).

Track listings

Sweden

A. "He Is Your Brother"

B. "Santa Rosa"

USA

A. "He Is Your Brother"

B. "I Saw It In The Mirror"

USA (Mono/Stereo)

A. "He Is Your Brother"

B. "He Is Your Brother"

History

The song was written and composed by Benny Andersson & Björn Ulvaeus. All four band members share lead-vocals on this recording.

The song was one of the early favourites among the group's members, and was the only song from the group's first album which was performed during the group's 1977 tour of Europe and Australia.

ABBA performed the song live in the film ABBA: The Movie (1977).

It was performed by artists (along with ABBA), during the Music for UNICEF Concert in January 1979.

Cover versions

The song was covered by ABBA tribute pop group Arrival on their 1999 album First Flight.

Svenne & Lotta, Swedish duo with connections to ABBA, recorded the song as a b-side to their cover of ABBA's "Dance (While the Music Still Goes On)".

Santa Rosa

The B-side of the single, "Santa Rosa" had the working title "Grandpa's Banjo" and was originally recorded in 1972 with the intention of releasing it as single in Japan. It was considered a "Bjorn And Benny" track. The writers have explained their dislike of the song, saying that the lyrics were clumsy due to the fact they only put the name "Santa Rosa" in because it fit the song; they actually came from Stockholm.