Fernando

“In this deeply researched analysis, Kay Dickinson approaches ‘Fernando’ as a rich and complex text, exemplifying tensions between revolution and global commodification. In applying sociopolitical, musicological, and technological lenses to ‘Fernando,’ Dickinson’s book is a deftly woven, insightful, and highly engaging critical appraisal of one of ABBA’s greatest hits.” - Samantha Bennett, Professor of Music, The Australian National University

“ABBA’s ‘Fernando’ winked at legibility, seduced the world with multitracked layers of improbable connection. Kay Dickinson’s Fernando sees the song as a marketed revolution on her study’s A-side, revolutionary marketing on its flip, and without clarifying squat renders each and every layer a semiotic postcard.” - Eric Weisbard, author of Songbooks: The Literature of American Popular Music

"Dickinson writes with academic rigor, but her prose is accessible and, at times, even lyrical, mirroring the lush sentimentality of the song itself. This trim book ultimately stands as a testament to the power of pop and how even the softest, most polished melodies can carry the weight of revolution, heartbreak, and liberation. Dickinson’s work will appeal to anyone curious about how a four-minute song can move millions, literally and symbolically." - Claire Sewell, Library Journal