After almost 40 years, the four members of ABBA are reappearing in a new album, touted as the comeback of the decade. Will the iconic Swedes delight new generations, too?
The 'ABBAtars' make a comebackImage: picture alliance/dpa/PA Media
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ABBA forever!
Back together again after 40 years, the hit Swedish band ABBA is releasing their new album, "Voyage." Here's a look back at their success story.
It's been 40 years since Björn Ulvaeus, Agnetha Fältskog, Anni-Frid Lyngstad and Benny Andersson got together in a studio. After releasing their new album, "Voyage," the band is now slated to perform in London this May. Although the so-called "ABBAtar" holograms will replace the original singers, the band members could make an appearance in person.
Image: picture alliance/dpa/PA Media
It all started with 'Waterloo' in 1974
ABBA's success story began with the song "Waterloo," which they performed at the Eurovision Song Contest in Brighton, England in 1974. From then on, band members Benny Andersson, Agnetha Faltskog, Bjorn Ulvaeus and Anni-Frid Lyngstad started an ABBA craze, which lasted the eight years of their band's existence. ABBA has sold more than 380 million records.
Image: AFP/Getty Images/O. Lindeborg
ABBA: the hit-makers
The year before their Eurovision win, ABBA didn't make it into the Swedish pre-selection of the contest. Perhaps this failure made their success the following year with "Waterloo" written by Benny Andersson (left) all the sweeter. Numerous hits followed; songs like "Dancing Queen," "Money, Money, Money," "Super Trouper," and "The Winner Takes it All" remain radio favorites to this day.
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Concerts around the world
In 1977, ABBA went on their first world tour, performing in Europe and Australia, where they had many fans. In the same year "ABBA: The Movie" celebrated its world premiere in Australia. The group also performed for charity, including at the UN General Assembly in New York in 1979 (pictured). Even today, the proceeds from the hit song "Chiquitita," which was performed there, go to UNICEF.
Image: picture-alliance/AP Photo/R. Frehm
ABBA: Taking a break since 1982
What at first worked so harmoniously in the 1970s — pop music written and performed by two couples who were best pals — became strained by the 1980s. Both couples divorced, and in 1982 ABBA "took a break," as Lyngstad put it. But they haven't gotten back together since. Although two new songs were announced for 2019, they still haven't been released.
Image: Getty Images/AFP/O. Lindeborg
An end to the ABBA break in sight?
The official website of the Eurovision Song Contest announced in the summer of 2020 that five new ABBA songs could be released in 2021, according to the BBC. The band also wanted to go on tour as "ABBAtars" ― with holographic avatars playing on stage instead of the band members themselves.
Productive despite the time off
While Agnetha and Frida have resumed their solo careers in recent years, Benny and Bjorn continued to work together, such as on the stage musical "Mamma Mia!" featuring ABBA songs. The production was turned into the 2008 movie of the same name, with a follow up in 2018 titled "Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again." Ulvaeus and Andersson are shown here at the latter's premiere.
Image: Getty Images/J. Phillips
An ABBA museum in Stockholm
Not many bands have a museum dedicated to them, but ABBA does. In 2013, ABBA The Museum opened in Stockholm and remains immensely popular. Among the interactive installations is a karaoke booth where visitors can record their voices singing along to the hits, and 3D holograms of the band members dancing, which will eventually tour in 2021.
Image: picture-alliance/dpa/M. Fichter-Wöss
A wax band
ABBA have also been made into three-dimensional wax figures in the Stockholm Museum, where many of the band's eye-catching costumes can be found. In some parts of the interactive exhibition, visitors can learn the dance moves that go with the music. Once in a while, Frida, Bjorn, Benny or Agnetha even call the museum to talk to the lucky visitor who happen to be closest to the "Ring Ring" phone.
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ABBA fans have never really stopped loving the group's music in the almost 40 years since it split up in 1982. The four Swedes are even revered as icons in queer communities; ABBA parties are held in clubs around the world, an homage to the pop perfectionists.
On November 5, ABBA releases its new album, "Voyage." Will the four Swedes fulfill the fans' expectations? After all, the group's comeback is already celebrated as the most spectacular of the decade.
It's certainly a comeback that has been planned down to the smallest detail, and perfectly staged. "The journey is about to begin. ABBA. 'Voyage'," the band's official website announced beginning in August, virtual invitations were sent out, a live event on September 2 was announced.
The advertising machine was on high speed, international attention guaranteed. The virtual world tour started on September 2, with fans around the world sharing what ABBA meant to them, singing their songs, holding up to the cameras signs printed with messages to the band.
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270,000 people followed the livestream
Sydney Harbour Bridge was lit in ABBA's honor, Kylie Minogue sent a greeting, a BBC radio news broadcast was postponed to introduce two of the 10 new songs. The new single "I Still Have Faith in You," is an ode to friendship that sums up the band's past 40 years, despite musical and personal splits. "Do I have it in me? I believe it is in there / For I know I hear a bittersweet song / In the memories we share (...) The crazy things we did / It all comes down to love." A melodic, dreamy song, Agnetha Fältskog's and Anni-Frid Lyngstad's voices are still as clear as a bell — an ABBA song through and through, a catchy pop and folk song.
"Don't Shut Me Down," which was also released in September, begins with a quiet vocal part by Agnetha that turns into a driving rhythm after a few bars, backed by piano and strings. The melody and lyrics are catchy: Benny Andersson and Björn Ulvaeus stayed true to the ingredients that helped the band to world fame. The third single, "Just a Notion," was released at the end of October, with an opening sequence somewhat reminiscent of "Waterloo," the hit that won the band the 1974 Eurovision Song Contest and launched an unprecedented global career.
Back then, Andersson recalled during the September 2 show, the four Swedes were believed to be one-hit wonders thanks to the Eurovision Song Contest. A big mistake: The band sold 400 million albums, sang 17 chart-topping hits, featured in a musical successfully performed for 20 years, and in two feature films.
A special hall is under construction in London for the "Voyage" concerts, where digital "ABBAtar" holograms of the band will "perform" twice a day next year to audiences of about 5,000.
"Waterloo" was the band's breakthroughImage: John Downing/Express/Getty Images
Ulvaeus, Andersson, Fältskog and Lyngstad were wired up for five weeks last year, moving around the stage 11 hours a day. From what Andersson called this "digital thing," their digital '70s doubles were created — "forever young," at least for the show.
Agnetha and Anni-Frid stay in the background
Agnetha and Anni-Frid were not present in London for the concert and album press launch. Anni-Frid was seriously ill for a long time and Agnetha suffers from fear of flying. "They should have been here," Björn said half-joking, "but they don't enjoy this [publicity] as much as Benny does."
The pianist said he was nervous before the first recording session. "Five minutes before they [Agnetha and Anni-Frid] came into the studio, I was thinking, 'I should have asked if they can still sing,'" he said. "But they could, and they can, and you will hear it when you listen to the records."
For the new album, it's back to the roots for ABBA. "We never looked at what the charts look like today," Björn said. "We just decided from the word go just to write the best songs we could."
The Swedes, all four of them over 70 years old, keep up with the times all the same, skillfully using social networks to promote their comeback. It seems they have are doing a good job managing the balancing act between old and new — the song "Just a Notion" was liked about 1.8 million times within a week. ABBA not only reactivated their old fans, but managed to get new ones on board.
10 ABBA songs you certainly already know
For the first time in over three decades, the Swedish supergroup ABBA has returned to the studio. The band has reunited to plan a virtual tour that will feature digital avatars of its members. Here are their top hits.
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'Dancing Queen'
It is ABBA's biggest hit ever. "Dancing Queen" was the second track on their fourth album "Arrival" from 1976. The Swedish band picked up the disco sound that was trending in the US and gave it a Europop twist. "We knew immediately it was going to be massive," member Agnetha Faltskog said. It became a classic that still brings joy to any dance floor.
Image: picture-alliance/dpa/Schilling
'Waterloo'
The winning entry for the 1974 Eurovision Song Contest, this is the song that led to ABBA's worldwide fame. Written specifically for the contest, it was selected as the best song from the competition's history for its 50th anniversary in 2005. Referencing Napoleon's surrender at the Battle of Waterloo, it tells the story of a woman who "surrenders" to the man she loves.
Image: AFP/Getty Images/O. Lindeborg
'SOS'
Released in 1975, this was ABBA's first major worldwide hit after "Waterloo." The Who's Pete Townshend called it "one of the best pop songs ever written." John Frusciante, Peter Cetera, Chris deBurgh as well as Portishead are among the musicians who later covered the catchy hit.
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'Money Money Money'
ABBA's attitude and outrageous costumes had something uniquely naive that rejoices fans of kitsch to this day. These kimonos were famously worn in the video for "Money, Money, Money." By the time this single from the album "Arrival" was released in 1976 after "Dancing Queen," ABBA was definitely very rich. That didn't matter, as everyone agreed, it "must be funny, in the rich man's world."
Image: picture-alliance/empics/P. Toscano
'Fernando'
Released in 1976, this single became one of the best-selling tracks of all time. The song tells the story of two veteran freedom fighters from the war between Texas and Mexico meeting again: "There's no regret, If I had to do the same again, I would, my friend, Fernando..." Bjorn Ulvaeus once said he liked to write "little stories" with his songs.
Image: United Archives/imago images
'Knowing Me, Knowing You'
"Breaking up is never easy..." This 1977 song is one their first to deal with the break-up of a relationship, years before it would become their own reality. ABBA was composed of two married couples: Agnetha Faltskog was with Bjorn Ulvaeus and Anni-Frid Lyngstad with Benny Andersson. Both of their marriages collapsed at the height of their popularity.
Image: picture-alliance/dpa
'The Winner Takes It All'
Reflecting the end of a romance, this 1980 track has an aura of sadness that appeared as difficulties in the members' relationships arose. Bjorn Ulvaeus and Agnetha Fältskog announced they were divorcing in 1979, Anni-Frid Lyngstad and Benny Andersson in 1981. However, the band kept touring together. Ulvaeus, who wrote the lyrics, has often claimed the song was not based on his own experience.
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'Mamma Mia'
This 1975 chart-topper became the title of a musical based on ABBA's songs and musical romantic comedy starring Meryl Streep. "Mamma mia" is Italian which literally translates as "My mommy," but is used to express surprise or excitement.
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'Chiquitita'
The title of this 1979 song also borrows from another language, as "chiquitita" is a Spanish term of endearment for a woman meaning "little one." In contrast to ABBA's disco hits, this track opens with a lullaby feel; its chorus is powerful ear candy, "Chiquitita, you and I know..." The video shows the band members singing with a huge snowman.
Image: picture-alliance/dpa/C. Gus
'Voulez-Vous'
This time with a title from French, "Voulez-Vous," means "do you want" and is a disco track that appeared on the 1979 album of the same name as well as on many compilation albums. ABBA never officially announced that it had dissolved, but the band stopped being active as a group in 1982. Now they've announced they would be releasing their first new material in 35 years.
