ABBA

ABBA is a Swedish pop music group, who had many hits in the 1970s in Stockholm and early 1980s. ABBA was the most commercially successful pop group of the 1970s.

ABBA
ABBA in 1974; from left to right Benny Andersson, Anni-Frid Lyngstad, Agnetha Fältskog, Björn Ulvaeus
Background information
Also known as	Agnetha Benny Björn Anni-Frid
Origin	Stockholm, Sweden
Genres	Pop rock, Euro disco, Europop, synthpop
Years active	1972 – 1982; 2018 - present
Labels	Polar, Polydor, Atlantic, Universal, Epic, Vogue, RCA, PolyGram, Sunshine
Members	Agnetha "Anna" Fältskog Björn Ulvaeus Benny Andersson Anni-Frid "Frida" Lyngstad
Website	abbasite.com

ABBA became very popular after they won the Eurovision Song Contest in 1974. They had many hits. These included "Dancing Queen", "SOS", "Money, Money, Money", "Mamma Mia", and "Waterloo". Most of their songs were written by Ulvaeus and Andersson.

They originally broke up in 1982, but their music is still popular. It has appeared in movies (including the Australian movies The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert and Muriel's Wedding). The stage musical Mamma Mia! was developed from their music and subsequently made into a 2008 movie followed ten years later by a 2018 sequel Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again.

Name

The name "ABBA" is made from the first letter of each member's first name:

• Agnetha Fältskog
• Björn Ulvaeus
• Benny Andersson
• Anni-Frid Lyngstad.

History

Formation and naming

Group logo

All four ABBA members had local music careers before ABBA even formed. Frida and Agnetha were both solo singers. Benny and Bjorn both had their own individual bands. In 1966, Benny and Bjorn both met and decided to write songs together. In 1969, Bjorn met Agnetha and Benny met Frida. All four friends met together and decided to work together to record songs.

By 1970, they were known as "Bjorn & Benny (With Svenska Flicka)". Later they were called Bjorn & Benny, Agnetha & Frida. Their first hit was a song called "Hej, gamle man". By 1971, Bjorn and Agnetha were married and Benny and Frida were engaged. It wasn't until 1973 that the group became officially known as ABBA. The name was suggested by their manager, Stig Anderson.

Melodifestivalen and Eurovision

"Ring Ring" in 1973 was when the group achieved success throughout much of Europe and Africa. They entered the Swedish song contest Melodifestivalen in 1973 and finished in third place. They returned to Melodifestivalen the next year with "Waterloo" and won. This gave them the chance to perform in the Eurovision Song Contest. With "Waterloo", they won and soon got global success.

Global career

In 1976, ABBA released "Dancing Queen", which is often known as ABBA's "signature song" and "one of the greatest pop songs ever written". During 1977, their huge popularity became known as "Abbamania". In Australia, ABBA played in huge concerts that usually always sold out. "ABBA: The Movie" was also released in 1977 during the height of the group's popularity. Throughout the mid and late 1970's ABBA performed in Europe, The United States, Japan and Australia.

In early 1979, Agnetha and Bjorn divorced. In early 1981, Frida and Benny also got divorced. This led to many sadder and more mature songs over the next few years. By 1981, ABBA's popularity was declining. Their last album, "The Visitors" a not a big success like previous albums. "The Day Before You Came" was the last song ABBA ever recorded together, while "Under Attack" was the last song ever released, both in 1982. ABBA broke up shortly before 1983 and all members continued on their independent music careers, just like before they had met.

Legacy

ABBA Voyage

Even though they split up, they have remained very popular and many of their songs are still listened to by many people. The musical and movie Mamma Mia! was made, which is a story featuring ABBA's main songs. Ulvaeus and Anderson both appear in the movie. Ulvaeus also made an appearance on video at the Eurovision Song Contest 2023. Due to Sweden's win at Eurovision 2023, the next contest will be hosted in Sweden and also marks the celebration of 50 years since ABBA won.

In addition, in 2022, a concert in London opened named ABBA Voyage. People can go to watch virtual avatars of ABBA performing.

Albums

ABBA recorded eight albums between 1973 and 1981, as well as some compilation albums.

• Ring Ring (1973)
• Waterloo (1974)
• ABBA (1975)
• Arrival (1977)
• ABBA: The Album (1977)
• Voulez-Vous (1979)
• Super Trouper (1980)
• The Visitors (1981)
• Voyage (2021)

Famous hit songs

• Waterloo (1974)
• Mamma Mia (1975)
• Fernando (1976)
• Dancing Queen (1976)
• Money Money Money (1976)
• Take a Chance on Me (1977)
• Chiquitita (1978)
• Gimme Gimme Gimme (1979)
• The Winner Takes It All (1980)

Other songs

• People Need Love (1972)
• Another Town, Another Train (1973)
• Honey Honey (1974)
• So Long (1974)
• I Do, I Do, I Do, I Do, I Do (1974)
• SOS (1975)
• Hey, Hey, Helen (1975)
• That's Me (1976)
• Dum Dum Diddle (1976)
• Knowing Me, Knowing You (1977)
• The Name of the Game (1977)
• Eagle (1977)
• Hole in Your Soul (1977)
• Summer Night City (1978)
• Does Your Mother Know (1979)
• Kisses of Fire (1979)
• I Have A Dream (1979)
• Happy New Year (1980)
• Me And I (1980)
• Lay All Your Love On Me (1980)
• One Of Us (1981)
• When All Is Said And Done (1981)
• Cassandra (1982)
• Under Attack (1982)
• The Day Before You Came (1982)
• I Still Have Faith in You (2018)
• Don’t Shut Me Down (2018)