299 Media

Between 1972 and 1982 ABBA became a worldwide success with their unique sound and style. Although the band members had worked as solo artist with some degree of success in Sweden, its wasn’t until they formed the group ABBA that they gained worldwide recognition.

The group members Benny Andersson, Bjorn Ulvaeus, Anni-Frid Lyngstad and Agnetha Faltskog had there first hit single called “People Need Love” and it reached number 17 in the Swedish singles charts and it was included in their first album “Ring Ring” which was released in 1973.

It wasn’t until they won the Eurovision song contest in 1974 that they suddenly shot to fame, across the UK and the whole of Europe. Their winning song called “Waterloo” reached No 1 in the UK Charts. While they were not as popular in the US at this time “Waterloo” reached No 6 in the Billboard Hot 100 charts.

Over the next ten years, ABBA would have Nine No. 1 hits including “Waterloo” and Twenty One Top 20 hits in the UK.

No.1 Hits

“Waterloo” 1974

“Mamma Mia” 1975

“Fernando” 1975

“Dancing Queen” 1976

“Knowing Me, Knowing You” 1977

“The Name of the Game” 1977

“Take a Chance on Me” 1977

“The Winner Takes It All” 1980

“Super Trouper” 1980

In 1982, ABBA made their last album called “The Singles: The First Ten Years.” They also released two singles called “The Day Before You Came” and “Under Attack”. The singles hit the Top 20 in Europe but there was very little interest in the UK. The album however reached No1 in the UK album charts.

Also in 1982, ABBA performed for the last time to a UK audience via satellite link. They appeared together again in 1986 to make a short video and in 2008 at the premiere of the film “Mamma Mia” in Sweden.

ABBA songs have always been popular since the mid 1970s but recognition of the group and their songs grew again after the opening of “Mamma Mia” the musical in 1999. With the success of the musical, speculation grew about a reunion and a TV documentary recently reported the group were offered One Billion Dollars to perform a reunion tour, which was turned down flat.

For the die-hard fans of ABBA hoping for a reunion, forget it, Bjorn Ulvaeus and Benny Andersson have stated that ABBA will never perform again.

In my opinion, ABBA the group belongs to the seventies and eighties but ABBA songs will continue and be enjoyed by a new generation, especially with the help of the musical and the newly released “Mamma Mia” film.