Fantastic news! Who would have ever thought? If the new track is anywhere near as good as Benny’s Story of a Heart from a few years back, this could be something quite special. No need for whole album or tour. Just knowing they’d got together and recorded something because they all wanted to, not for money, fame or glory puts a great big smile on my face.
I hope this is only the beginning. If things go well, they'll do what Queen did, and have some contemporary mixers create new versions of their songs to put on deluxe reissues of the albums. Can we maybe also hope for matched colored vinyl mastered directly from digital for the best sound quality? Maybe a scarf or set of marbles?
About 10 years ago. But, yeah, Story of a Heart (co-written by Benny and Bjorn) sounds exactly like vintage ABBA (but with a different female vocalist).
Yes, it's basically promotion for the "virtual concert" project, a sure-fire way of generating interest.
10 years ago?! Where the hell did a decade go? I suppose it must have been though. The late Terry Wogan (much loved UK radio DJ and personality) played it on his breakfast show and was audibly awestruck. After composing himself he said it could have been a long lost Abba song.
Vad bra! Big news to this Stockholm-born fan of pop-music far and wide. Didn't think this would happen but then again I never thought Cream would get back together. I think as these folks get older and realize there's only so many years left, the bitterness and old feuds can be looked past, even if just for a few concerts (in Cream's case) or a couple of songs. And yes, I do think the Beatles would have done the same with all four eventually, if not for the events of December 8, 1980.
It sounds like they're being careful to avoid this: From the BBC story: Abba's spokesperson Gorel Hanser described the new songs, saying: "The sound will be familiar, but also modern."
What a week this has turned out to be for pop music. Firstly Brotherhood Of Man got back together to perform a medley of their hits at the end of Pointless Celebrities TV game show the other day, and now new Abba music. Phew!
I just sent a text-msg to a friend of mine here at work -- a big ABBA fan -- with just a link to one of the Swedish Language stories. If he scrolls down far enough, the English language Facebook statement appears -- but it's all Swedish (which might as well be all Greek to him). If he hasn't already heard, I'm sure it'll puzzle him for a good 30 seconds or so, and then he'll probably squeal with delight.
The best news is that they - at least claim - that they wanted to record together again. And I have no reason to think they are lying - they have always done what they wanted. I can´t wait to hear the songs. They keep writing that "the song" is new. So maybe the other song may be an unreleased gem? Initials "JLT", perhaps? I don´t think so, somehow. I don´t expect to feel let down. When Boney M. released their second "MAGIC OF BONEY M"." compilation, they included a new song. And very boring it was, and it didn´t even sound like Boney M., more like a less successful Liz Mitchell solo song. Knowing ABBA, I think they won´t release anything they´re not satiafied with. So yes, colour me excited! And if this whets their appetites, who am I to complain? Life is good...
My name is Bjorn, I ain't got no horn And these satin pants ain't never torn I still bring the pop, won't ever stop After all these years I'm back on top! (cue scratching and other signifiers of out-of-touchness)
The two songs are called "I Still Have Faith In You" and "Don't Shut Me Down". Abba reunites to record new music after 35 years
Great news. I trust B 'n' B and am very optimistic. It sounds like it happened quite organically. Exciting.