All about ABBA: A Brief History

 

           In the 1970s, there was a group from Sweden and their name was ABBA. The pop group infected the whole world with their infectious melodies and harmonious vocals, and kitsch stage costumes. This is the story of Agnetha, Bjorn, Benny, and Anni-Frid.

            They started their international fame by competing in the 1974 Eurovision song contest, with a song called “Waterloo.” “Waterloo” was number one in the UK for six weeks, even making it to the US top ten. Many of their biggest hits are instantly recognizable, such as “Fernando,” “SOS,” “Take a Chance on Me,” and their most popular one, “Dancing Queen.” This song was their only number in the US, and it was specially performed at the wedding reception of the King of Sweden. “Dancing Queen” is the most infamous Abba song. Many bands have recorded this classic, including U2 and the A*teens, but no version of the song has ever received success or critical acclaim. No one can remake the original sound and magic that is “Dancing Queen.”

            They were at their peak of their popularity in the late 1970s, with the release of “Abba: The Movie.” A huge commercial campaign included TV appearances, radio appearances, their own TV specials. They marketed soap, perfume, socks and clothing, and such memorabilia as pins, pens, cardboard displays, posters, and much more. Abba’s success continued until their break up in 1982, when pressures and tensions got worse. Due to the divorces within the group, and the death threats against them, and the kidnapping threats on their children. They disbanded.

 94% of the students at ESHS knew who Abba were. 44% said that they like Abba, 27% said they kind of liked Abba, and 27% said they didn’t like Abba. 44% said they didn’t have a favorite band member, 33% said Frida was their favorite, and 22% said they liked Agnetha. 22% said “Dancing Queen” was their favorite Abba song, 33% didn’t know their favorite song, 1% said their favorite was “Fernando,” 1% said “SOS” was their favorite, 1% said “Take a Chance on Me” was their favorite, and 22% said other.

            Abba is still well known today and are widely popular. Abba are well known and are growing in popularity and have sold more than 350 million records worldwide, becoming the second best selling band of all time, second only to the Beatles.  Abba will be remembered for years to come, and aren’t waning in popularity, but rising. Long live Abba.

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