ABBA: Lyrics, Play, Movie Triumvirate

I had a dream and it was fulfilled by meeting with Benny, Bjorn, and Agnetha. ~ Anni-Fird Lynstad

I can spot empty flattery and know exactly where I stand. In the end it's really only my own approval or disapproval that means anything. ~ Agnetha Faltskog

You can dance, you can jive, having the time of your life. See that girl watch that scene, dig in the Dancing Queen. ~ ABBA

The ABBA phenomenon began in 1966 when two Swedish musicians, Bjorn Ulvaeus (1945) and Benny Andersson (1946) met to combine their talents and wrote their first song. In 1969 both young men fell in love. Bjorn met Agnetha Faltskog (1950) and Benny met Frida Lyngstad, a Norwegian who moved to Sweden. The first couple married in 1971 and the second in 1978.

This amazing quartet collaborated from 1972-1982 to produce a phenomenal string of hits which propelled them to the top of the worldwide charts, particularly in Britain and Australia. "Dancing Queen" became a #1 hit in the U.S. in 1977. The end of both marriages in the early 80's marked the end of their creative artistic collaboration.

The group has sold 400 million records. It seems that classic ABBA has staying power. The play Mamma Mia opened in 1999 and has been seen by 30 million people. Now the film promises to enthrall ABBA lovers. One reviewer said about the lead actors singing: "Pierce Brosnan may still look as suave as James Bond, but his strangulated, search and destroy strikes at singing earned startled laughs from the preview audience. Still, they were laughing rather than jeering, because Mamma Mia has such happy associations. That's the great thing about a filmed version of a musical that has earned a couple of billion dollars onstage: it doesn't need to be that good to be a success."

It's a treat to go to the official ABBA site. There are over 150,000 members. You may want to join to see some of their videos. I didn't sign up, but I really did enjoy hearing the soundtrack "What's the name of the Game?" as I perused the site.

Univeral Music has made a bundle for the ABBA rights with upgraded definitive editions of the music, DVD releases etc. My wife and I enjoyed the play, but I'm not sure if I will see the movie. It may be a girls' night out and I'll just crank up the hits at home.