More new songs from Voyage sessions? Or perhaps not…

I really want to believe it’s true but as much as I love Catherine Tate, why couldn’t she keep her mouth shut? I can’t believe Björn told Russell T Davies this and wanted it quickly to become public knowledge. Benny is probably foaming at the mouth as we speak.

[It’s wonderful that Catherine Tate’s Donna Noble is returning to Doctor Who but I’m equally excited about Bonnie Langford’s Mel Bush coming back properly for an episode after her recent cameo.]

I can imagine they are both angry about it. Bjorn angry because he told something in confidence. And Benny angry because he's the Only Foot In Mouth Guy.

  Here is a Link to a Wednesday June 28th 'Music Week' Article about ABBA. 

  It says that the 'Voyage' Album has sold 474,955 UK copies, since it was Released.

  Plus  -- We are to get a '50 Years of Waterloo' Documentary in 2024.

  I've been told, that the 2 New Songs are now finished. We are to get them in 2024.
  There may be more than 2. We will see. but, (I'm told), that we are not getting an
  Album.

 Please go to the Link below:

  link
  

  

It’s not always helpful to name sources. Not helpful to the source who could get into trouble, and could negatively affect future leaks. As it supports what Catherine Tate said on Zoe Ball (expanding on it) I’m prepared to go with it.

Thanks Colin onlyabba4meagain for the info.

This would nicely finish off the Voyage album story. It was in need of some bonus tracks. All the other albums have some.

[I’ve moved foreverfan’s very similar post to the main Voyage thread so that there isn’t repetition in the same topic.]

Friendly note to Benny - can we PLEASE have one now, one 2024?!!!

I know in these days of streaming etc it is difficult to get to number one for an older act, but would be such a thrill if one of those songs was such a corker that it did make it! Still can't get over Kylie's latest getting higher than Don't Shut Me Down!!? Don't get me wrong, I love Kylie, but IMHO DSMD is superior (as is ISHFIY). Would be lovely to get a 10th number 1 single in the UK! DSMD and ISHFIY were, to me, good enough, so wondering what it would take to achieve it?

Heard LAYLOM on Radio 2 yesterday, sounded soooo good!

Knowing Me Knowing You will always be in my Top 3, but I wasn't too keen on the 1979 Wembley version, seemed too slow.

Easy for me to say, of course, not being attuned to Björn and Benny's thinking (nor Agnetha and Frida's), but don't they want to get any music they have 'out there' while they can? Provided they deem that any new stuff they have is of listenable quality, obviously. But the notion of 'hits' is surely no longer of much consequence for older artists?

And this thought occurs to me: what might be generally regarded as a so-so song, I might love, who knows? So get the unreleased songs out there! Yes, easy for me to say.

Great news, OnlyAbba - thanks for letting us know.
Also, would be amazing if there is more than the two songs.
I've said all along that with Voyage, they seemed to have found an enjoyable and low-pressure way of writing, recording and releasing new songs so why not continue in some form, whilst they still have their health.  

Yes great news regarding the voyage album sales. In reality I really don't see a deluxe version with extra tracks coming anytime soon.

  Henry, I cannot reveal my 'Source'. The 'Source' has told me in confidence.

  I do realize, that this makes it look like, I made it all up, or that the 'Source' is
  'Useless'. Neither of those negative views are true -- at all. I have far too much
  respect  for ABBA, and for my Fellow ABBA Fans, to go around making up 'News'
  about  them. As does my 'Source'. The 'Source' is very honest indeed.

 I just hope that ABBA have Re-Titled 'Hit By A Train'!. If it is to be Released
 in 2024. It is a totally inappropriate Title, when a lot of unhappy People jump
 in front of Trains, each Year. Most, (if nor all), are killed.

 If the Song exists, that is! I recall 'News' being spread, about 'In The Can' and
' No-Mans Land', in late 1978, and early 1979! It was later Revealed, that neither
 Song actually existed!.
 

Didn’t the “Hit By A Train” title come from one of the performers of the Voyage show? Little Boots or someone? I imagine its actual title is something along those lines but not quite so literal.

When I first heard of that title, it reminded me of a line in Madonna’s “Erotica” - “I’ll give you love, I’ll hit you like a truck, I’ll give you love, I’ll teach you how to…” [implies but avoids using the “f” word].

“Heart Attack” was tame compared to Madness’s “Cardiac Arrest”.

Perhaps it might just be “Hit Like A Train”. I’d be disappointed if this song isn’t one of the two as I really want to hear it!

Did someone have a title for the other Voyage outtake? I seem to recall Adam had one but not sure where it came from.

My story ends with you is the other title

Brilliant news about the two 'Voyage' outtakes (I assume these are the two songs that will eventuate) being finished and potentially getting released in 2024. My instincts tell me this is legitimate information.

I assume the release will tie in with Eurovision 2024 so that will be the inevitable release date - i.e. mid-to-late May 2024. 

Of course, being the eternal optimist (in terms of unreleased/new ABBA material), my beady eyes zoomed in on "There may be more than 2" and wonder what might transpire there...

As much as I truly long for one last album, I acknowledge that this is unlikely, and according to the new information, accept that "we are we are not getting an Album".
The question is whether Benny and Bjorn are continuing to work on new compositions/recordings in organic fashion, with no definite plans for what the outcome will be - i.e. will they just allow things to transpire as they naturally occur and possibly end up with three or more songs by the projected release date, and if they continue to enjoy the experience (without any outside pressures), will future releases occur beyond mid-2024?

My suspicions have long been that both Frida and Agnetha are keen to participate as long as the songs are there - in terms of availability and quality. Bjorn, I believe remains interested, but he's sufficiently astute to realise that Benny cannot be pushed in any way. I guess we shall see.

With regard to the supposed two song titles, both seem promising in my opinion. I have no issue with the title of "Hit By A Train" (which I assume to be the upbeat, pop track) and call bull%&$! on the notion that this could possibly inspire suicidal tendencies. Outrage for the sake of outrage as far as I'm concerned. 

"My Story Ends With You" is suggestive of elaborate ABBA balladry (along the lines of "The Winner Takes It All") and my initial thoughts are that it will present a positive narrative, as in appreciation for an enduring, final love. I wonder if Agnetha will be given the lead on this one with Frida taking up lead duties on "Hit By A Train" (although for some reason, I always assumed this track would contain a co-lead vocal, don't know why)?

In terms of how the two (or more) songs are issued, I don't believe it will be an expanded version of 'Voyage' - by 2024, the album will be considered old news. It's more likely that one or more tracks will be incorporated into the 'Voyage' show, not the album. A double-A single or two separate singles may be issued but in terms of an album 'home', it's more likely that there will be some type of 50th (Eurovision-inspired) anthology or hits collection, 'ABBA Gold' notwithstanding.

In any case, this new information is entirely positive from my perspective. Let the excitement prevail!

PS I believe it was Little Boots who initially mentioned the title of "Hit By A Train", commenting that Benny had played the track to her during 'Voyage' show rehearsals circa 2021 (perhaps earlier). I wonder if Benny did this because he was pleased with the track at that stage and whether they possibly motion-captured it for potential inclusion? Whenever the "five or six" left over motion-captured performances are referenced, whoever is discussing them is always suitably vague about how many or which songs were recorded. I also wonder if Benny - and the other three - always considered these 'outtakes' to be of a high standard but either simply didn't have time to complete them by the album's sign-off in August 2021 or were intentionally holding them back for a separate, future release? These guys are savvy so if they thought there was potential gold in the form of these two tracks, they may have decided not to 'waste' them on the album, but rather issue them as singles to coincide with a momentous event, such as the Eurovision 50th anniversary win. (I recall previous speculation that "Hit By A Train" may have been initially recorded during the 2019 sessions but even so, it's more than likely that Benny was not completely satisfied at the time and planned to revisit it at some later stage.)

Evilincarnate, your views and mine co incide exactly!