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Post by jj on Jul 9, 2020 11:14:41 GMT
I wish that more ABBA Fans would Post here. I know that it can be a bit scary, as to what reactions you may get. (To your Posts). However, as long as we are not unkind to each other, there is really nothing to be afraid of. Having said that, I'm still nervous, each time that I Post here. (Or elsewhere). I worry that someone may dislike my Post, or find it boring etc. I have to overcome my fears and I just Post, and hope that what I've said is OK, with the other ABBA Fans, here. In 'Real Life', I'm cripplingly shy, so I have to try very hard, to sound confident, in my Posts. I feel like I'm a much more outgoing fellow, when I Post. I'm incredibly nervous, in 'Real Life'. So, I do hope that more ABBA Fans will Post here. We all have things to say, and no-one's opinions, are superior, to anyone else's...
Well, speaking for myself, I can assure you that I'm certainly not shy, I'm not over-sensitive or easily offended, and I don't worry very much about anything anyone says about me or my posts. So none of these reasons you mentioned explain why I don't post.
The reason I don't post is simple: I don't have anything much to say. ABBA are not in the news these days, and everything about them seems to have been discussed before. Any new ideas for conversation about the group have been exhausted, it seems, and there'll be nothing of great interest to discuss until they're making news again.
By the way, thanks very much for your chart facts, Colin. I find them very interesting, and many others here must, too. Your statistics are a never-ending source of interest and should be archived somewhere for posterity.
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Post by Deleted on Jul 9, 2020 13:11:55 GMT
I recently found out, something interesting, about 'The Visitors' Album. In the Year End, UK Top 100 Albums,
of 1981, it was the Year's 17th Best Seller. However, when the final, 1981 Sales Week, was added in, it was
really 1981's 4th Best Seller. The final Sales Charts of 1981, were the 1st Charts Dated January 1982. Those
Charts Sales, were not included, in the published, Year End 1981, Top 100 Singles & Albums. So, 'The Visitors',
was just about, the fastest Selling ABBA Album, in the UK. Even though, its Sales tailed off very fast, in 1982.
In its first 3 Chart Weeks - all at No.1 - it did this in the 3 Year End Top 100's, that have now been calculated
- W/E 19th December - 80th - W/E 26th December - 17th and W/E 2nd January 1982 - 4th. It is very hard, to
finish, in the Top 5 Albums, of a Year, after just 3 Weeks Sales. (The W/E 2nd January 1982 Charts, are counted
towards 1981, because all of their Sales, were in 1981. I'm referring to both the Singles Chart and Albums Chart).
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Post by Deleted on Jul 9, 2020 14:40:33 GMT
It is a while since I was posting. We discuss what BAO songs would be nice to be ABBA songs. I got two. But but but: I don't want ABBA to record them, I want ABBA with new songs!!
So, the two songs Summa Summarum and Ticka ticka väckarklocka: I can imagine them to be ABBA songs, but I don't want (and I don't think) that to happen, them being in the studio, rerecording excisting BAO songs. Let's wait for the real ABBA ones!
But still: someone else thinks the same? That Summa Summarum and Ticka ticka väckarklocka easily could have been ABBA? With some extra ABBA layers, vocals, harmonies over it?
Btw. I like those two BAO songs very much.
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Post by jj on Jul 9, 2020 15:38:06 GMT
But still: someone else thinks the same? That Summa Summarum and Ticka ticka väckarklocka easily could have been ABBA? With some extra ABBA layers, vocals, harmonies over it? Yes, indeed! I could easily imagine both of them as ABBA songs. And thanks for pointing them out - they're truly lovely!
BTW, I think the melody of "Story of a Heart" very ordinary, a bit tired-sounding and also kind of formulaic. It sounds to me like Benny might have come up with it in 10 minutes. It's okay, it passes the pop-song test, but it's nothing to write home about. I would hope that ABBA would never even think of touching it with a barge pole.  Plus, the press would be ruthless and remind everyone that it was a cover version of a Steps song. And that would be a most unflattering fact.
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Post by justabba on Jul 9, 2020 16:38:40 GMT
But still: someone else thinks the same? That Summa Summarum and Ticka ticka väckarklocka easily could have been ABBA? With some extra ABBA layers, vocals, harmonies over it? Yes, indeed! I could easily imagine both of them as ABBA songs. And thanks for pointing them out - they're truly lovely!
BTW, I think the melody of "Story of a Heart" very ordinary, a bit tired-sounding and also kind of formulaic. It sounds to me like Benny might have come up with it in 10 minutes. It's okay, it passes the pop-song test, but it's nothing to write home about. I would hope that ABBA would never even think of touching it with a barge pole. Plus, the press would be ruthless and remind everyone that it was a cover version of a Steps song. And that would be a most unflattering fact.
I really hope and expect the new tracks will be superior to story of a heart. As you say,it's ok, nothing more. |
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Post by Deleted on Jul 10, 2020 7:09:23 GMT
The BAO Songs sound OK, but they just don't sound, good enough, to be 'New' ABBA Singles.
I really like 'Story Of A Heart', but it was not really, strong enough, for ABBA, to release, as a
Single. That Benny Andersson Orkestra Single, did very well, in the 2009 UK Air Play Chart
- No.15. But it did poorly, in the actual UK Singles Chart - No.83. The 2017 version, by Steps,
failed to reach the UK Top 100. It could be, that if ABBA covered it, they'd turn it, into a much
better & stronger Track. I don't know. Over-all, I think that the New ABBA Songs have to be on
a higher level of quality, than what we hear in 'Story Of A Heart'...
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Post by stepalm on Jul 10, 2020 14:07:34 GMT
This is my current dream of a new ABBA album.
ABBA have four recorded songs according to rumours. To make an album they would need 5 more songs if we concider that was the lowest number of songs on earlier albums.
Side A would start of with an almost intstrumental song that is not yet recorded with very slight shared vocals by Frida and Agnetha. It will be like a teaser or build up of what will come. Next track would be a typical popsong with lead by Agnetha (Dont shoot me down) followed by a slower song that will be the lead single (I still have faith in you) lead by Frida but will the typical joined voices in the Chorus. Next song is a slow song with lead by Agnetha that follows with another Frida lead this one a bit faster.
Side B would be the gift to all the fans. Here they would have choosed their own personal favourites from the ABBA material. It would start of with Agnetha doing her version of Our last summer (as she has expressed is the song she wished she had sung). Frida would follow with a newer version of The king has lost his Crown wich would have turned from disco to more jazzy. Benny would choose a new version of the day Before you came with Agnetha on vocals but less synths and more piano. Finally Bjorn would pick When all is said and done with Frida on lead and less disco and more live intimite feeling. As a final gift they would have turned Move on to shared vocals between Bjorn, Frida second verse and Agnetha third verse. I think the title and song could be fitting to end the album.
This is my dream. This way also they would have new "live" version of some of the later songs.
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Post by justabba on Jul 10, 2020 15:08:43 GMT
The BAO Songs sound OK, but they just don't sound, good enough, to be 'New' ABBA Singles. I really like 'Story Of A Heart', but it was not really, strong enough, for ABBA, to release, as a Single. That Benny Andersson Orkestra Single, did very well, in the 2009 UK Air Play Chart - No.15. But it did poorly, in the actual UK Singles Chart - No.83. The 2017 version, by Steps, failed to reach the UK Top 100. It could be, that if ABBA covered it, they'd turn it, into a much better & stronger Track. I don't know. Over-all, I think that the New ABBA Songs have to be on a higher level of quality, than what we hear in 'Story Of A Heart'... I agree completely Colin! |
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Post by gamleman on Jul 10, 2020 16:23:22 GMT
My gut feeling is that people who are wanting a whole album of brand-new songs from ABBA, and nothing less, are being unrealistic, but perhaps I will be proved wrong. I think an easy and interesting way of achieving a whole album to support 4 or 5 new songs would be to record some of B&B's compositions that ABBA could have done - I posted a thread to this effect in the 'ABBA The Music' section. However, I'm not convinced that this is likely either. An even easier scenario for them would be to supplement the new songs with existing material but, as others have pointed out, this would result in a disjointed album, particularly in terms of non-uniform recording quality. I certainly wouldn't like them to record new versions of old songs, but I could envisage them re-recording some of the backing tracks in exactly the same arrangements to align the recording quality of songs from different albums and eras. I doubt that they will do this either - at least, not yet - but I think something like this will eventually come with an 'ABBAtars soundtrack' album, which will have to be uniform in sound quality.
Regarding "Story Of A Heart", my feeling is this is the best and most ABBA-esque song that B&B have written since the 80s (to my knowledge). Its magic is in the combination of melody and production, as is typical of ABBA tracks, but also in its touching lyrics. It is much better than some of the songs ABBA recorded in their last year, thinking mainly about "You Owe Me One" and "I Am The City" and even "Under Attack". And it's a world away from "2nd Best To None", which was released around the same time. I don't think anyone would accuse ABBA of covering a Steps song - indeed, before Steps released their version, the BBC website headline was "Steps are coming back with an Abba song", so it would seem that the media regard anything written by B&B as being the property of ABBA as a whole.
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Post by Deleted on Jul 10, 2020 17:04:07 GMT
Colin, I too am often quite afraid to post my ideas and views on the forum in case folks dislike them. I suffer from crippling anxiety issues too. Therefore, I am very sensitive to people's remarks and can feel hurt at times.
Stepalm, it is good to dream and write about your ideal wishlist. I often do.
Justabba, I think SOAH could have been a great ABBA song
Gamleman, it would be nice if there was a new ABBA album but instinct tells me that we will probably get a couple of new songs. I hope I am wrong but it is wishful thinking.
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Post by HOMETIME on Jul 10, 2020 19:40:43 GMT
My own hope is that the production is better than the BAO releases. And by better, I mean poppier. "Story Of A Heart" is a fine song, but if those bloody panpipes crop up on the new ABBA songs, I will be as cross as two sticks. At least Bjorn will be behind the desk with Benny again. His fondness for modern pop should (hopefully) steer things in the right direction.
I know I have muttered about a new album and, as much as I'd love one, I would DEFINITELY prefer a couple of brilliant new ABBA classics to an album of half-hearted stuff that left their heritage frayed around the edges.
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Post by Alan on Jul 10, 2020 21:08:14 GMT
Agreed, if there is going to be a new album, then they should all be new tracks. No cover versions of BAO or Björn/Benny-written songs previously performed by other acts. Nothing would do ABBA more damage than, say, their version of I Know Him So Well.
I know the Fernando and Bang-a-Boomerang examples have been given of ABBA using songs prepared for others (though Fernando really doesn’t count), but the difference is that the earlier versions weren’t known outside Sweden and/or Scandinavia. There’s also I Saw It In The Mirror and I Am Just A Girl (and quite frankly I wish the deluxe edition of Ring Ring never existed for that reason), not to mention Rock ‘n’ Roll Band and Merry-Go-Round, but, for a post-38 year hiatus, the worst thing possible is for an ABBA album of old songs. Either all-new songs or no album in my opinion.
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Post by gamleman on Jul 11, 2020 9:01:53 GMT
I agree with Alan in the sense that we certainly wouldn't want a new album by ABBA to be labelled as largely an album of covers. However, the Wikipedia definition of a cover is "... a new performance or recording by someone other than the original artist or composer of a previously recorded song". So, I'm not sure that a song that the recording artist originally composed themselves (for another artist) strictly counts as a cover.
We are, of course, expecting any new ABBA album to sell like hot cakes to an audience well beyond the hard-core ABBA fans. I would therefore pose the question as to what proportion of this potential audience have ever heard of "Story Of A Heart"? A very small proportion, I suspect. And what proportion have heard other songs from the BAO (which are mostly in Swedish), or songs from "Kristina" for that matter? A much smaller proportion, I'm sure. I'm not suggesting that ABBA should fully exploit the BAO back-catalogue, but I don't think 'Joe Public' around the world (certainly outside Sweden) would be aware or care that such songs had been recorded before, especially by one of ABBA's own members.
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Post by Michal on Jul 12, 2020 9:12:42 GMT
I think that it's highly unlikely ABBA would re-record any of the BAO recordings, even if some really would be interesting (Det Är Vi Ändå or Story Of A Heart) or even some other Björn and Benny songs. It's probably true that most people are not aware of existence of BAO songs and it would do less harm than, say, including a new version of I Know Him So Well (which I always thought would be great on Agnetha/Frida album of duets). However, we would not avoid comparisons and I would hate to like the original versions more than ABBA's (Helen Sjöholm is a great singer in my opinion). |
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Post by justabba on Jul 12, 2020 12:16:58 GMT
I think that it's highly unlikely ABBA would re-record any of the BAO recordings, even if some really would be interesting (Det Är Vi Ändå or Story Of A Heart) or even some other Björn and Benny songs. It's probably true that most people are not aware of existence of BAO songs and it would do less harm than, say, including a new version of I Know Him So Well (which I always thought would be great on Agnetha/Frida album of duets). However, we would not avoid comparisons and I would hate to like the original versions more than ABBA's (Helen Sjöholm is a great singer in my opinion). Besides which even if the general public dont know these songs, the critics will. ABBA s whole motivation to record again was to create new songs. I see no point whatsoever in rehashing old material. As an artist you are always striving to create something new and better. |
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Post by gazman on Jul 12, 2020 13:38:45 GMT
ABBA wouldn't record old BAO songs, I agree. BAO is a different musical concept altogether, and I think the 2 deserve to be kept separate.
And, apart from anything else, as far as I understand it, BAO songs are Benny's written tunes to which Björn sometimes adds lyrics. And not both B&B jointly-written songs, as for ABBA, where Björn completes the lyrics later. I feel that is an important distinction.
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Post by Deleted on Jul 18, 2020 1:16:27 GMT
News about ABBA's New Songs, has now dried up. There has been nothing, for a few Weeks. I'm not sure, if that is good or bad. A lot of the 'News', was really rumours and speculation. The Official UK Charts Company, has done an interesting Article, about Queen, due to it being the 50th Anniversary, of their first 'Gig'. It is 50 Chart Facts about Queen. ABBA get a few mentions. Hopefully, they'll do such an Article about ABBA, one Day... Link: link The Article gives Queen's 'Greatest Hits' 6,370,000 UK Sales. However, in 2006, The OCC allowed 626,000 Sales, to be added to it from 2 other Queen releases. (560,000 - 'The Platinum Collection' - 2000, 66,000 - 'Greatest Hits I & II - 1994). If you remove, those 'Enhanced Sales', it has really sold around 5,744,000. It would still be the UK's Best Selling Album. However, 'ABBA Gold' is 2nd, with an estimated 5,726,000 UK Sales. There are really only about 18,000 UK Sales, between them. (To W/E 23rd July 2020). The OCC never mention, that 626,000 UK Sales, of the 1981 Queen 'Greatest Hits' Album, are from 2 other Queen releases...
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Post by Michal on Jul 18, 2020 5:32:13 GMT
The Article gives Queen's 'Greatest Hits' 6,370,000 UK Sales. However, in 2006, The OCC allowed 626,000 Sales, to be added to it from 2 other Queen releases. (560,000 - 'The Platinum Collection' - 2000, 66,000 - 'Greatest Hits I & II - 1994). If you remove, those 'Enhanced Sales', it has really sold around 5,744,000. It would still be the UK's Best Selling Album. However, 'ABBA Gold' is 2nd, with an estimated 5,726,000 UK Sales. There are really only about 18,000 UK Sales, between them. (To W/E 23rd July 2020). The OCC never mention, that 626,000 UK Sales, of the 1981 Queen 'Greatest Hits' Album, are from 2 other Queen releases... And there were no sales added to ABBA Gold for the likes of Forever Gold or the various variations such as 2CD+DVD sound+vision edition etc.? |
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Post by justabba on Jul 18, 2020 6:41:07 GMT
News about ABBA's New Songs, has now dried up. There has been nothing, for a few Weeks. I'm not sure, if that is good or bad. A lot of the 'News', was really rumours and speculation. The Official UK Charts Company, has done an interesting Article, about Queen, due to it being the 50th Anniversary, of their first 'Gig'. It is 50 Chart Facts about Queen. ABBA get a few mentions. Hopefully, they'll do such an Article about ABBA, one Day... Link: link The Article gives Queen's 'Greatest Hits' 6,370,000 UK Sales. However, in 2006, The OCC allowed 626,000 Sales, to be added to it from 2 other Queen releases. (560,000 - 'The Platinum Collection' - 2000, 66,000 - 'Greatest Hits I & II - 1994). If you remove, those 'Enhanced Sales', it has really sold around 5,744,000. It would still be the UK's Best Selling Album. However, 'ABBA Gold' is 2nd, with an estimated 5,726,000 UK Sales. There are really only about 18,000 UK Sales, between them. (To W/E 23rd July 2020). The OCC never mention, that 626,000 UK Sales, of the 1981 Queen 'Greatest Hits' Album, are from 2 other Queen releases... Hi Colin I think we have to be prepared for no release this year. As you say it's all gone very quiet, ABBA are still shielding and as the songs are tied into the avatar project it could be another 18 months before we hear anything. I dont expect this performance, whatever it will be, will be out in the public before 2022. |
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Post by foreverfan on Jul 18, 2020 6:55:42 GMT
I’m still hoping, we may get a Christmas release....
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Post by gazman on Jul 18, 2020 7:57:31 GMT
It's the summer recess in Sweden - typically B&B would take the whole of July off anyway, I think, unless Benny is touring with BAO (which was never planned for this year, as they did it in 2019). Due to that, I wouldn't expect to hear anything at this time of year.
I think I am right in saying that both B and B last said they hoped for some kind of new music release in 'September/after the summer'. Perhaps we might only find out the day before? That kind of thing happens these days with digital and streaming. I don't think physical formats like vinyl and CDs would be made available straight away - they'll most likely follow some weeks later.
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Post by Michal on Jul 18, 2020 9:26:23 GMT
I don't think physical formats like vinyl and CDs would be made available straight away - they'll most likely follow some weeks later. Why do you think so? It doesn't make much sense to me. If they want to succeed chart-wise, all of the formats (both digital and physical) should be released simultaneously to make maximum impact. |
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Post by gamleman on Jul 18, 2020 9:45:47 GMT
Myself, I don't think they will be concerned about the singles charts. They may even try to avoid them by only making the new tracks available on an album, such as special edition of Gold, and as singles in limited-edition physical formats, such as coloured and picture vinyl (following the previous pattern of vinyl releases). But I agree that these would probably all be released at the same time.
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Post by justabba on Jul 18, 2020 9:55:26 GMT
Myself, I don't think they will be concerned about the singles charts. They may even try to avoid them by only making the new tracks available on an album, such as special edition of Gold, and as singles in limited-edition physical formats, such as coloured and picture vinyl (following the previous pattern of vinyl releases). But I agree that these would probably all be released at the same time. You may be right. A year ago Graham Norton with bjorn said ABBA gold would become ABBA platinum with the 2 new tracks for xmas 2020. However everything has probably been pushed back to next year. |
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Post by gazman on Jul 18, 2020 10:04:48 GMT
I don't think ABBA would be that bothered about chart placings, really. I think they will be keen to give the songs to the fans on various formats, as Görel advised they would, but I would feel it's more likely that fans will be allowed to hear the songs (i.e. physical and streaming) and then decide if they want to order the vinyl and CD (available at a later date). That is the way the Rolling Stones did it with their recent single (see earlier comments), when the digital releases preceded the physical ones by 7-8 weeks. Physical copies would surely take several weeks to manufacture and distribute to countries around the world.
I suppose that, back in the day (e.g. 1978, 'Summer Night City'), tapes would be sent out to various countries about 4 weeks before intended release date, then vinyl pressed and early copies sent to radio stations, with local record companies told to release it only after a certain date. However, we just don't live in that kind of world anymore, and I doubt that download and streaming of new songs would be held up until physical copies are available. However, I'd imagine that Universal/Polar and ABBA have already agreed how they will handle it.
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Post by justabba on Jul 18, 2020 10:17:01 GMT
On the other hand no one releases a new song not to be a hit
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Post by gamleman on Jul 18, 2020 10:22:30 GMT
On the other hand no one releases a new song not to be a hit True, but I think these days they (the record company) will be more concerned with maximising profit than the sales of singles. It would probably be more profitable to make people buy an album in order to own these new songs. The limited-edition vinyl singles that I envisage would be to keep the hard-core fans happy and add to the hype, and would probably be expensive (with large profits). |
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Post by Alan on Jul 18, 2020 17:51:25 GMT
On the other hand no one releases a new song not to be a hit That’s not true anymore, and hasn’t been for the last 10 years or so. A new song is released primarily to generate interest in an album. In the UK, it’s usually to get airplay on Radio 2, who won’t usually play album tracks. A “single” helps sell an album. It always did, but now more so than ever. Agnetha’s “A” was a major hit album in 2013, partly thanks to Agnetha’s promotion of it but also because Radio 2 played the four “singles”, none of which were big hits (the irony being that the biggest hit from it - I Should’ve Followed You Home - wasn’t actually a UK single). |
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Post by justabba on Jul 18, 2020 18:15:56 GMT
On the other hand no one releases a new song not to be a hit That’s not true anymore, and hasn’t been for the last 10 years or so. A new song is released primarily to generate interest in an album. In the UK, it’s usually to get airplay on Radio 2, who won’t usually play album tracks. A “single” helps sell an album. It always did, but now more so than ever. Agnetha’s “A” was a major hit album in 2013, partly thanks to Agnetha’s promotion of it but also because Radio 2 played the four “singles”, none of which were big hits (the irony being that the biggest hit from it - I Should’ve Followed You Home - wasn’t actually a UK single). Thanks Alan, but I've worked in the music industry in the UK for many many years, so I'm quite familiar with how it all works. |
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Post by HOMETIME on Jul 18, 2020 18:56:35 GMT
I wonder if they'll find a way for the all-star TV special that was envisaged to accompany the release of the songs to still somehow go ahead? The main thing is that the songs are available to download/stream the second they're broadcast, whether that be on TV or radio.
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Plus, the press would be ruthless and remind everyone that it was a cover version of a Steps song. And that would be a most unflattering fact.
