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Post by gamleman on Aug 20, 2021 12:55:07 GMT
Responding to onlyabba4meagain, a few days ago you reported that TYFTM had reached 20000 downloads since 2004. It would be interesting to see a chart of downloaded ABBA songs in order to assess whether today's download generation have different tastes in ABBA songs than the original vinyl buyers. Does such a chart exist? If so, I suspect it is dominated by songs from ABBA Gold and the first Mamma Mia movie.
Indeed, any fan will have their favourite songs and their not so favourite songs. I must admit, of the ones you mention, I had reservations about "I Do, I Do, I Do, I Do, I Do", "Summer Night City", "I Have A Dream" and "Does Your Mother Know" when they were first released, but only DYMK because it became a single with Bjorn on lead vocal and SNC because it seemed to borrow from the Bee Gees' sound. But I just can't imagine any ABBA fan criticising "The Day Before You Came". I can only imagine that some people don't favour it because it doesn't feature the traditional 'ABBA sound' in terms of harmonies, but it stands out as a remarkable song without all of that - the production is just spot on, not to mention the emotion in Agnetha's voice.
Myself, I think the new songs will be timeless. I don't believe they will attempt to tie the songs to this particular (fallow) era in music. They were always unrestricted by musical genres, touching on various genres of their era, but I can't see them venturing into Rap, unless they have a guest rapper as Erasure did on their cover of "Take A Chance On Me" - I just don't think they will go there though. We can rely on them to make sound musical decisions, I'm sure.
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Post by hejiranyc on Aug 20, 2021 13:07:10 GMT
Regarding how 'Dated' some of the 'New' ABBA Songs, may sound... ABBA never really tried to 'Fit In', with their Singles and Albums. They just created Songs and Productions, that were the best they could - at the time. Then they Released them. This is absolutely not true. ABBA were 100% of-their-time. In fact, their discography reads like a like a history of popular music styles of the 1970s and early 1980s. From the neo-hippie folk of "People Need Love" to the Philly soul-inspired "My Mama Said" to the glam rock of "Does Your Mother Know" to the disco of "Gimme Gimme Gimme" to the California rock of "King Has Lost His Crown" to the prog-rock of "Intermezzo No. 1" to the Europop of "The Day Before You Came" to the synthesized 80s sheen of "The Visitors." They fully embraced the textures, sounds and vibes of each era and each genre. All that being said, they stamped the ABBA brand on everything they did with their complex vocal arrangements, the highly dynamic arrangements and the phenomenal production values. The only other band I can think of that compared to ABBA's intense level of studio perfection (self-titled album, onwards) was Steely Dan. I think it would be foolish to try and predict what ABBA will release in 2021. Forty years is a really long time, so we really cannot use the past as a point of reference. Nobody is the same after 40 years. But being the fool that I am, I would venture to guess that the new songs will be somewhat in the same lane as The Wknd and P!nk, and maybe even Lana del Rey - performers who create polished, 80s-inspired pop but with modern sounds. It goes without saying that autotune will be heavily featured in ABBA's new songs, not because A and A cannot stay in tune, rather, because it is just the sound of the moment. |
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Post by gamleman on Aug 20, 2021 16:27:47 GMT
If there really is going to be a new ABBA album of some sort released this Autumn with the aim of reaching No 1, they'd better get it out before 29th October as Ed Sheeran is releasing his new album "=" then. In fact, any ABBA single should be released before that date too, as following the release of his last album, tracks from it dominated the UK Top 10 (although they have since changed the rules such that any artist can have a maximum of 5 songs in the chart).
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Post by foreverfan on Aug 20, 2021 16:37:46 GMT
^^^^ very true, if your a chart fan, its best to avoid any release by ED Sheeran, his album will probably be number one for about 10 weeks , probably more, nearly untouchable... Present single has been number one for 8 weeks , again possibly next as well, his next single is lined up and will probably replace him .. so its going to be extremely tough for any artist let alone ABBA to knock him off his lofty perch....
Im sure Universal will be well aware of all of this and will eventually release accordingly... that's if they are interested in charts and positions...
Alas its true , Ed is top of his game and any artist would find it hard to topple him, so they will probably wait a few weeks ( 4 plus ) before having a go.......
Lots of probables there, who knows, but i wont be surprised if we see Ed at number one at Christmas !!!
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Post by justabba on Aug 20, 2021 19:00:58 GMT
If there really is going to be a new ABBA album of some sort released this Autumn with the aim of reaching No 1, they'd better get it out before 29th October as Ed Sheeran is releasing his new album "=" then. In fact, any ABBA single should be released before that date too, as following the release of his last album, tracks from it dominated the UK Top 10 (although they have since changed the rules such that any artist can have a maximum of 5 songs in the chart). October 22nd would be good;) |
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Post by gamleman on Aug 20, 2021 19:21:26 GMT
The trouble is, I bet there's going to be a rush by other artists to get their albums out before Ed Sheeran. So there may be a lot of competition in the weeks leading up to 29th October.
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Post by justabba on Aug 21, 2021 6:34:55 GMT
The trouble is, I bet there's going to be a rush by other artists to get their albums out before Ed Sheeran. So there may be a lot of competition in the weeks leading up to 29th October. That's always the risk you run releasing in the "golden quarter". Aside from the person you mentioned, I'm pretty confident ABBA could outsell most others with their first album in 40 years. |
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Post by justabba on Aug 21, 2021 12:06:07 GMT
New abba programme on channel 5 tonight, 730pm...
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Post by foreverfan on Aug 21, 2021 12:28:14 GMT
If ABBA were to release an album on the 22nd it would only be number one for one week before Ed releases his album, I'd say leave it until end of November even December, cash in the the Christmas market, at that time Ed's new album will have passed its peak...
Hopefully Universal will get it right....
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Post by foreverfan on Aug 21, 2021 12:31:39 GMT
^^^, new ABBA programme, is repeated on Friday 27th at 10 pm on UK Channel 5 , just in case you miss tonight's.... I doubt it will show anything we don't already know, but could be interesting. Seem a lot of ABBA around.. whats it all leading up to  ? |
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Post by gamleman on Aug 21, 2021 12:47:31 GMT
I don't think a November or even December album release is worthwhile this year for an artist that wants to reach No 1, as I think Ed will have the UK No 1 spot booked until Christmas. His last proper album "Divide" occupied the No 1 spot for an initial 9-week run and returned to the top-spot six more times. And he is a global phenomenon, so he may dominate other charts around the world too.
I hope the ABBA documentary on Channel 5 tonight isn't like the last one I saw in which they seemed to attribute the lull between Waterloo and SOS to Bang-A-Boomerang with its bubble-gum lyrics. Bang-A-Boomerang wasn't even released as a single in the UK or many other countries. I think TV producers who don't really know the subject matter just twist things to suit the story they want to tell.
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Post by Alan on Aug 21, 2021 20:02:31 GMT
Oh dear… the narrator can’t even pronounce Agnetha’s name in the acceptable Anglican interpretation “Ann-yetta”. We all know this is still incorrect but it’s better than the attempt being made tonight. However, it is Channel 5. Who’d have guessed that 1980s bitchy TV critic Nina Myscow (that’s pronounced “Mish-kov”) is actually an ABBA fan? Perhaps not even her until she was asked to do it (or more likely, the last in a long-list that actually accepted).
And as I write, Pete Waterman has appeared. For the love of God…. And Cheryl Baker. It just gets better (or rather, worse).
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Post by madonnabba on Aug 22, 2021 6:45:46 GMT
I can't understand the UK love of Ed. His songs are catchy but I would not rate any as exceptional. Each to their own. Abba would be better avoiding direct competition with him in the first 8 weeks. December would be good for the Christmas Market.
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Post by onlyabba4meagain on Aug 22, 2021 9:09:39 GMT
UK Channel 5's, '30 Moments That Made ABBA' 2 Hour Documentary, has had a big impact
on their UK Album Sales. A much bigger effect, than any other recent ABBA 'Show' has had.
'ABBA Gold', (Single Disk), is up to No.5, on the UK iTunes Chart. The 2014 Triple CD is up
to No.7. On Amazon.uk 'Gold' is up to No.4, with another Edition at No.47. 'The Visitors' is
at No.51. 'More ABBA Gold' is at No.57. 'The Albums' Box Set is at No.80. (That is £17.99,
at present - Half Price). 'Gold' is at No.8 in Amazon's Digital Chart.
I realise that a lot of People either don't like Ed Sheeran, or don't 'get', how he is so popular.
But he, (and Adele), is huge. He really is. I first noticed him, on YouTube, in about 2010. He
kept Posting Videos, where he'd be playing his Guitar, and Singing his own Songs, as he stood
on Bridges, or sat in Barges, as they travelled on Canals. I knew that he was going to make it.
He not only 'made it', but he's become absolutely huge. He's only been having Hits since 2011,
and he's already the UK's 4th 'All Time Act'. He's now the 3rd 'Most No.1 Weeks' Act, in the UK
Charts, with, (so far), 90 Weeks. (49 Singles Chart + 41 Albums Chart). He's just knocked ABBA
down to 4th Place - 88 No.1 Weeks - 31 Singles + 57 Albums. ABBA had held 3rd place since 1979!
So, if, (a big if!), ABBA plan to Release a New Album, they had best try and avoid the Weeks, (and
first few Months), when Ed or Adele Release their New Albums. They sell so many Albums, that it is
very hard for other Acts to get to No.1. That is just how things are, I'm afraid. I find both Acts to be
very over-rated - but what do they care?!
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Post by gamleman on Aug 22, 2021 9:49:38 GMT
I haven't watched all the documentary yet, but recorded it. What I saw of it was very odd, the way it jumped around all over the place in time and included non-ABBA moments like "Chess".
I actually like Ed Sheeran. I think he's a great talent and his music shares some values with ABBA, particularly great melodies and production. I would encourage people to listen to his album "Divide", which is in my mind a masterpiece.
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Post by foreverfan on Aug 22, 2021 10:19:20 GMT
The documentary was OK, telling us very little we didn't already know..if anything... it did jump around a bit time wise, but passed a couple of hours.....
There was one small hint of the future, in that 5 tracks have been recorded, but passed over within seconds.. I turned over when the credits started rolling, so not sure if there was one of those last second up dates at the very end telling us more, I doubt it......
So at least 5 tracks.... we hope.....or more ?
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Post by richard on Aug 22, 2021 11:02:12 GMT
We're all occasionally guilty (aren't we?) of being derogatory or dismissive or complacently think so-and-so is "overrated"- whatever that means, and who by (by people who love music just as much as I do?).
I can't stand Oasis, for example, and much prefer Ed Sheeran to them
And there were lots of people during ABBA's heyday - again, people who love music as much as I do - who didn't go much in them at all, and probably many of them still don't..
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Post by HOMETIME on Aug 22, 2021 11:05:34 GMT
... And as I write, Pete Waterman has appeared. For the love of God…. And Cheryl Baker. It just gets better (or rather, worse). We can't get Channel 5 over here in Ireland, so I'm missing out/blessed (delete as appropriate). Pete Waterman's appearance on these things is so predictable that it's become a joke. If ever there was a proper documentary made, I'd love to see a scene at the end of the credits that shows Pete Waterman banging, ignored, at a window of the TV studio. What did Cheryl Baker have to say for herself? |
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Post by abbafanie on Aug 22, 2021 18:00:01 GMT
... And as I write, Pete Waterman has appeared. For the love of God…. And Cheryl Baker. It just gets better (or rather, worse). We can't get Channel 5 over here in Ireland, so I'm missing out/blessed (delete as appropriate). Pete Waterman's appearance on these things is so predictable that it's become a joke. If ever there was a proper documentary made, I'd love to see a scene at the end of the credits that shows Pete Waterman banging, ignored, at a window of the TV studio. What did Cheryl Baker have to say for herself? Irish here too, I have used the Channel 5 online player to watch other shows of theirs that I missed. It seems to be available to watch here: www.my5.tv/30-moments-that-made-abba for any international fans that might want to take a look - haven't watched it myself so can't comment on the content, but Pete turning up wasn't surprising! |
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Post by HOMETIME on Aug 22, 2021 22:21:05 GMT
Thanks for that link. I was expecting the worst but I actually sort of enjoyed that. The range of talking heads was interesting. Pete Waterman is almost a running joke, and the token musical-expert-playing-chords-at-the-piano is another character from Central Casting (albeit a handsome one). I'm not sure that any of the guests added anything to the package - the voiceover would have been enough for me. I can see what they were trying to do with the numbered steps, but it fell flat. Making out that Bjorn's inspiration for the percussive lyrics for TACOM is a pivotal moment in their career is stretching things a bit. I did appreciate the effort they put into giving due credit to all four members of the group. These shows have often been very lobsided. All in all, I'd suggest it is an improved version of something we've seen many times.
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Post by gazman on Aug 24, 2021 12:33:44 GMT
An artist is only allowed to have a maximum of 3 songs in the UK Top 100 singles chart, not 5.
The rule is applied to songs from film soundtracks too - this explains why Cher's 'Fernando' fell off the chart back in 2018 despite otherwise selling enough - because 'When I Kissed The Teacher', 'Why Did It Have To Be Me' and 'Andante Andante' from the second Mamma Mia! film outperformed it for a time....
If ABBA were to release 3 new songs (which is still all I expect) - in theory they could all compete with each other on this chart, but would still be eligible. Naturally if the release dates are separated, that might give each song the best chance to shine in the charts (not that I am particularly expecting them to, given the way this chart works these days).
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Post by justabba on Aug 24, 2021 12:49:23 GMT
Interview with ABBA's former guitarist. From 4 minutes 40 seconds he mentions several times that they are releasing an album in the autumn. Interview was on 20th of this month.
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Post by HOMETIME on Aug 24, 2021 14:30:57 GMT
Interesting... Easy for us to run away with a simple comment. Let's just hold our nerve. The Instagram countdown thingy finishes on Thursday (maybe Friday, if they decide to include I Am The City). Either way, I'm hopeful that we might have some good news within a week or so. It will be frustrating if this turns out just to have been some kind of groundwork for the package surrounding The Visitors' 40th anniversary.
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Post by foreverfan on Aug 24, 2021 14:51:01 GMT
Reasons to be optimistic....
Again I'll wait until something official, as it seemed such a throw away remark, , why would he be the one to announce to the world, or is it just a slip of the tongue as such, just getting carried away with the moment...something he shouldn't have mentioned....
That all said I may be getting far to cynical in my older years and have heard to many ifs buts maybes....
Ok mildly excited a new Album !!!!!!!! which must mean more than 5 tracks ?
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Post by bennybjorn on Aug 24, 2021 20:13:54 GMT
Reasons to be optimistic.... Again I'll wait until something official, as it seemed such a throw away remark, , why would he be the one to announce to the world, or is it just a slip of the tongue as such, just getting carried away with the moment...something he shouldn't have mentioned.... That all said I may be getting far to cynical in my older years and have heard to many ifs buts maybes.... Ok mildly excited a new Album !!!!!!!! which must mean more than 5 tracks ? Apparently, a group of songs counts as an album if there are either at least 7 of any duration, or 6 with a total length of at least 30 mins. They announced they'd written 5 nearly two years ago, so they only need to have written/recorded two more in two years to have reached an album. I'm feeling optimistic! |
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Post by gamleman on Aug 25, 2021 8:01:07 GMT
Myself, I suspect there will more more than 5 songs. If the full set of songs is going to be released next year, it would be nice for them to record a further song (or few) early next year to mark the 50 years since they recorded "People Need Love" in 1972. I guess there could also be a Spanish version of (at least) one song as a bonus track. However, I still fear that they will simply bolt the new songs onto Gold as an 'extra disc', as that album will be celebrating its 30 years in 2022.
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Post by gazman on Aug 25, 2021 8:14:48 GMT
I wondered actually whether there might be a new 'Best of' collection - 2LP vinyl, the first 3 sides containing the biggest hits from 'Gold' and the 4th side with new songs on it.....maybe also released on 1 or 2CDs.
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Post by gamleman on Aug 25, 2021 8:24:30 GMT
Or failing a standalone album, I would prefer to see a new compilation to celebrate their 50 years. Since "The Singles: The First Ten Years" will be marking its 40th anniversary in 2022, an extension of this album might be fitting with the tongue-in-cheek title "The First 50 Years: 1972-2022"  Of course, they would need to add "People Need Love" and possibly "He Is Your Brother" before "Ring Ring" as well as adding the new tracks to the end. |
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Post by foreverfan on Aug 25, 2021 9:57:28 GMT
I think the future may hold !!!!!! all good speculation......
A new album... about 8 tracks...... stand alone ...
Then in time.. a glorified new edition of GOLD.... containing the new hits .....
It wouldnt be me if i didnt say..... Time will tell..... lol
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Post by foreverfan on Aug 25, 2021 10:03:02 GMT
Know its off topic.. but i just thought that this must be the last roll of the dice....
I was thinking that Charlie Watts died aged 80 of the Rolling Stones yesterday, which made me think awfully but inevitably our fab 4 are 71, 76,74 and 75 so not to much ahead, mind you I'm 60 next year !!
So they have no time to loose, get on with it......
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?
Of course, they would need to add "People Need Love" and possibly "He Is Your Brother" before "Ring Ring" as well as adding the new tracks to the end.