ABBA Voyage: General Discussion 2021 Jan - Aug

I actually think it'd be more of a blast if there was no announcement and we just heard it one day by surprise, as Colin said earlier.  That's how all of ABBA's new singles were first heard during their career.  Their newest single just appeared on the airwaves out of nowhere, and every fan would be amazed and stunned to hear it and to recognise that what they were hearing was a brand new ABBA song.

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They are going through every song ABBA recorded. One a day with new thoughts on each song by the 4 members. Today they have reached ...dance (while the music still goes on)

Hello everyone , this is my first comment and must say have enjoyed all your contributions over the years. Joining you from Ireland and would like mention that ABBA gold has recently been featuring in the US Billboard 200 , this week rising from 151 to 140, so it seems that ahead of the release of new music interest in ABBA is increasing everywhere.

I’m not so sure… a countdown like this would be perfect if it led to a new song immediately afterwards. This would mean an announcement before that date. If there is going to be an album, it’s not inconceivable that the first track could be revealed in August with a second later in the year, followed by the album itself. All wishful thinking of course, but it’s how I’d like to see it pan out.

Your prediction of an announcement on 13 August, justabba is good though. There would be little point in this Instagram countdown if there wasn’t something at the end of it.

Not a giddy goose at all....but....Friday 13th to relaunch after nearly 40 years?  Eeeek! 

www.instagram.com/abba/  Here's ABBA's official instagram page

I don't have an Instagram account but got a friend, who does, to find the ABBA site yesterday. He showed me the entries for "Dance (While The Music Still Goes On)" and "My Mama Said". The comment on the latter was from Agnetha who said that it was probably the closest thing they ever did to Motown. I was surprised by this as I don't hear the remotest trace of Motown in that song - is it just me? I was wondering whether she was getting mixed up with another song - perhaps "What About Livingstone" is closer to Motown?

Exactly.

Thank you for helping me to the link for this instagram account with all the ABBA songs.

I understand these comments about not being ABBA themself writing them but i prefere to think that i could be true. Its in there own interest to keep focus on their music and if they have done 100 songs and share them in between they only have to comment on like 25 songs.

I'm happy with this presentation since I allways would have liked ABBA to meet up and reflect on their songs and music instead of everything else. Its also nice to hear their memories from the recordings like Frida and Bjorn did on that countdown on ITV. Frida telling how Benny came home from the studio working on Voulex vous album to a party and started playing I have a dream on the piano with all their friends gathered around.

I will follow the comments and probably we will find out how real their comments our.
I also like that they pick all the songs so we can hear details even about the least famous ones.

I agree. I find it clumsy and old fashioned. Certainly not go to for social media!

Well, I finally signed up to Instagram today simply to keep track of the day-by-day comments on the songs. To be frank, I find the presentation a total mess. In the grid that I'm seeing (in a web browser on a computer), the songs are represented by pictures, but no song-titles! Except, if the song was a single B-side, the picture cover of the single is shown (why not for the A-side?). And some songs don't have comments from the group members that I can find - notably "Me and Bobby..." and "Love Isn't Easy". I am inclined to believe the comments from Benny and Bjorn but not the ones from Agnetha and Frida - did Agnetha really make that silly comment about "Sitting In The Palmtree"? Her comment on "Hasta Manana" I've seen before in a book - possibly in her "As I Am" book. If this is an official ABBA awareness-raising exercise or countdown before a big announcement, I am not impressed at all. I think a group as polished as ABBA deserve better than this.

And having listened to the "Waterloo" album this morning, I'm now convinced that Agnetha's comment about "My Mama Said" was actually meant for "What About Livingstone" (whoever wrote the comment), a song which I heard with new ears, listening out for a Motown influence.

As I indicated, I think it’s deliberately incorrect so that the average reader thinks it’s authentic. It had me fooled for a while. If it was exactly right it would be much more obvious that it wasn’t their words.

As Kate Bush said in a 1989 interview, “a large part of this [show]business is so false, isn’t it?”

Her words are even more poignant in the current social media world (and internet in general). People will believe such nonsense and not question it.

Fellow ABBA Fans. I added this Post, to my 'Queen Stealing ABBA's Thunder' Thread. However,
as most of my Post, is about, the New ABBA Songs, I think that it belongs in this Thread. As you
can see, I've written an awful lot. I write more, when I feel rather 'High'. So, please forgive, the
extreme length, of this Post. I hope, that you, find it of interest. Do 'Comment' on it - even if you
disagree with it. All views, and opinions, are welcome. Please try to Post, even if you are shy, and
don't usually do so. We need, more ABBA Fans, to contribute here. Your views, are just as valid, as
everyone else's. Of course they are. (We must all respect each other's views. I've noticed that - as
ABBA Fans - many of us, don't even like, some of their Big Hits. Some Fans hate 'Chiquitita', Some
cannot stand 'I Have A Dream'. Some think that 'Super Trouper' is awful. Some don't like 'Waterloo'
and 'Honey Honey'. Some cannot bear 'Fernando'. I like them all!).

By the way - the Spice Girls, have decided, that they want to have a UK etc. Hit again. They are not
Releasing a New Album. They hope to Chart, with an EP. Its 'Fate', should be interesting, as it will 
give us some idea, what may, (or may not), happen, if ABBA, Release their New Songs, in EP Form.
If there, are not enough, for an ABBA Album, and they decide, not to add them to 'Gold', or to an
entirely 'New', ABBA Compilation Album. The Spice Girls EP, is to 'Celebrate', the 25th Anniversary,
of their 1st Single - 'Wannabe'. It has just 4 Tracks. The Demo of 'Wannabe', plus 2 other 'Mixes',
of it. The 4th Track, is previously Unreleased - 'Feed Your Love'. It is having a, 'Staggered' Release.
It will be available to Stream, on Friday 9th July. It will be available on CD, Vinyl, and Cassette, on
Friday 23rd July - 2 Weeks after the Streaming Release. Will it be a Hit? We will see. (Of course -
despite all of the Media attention, that they get - the Spice Girls are not as popular, or as 'Timeless',
as ABBA).

Justin -- We'll see if ABBA can have their 10th UK No.1 Album, in 2021 - 2022. Incredibly, it would
only be their 5th No.1 Album, in Australia. They have also had 4 No.1 Albums, in New Zealand. That
includes 'Number Ones', in 2006 - 3 Weeks at No.1. I believe that N.Z. was the only Country, to put
that at No.1. A 2021 or 2022 No.1 Album, would also be their 10th No.1 in Sweden, 8th in Germany
and The Netherlands, and so on. ('The Best Of ABBA' was a big No.1 Album, in The Netherlands, but
that does not count, as it had to be put in a Compilation Charts, at that time. It was not allowed, into
the main Netherlands Chart. It would have been, a No.1 Album, in the Main Chart, had it been let in.
It was No.1, in the Compilation Chart, for 21 Weeks!).

Of course, I want - more than anything, (at present) - for ABBA to come back, and have a huge No.1
Album. Be it with another Compilation, or a Studio Album. But, I'm a 'Realist', and that is why, I often
come up with, 'Negative Opinions', that make it seem like, I'm trying to spoil all of the 'Fun', for ABBA
Fans. I'm really not trying to spoil anything. I'm just urging Fans to be very cautious.

Regarding 'ABBA Gold'. We can see how, the various 'Mamma Mia!' Stage, and Film 'Projects', affected
it, in the UK. (I use the UK, as I live there, and that has the Charts, that I 'Focus' on the most).

A). In 1999, when the 'Mamma Mia!' Stage Show, opened in London, it affected 'ABBA Gold' like this.

3 'Runs' at No.1, and many Months back in the Top 10 -- The 3 No.1 'Runs' -- 1 - 2 - 2 = 5 Weeks at No.1.

B). In 2008, when the 1st 'Mamma Mia!' Film, was Released:

'ABBA Gold' returned to No.1, for 2 Weeks. Giving it 8 Weeks at No.1 -- 1992 - 1, 1999 - 5, 2008 - 2

C). In 2018, when the 2nd 'Mamma Mia!' Film, was Released:

'ABBA Gold' climbed back into the Top 10. It Peaked at No.6, and had 3 Top 10 Weeks. Making 61 Top
10 Weeks, over-all. It is 2nd only to, 'The Singles 1969-1973', by The Carpenters, as regards UK Top 10
Weeks, by a Male/Female Artist Album. That has 64 Top 10 Weeks. 'ABBA Gold' can beat that, but it will
never beat its No.1 Weeks - 17!

D). So, as you can see, each 'Mamma Mia!' 'Project', had a smaller impact, on 'ABBA Gold', than the last.
We will see, if adding some New Songs, can have a bigger impact on it, than the No.6 Position, that the
2nd 'Mamma Mia!' Film had. (That's if Universal, decide to 'enhance' 'ABBA Gold', with some New Songs.

E). None of the 19 'Gold' Songs, need to be removed. The Official Charts Company, will allow, a 2nd Disk,
to be added. It can have, as many, as 8 to 10 'Bonus' Tracks. They allowed, Lady GaGa, to add a 2nd Disk,
to 'The Fame', in late 2009. It had 8 New Songs on it. She was still allowed, to call the 'Enhanced' 2 CD
version, 'The Fame'. In 2010, the Rolling Stones, were allowed, to add a 'Bonus Disk', of 10 extra Tracks,
to the Re-Issue, of their 1972, 'Exile On Main Street', Album. So, ABBA could add a 10 Track, 'Disk 2', to
'ABBA Gold'. The OCC would still let it count as 'ABBA Gold'.

F). A 2nd Disk, added to 'Gold', would solve the awkward problem, of ABBA 'only' having, 4 or 5 'New'
Songs, if that is all they have. That leaves 5 or 6 other ABBA Songs, to go on Disk 2. Of course, they
would come off 'More Gold'. Proper ABBA Hits. I'd suggest 'Summer Night City', as it was a World Hit.
(Even though I've never been hugely keen on it). Plus, 'Ring Ring', 'I Do, I Do, I Do, I Do, I Do'. Also,
'Honey Honey', and 'The Day Before You Came'. If 6 Songs are needed - 'When All Is Said And Done'.

G). I suspect, that we may well, be getting, a 'New' ABBA Compilation. There are a few 'Clues'. I always
- Daily - check the cost, of the 2008 9 CD 'The Albums', ABBA 'Set', on Amazon and HMV. A few Weeks
ago, both Music Outlets/Retailers, suddenly dropped the Price, of 'The Albums', from around £35 - £37,
to £17.99. More or less Half Price. I thought, that the 'Price Drop', would last a couple of Days. It has
not. It has lasted, (so far), for about a Month. I also like to see how 'ABBA Gold' is doing on Amazon
- in their Top 100. it is usually always in that Top 100. (It is the Yellow/Gold Version that sells the most
on Amazon.uk. They usually Sell it for £5). About 10 Days ago, they suddenly ceased Selling it! You could
still buy it, on Amazon.uk, but only via, 'Members of The Public'. Some of whom, are Selling it, for just
£1.50! Then, (Yesterday), Amazon started Selling it, themselves again - for the usual £5. But, it not
being in Stock, for 10 Days, has affected its Position, in the Amazon Sales Chart. It is no longer in the
Top 100. It is currently No.537! So, something, seems to be happening - as if Amazon.uk and HMV,
have been told, to expect, a New ABBA 'Hits' Album, before 2021 ends. Or - maybe - when 2022 starts.

H). I know, that some ABBA Fans, regard it as some kind of 'Heresy', or 'Outrage', for 'ABBA Gold', to have a
2nd Disk added. But, it is a far better solution, than 5 or 6 Tracks, being removed, from 'Gold', to make way for
5 or 6 'New' Songs. I'd rather, that 'Gold', had a 2nd Disk added, than any of the, current 19 'Gold' Tracks, being
removed. At the end of the Day, ABBA Fans, have Zero say, in what happens to 'ABBA Gold'. I know, that some
Fans, are saying, that they won't buy, a 2 Disk 'Gold'. But, it is not as if, it will Bankrupt them, for all Eternity!
It will cost about £8 to £10. You only need to buy it once! Unlike, all of the previous, 'ABBA Gold's, you will
actually, be getting some, 'New' Songs, this time. I'm going, to not, only buy it for myself, but for several
Friends, too. It is not, as if ABBA, expect us all, to buy a copy, every Week - for the rest of our Lives. It will
be a 'Fun' Release, and we should all join in with that 'Fun'. The World is, (often), a truly awful place. ABBA
bring much joy to it, and make our Lives better. (I've been watching many ABBA Videos, on YouTube, lately.
I cannot tell you, how 'High' I get, from them. It is like a beautiful, Musical 'Drug', that makes all of my fears,
unhappiness, and worries, fade away. No other Music, does that to me. It is worth buying 'Gold' again, just to
embrace, the enchantment, that it contains. That is what ABBA have given to us. It is Priceless).

I). Having said all that, we may not, be getting, a New ABBA Compilation, or an Enhanced 'ABBA Gold', at all!
We may get an entire New Studio Album, or 4 or 5 'New' Songs, with no Album for them, to go on. We will see...