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Post by onlyabba4meagain on Jun 14, 2021 16:45:32 GMT
I keep 2, (very!), long Lists, of all of the Artists, who have had UK No.1 Singles & Albums. One
adds together, their actual No.1's, (Column A - Singles No.1's. Column 2 - Albums No.1s.
Column 3 - Total No.1's). List 2, is how many Weeks, each Act, has been at No.1. Column 1
- Singles Weeks at No.1. Column 2 - Albums Weeks at No.1. Then I add both Columns, to
get Column 3 - Total Weeks at No.1. ABBA are in 3rd place, with 88 No.1 Weeks - 31 + 57.
Queen are in 14th place. Even though, both ABBA, and Queen, had terrible 1982's, Queen,
decided to return, in 1984, and became big again. A 2nd Career. (That ABBA never had).
Despite that, Queen are nowhere near, ABBA's UK No.1 Weeks Total. They are in joint 14th
place, with Simon & Garfunkel. Queen have 21 No.1 Singles Weeks + 22 No.1 Albums Weeks,
= 43 No.1 Weeks. Less than half what ABBA have. Ed Sheeran is in 4th place, with 82 No.1
Weeks - 41 + 41. Of course, as he often, has No.1 Singles & Albums, he will eventually rise
to 3rd place, and ABBA will fall to 4th. But, 4th place, for a Swedish Group, is still, very good
indeed. (The Beatles are 1st, and Elvis Presley is 2nd).
It would be terrific if ABBA could add to their 18 UK No.1's, (9 Singles + 9 Albums), and 88
No.1 Weeks. (31 Singles Weeks + 57 Albums Weeks). That would be a wonderful Feat...
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Post by gamleman on Jun 14, 2021 17:08:36 GMT
I am always interested to read the thoughts and insights of other ABBA fans. I may also sometimes be perceived as negative, as I don't always go along with the idea of a brand new album. This isn't because I don't want one, but because I don't think we should expect one and be disappointed if we don't get one. Actually, a new ABBA album makes me nervous, thinking about the high expectations of ABBA fans and many other music fans around the world - that is, expectations in terms of both song quality and sales/chart performance. As I have indicated in another thread of my own, I would be quite comfortable and even delighted with an ABBA album consisting of the five new songs plus four or five new recordings of B&B compositions that ABBA could have or even should have recorded, examples being I Know Him So Well and Story Of A Heart, but I know some people disagree with me on this. Failing that, an EP seems a good route and it will be interesting to keep an eye on how the Spice Girls' EP fairs - however, the description that it includes a demo and remixes sounds to me like what we used to call a CD-single or 12-inch vinyl single, so I'm not sure how it will be incorporated into the modern charts. The worst possible scenario for me would be for the new songs to be packaged in some way with ABBA Gold - so I would much rather have a new album or EP than for the chain ABBA Gold releases to be continued. If (God forbid) they do decide to go down this path, in my view they simply can't replace five tracks from ABBA Gold with the new songs, as it would no longer be ABBA Gold but a quite different compilation. The neatest scenario would be a second bonus disc - it only needs to contain the five songs, as I've known bonus CDs with fewer tracks. The recent hiccup with ABBA Gold on Amazon UK could be simply a supply issue and I'm not sure we can read anything into it - I'm hoping not, anyway  I think our attitude should be whatever the release format of the new songs, we should be grateful for them, even if we don't get an entirely new album. |
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Post by Michel on Jun 14, 2021 18:31:14 GMT
Actually, a new ABBA album makes me nervous, thinking about the high expectations of ABBA fans and many other music fans around the world - that is, expectations in terms of both song quality and sales/chart performance. I feel the same way. As much as I'm curious to hear how the new songs sound, to be honest I have often had second thoughts about it. Releasing new songs after such a long gap (of 40 years!) is a humongous risk. Especially for an act with such an iconic status like ABBA. You can bet on it that the new music will be scrutinized by the media once it is released. All the delays have only increased the pressure. It has been building and building for years now. If the songs don't live up to expectations the media will not hesitate to have their verdict that "this was not worth the long wait" or "they shouldn't have bothered". Bad reviews or poor chart placings for the new music might ruin their incredible reputation and I would hate to see that happening. My second thoughts are also fed by the idea that from 1972 to 1982 ABBA worked closely with a certain group of musicians and their sound engineer Michael B Tretow (often called the fifth ABBA member) who were all very important in creating that special ABBA sound (especially Michael). How will the ABBA sound hold up with a totally different line-up of musicians and sound engineer. Although Görel Hanser has promised on several occasions that we will not be disappointed when we hear the new music. I see the new music as a completely separate project from their seventies/eighties output. Therefore, I resent the idea of mixing the new songs with More ABBA Gold songs on a bonus disc to Gold. I feel the new music should have a separate release. |
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Post by gamleman on Jun 14, 2021 19:09:04 GMT
Michel, I share the same nervousness. This a harsh, judgmental world and people (especially the media) will be unforgiving if the new material doesn't meet with their expectations. I hadn't even thought about whether Michael Tretow would be involved and the musicians that traditionally worked with ABBA. But I have faith in Benny and Bjorn to decide what is good enough to bear ABBA's name.
On the point about the release format, it is important to me that the new material has its own identity - that is, title and artwork for its release. This is quite apart from the fact that I'm tired of Universal trying to get fans to buy ABBA Gold over and over again. But I think the notion of adding the new material to ABBA Gold came from the era when there were just two new songs - with five songs, I hope they realise that something more ambitious is required.
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Post by onlyabba4meagain on Jun 14, 2021 19:52:50 GMT
As some ABBA Fans have pointed out, (here and elsewhere), the New ABBA Songs, are so anticipated, by
ABBA Fans, and the Global Media, that they will be the most scrutinised ABBA Songs, (ever), when they are
Released. This is causing, some ABBA Fans, a lot of worry. They feel, that no matter, how great the Songs are,
the Media, will tear them apart, and say that ABBA have wasted their time, and our time. However, ABBA must
not let such concerns get in their way. They will - I'm sure - be certain, to create the very best Recordings, that
they can. That is all that we Fans, can expect, of ABBA.
They will try their very best, and we should be thankful, that they gave us some, (final), Songs. We cannot ask
anything more of them. If the Media, (or parts of it), are too cold, and cynical, to appreciate the New ABBA Songs,
then that is their loss, and ABBA should pay no heed, to them. A lot of the Global Media, know very little, about what
constitutes a good Song. Many Journalists, and DJ's etc., will be into Rap 'Music'. (The younger ones, especially). As
such, we cannot expect such People, to have any appreciation, of ABBA's Melodies, Singing, or Song Structures. So,
any criticism, that they may have, regarding the New ABBA Songs, is pointless, before they even start. ABBA's New
Songs, will far out-live such 'Experts'.
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Post by justabba on Jun 14, 2021 20:25:34 GMT
I agree completely. No one creates music and be concerned about what critics might or might not say. At the end of the day, Benny and Bjorn will use the same criteria they have always used, if the end results please them and they are best they can do, that will satisfy them...and us!
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Post by Alan on Jun 14, 2021 22:30:14 GMT
I see the new music as a completely separate project from their seventies/eighties output. Therefore, I resent the idea of mixing the new songs with More ABBA Gold songs on a bonus disc to Gold. I feel the new music should have a separate release. I think most of us would agree with this. It would make no sense whatsoever to add the new songs to Gold. Even if they did that, they couldn’t stay there. A two-disc set replacing the one-disc version permanently could affect future sales. It would be temporary. If they did add them to Gold, I’m not sure I’d want to buy it. I own that album twice and it’s twice too many! I wouldn’t really see the new songs as being “proper” ABBA anyway, but they’d be the nearest we’d get to it. I can’t imagine the critics being harsh as it wouldn’t be fair to compare them with forty to fifty-year-old recordings. I don’t really care about charts either but I’d be surprised if a full new album wasn’t a number one certainty. What other acts have released albums after long gaps? There are a quite a lot. Duran Duran (full original line-up) - 19 years. Eurythmics - 12 years. Tears For Fears (both members) - 15 years. Shakespear’s Sister (both members) - 27 years. Probably lots of others if I put my mind to it, but none as long as ABBA. Even The Beatles 1990s recordings (using unreleased John Lennon vocals) were only about 25 years after their last. Are their any acts (not soloists) who have ever had a longer gap between new recordings? 40 years (or 39 if it’s this year) must be a record for an act with its full original line-up? |
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Post by jj on Jun 15, 2021 6:00:34 GMT
I wouldn’t really see the new songs as being “proper” ABBA anyway. - Alan
 Really?!! That's a thought crying for a full-blown debate.
I think I would consider new music as "proper" ABBA music. I would look at their new material as a progression of their style (or evidence of stagnation/repetition , depending on my personal view). But Alan's opinion here has really given me pause for thought.
I seem to be one of the rare fans who wasn't impresssed at all with "Story of a Heart". I thought it was dull and ABBA-by-numbers. It had too many obvious ABBA-like song-features. It was terribly old-fashioned to me. Too predictable and boring. If ABBA came out with a similar song, I would be quite ashamed and I'd never play it.
When ABBA were a working group, each new single marked a big departure in style from the last one, yet it was still recognisable as an ABBA song thanks to the girls' voices. They were always coming up with something new and unique, yet you could hear it was still them. Maybe the three main singles from The Visitors album (one of Us, Head Over Heels, When All is Said and Done) were not as much of a surprising stylistic leap forward from their 1980 singles, and Chiquitita too was a kind of going back to the iconic ABBA sound, but most of their new stuff from 1975 to 1980 was always full of surprises (The Name of the Game, Summernight City, Gimme! Gimme! Gimme! couldn't have sounded more different yet it was still ABBA).
I think ELO had a British number one with a brand new album (for one week) a couple of years ago. I think it had been more than three decades since ELO's last new studio album.
Given all these old groups are automatically achieving a number one spot with their new albums, it kind of cheapens that honour somewhat, doesn't it? It's almost like vintage artists' new albums are all expected to reach number one, and now if one of these albums didn't, it might be considered a mark of shame. 
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Post by justabba on Jun 15, 2021 6:19:52 GMT
I will definitely be viewing the songs as proper new abba material. Jj I'm with you on story of a heart. It's OK, but nothing more and I'm fully expecting the new material to be superior in every way. The fact the ballad, I've still got faith in you, has caused several of the lucky people to have heard it cry, suggests to me its of an higher emotional level both lyrically and musically to "story of a heart". I may be proved completely wrong. But when Benny said in an interview in 2018 he thought the new songs were "pretty good stuff" , I'm happy to go along with his judgement,
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Post by jj on Jun 15, 2021 6:33:36 GMT
Me too. I have great faith in B&B, and those other people who've heard them, that this new music will be stunningly original and like nothing we've heard ABBA do before, and it will be a million miles away from the tired, formulaic and clichéd "Story of a Heart", which was boring to my ears.
I'm expecting DSMD will blow us away, just as "Dancing Queen", "Gimme! x 3" and "The Winner Takes it All" did when we first heard them on the radio, and that the more traditional ballad (ISHFIY) will have a unique, majestic, moving and original new melody.
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Post by jj on Jun 15, 2021 6:41:31 GMT
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Post by gamleman on Jun 15, 2021 8:18:54 GMT
My worry is that the public and media will be expecting new songs of the calibre of "Dancing Queen", perhaps regarded as the pinnacle of ABBA's material, which I don't think we will necessarily get. Also, I think that the Mamma Mia musical and films have to a certain extent overshadowed ABBA themselves in the 21st century. Mamma Mia is perceived by the public as 'fun', or at least portraying ABBA's music in a fun context. But ABBA's material has traditionally had its fair share of melancholy, which is one of the attractions of their music to me. I am expecting or hoping for a good dose of melancholy in the new material, and I'm hoping that the general public will also still appreciate this following on from Mamma Mia. I was surprised by the comments on "Story Of A Heart" - admittedly, it is instantly recognisable as a B&B composition and production, and perhaps borrows winning elements from their past material, but I like that and I see it as the cream of B&B's output so far this century (although there has been little). Again, I think the expectation of B&B coming up with something completely fresh and cutting edge for today's market may be a tall order - they were good at it in their era but I'm not sure what even constitutes cutting edge nowadays. Most modern music sounds bland, shallow and unoriginal to me, and I see this as a rather fallow period in the history of Popular Music. So, the challenge is to sound cutting edge in today's musical landscape without falling into the trap of actually trying to sound modern.
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Post by HOMETIME on Jun 15, 2021 8:20:32 GMT
I wouldn’t really see the new songs as being “proper” ABBA anyway. - Alan
Really?!! That's a thought crying for a full-blown debate.
I think I would consider new music as "proper" ABBA music. I would look at their new material as a progression of their style (or evidence of stagnation/repetition , depending on my personal view). But Alan's opinion here has really given me pause for thought.
I seem to be one of the rare fans who wasn't impresssed at all with "Story of a Heart"....
I have a feeling that that view will be a recurring feature of post-release commentary and analysis. My own view is that it's for ABBA to determine whether this new music is "proper ABBA" or not. I have often felt that, had ABBA continued though the '80s, we'd probably have had albums quite like the two Gemini releases. With all four members performing Andersson/Ulvaeus compositions (possibly even Faltskog/Lyngstad contributions - who can say?), it would have been ABBA. Personally, I doubt they'd have been chart smashes. B&B's production had evolved to a dull moodiness (IMO), and things were too often lumpen and dreary. All my own opinions. Feel free to rip shreds from me. I'm one of those who wasn't especially impressed by Story Of A Heart. I thought it was too wordy - a trait that started with Gemini's first album and continued through Josefin Nilsson's album - and the production was dated. But it was age appropriate and this version of ABBA features four people in their 70s. But I still have my fingers crossed that panpipes will not be a feature of the new music. I'm hoping that Bjorn's continued attention to current pop might have enough influence on his production to avoid such things. As for Gold, I would prefer that it remains untouched. A new compilation including new material would be my preferred option. Nobody called for the 1976 Greatest Hits LP to be updated with Dancing Queen, TNOG, VV, etc. Soon, Gold will have surpassed 1,000 UK chart weeks. It has been a massive seller and an icon/standard setter among compilation albums. If there is a new album in the works, I doubt they'd risk diluting its impact too soon by putting key tracks on compilations. My hunch is that there'll be a compilation with a trackist and artwork reflecting the ABBAtars Tour. It will cover all eras, capturing the biggest hits, the new hits and maybe some of the material that has gained recognition on the back of the Mamma Mia! juggernaut. If there somehow happens to be a new album, it is possible that the singles might not be those songs we've heard about. Reported reaction to (I think) I Still Have Faith In You seems to be pretty strong, so maybe that will remain the lead single. But it's possible that one or more of the other songs recorded might be stronger. Remember, Hole In Your Soul and If It Wasn't For The Nights were first considered as lead singles for their respective albums... |
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Post by richard on Jun 15, 2021 9:04:46 GMT
Some really interesting posts recently!
I, too, hope the new songs appear on their own, not attached to 'Gold'. Whether I like the songs or not will largely depend on how much I like the melodies, and Agnetha and Frida's singing. They don't have to sound like the ABBA of old (unlikely); and I'm interested how good they can still sound - but in maybe quite a different way. And in any case, some of the old ABBA songs I used to like I no longer do - one's musical tastes change over time. Mine have, anyway.
What hasn't changed is my respect for their talents and abilities and my trust that it's still there, and that it won't be too long before we hear it.
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Post by jj on Jun 15, 2021 9:26:50 GMT
Hometime wrote:
I'm one of those who wasn't especially impressed by Story Of A Heart. I thought it was too wordy - a trait that started with Gemini's first album and continued through Josefin Nilsson's album
Yes, I agree. Bjorn's lyrics sometimes sound too earnest to me. It's not his fault, but on occasion he does seem to be trying too hard to impress us with his vocabulary, and it comes out not sounding very natural, even a bit clunky. I know that sounds cruel of me, but that's how his lyrics sometimes come across when I hear some Josefin Nilsson and Gemini songs.
Hometime wrote:
and the production was dated.
I agree. Like you, I'm hoping he's been paying close attention to real trailblazers in today's pop.
The gloomy and dirge-y Gemini stuff seemed to me a conscious (also misguided, I think) effort by B&B to distance themselves completely from the ABBA sound, and to scrape off any of the brightness and cheer that were often such a key ingredient of most of ABBA's work, even while they still managed to keep ABBA's music melancholy at the same time.
What are ABBA without cheerful melancholy and that amazing Third Voice of theirs?
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Post by jj on Jun 15, 2021 9:42:40 GMT
What are ABBA without cheerful melancholy and that amazing Third Voice of theirs?
Quoting myself now, because I want to add a PS, to say I do think they were also very good when they weren't employing their trademark Third Voice, and when their melancholy-cheerfulness wasn't in evidence, such as with "The Day Before You Came", which contains neither of these two major qualities, but is still, in my view, an excellent song.
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Post by gamleman on Jun 15, 2021 10:08:30 GMT
From the above comments, it seems that B&B's post-ABBA output is not very well-liked. What would you say has been their best work together since 1982? Chess? I'm also curious to know who the trailblazers of modern Pop are - I may give them a listen. I like Ed Sheeran and regard his "Divide" album as the best album of the century, although I wouldn't want ABBA to sound like him My feeling is that TDBYC is probably the ultimate melancholic ABBA song. |
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Post by jj on Jun 15, 2021 10:30:25 GMT
From the above comments, it seems that B&B's post-ABBA output is not very well-liked. What would you say has been their best work together since 1982? Chess?
On the contrary, I think the Krisitina songs are as good as anything they wrote for ABBA. Some wonderful tunes there.
Chess has some great stuff too.
There are a few Benny Anderssons Orchestra songs I think are the equal to ABBA's best work, too. For example, I would dearly love to hear Agnetha sing Lätt som en sommarfjäril and also Du frälste mig i sista stund. Both these songs are superb, simply gorgeous. There are a few more BAO songs I like a lot, too, which could easily be adapted for ABBA.
My feeling is that TDBYC is probably the ultimate melancholic ABBA song.
That, and "Like an Angel PTMR". "One Of Us" is also pretty unrelentingly melancholic.
But I think the Josefin and Gemini stuff is sub-par and hugely inferior to most of ABBA's work from 1975 onwards, and completely forgettable when compared to ABBA's very best.
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Post by gamleman on Jun 15, 2021 10:48:46 GMT
I must confess that I'm not keen on the Kristina songs, apart from "You Have To Be There", which is excellent.
Those BAO songs are very nice and it would be good to hear English versions, although I'm not sure they are quite the right genre for ABBA.
Ooh, I overlooked "Like An Angel..." - another masterpiece of melancholy.
P.S. I don't seem able to get the 'Quote' function to work properly.
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Post by madonnabba on Jun 15, 2021 23:51:20 GMT
I quite liked Story of a heart but it does sound a bit dated. So I am hoping for something that has the Abba sound but of today. The lyrics don't have to rhyme and hopefully no cringey lyrics like Put on your white Sombrero. I think those lyrics and song title must just have been a working title and lyrics before evolving to Cassandra two years later. Some Abba songs still seem so fresh today ...The Name of the Game being one example . Others not ...like Thank-you for the Music.
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Post by justabba on Jun 25, 2021 18:12:54 GMT
Gold reaches 999 weeks on the uk charts tonight...
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Post by justabba on Jul 3, 2021 12:21:58 GMT
Judy Cramer was interviewed by Graham Norton this morning. She confirmed MM3 is in the works, despite Gorel Hanser ruling it out earlier in the year...
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Post by gamleman on Jul 3, 2021 12:55:43 GMT
Judy Cramer was interviewed by Graham Norton this morning. She confirmed MM3 is in the works, despite Gorel Hanser ruling it out earlier in the year... Oh no, they are going to flog this thing to death. Why not stop while they're on a high. And where are the songs coming from? At this rate, they'll be resorting to "Watch Out" and "Man In The Middle". OK, perhaps an exaggeration, but they've already used up virtually all of ABBA's singles and made a good dent in the better album tracks. |
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Post by justabba on Jul 3, 2021 12:58:58 GMT
Judy Cramer was interviewed by Graham Norton this morning. She confirmed MM3 is in the works, despite Gorel Hanser ruling it out earlier in the year... Oh no, they are going to flog this thing to death. Why not stop while they're on a high. And where are the songs coming from? At this rate, they'll be resorting to "Watch Out" and "Man In The Middle". OK, perhaps an exaggeration, but they've already used up virtually all of ABBA's singles and made a good dent in the better album tracks. Presumably all these new/old unreleased songs... |
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Post by onlyabba4meagain on Jul 6, 2021 7:38:28 GMT
As many of you will recall, there was supposed to be a 2 Hour ABBA TV Special, in 2018. It was due to be made by NBC, (USA), and the BBC was to deal with its Global Broadcasts. The TV 'Tribute Show' was due to be Broadcast on Tuesday 18th December 2018. Then it was 'Delayed', (until 2019), and then it was 'Cancelled', at the start of 2019. It was Bjorn who said that it was no longer going to be made. THE ABBA TRIBUTE 'SHOW' IS BACK ON!
'Thank You For The Music/An All Star Tribute' - 2 Hours Long According to Wikipedia, the ABBA TV 'Special' will now be Broadcast, later in 2021. NBC, (USA), will make it. The BBC will deal with Broadcasts outside the USA. As before, The ABBAtars will be 'Introduced' in it. They will 'Sing', (Mime), at least 1 'New' Song - 'I Still Have Faith In You'. Here is the Link to the Wikipedia Page:
link |
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Post by gamleman on Jul 6, 2021 8:05:18 GMT
That's quite exciting news, although I believe anyone can update a Wikipedia page. Hopefully, someone official will confirm it soon.
My gut feeling is that ISHFIY will be the only new track unveiled this year (I say unveiled, as I'm not confident that it will be available for purchase until all the new tracks are released). I suspect that this 'tribute' show will be timed with the release of tickets for the ABBAtars shows.
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Post by foreverfan on Jul 6, 2021 8:30:20 GMT
Potential exciting news and the ramping up of exposure.. I guess the "Countdown" is still happening... could this be the countdown leading to the show ?
I try not to read anything into anything at the moment, but that little bit of excitement is slowly building... will we actually be getting something this year ??
On a side.. Queen, seems to have worked on stealing a little of Abba's thunder.. number 1 this week in UK album charts.. ? well ahead of the rest..
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Post by gamleman on Jul 6, 2021 9:37:32 GMT
Potential exciting news and the ramping up of exposure.. I guess the "Countdown" is still happening... could this be the countdown leading to the show ? I try not to read anything into anything at the moment, but that little bit of excitement is slowly building... will we actually be getting something this year ?? On a side.. Queen, seems to have worked on stealing a little of Abba's thunder.. number 1 this week in UK album charts.. ? well ahead of the rest.. I'm not expecting the show in mid-August. It will be shown in the Autumn or Winter when people are spending more time indoors infront of the TV and are unlikely to be on holiday, I'm sure. I suppose in August they could announce a date for the show though. As I see it, Jack Savoretti is No 1 in the UK album chart this week with "Europiana". Queen are at No 13 and ABBA at No 17. |
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Post by foreverfan on Jul 6, 2021 9:41:15 GMT
"As I see it, Jack Savoretti is No 1 in the UK album chart this week with "Europiana". Queen are at No 13 and ABBA at No 17."
The mid weeks show Queen on approx 10,000 sales and Abba are at 16... by Friday who knows.. but looking likely for Queens 5th week at number 1... 40 years later !!
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Post by justabba on Jul 6, 2021 9:46:37 GMT
"As I see it, Jack Savoretti is No 1 in the UK album chart this week with "Europiana". Queen are at No 13 and ABBA at No 17." The mid weeks show Queen on approx 10,000 sales and Abba are at 16... by Friday who knows.. but looking likely for Queens 5th week at number 1... 40 years later !! Queen are currently 4000 ahead of no.2 but that's likely to narrow as the week progresses. |
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I think our attitude should be whatever the release format of the new songs, we should be grateful for them, even if we don't get an entirely new album.
