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Post by swededreamz on Dec 11, 2021 20:48:00 GMT
One for the Diary for UK viewers ? Christmas Day 1.10 pm on Channel 5.... All-Time Favourite ABBA Songs.. 2 hours.. It says new so not a repeat ? Wonder what will be number one... am I getting cynical.... Checking on Virgin TV it’s a repeat from 2015. I’m sure Benny and Bjorn have shares in Channel Five 🙃 |
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Post by Alan on Dec 11, 2021 21:29:28 GMT
I’m sure Benny and Bjorn have shares in Channel Five 🙃 Channel 5 is owned by the UK and Australia division of ViacomCBS. Their US CBS network did that ten-minute return of ABBA segment on their Sunday Morning programme a while ago. It’s possible there’s some sort of deal. A very tenuous link but CBS were, of course, the former owners of what’s now Sony Music, which (as CBS Records) released ABBA records in the UK, Ireland and a couple of other countries on their Epic label. |
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Post by swededreamz on Dec 11, 2021 21:51:01 GMT
To be honest, the BBC have been great over the years and ITV are always showing the Mamma Mia films regularly.
Just fantastic really after how things were in the mid 80s.
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Post by gamleman on Dec 12, 2021 10:43:38 GMT
I have just got around to listening to the unofficial 'Matt Pop' remix of LT on youtube. I'm not normally keen on these fan remixes but I think this one demonstrates that LT works as an up-tempo song and, in my opinion, it would have been better in this form as a single. I would even suggest that ABBA do something similar themselves and next year release it as a single with a new video, perhaps as a double-A with a new (non-Christmas) song. They could also change the background colour of the cover artwork and produce a new range of knitwear to match.
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Post by HOMETIME on Dec 12, 2021 11:47:45 GMT
Personally, I don't agree that the verse is weak. The melody is lovely and it's right in Agnetha's comfort zone. Agreed. But I don't understand why you would take the Gemini's version as a template for a possible reworking  Personally I don't think that a remake would work. The great part of the magic of the chorus is in Agnetha's and Frida's vocals and they'd never be able to sing that way today, certainly not so high. I think that Just Like That was the song where Michael B. Tretow demonstrated Benny's constant demands that they do it again an octave higher... But I guess would could go on and on and on about Just Like That and never really reach an agreement.  For me, the Gemini version works better lyrically, structurally (apart from the extended chorus) and melodically (verse). The overwrought lead vocal, the pacing and the production miss the mark. I'm pretty sure that the original ABBA version was sped up: that would have made the notes seem higher. To my ears, DSMD is from the same bloodline as JLT. Especially the chorus. I have every confidence that ABBA 2021/22 could handle a remake with aplomb (maybe borrow some of the 1982 BVs for added sparkle). Although I'm not JLT's biggest fan, I think the chatter about this song will last for ever. |
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Post by Deleted on Dec 12, 2021 17:59:08 GMT
Tony, I agree. The debate about JLT will rumble on. Alan, although the recent photograph of ABBA in the snow as you said was taken in 2019, it is a stunning image nonetheless and it is nice to see ABBA laughing together. Also, the compilation footage on You Tube was very interesting and a pleasant diversion from the current situation facing us all. Thank you for posting both. Gone very quiet within the forum at present. Is it something I said ?
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Post by Deleted on Dec 12, 2021 22:10:44 GMT
I wish some fans would accept the reality that a) there aren't going to be new songs b) JLT will remain unfinished. Just be grateful for first - and final album in 40 years.
Voyage is a huge success. I felt it a bit sad tge 1982 singles flopped and their was no finality. ABBA are leaving again - but on a high and on for good.
I expect Little Things will fall or drop out of the charts next week.
Hopefully Voyage can stay in Top 3 at least until the end of the year.
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Post by Deleted on Dec 12, 2021 22:33:50 GMT
Johnny, I am happy and content that ABBA made a glorious comeback with new album " Voyage " and I too am of the opinion that ABBA should be left to gracefully bow out from the music scene as a band. I am not expecting any more new songs after " Voyage ". Also, as much as we talk about JLT, Benny and Bjorn will never release it so I think we should sadly lay the song to rest. It is good news that ABBA have achieved great success with the new album. I hear you are warming to LT. It is a nice little song with lovely joint vocals from Agnetha and Frida.
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Post by gazman on Dec 13, 2021 10:01:55 GMT
Curiously, in the recent fanclub magazine it is mentioned about Just A Notion and Little Things that all will be released on 7" vinyl too but no release date is set yet. Surely it makes no sense to release 7" singles after the songs have already lost their momentum. Except maybe for collectors. It might well be that the Voyage vinyl singles come in a box set and/or as picture disc singles at a time when a Voyage Half-Speed Remaster is issued. Obviously, we don't know yet, but it is entirely possible we could get that in Spring 2022. |
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Post by richard on Dec 13, 2021 13:32:49 GMT
I wish some fans would accept the reality that a) there aren't going to be new songs b) JLT will remain unfinished. Just be grateful for first - and final album in 40 years. Voyage is a huge success. I felt it a bit sad tge 1982 singles flopped and their was no finality. ABBA are leaving again - but on a high and on for good. [...] I really don't see much wrong in 'what if' conjectures about Benny and Bjorn reworking an undeleted song. Provided, of course, that they were interested in doing so. Indulging in a bit of fantasy is one aspect of a forum such as this. Also, as I've mentioned before, given the health, energy, creativity, and ambition, there's no reason why ABBA couldn't complete a 50th Anniversary album. Capable musicians in their 70s are not precluded from continuing to record music - if that's what they'd like to do. But if ABBA have ruled that out and have finally called it a day, then that's understandable and fair enough, and we can all be happy and grateful that Voyage has actually happened. l still find it almost unbelievable, and wonderful, that it has! |
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Post by Michal on Dec 13, 2021 13:50:13 GMT
^ Exactly. I ask no more of ABBA. I've said many times that they'd already given us more than we had ever dared to hope for. However, I see nothing wrong in speculating, discussing ifs and maybes and hoping for more. I think it's far from certain that we won't hear anything new from ABBA. We've been led to believe that they would never reform. Later they claimed there would never be more than the two songs... So why should we 100% believe that Benny's telling the truth now, moreover when Björn and Frida seem to question his statements?
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Post by bennybjorn on Dec 13, 2021 13:57:20 GMT
^ Exactly. I ask no more of ABBA. I've said many times that they'd already given us more than we had ever dared to hope for. However, I see nothing wrong in speculating, discussing ifs and maybes and hoping for more. I think it's far from certain that we won't hear anything new from ABBA. We've been led to believe that they would never reform. Later they claimed there would never be more than the two songs... So why should we 100% believe that Benny's telling the truth now, moreover when Björn and Frida seem to question his statements? Quite - and we actually know for a fact that there are two more new songs. I think Benny has even described them as 'good' (and we know how much he likes to understate!). They just hadn't worked on them enough for the album. If there are to be more Abba songs, those two are surely the most likely. We may well not get any further brand new songs, but the general response to Voyage must have exceeded the band's expectations, and they are all a good bit younger than the 80-something pop stars from the 1960s (e.g. Tom Jones, P McCartney, B Dylan) who continue to release well received new albums in their 80s. So it's not unthinkable, and it is nice to speculate! |
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Post by Deleted on Dec 13, 2021 17:23:09 GMT
I agree it is nice to speculate. Quite a few fans have expressed their wishes for a deluxe edition of " Voyage ". Personally as I have mentioned before I don't think ABBA will release any more new songs. Possibly the tracks they left off " Voyage " might see the light of day but it is doubtful. I would like an updated version of " Gold " including ISHFIY, DSMD and JAN replacing IHAD, DYMK and TYFTM ( although I am fond of TYFTM ). I can't quite see this happening either as would the record companies be able to include the three new songs on one disc with the three aforementioned tracks omitted ? Again only wishful thinking on my part. The whole point of a discussion forum is analysis, conjecture, personal opinions and speculation.
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Post by pixi on Dec 13, 2021 17:51:59 GMT
 A surprise climb on today's Official UK mid-weeks. We need to get streaming on YouTube and Spotify |
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Post by foreverfan on Dec 13, 2021 17:58:14 GMT
^^^ seems initially to be holding its own... ok a few days to go but not impossible to crack the UK top 40, but more realistically a second week on the charts...
We will see..
At the moment Voyage is at 4 in the mid weeks...
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Post by Deleted on Dec 13, 2021 18:12:41 GMT
Is this the chart sales for " Little Things " ? " Voyage " at No 4 as per confirmation from Graham above. Nice to see the record doing well.
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Post by foreverfan on Dec 13, 2021 18:52:39 GMT
Hopefully I've got this right.. Colin knows better...
The Mid weeks are sales in the UK from last Friday 10th, Saturday 11th and Sunday 12th... It has LT things holding its own compared to last weeks placing on the mid weeks, however it eventually charted at 61. So guessing it should be around the same again and hold onto a second week, which is encouraging for a 3rd week, as the chart becomes more static, due to less releases... of course LT could quite easily fall out of the charts altogether....
Voyage is doing well, same as above for mid weeks, , so far it has sold approx 8,000 copies over those 3 days 1500 behind the number 3 position currently held by Paul Weller. ( Adele is at 1 with approx 21500 and Ed Sheeran at 2 with approx 11500 ) As we know albums are usually front loaded ,( most sales in first few days ) so its quite possible that Paul Weller has sold most of his already for this week and that Abba will steadily climb during the week and finish 3rd.
As of writing Gold is also in the top 40 at 31... it usually declines at this time of year to pick up in the new year...
Time will tell
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Post by HOMETIME on Dec 13, 2021 18:52:45 GMT
I agree it is nice to speculate. Quite a few fans have expressed their wishes for a deluxe edition of " Voyage ". Personally as I have mentioned before I don't think ABBA will release any more new songs. Possibly the tracks they left off " Voyage " might see the light of day but it is doubtful. I would like an updated version of " Gold " including ISHFIY, DSMD and JAN replacing IHAD, DYMK and TYFTM ( although I am fond of TYFTM ). I can't quite see this happening either as would the record companies be able to include the three new songs on one disc with the three aforementioned tracks omitted ? Again only wishful thinking on my part. The whole point of a discussion forum is analysis, conjecture, personal opinions and speculation. I like the idea of the new singles appearing on a compilation. But I think that Gold is probably untouchable now, having broken the thousand week ceiling and all that jazz? I wonder if they could maybe replace More Gold with, say, Gold II or something? The four Voyage A-sides could join all of the international A-sides from More Gold and replace the album cuts and most of the B-sides. I even threw together a playlist to see if it would work. It runs for 80 minutes. 1. I Still Have Faith In You 2. The Day Before You Came 3. Angeleyes 4. When All Is Said And Done 5. Don't Shut Me Down 6. Eagle 7. The Visitors 8. I Am The City 9. On And On And On 10. Just A Notion 11. I Do, I Do, I Do, I Do, I Do 12. Cassandra 13. Summer Night City 14. So Long 15. Under Attack 16. Honey, Honey 17. Head Over Heels 18. Little Things 19. Happy New Year |
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Post by foreverfan on Dec 13, 2021 18:59:09 GMT
^^^ pretty good play list...
Alas I wouldn't buy, but can see how it would appeal to the casual buyer...
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Post by HOMETIME on Dec 13, 2021 19:20:00 GMT
I think many fans would agree: we're all "compilationed" out at this stage. Might be nice if such a compilation restored the rarer edits of Eagle and The Visitors and maybe used the longer version of SNC to smooth the transition from Cassandra. Just as a polite nod to completists and collectors who have shelled out for bloody everything.
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Post by HOMETIME on Dec 13, 2021 19:25:08 GMT
Voyage is included in the " Albums of the Year" list at Culture Fix. "The iconic Swedish foursome returned with Voyage an album of unspeakable beauty that miraculously did not disappoint. The heavenly combination of Agnetha and Frida’s vocals felt like being reunited with old friends, especially when delivering Benny and Bjorn’s gorgeous lyrics and melodies. Without a single skippable track, Voyage soared through the synthy Keep an Eye on Dan, the emotional I Still Have Faith in You, and classic ABBA pop-banger Don’t Shut Me Down – yet every track shines in its masterful own right." |
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Post by gary on Dec 13, 2021 21:10:32 GMT
Voyage is included in the " Albums of the Year" list at Culture Fix. "The iconic Swedish foursome returned with Voyage an album of unspeakable beauty that miraculously did not disappoint. The heavenly combination of Agnetha and Frida’s vocals felt like being reunited with old friends, especially when delivering Benny and Bjorn’s gorgeous lyrics and melodies. Without a single skippable track, Voyage soared through the synthy Keep an Eye on Dan, the emotional I Still Have Faith in You, and classic ABBA pop-banger Don’t Shut Me Down – yet every track shines in its masterful own right." Blimey, I so wish I could agree with that. |
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Post by Deleted on Dec 13, 2021 22:16:16 GMT
I do like your updated More ABBA Gold tracklist, Tony. Why wasn't HNY included on More Gold ? A beautiful song so worthy of inclusion but sadly forgotten for some reason I'll never understand. I would willingly substitute the song instead of OAOAO or IW.
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Post by AdamDawson2003 on Dec 14, 2021 1:39:39 GMT
I do like your updated More ABBA Gold tracklist, Tony. Why wasn't HNY included on More Gold ? A beautiful song so worthy of inclusion but sadly forgotten for some reason I'll never understand. I would willingly substitute the song instead of OAOAO or IW. 'Slipping Through My Fingers' should have definitely been on More ABBA Gold as its never appeared on any re-issue of Gold or More Gold it could have been a bonus track on the 2014 40th Anniversary Edition on disc 3. This is my view of a new version of the Gold series titled 'Eternal Gold' Disc 1 1. As Good As New 2. If It Wasn't For The Nights 3. Nina Pretty Ballerina 4. Tiger 5. What About Livingstone 6. Happy New Year 7. Slipping Through My Fingers 8. Soldiers 9. The Piper 10. You Owe Me One 11. Bang A Boomerang 12. I've Been Waiting For You 13. Move On 14. I'm A Marionette 15. Just A Notion 16. Keep An Eye On Dan Disc 2 1. Don't Shut Me Down 2. When You Danced With Me 3. Me And Bobby And Bobby's Brother 4. Another Town, Another Train 5. Hey Hey Helen 6. Tropical Loveland 7. The King Has Lost His Crown 8. Elaine 9. Little Things 10. I Can Be That Woman 11. Should I Laugh Or Cry 12. Like An Angel Passing Through My Room 13. Happy Hawaii 14. Kisses of Fire 15. Dum Dum Diddle 16. No Doubt About It The reason I included 'Dum Dum Diddle' is because its a fantastic song, really catchy, extremely underrated and its one of my favourite ABBA songs the same applies to 'Nina Pretty Ballerina', 'Me And Bobby And Bobby's Brother' & 'What About Livingstone'. |
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Post by Michal on Dec 14, 2021 7:16:51 GMT
AdamDawson2003 , many of the tracks from your "compilation" would actually be hot candidates for the fictional compilation "ABBA Wood" mentioned once by Benny Just the fact that songs such as Me And Bobby And Bobby's Brother are your favourites doesn't justify their inclusion on a "best of" CD And yours is indeed a strange mix - 7 tracks from Voyage side by side with B-sides and obscure album tracks can hardly by called "new Gold". So no chance of such a compilation IMO. That's what Spotify playlists are for
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Post by foreverfan on Dec 14, 2021 8:16:04 GMT
perhaps someone may be able to explain better than I and of course it may mean nothing at all however....
Latest news is that Little Things is at this moment the 5th most trending track in the UK.
Which in my basic understanding is.... its getting very popular... so is momentum behind it now.. is the Non-Pop feel , non uptempo actually working in its favour
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Post by Michal on Dec 14, 2021 9:02:49 GMT
foreverfan , I'm not a chart expert but for me it seems obvious that the No.43 in midweek charts is an indication that the song is doing quite well. I think we should not compare it with the last week's midweek chart but rather with the end-of-week chart (i.e. No.61). I suppose it's high chart entry was partly caused by pre-orders of the physical singles by hard-core fans. Than the track dropped to No.61, as its sales were front-loaded. Its rise to No.43 must be caused by sales in shops and by streaming, I think. So could it be an indication that there is a (growing) interest among general public?
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Post by gamleman on Dec 14, 2021 9:10:47 GMT
I don't want to see the word Gold on any future ABBA compilation. We have ABBA Gold and More ABBA Gold and that's it. They are already very well-established and shouldn't be tinkered with. I don't care to see any more ABBA compilations except for perhaps one final chronological one, perhaps with a twist - maybe a retrospective of ABBA's personal favourites. Unfortunately, it would probably feature "I Wonder" and "The King Has Lost His Crown" |
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Post by Deleted on Dec 14, 2021 9:33:53 GMT
What is up with everyone ? Seem to be in a right strop ! Adam, your tracklist is great. I like it. What is wrong with a little wishful thinking and speculation. I think the new songs would sit well besides all the classics and album tracks that we know and love. I thought that is the whole point of this forum, personal conjecture and opinion. Gamleman, I don't agree with you but " Gold " could be substituted with another title. I don't see the harm in it especially in times like these.
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Post by gamleman on Dec 14, 2021 9:48:16 GMT
I actually have a thing about the word Gold - I think it's banded about too much. In the early 90s, I was even surprised at the "More Gold" title - I was expecting "ABBA Silver" I would prefer any future compilation to be more meaningful than just all the previous hits with the new singles tagged on, but I think any deviation from this must come from ABBA themselves, not from the record company. I suppose an alternative would be for them to conduct an online fan survey of favourite tracks, including non-singles, much as the EBU did to arrive at the "Congratulations" compilations for the 50th anniversary of the Eurovision Song Contest. |
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Personally I don't think that a remake would work. The great part of the magic of the chorus is in Agnetha's and Frida's vocals and they'd never be able to sing that way today, certainly not so high. I think that Just Like That was the song where Michael B. Tretow demonstrated Benny's constant demands that they do it again an octave higher... But I guess would could go on and on and on about Just Like That and never really reach an agreement. 
