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Post by foreverfan on May 19, 2023 18:23:54 GMT
In total 8 Eurovision entrants chart in the official U.K. Top 75 and a total of 11 in the top 100, Alas next week we will be lucky ( or not ..lol ) for 2 to survive... both with probable big falls.
It's the first time in the 71 contests that there are 4 entries in the top 10 , beating ironically 1974 when 3 made the top 10 ( not at the same time though ).
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Post by foreverfan on May 18, 2023 16:04:25 GMT
As good a place as any to post this...
So far in 2023, Gold has sold approx 84,000 and is the 11th best selling album in the U.K. On average it sells between 4000 to 5000 a week mainly made up of streams and so far has been a constant in the top 20 and been at number 10 four separate times it's highest position so far in 2023.
On course yet again for around 175-200k by the end of the year.
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Post by foreverfan on May 18, 2023 9:08:00 GMT
Johnny,
To my utter frustration, these " other " charts have very little relevance. Where do you find sales facts i.e. Book, or am I such a dinosaur that it's all on line like Wiki. Also all the " facts" are based on the Official Charts, Top 75 ! ( Why on earth not a top 100 these days ), by the Official Charts Company, ironically they publish all those " other " charts but dont really do anything with them.
Does HNY on 7 inch vinyl making number one on probably pathetic sales make the fact books...?
I guess there's no accurate way these days to keep everyone happy and perhaps I shouldn't hark back to what I think were better times, and move into 21st century...
I know we digress from topic but in this case evolution of conversation, there's so few of us these days
I see loads of speculation on ABBA next year, in U.K. News papers, all rumour of course even Goral has said " something" ...unlikely... oh what to believe ..lol Back on topic.....
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Post by foreverfan on May 17, 2023 16:18:18 GMT
As an aside Lorena Euphoria , seems to be a bigger hit than it actually was, yes it made number 3 but was only in the Uktop 40 for 4 weeks. It's chart run was 85,3,13,20,30,41,42,60,64,75,59,77,79, 92, 75. I don't expect Tattoo to do much better, probably worse we are 11 years on and charts are rubbish, it will not get much airplay and will plummet the following weeks, As Johnny says so will Mae, effectively career over in the U.K.
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Post by foreverfan on May 17, 2023 16:12:08 GMT
There's no disrespect for Sam, he comes across as a very nice person and wish him All the best.
Alas it looks as here in the U.K. Anyone can have a hit album these days and yes even have a number one ( you can usually get to number 1 on a measley 20.000) for usually 1 week as in Sams case and then usually plummet out of the charts, he managed a low 7 weeks in total, ( not many artists spend long now, especially new acts ). So his success is relative, none of his other 3 " hit " singles made the top 40. Not sure how sold out his concerts are ? are they small venues holding a few hundred ?
That all sounds rather " bitchy" it's not meant to be, alas it's just a fact of today, and puts into perspective the achievement of Voyage.. remarkable really.
Eurovision has helped Sams career for one hit, Its a sad state of affairs regarding the UK charts , and let's be honest here if it wasn't for streaming, Gold would have disappeared years ago, the fact that it's approaching 1100 ( in 3 weeks time ) is testament only to the way charts are calculated these days.
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Post by foreverfan on May 16, 2023 7:52:22 GMT
^^welcome back..technology !!
Mixed feelings about Sweden 2024, and the rumours will be rife. I guess it will be impossible not to at least reference them, as for an appearance I would say that's not out of the question, a performance probably very unlikely. Would a new track cut it on the night if only a video. I can't imagine Sweden not putting on a huge spectacular show, and ABBA will be there in some form , Bjorn a presenter ? As before we will see and a year can be a long time,
Johnny, your correct these mid week' charts are pretty meaningless really, I'll be surprised if no more than 3 will be in the top 75 by the end of the week. U.K. And Sweden, possibly top 20 and Finland, unless translated into English will not feature to high, for all to plummet probably out of the chart the following week.
Which then beggars the question especially in the UK , is it all worth it as it doesn't equate into stardom even Sam Ryder , didn't get to number 1 with Space Man and hasn't really. Done anything chart wise since. For me it's a fun nights watching, but has very little relevance to popular music...
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Post by foreverfan on May 14, 2023 7:48:51 GMT
And so it starts...lol
Can't wait to read all of them......
Probably we will get nothing just a side mention....
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Post by foreverfan on May 14, 2023 6:55:00 GMT
We now have a full year of rumours..lol
It could be very interesting for us.. will they won't they.... it would be a perfect ending.. I for one would be happy with that, Id even be happy if they sang Thank You For The Music, perhaps a very fitting finale..
We wait... love the thought of all those rumours though...
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Post by foreverfan on May 12, 2023 6:37:50 GMT
I won't be getting that part of my life back...I'd rather have watched I'm A Celebrity..lol
It was really a very poor 2nd Semi Final, with not one act standing out, or in with a chance to win, even Austria, a fan favourite seemed a bit dull, ( who opens the final) perhaps it was all the other dirges bringing it down, all in all not good watching. That aside I enjoyed , a brief highlight , Poland, but even that was a yesteryear throwback.
The draw for the final has been made, and most of the " good " songs are in the first half... so plenty of opportunities to make a cuppa tea, drink another bottle of wine...
I think , it's going to be between Sweden and Finland come the end, UK possibly top 10, ( after last night's clip of showing her live, I'm so sure anymore) , but with overall standard so low, for at least 20 of the 26... unless there's a surprise.. noticed Albania has become popular !!! Lol.. it really is all you can do.. laugh.. God forbid Croatia wins....
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Post by foreverfan on May 10, 2023 9:18:19 GMT
Watched the first semi final for my sins..lol
it was very predictable, 10/15 acts go through rest go home, to say there were some dreadful choices is an understatement, personally only about 6 deserved to go through, but hey it's all about the " show" theses days and a full on entertainment show for 3 minutes with sometimes the song coming secondary...
Of course the favourites got through, and trying to keep tension going until last act announced which was Norway..
So big favourites Sweden, Finland Israel and Norway easily make it a few more obscure like Moldova which ironically is quite catchy... a couple of weird from Croatia and Serbia and a few forgettable..
Personally a pleasant surprise was Portugal...
Ireland went home yet agin, they just cant qualify 5 years now...
Onto Thursdays next batch....
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Post by foreverfan on May 8, 2023 18:25:39 GMT
Gigiola Cinquetti from Italy won 1964 and came 2nd to a little known group in 1974...
With just under a week to go, Sweden are still favourites with Finland also heavily tipped...
UK should be a top 10....
Dark horses.... France.....
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Post by foreverfan on May 4, 2023 9:08:41 GMT
From Colin...
Waterloo got a UK Platinum Award on 14th April for 600k sales ( streams ) along with its previous sales ( mostly physical ) it has sold about 1,000,000 since 1974.
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Post by foreverfan on May 4, 2023 6:12:12 GMT
^^^ Alas Gary my sources only go back to 1980, I believe anything prior is quite sketchy in getting true figures, therefore Guesstimate only MMM being a prime example as we know.
The Official Charts Company here in the UK has just presented ABBA ( and a few others) with an award for 1 billion plus streams here in the UK, not bad for a so called heritage act ....
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Post by foreverfan on May 3, 2023 10:29:37 GMT
Looking back at my 1981 The Music Chronicle by Sean Gregory....
The upto date final chart of 1981
One Of Us sold 400k in its 4 week stint in 81 and was 31st best selling single. ( this I guess ties up with the 500k plus we hear about, adding it’s 6 weeks in 82).
LAYLOM, sold 120k and ended up 156th best seller, not bad for a 12 inch only
The Visitors ( album) when adding in those final few weeks which was left off sold 570k and was 4th best selling album of 81 Super Trouper, shifted another 175k and ended up 37th Greatest Hits 2 sold 65k and ended up 119th
Apparently a lot of research had gone into these figures. And as stated takes into account the final 2/3 weeks of the year that are not published under Wikipedia for example
By the end of 81.. Super Trouper single , was the 6th best seller of the decade ( so far ). On 820k Abba were also the 6th best selling singles artist on approx 2,050,000
Super Trouper ( album) by end of 81 was the best selling album of the decade with 1.025,000 Abba were 2nd best selling artists( behind The Police) 2,095,000
Hope you find of interest.. more to follow....
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Post by foreverfan on May 3, 2023 10:13:49 GMT
In the newspapers this week, there are talks albeit provisional regarding Mamma Mia 3. Again Judy Cramer has said it’s always been a trilogy... which we’ve heard before.. From memory 2025 was mentioned !!!
Here we go again...lol
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Post by foreverfan on Apr 28, 2023 12:11:38 GMT
^^^ I had thought of that, it was announced a while back now, so was hoping for something “ new and exciting “ but reality will probably be a let down and will be about that dreaded show.. isn’t Zoe hosting it ?
Back to dreaming.....
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Post by foreverfan on Apr 27, 2023 14:54:51 GMT
Just listened to that bit of the show.. Obviously she “ can’t say anything “ but it was hinted around the show, but nothing really. We may think they are doing something special for the 1st Anniversary... like be there ? Set change ? Can’t see new songs being released at the show, however if she’s having a meeting with I guess the boys or one of them, it might have something to do with those tracks, to re promote? Who knows..
All ifs buts and maybes...
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Post by foreverfan on Apr 27, 2023 8:32:06 GMT
A very good friend has just told me that Zoe Ball ( UK radio 2, who interviewed B&B on Voyage ) Has just played DQ and then revealed that she loves playing ABBA , and is off to an exciting meeting later....
What that means who knows but speculation will be rife....
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Post by foreverfan on Apr 25, 2023 10:18:39 GMT
^^^ Very good point Dina; none of us are immortal... you never know it could be what they’re planning for the 50th..unlikely but never say never.....
Regarding radio, I’ve recently swapped to Greatest Hits Radio ( GHR ), from Radio 2 to follow Ken Bruce, and to play Pop Master, a daily challenge with a friend.
I must admit there does seem to be a limited amount of tracks being played, for instance I hadn’t heard David Bowie’s, Let’s Dance for ages and now it’s on everyday sometimes twice. As with ABBA, GHR does play a lot, however as stated, it’s only the “ Gold “ hits and then only the big ones, I’ve heard DQ about 10 times or so, not that I tire, but.. Is it that these independent stations will only play Hits ? Top 40, For commercial reasons, and forget about the other 80 non single tracks as no money in it ( unsure how radio stations work, commercials mainly)..
I’ve listened for about 3 weeks Since Ken started, and as yet to hear a non single track, I sometimes forget to switch back to radio 2 ( like to try and keep up with new stuff ) so radio on for 6 hours, and nothing different, GHR only play prior 1999, so Voyage is understandable but not even the lesser hits let alone album tracks....
Such a shame the wider public doesn’t get to hear, but are they truly interested outside the dedicated fans.. wonder how many knew for instance TV , HIYS at the beginning of Voyage...not as many as we may think.....
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Post by foreverfan on Apr 24, 2023 14:36:36 GMT
My fault I expect, but it was meant to be a general “ Did You Know “ It was just that I started off with some 1983 chart trivia, I also have 1980 through to 83 so I’ll trawl the books for any more info, but please, add anything else that you think we may not know or find of an interest.....
As for Colin, well he’s still the guru and had an email not so long ago, he’s ok.
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Post by foreverfan on Apr 23, 2023 19:45:38 GMT
As so few of us posting these days, I thought there maybe a few facts that we may not know, plus it gets us participating.. probably we know everything..lol ....but here goes my facts , that I found in The Music Chronicle 1983,by Sean Gregory, a reliable source....
1. Greatest Hits Vol 1 , was the first album to sell 1.5 million copies in a calendar year (1976 of course ).
2. Greatest Hits Vol 1 , was the best selling album in the UK until Thriller by Michael Jackson took the lead in late 1983
3. ABBAs sales were low in 1983... Thank You For The Music ( Album ) sold 125k and was the 75th best selling album of 1983. The Singles ( First 10 years ) sold 70k and was 122nd for the year, so adding in back catalogue , just over 200k for the year ? A big decline...
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Post by foreverfan on Apr 23, 2023 15:15:12 GMT
Probably my favourite album, the inclusion of SNC and Lovelight even GGG would have been perfection at the time. Ok I’m not to fond of IHAD and Lovers, but are perfectly listenable. All ifs buts and maybes of course, so many potential singles, but long long favourites were relegated to b side or not released at all AGAN and Kisses, imagine them as a double A side ( talking retro now lol ) but ultimately spoilt for choice,. It’s just a shame it didn’t produce a number 1
At the time who actually chose the singles and why the big turn around for ITWFTN, we know C came about, but why so solidly dumped... or just all speculation....
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Post by foreverfan on Apr 19, 2023 19:42:04 GMT
SPOILER ALERT ANSWER....
Yes....
More info if needed...
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Post by foreverfan on Apr 18, 2023 18:27:19 GMT
Other great tracks You And Your Heart So Blue and Keep Each Other Warm.. They deserved bigger hits , 3 Number 1s which is good, but only 7 top ten hits in total and 20 hits in the top 75 ... Shame...
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Post by foreverfan on Apr 18, 2023 18:19:51 GMT
I know we’ve been here many times regarding above, but for some reason, I’ve a tendency to believe it this time, obviously I’d like to be wrong and I truly wish Benny hadn’t mentioned those two unfinished tracks, if it was said by accident, ok, otherwise it’s a cruel thing to have said , knowing full well fans always want more, however misguided . Yes he has a mischievous sense of humour, but come on.....
I guess there’s always “ hope” and of course there may be other projects that Bjorn hinted at in the article above, but as for new music.....
It looks like it’s all over......
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Post by foreverfan on Apr 16, 2023 10:29:16 GMT
Great Group, I sometimes think this sort of group is inevitably compared to ABBA, like so many others, Ace Of Base, ( because they were Swedish , dark blond etc, Brotherhood of Man, , ( of course) , numerous others pre Abba !! And since. However they did/ do have their own style.. and yes still performing to this day. As already mentioned some great tracks just listen to My Camera Never Lies ( Number 1 hit ) for example, brilliant track. It’s a shame they waned......
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Post by foreverfan on Apr 16, 2023 9:44:47 GMT
^^^ Hometime.. Look at web site for specific dates, but the play is touring, taking in Guildford, Exeter, Brighton, Cheltenham, Oxford, Salford, Batn, and York..
So hopefully one is close enough, As regarding the Abbachat mention, it doesn’t really matter as so few of us anyhow, it just happened to strike a note with me and my friend at that moment.....
Seriously if anyone is close enough and you want a laugh worth seeing.....
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Post by foreverfan on Apr 13, 2023 13:36:44 GMT
^^^ it really is a laugh out load moment, especially for those in the know or are part of this forum.... you just vision “ us”
I know it started in Birmingham, and has been in London for a month, guess 200 seats not hard to fill in London, but it should tour..
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Post by foreverfan on Apr 13, 2023 8:49:30 GMT
I’m surprised that this hasn’t been talked about more than it has, perhaps its due to accessibility, that all said and I’m no reviewer, and probably won’t say the correct things, however I had the pleasure to see this show last night ( 12th) in London, on show until the 15th I believe. Very small intimate theatre, 200 seats and within touching of the cast. It was a delight from start to finish and very funny, in my opinion well worth the effort to go and see, forget Voyage, forget Mamma Mia, this is a different level, it may not be everyone’s cup of tea, strong gay theme, but all done tastefully and interspersed with Abba( of course ). This forum is referenced more than once and as above funny in its portrayal. Wide range of audience, and well appreciated...
As said I’m no great reviewer but I think it was well worth it.....if you get the chance....go....and be open minded...
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Post by foreverfan on Apr 10, 2023 12:45:39 GMT
It’s interesting to see how we have “evolved” remember those days of complete nothingness, then the hope and finally the realisation of something new, and are we happy ..lol.. some of us clearly not, Perhaps I look at it from a more simplistic point of view and take all the tracks for what they are.. new... yes I like some more than others, but isn’t that true of all ABBAs albums, as well as other artists for that matter. It may take another 40 years for those tracks to find their place, not that I’ll be around, or highly unlikely..101 !!
I guess we have more right than most in a a way to be critical, but nothing really lives up to what we really want.. it’s all evolving nothing is as it was.....
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