AᗺBA Lives On!

Times may change but history always repeats itself…the emotions you feel so deeply growing up, the ones you try so hard to put into words, your parents felt those same emotions and their parents before them. These emotions are always portrayed perfectly in AᗺBA’s lyrics. All generations enjoy the genius and groovy tunes of the band AᗺBA . AᗺBA’s songs are disco with foot-tapping rhythms that make you want to get up and dance.

The group started to form around 1969 when members Benny Anderson, Bjorn Ulvaeus, Agnetha Faltskog, and Anni-Frid Lyngstad clicked instantly and became friends. They started making music and got some attention. The band performed their smash-hit “Waterloo” at the Eurovision Song Contest in 1974. Undoubtedly, they are the most successful Eurovision winners of all time! The band quickly became a pop sensation throughout Europe, Australia, and North America with single hits such as “Mamma Mia” and “SOS.” In 1977, AᗺBA released the album “Arrival,” which reached the height of the “disco fever” happening in America, making their songs “Dancing Queen” and “Take A Chance On Me” off charts worldwide. 

If those songs sound familiar, that would be because they were in the hit Broadway musical “Mamma Mia” and movie adaptaions. When producer Judy Craymer met songwriter Bjorn Ulveaus and Benny Andersson (members of AᗺBA)  in 1983, the song “Winner Takes it All” inspired the creation of “Mamma Mia: The Musical.” This introduced our disco sensations to a whole new generation.  

Sophomore Caroline Kay shared, “I remember watching “Mamma Mia” for the first time ever and absolutely falling in love with the soundtrack. “Mamma Mia” jump started my love for musical theater, and I truly found a passion for musical theater and acting. I also share my love for ABBA with my grandfather, which has increased the quality of my relationship with him.”

Their most recent album was released in November 2021, “Voyage,” which sold more than a million copies within its first week of being released. ABBA is still going strong 53 years later! The main reason is that their songs are not impersonal. ABBA sounds like they’re singing to one another but also directly to each member of the audience. They create big pop songs that have a sense of intimacy.

Junior Mario Colonna is a fan of AᗺBA and explained,  “AᗺBA captures a very unique sound, extremely iconic and very energetic. The band can capture emotions very well, anywhere from love to heartbreak, yet every time you will be loving every note.” 

When you find a sound that creates joy or happiness in a time of need, that music will last decades. If you have not heard of  AᗺBA, then please take the opportunity to enjoy it!

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