ABBA was one of the most successful pop bands of the 70's. Almost all their albums generated epic hits that made an impact throughout the whole globe.
ABBA Biography
ABBA was a Swedish pop music band formed by Agnetha Fältskog, Björn Ulvaeus, Benny Andersson, and Anni-Frid Lyngstad. Between the mid-70s and early 80s, they were one of the most popular artists worldwide. Overall, they are one of the best-selling acts in history, with 8 consecutive top albums. Their hit Waterloo was chosen in 2005 as the best song in Eurovision history. Moreover, they made it into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2010.
Eurovision and Breakthrough
ABBA was created in 1972 in order to perform at the annual Eurovision. They managed to get third place with the song “Say It with a Song”, therefore gained some exposure. After a couple of moderately successful songs, they released their debut album, Ring Ring. The title single was a hit and won them a third place again at Eurovision. Finally, in 1994 the group won first place with the massively praised glam-rock song Waterloo. Furthermore, the song dominated the UK and US charts. The album also generated the popular song Honey Honey.
Continuous Success
With the release of their second album, ABBA (1975), the group became a milestone in pop music history. It spawned top hits like SOS and Mamma Mia. Following up on that success, they already released a greatest hits album and. One year later, their fourth album, Arrival, also received critical acclaim, with songs like Money, Money, Money and Dancing Queen. The latter was probably their most broadcasted song. Continuing their winning streak, the fifth album, titled simply The Album (1977) generated yet another couple of extremely well-known songs, Take a Change on Me and Thank You for the Music.
During that period, the disco era was at its highest, therefore ABBA complied and released the single Summer Night City (1978). Their next album, Voulez-Vous, did not gain very positive reviews, but it did, however, include some successful singles such as Chiquitita and I Have a Dream. Shortly, their single Gimme! Gimme! Gimme! (A Man After Midnight) became one of the most representative disco hits. In 1980, Super Trouper came with the emotional The Winner Takes it All, a song about Agnetha and Bjorn’s failing marriage. The personal problems eventual clouded the band’s music and, in 1983, ABBA disbanded.
Photo source: Discogs
