ABBA facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
ABBA
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ABBA in 1974 (from left)
Benny Andersson, Anni-Frid Lyngstad (Frida), Agnetha Fältskog, and Björn Ulvaeus |
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| Also known as | Björn & Benny, Agnetha & Anni-Frid |
| Origin | Stockholm, Sweden |
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ABBA is a super famous Swedish pop music group that became incredibly popular in the 1970s and early 1980s. They are known as one of the most successful pop groups of all time!
The name "ABBA" is actually made from the first letter of each member's first name:
- Agnetha Fältskog
- Björn Ulvaeus
- Benny Andersson, and
- Anni-Frid Lyngstad.
ABBA became a global sensation after they won the Eurovision Song Contest in 1974. They had so many hit songs, including "Dancing Queen", "SOS", "Mamma Mia", and "Waterloo". Most of their amazing songs were written by Björn Ulvaeus and Benny Andersson.
Even though they stopped performing together in 1982, their music is still loved by millions! You can hear their songs in movies like the Australian films The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert and Muriel's Wedding, and especially in the super popular musical Mamma Mia!.
ABBA was honored by being added to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2010. In 2015, their iconic song "Dancing Queen" was even inducted into the Recording Academy's Grammy Hall of Fame.
Discover ABBA: The Famous Swedish Pop Group
Who Are the Members of ABBA?
ABBA is made up of four talented musicians:
- Agnetha Fältskog (singer)
- Björn Ulvaeus (singer, guitarist, songwriter)
- Benny Andersson (singer, keyboardist, songwriter)
- Anni-Frid Lyngstad (singer, often called Frida)
During the band's most famous years, Agnetha and Björn were married, and so were Benny and Frida.
ABBA's Amazing Journey: From Sweden to Global Stars
How ABBA Started
Before ABBA became a group, all four members were already making music in Sweden. Frida and Agnetha were successful solo singers. Benny and Björn each had their own bands. Benny and Björn first met in 1966 and decided to write songs together.
Later, in 1969, Björn met Agnetha, and Benny met Frida. All four became friends and decided to work on music together. By 1970, they were performing as "Björn & Benny (With Svenska Flicka)". They later changed their name to Björn & Benny, Agnetha & Frida.
Their first hit song was called "Hej, gamle man". By 1971, Björn and Agnetha were married, and Benny and Frida were engaged. Their song "Ring Ring" in 1973 became a big hit across much of Europe and Africa.
It wasn't until 1973 that the group officially became known as ABBA. Their manager, Stig Anderson, suggested the name.
Winning Eurovision and "Abbamania"
In 1974, ABBA got a huge chance to perform in the Eurovision Song Contest. They won the contest with their catchy song "Waterloo"! This win launched them to global fame.
In 1976, ABBA released "Dancing Queen". Many people consider this ABBA's most famous song and one of the greatest pop songs ever. By 1977, their huge popularity was even given a special name: "Abbamania"! In Australia, ABBA played massive concerts that always sold out. A movie called "ABBA: The Movie" was also released in 1977, showing just how popular they were.
Throughout the mid and late 1970s, ABBA performed in many countries. These included Europe, the United States, Japan, and Australia.
Changes and New Music
In early 1979, Agnetha and Björn divorced. Then, in early 1981, Frida and Benny also divorced. These changes in their personal lives led to some of their later songs sounding a bit sadder and more thoughtful.
By 1981, ABBA's popularity started to slow down a bit. Their last album, "The Visitors", wasn't as big a success as their earlier ones. "The Day Before You Came" was the very last song ABBA recorded together. "Under Attack" was the last song they ever released, both in 1982. ABBA officially stopped performing together shortly before 1983. All the members went back to their own music careers, just like before they met.
Even after they stopped making music together, the members of ABBA have reunited for special occasions. In 2005, all four members appeared at the premiere of the Mamma Mia! musical in Stockholm. On 4 July 2008, they were reunited again at the Swedish premiere of the Mamma Mia! The Movie. This was only the second time they had all appeared together in public since 1986!
A sequel to the 2008 movie, "Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again", was released in 2018.
The "Voyage" Album and Digital Concerts
On 27 April 2018, ABBA surprised fans! They announced they had recorded two brand new songs: "I Still Have Faith in You" and "Don't Shut Me Down". These songs were planned for a TV special where digital versions of themselves, called "ABBAtars", would perform.
The project took a long time to create because of the complex technology involved. There were also delays due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Finally, on 26 August 2021, a new website called ABBA Voyage was launched, hinting at big news.
On 2 September 2021, ABBA announced their first new album in 40 years! It was titled Voyage, and it was released on 5 November 2021. They also announced ABBA Voyage, a special concert series in London. In these concerts, the "ABBAtars" (motion-capture digital versions of the band members) perform with a live 10-piece band! Agnetha Fältskog has said that the Voyage album and tour are likely to be their very last.
The new album announcement came with the release of "I Still Have Faith in You" and "Don't Shut Me Down". The music video for "I Still Have Faith in You" showed old footage of the band and a first look at the amazing ABBAtars. "Don't Shut Me Down" became the first ABBA song since 1978 to reach number one on the singles chart in Sweden!
ABBA Honored by the King
On 21 March 2024, all four members of ABBA received a special honor from King Carl XVI Gustaf of Sweden. They were appointed Commander, First Class, of the Royal Order of Vasa. This was a very rare honor. It was the first time in almost 50 years that Swedish Royal Orders of Knighthood were given to Swedish citizens. It also happened to be the 50th anniversary of ABBA winning the Eurovision Song Contest!
Even though they were honored, ABBA decided not to reunite for a performance at the Eurovision Song Contest 2024. This contest was held in their home country of Sweden. However, during the grand final, a clip from the ABBA Voyage show was played. It was combined with old footage of their 1974 "Waterloo" performance. Other famous Eurovision winners also performed "Waterloo" on stage as a tribute.
ABBA's Hit Albums
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ABBA recorded eight studio albums between 1973 and 1981, plus their new album in 2021. They also released many compilation albums (albums with their best songs).
- Ring Ring (1973)
- Waterloo (1974)
- ABBA (1975)
- Arrival (1977)
- ABBA: The Album (1977)
- Voulez-Vous (1979)
- Super Trouper (1980)
- The Visitors (1981)
- Voyage (2021)
ABBA's Most Famous Songs
Here are some of ABBA's biggest and most famous hit songs:
- Waterloo (1974)
- Mamma Mia (1975)
- Fernando (1976)
- Dancing Queen (1976)
- Money Money Money (1976)
- Take a Chance on Me (1977)
- Chiquitita (1978)
- Gimme Gimme Gimme (1979)
- The Winner Takes It All (1980)
Other Great ABBA Songs
ABBA had many other popular songs that fans love:
- People Need Love (1972)
- Another Town, Another Train (1973)
- Honey Honey (1974)
- So Long (1974)
- I Do, I Do, I Do, I Do, I Do (1974)
- SOS (1975)
- Hey, Hey, Helen (1975)
- That's Me (1976)
- Dum Dum Diddle (1976)
- Knowing Me, Knowing You (1977)
- The Name of the Game (1977)
- Eagle (1977)
- Hole in Your Soul (1977)
- Summer Night City (1978)
- Does Your Mother Know (1979)
- Kisses of Fire (1979)
- I Have A Dream (1979)
- Happy New Year (1980)
- Me And I (1980)
- Lay All Your Love On Me (1980)
- One Of Us (1981)
- When All Is Said And Done (1981)
- Cassandra (1982)
- Under Attack (1982)
- The Day Before You Came (1982)
- I Still Have Faith in You (2018)
- Don’t Shut Me Down (2018)
Images for kids
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The very first logo for the band
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Benny Andersson and Anni-Frid Lyngstad at Amsterdam Airport Schiphol, 1976
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Agnetha Fältskog at the opening concert of ABBA's European and Australian Tour in Oslo, 28 January 1977
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The building in Stockholm where Polar Music Studios used to be, until 2004
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The band members (from left to right: Björn, Anni-Frid, Agnetha, and Benny) in Rotterdam, October 1979
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The original ABBA members posing with the actors from the movie Mamma Mia! The Movie on 4 July 2008. From left: Benny Andersson, Agnetha Fältskog (with her hand on Anni-Frid Lyngstad's shoulder), and Björn Ulvaeus.
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A plaque celebrating ABBA's 1974 Eurovision win
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The digital ABBA "ABBAtars" appearing at the end of an ABBA Voyage concert.
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A fun picture of ABBA as gold dwarves!
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See Also
In Spanish: ABBA para niños
