On May 16, 1974, in their bid to take over the world, Abba performed two hits on German television, "Waterloo" and "Honey Honey". The Germans were very appreciative of Agnetha's outfit.
As are we all .
Showing posts with label Abba. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Abba. Show all posts
Friday, 16 May 2014
Thursday, 1 May 2014
Glam Rock, Canuck Terry Jacks, Abba and Womble-mania ruled the UK charts this week in 1974, leaving little room for ersatz soul. Sunny's "Doctor's Orders", overcoming BBC concerns about what exactly our female singer was seeing a doctor for, would be covered by unknown American Carol Douglas who would take her disco version to US #11 in 1975
1. Terry Jacks: Seasons in the Sun
2. Abba: Waterloo
3. Mud: The Cat Crept In
4. Wombles : Remember You're A Womble
5. Glitter Band: Angel Face
6. Diana Ross and Marvin Gaye: You Are Everything
7. Slade : Everyday
8. Sunny: Doctor's Orders
9. Chi Lites : Homely Girl
10. Limmie and the Family Cooking : A Walkin' Miracle
11. Jimmy Osmond: I"m Gonna Knock On Your Door
12. Gary Glitter : Remember Me This Way
13. Bill Haley and the Comets : Rock Around the Clock
14. Hot Chocolate : Emma
15. Paper Lace : Billy, Don't Be a Hero
16. Mott the Hoople: The Golden Age of Rock n Roll
17. Queen: Seven Seas of Rhye
18. Mungo Jerry : Long Legged Woman Dressed in Black
19. Peters and Lee: Don't Stay Away Too Long
20. Stevie Wonder: He's Misstra Know-It-All
Sunday, 9 February 2014
On February 9, 1974 everything changed for Abba. They performed "Waterloo" in Swedish andwon the Melodifestivalen contest to choose Sweden's entry for that year's Eurovision Song Contest.
They'd win Eurovision with an English version of the future #1 hit in Belgium, Denmark, Finland, Germany, Ireland, Netherlands, Norway, South Africa, Switzerland and the UK. "Waterloo" peaked at #6 in the US. In France ( despite Abba recording a version with French lyrics), "Waterloo" stalled at #4. Some garcons and filles must have been wondering why so much of the world was taking such joy in a song about their most famous military defeat.
Tuesday, 12 March 2013
[Purchase]
By far the most successful group of the 70's, Abba sold more than 370 albums and singles worldwide. It all began with Ring Ring, released in Scandinavia on March 26, 1973. Despite the catchy title cut, the album did not give any indication the foursome would soon achieve world domination. In fact the members of the band were all doing multiple projects at the time and no one thought this Abba thing would even be a permanent deal. Agnetha and Anni-Frid were pop singers signed to different labels. Bjorn and Benny has started in Swedish folk groups. Originally the band was called Bjorn and Benny and Agnetha and Frida. Or BBAF which just doesn't look right.
First among the singles was the Benny and Bjorn written "People Need Love"--the first Abba single to hit the US Charts. ( It petered out at #115 despite the English lyrics fropm Neil Sedaka). The song wasn't even attributed to Abba but to Bjorn and Benny and Agnetha and Anni-Frid. A Top 20 hit in Sweden, it was performed on Austria's "Spotlight" in March of 1973 with an unknown lip-syncing blonde filling in for Agnetha who must have had a prior engagement. A bizarre moment in pop history.
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