ABBA, The #49 Artist of the Rock Era, Part Two

 

(Continued from Part One)

 

ABBA released the film ABBA:  The Movie, accompanied by the release of the studio LP ABBA:  The Album in 1978.  The lead single "The Name Of The Game" landed in the Top 10 in every major country except the U.S., where it peaked at #12, to make it yet another of The Top Unknown/Underrated Songs of the Rock Era*.

 

The Album landed in the Top 10 in every country in the world except France and the United States.  "Take A Chance On Me" rose to #1 in the U.K., Ireland and Austria, #2 in the Netherlands, #3 in the U.S. and West Germany and #8 in Norway and sold over one million copies.

 

We also want to feature the uplifting "Move On".

 

ABBA proved throughout their career that they could rock & roll.  One of their favorite concert songs was "Hole In Your Soul".

 

"One Man, One Woman" is easily one of The Top Unknown/Underrated Songs of the Rock Era*, and also one of their career best.

 "Eagle" is another inspirational song on the album, which got its inspiration from the book Jonathan Livingston Seagull, according to Bjorn in Bright Lights Dark Shadows:  The Real Story of ABBA:  "I was trying to capture the sense of freedom that I got from reading that book."

 "Thank You For The Music", although it was one of the highlights of The Album, was only released as the group's final single in 1983 and is thought of as a farewell song from the group.

 

Later in the year, ABBA started their own studio called Polar Music Studio in Stockholm.  It would later be used by numerous bands, including Led Zeppelin and Genesis.  ABBA released their compilation Greatest Hits Vol. 2, which contained their new song "Summer Night City", a smash in most countries.  

 

For the first time in their career, ABBA toured the United States.  On January 9, 1979, the group performed "Chiquitita" at the Music for UNICEF Concert at the United Nations, with proceeds from the song donated to UNICEF.  "Chiquitita" rose to #1 in 10 countries, but once again, the U.S. missed out at #29.  It is another of the group's entries in The Top Unknown/Underrated Songs of the Rock Era*.

But in just a matter of days after the UNICEF performance, Fältskog and Ulvaeus divorced.  ABBA members assured everyone they would continue to perform and tour, but Benny and Björn planned a secret trip to the Bahamas to work on the songs for the group's next album out of the limelight.

 

The songwriting sessions went well and by April, ABBA released the album Voulez-Vous.  Voulez-Vous was a Top 10 smash with the United States being the only country that was left out.

"Does Your Mother Know" raced to #3 in the U.K. and #10 in Australia, but stalled at #19 in the United States.

 

The group recorded backing tracks for the album at Criterion Studios in Miami, Florida, the same studio which the Bee Gees used in their heyday.  "Voulez-Vous", with its disco vibe, was the only song ABBA created an extended mix for.

 

"As Good As New", with its great orchestral arrangements, became ABBA's ninth and final #1 in Mexico.

 "Kisses Of Fire" was the "B" side to "Does Your Mother Know" but deserves to be included in its own right.

ABBA recorded some of their best and most relevant songs late in their career.  Join us for those in Part Three!