Feature Photo: Kåre Eide, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons
ABBA, the Swedish pop sensation, originated in Stockholm in 1972, bringing together the talents of Agnetha Fältskog, Björn Ulvaeus, Benny Andersson, and Anni-Frid Lyngstad. The group’s name is an acronym formed from the first letters of each member’s name. Prior to forming ABBA, each member had established themselves in the Swedish music scene: Fältskog and Lyngstad as solo artists, and Ulvaeus and Andersson as members of successful bands. Their collaboration began with the single “People Need Love” in 1972, marking the inception of their journey as a quartet.
ABBA’s breakthrough came in 1974 when they won the Eurovision Song Contest with “Waterloo,” propelling them to international fame. Over the course of their career, they released nine studio albums: Ring Ring (1973), Waterloo (1974), ABBA (1975), Arrival (1976), ABBA: The Album (1977), Voulez-Vous (1979), Super Trouper (1980), The Visitors (1981), and Voyage (2021). Their discography includes chart-topping singles such as “Dancing Queen,” “Mamma Mia,” “Take a Chance on Me,” and “The Winner Takes It All,” which have become timeless classics.
Throughout their career, ABBA received numerous accolades. In 1977, they were nominated for the inaugural BRIT Award for Best International Album for Arrival. They were honored with the Dutch Edison Award for The Album in 1978. In 1980, they received a Georgie Award from the American Guild of Variety Artists as the Best Vocal Group of the Year. Their enduring legacy was further cemented with their induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2010.
ABBA’s appeal lies in their ability to craft catchy melodies paired with relatable lyrics, transcending language barriers and resonating with audiences worldwide. Their innovative use of studio technology and harmonious vocals set them apart in the pop music landscape. The group’s flamboyant fashion and dynamic stage presence added to their charm, making them icons of the 1970s and early 1980s.
Beyond their musical achievements, the members of ABBA have engaged in various endeavors. Benny Andersson and Björn Ulvaeus collaborated on musicals such as Chess and contributed to the creation of the stage musical Mamma Mia!, which was later adapted into successful films. Anni-Frid Lyngstad pursued a solo career and became involved in environmental causes, while Agnetha Fältskog also released solo albums and participated in charitable activities.
ABBA’s influence extends beyond their active years, with their music experiencing resurgences in popularity through various media. The release of the compilation album ABBA Gold in 1992 introduced their hits to new generations. The success of the Mamma Mia! musical and films further solidified their status in popular culture. In 2021, they surprised fans with the release of Voyage, their first studio album in 40 years, accompanied by a virtual concert residency featuring digital avatars of their younger selves, showcasing their willingness to embrace new technology.
(A – D)
“ABBA Undeleted” – Thank You for the Music (1994)
“Al Andar” – Gracias por la música (1980)
“Andante, Andante” – Super Trouper (1980)
“Andante, Andante” (Spanish Version) – Super Trouper (Latin American and Spanish versions) (1980)
“Angeleyes” – Voulez-Vous (1979)
“Another Town, Another Train” – Ring Ring (1973)
“Arrival” – Arrival (1976)
“As Good as New” – Voulez-Vous (1979)
“Bang-A-Boomerang” – ABBA (1975)
“Bumblebee” – Voyage (2021)
“Cassandra” – B-side to “The Day Before You Came” (1982)
“Chiquitita” – Voulez-Vous (1979)
“Chiquitita” (Spanish Version) – Gracias por la música (1980)
“Conociéndome, conociéndote” – Gracias por la música (1980)
“Crazy World” – B-side to “Money, Money, Money” (1976)
“¡Dame! ¡Dame! ¡Dame!” – Gracias por la música (1980)
“Dance (While the Music Still Goes On)” – Waterloo (1974)
“Dancing Queen” – Arrival (1976)
“The Day Before You Came” – The Singles: The First Ten Years (1982)
“Disillusion” – Ring Ring (1973)
“Does Your Mother Know” – Voulez-Vous (1979)
“Don’t Shut Me Down” – Voyage (2021)
“Dream World” – Thank You for the Music (1994)
“Dum Dum Diddle” – Arrival (1976)
(E – H)
“Eagle” – The Album (1977)
“Elaine” – B-side to “The Winner Takes It All” (1980)
“En hälsning till våra parkarrangörer” – Swedish promo single 1972 (1972)
“Estoy Soñando” – Gracias por la música (1980)
“Felicidad” – Super Trouper (Latin American and Spanish versions) (1980)
“Fernando” – Standalone single (1976)
“Fernando” (Spanish Version) – Gracias por la música (1980)
“From a Twinkling Star to a Passing Angel” – The Visitors (Deluxe Edition) (2012)
“Gammal fäbodspalm” (Live) – Live at Wembley Arena (2014)
“Gimme! Gimme! Gimme! (A Man After Midnight)” – Voulez-Vous (1979)
“Gonna Sing You My Love Song” – Waterloo (1974)
“Gracias por la música” – Gracias por la música (1980)
“Happy Hawaii” – B-side to “Knowing Me, Knowing You” (1977)
“Happy New Year” – Super Trouper (1980)
“Hasta Mañana” – Waterloo (1974)
“Hasta Mañana” (Spanish Version) – Gracias por la música (1980)
“He Is Your Brother” – Ring Ring (1973)
“Head over Heels” – The Visitors (1981)
“Hey, Hey Helen” – ABBA (1975)
“Hole in Your Soul” – The Album (1977)
“Honey, Honey” – Waterloo (1974)
“Honey, Honey” (Swedish Version) – B-side to “Waterloo” (Swedish Version) (1974)
“Hovas vittne” – Private release promo single (1981)
(I – L)
“I Am Just a Girl” – Ring Ring (1973)
“I Am the City” – More ABBA Gold (1993)
“I Can Be That Woman” – Voyage (2021)
“I Do, I Do, I Do, I Do, I Do” – ABBA (1975)
“I Have a Dream” – Voulez-Vous (1979)
“I Let the Music Speak” – The Visitors (1981)
“I Saw It in the Mirror” – Ring Ring (1973)
“I Wonder (Departure)” – The Album (1977)
“If It Wasn’t for the Nights” – Voulez-Vous (1979)
“I’m a Marionette” – The Album (1977)
“I’m Still Alive” (Live) – Live at Wembley Arena (2014)
“Intermezzo No. 1” (Instrumental) – ABBA (1975)
“I Still Have Faith in You” – Voyage (2021)
“I’ve Been Waiting for You” – ABBA (1975)
“Just a Notion” – Voyage (2021)
“Keep an Eye on Dan” – Voyage (2021)
“The King Has Lost His Crown” – Voulez-Vous (1979)
“King Kong Song” – Waterloo (1974)
“Kisses of Fire” – Voulez-Vous (1979)
“Knowing Me, Knowing You” – Arrival (1976)
“La reina del baile” (also titled “Reina Danzante”) – Gracias por la música (1980)
“Lay All Your Love on Me” – Super Trouper (1980)
“Like an Angel Passing Through My Room” – The Visitors (1981)
“Little Things” – Voyage (2021)
“Love Isn’t Easy (But It Sure Is Hard Enough)” – Ring Ring (1973)
“Lovelight” – B-side to “Chiquitita” (1979)
“Lovers (Live a Little Longer)” – Voulez-Vous (1979)
(M – R)
“Mamma Mia” – ABBA (1975)
“Mamma Mía” (Spanish Version) – Gracias por la música (1980)
“Man in the Middle” – ABBA (1975)
“Me and Bobby and Bobby’s Brother” – Ring Ring (1973)
“Me and I” – Super Trouper (1980)
“Medley: Pick a Bale of Cotton / On Top of Old Smokey / Midnight Special” – Stars im Zeichen eines guten Sterns (1975)
“Money, Money, Money” – Arrival (1976)
“Move On” – The Album (1977)
“My Love, My Life” – Arrival (1976)
“My Mama Said” – Waterloo (1974)
“The Name of the Game” – The Album (1977)
“Nina, Pretty Ballerina” – Ring Ring (1973)
“No Doubt About It” – Voyage (2021)
“No hay a quien culpar” – The Visitors (Latin American and Spanish versions) (1981)
“Ode to Freedom” – Voyage (2021)
“On and On and On” – Super Trouper (1980)
“One Man, One Woman” – The Album (1977)
“One of Us” – The Visitors (1981)
“Our Last Summer” – Super Trouper (1980)
“People Need Love” – “People Need Love” standalone single (1972)
“The Piper” – Super Trouper (1980)
“Put on Your White Sombrero” – Thank You for the Music (1994)
“Ring Ring” – Ring Ring (1973)
“Ring Ring (Bara du slog en signal)” – Ring Ring (Scandinavian versions) (1973)
“Ring Ring” (German Version) – “Ring Ring” German single (1973)
“Ring Ring” (Spanish Version) – ABBA Más Oro: Más ABBA Exitos (1993)
“Ring Ring” (Swedish/Spanish/German Medley) – Thank You for the Music (1994)
“Rock Me” – ABBA (1975)
“Rock ‘N’ Roll Band” – Ring Ring (1973)
(S – Z)
“Santa Rosa” – B-side to He Is Your Brother (1972)
“Se me está escapando” – The Visitors (Latin American and Spanish versions) (1981)
“She’s My Kind of Girl” – Ring Ring (International versions) (1973)
“Should I Laugh or Cry” – B-side to One of Us (1981)
“Sitting in the Palmtree” – Waterloo (1974)
“Slipping Through My Fingers” – The Visitors (1981)
“So Long” – ABBA (1975)
“Soldiers” – The Visitors (1981)
“SOS” – ABBA (1975)
“Summer Night City” – Summer Night City standalone single (1978)
“Super Trouper” – Super Trouper (1980)
“Suzy-Hang-Around” – Waterloo (1974)
“Sång till Görel” – Sång till Görel private release promo single (1979)
“Take a Chance on Me” – The Album (1977)
“Thank You for the Music” – The Album (1977)
“Thank You for the Music” (Doris Day Version) – Thank You for the Music (1994)
“That’s Me” – Arrival (1976)
“Tivedshambo” (Instrumental) – B-side to Hovas vittne private release promo single (1981)
“Tiger” – Arrival (1976)
“Tropical Loveland” – ABBA (1975)
“Two For the Price of One” – The Visitors (1981)
“Under Attack” – The Singles: The First Ten Years (1982)
“The Visitors” – The Visitors (1981)
“Voulez-Vous” – Voulez-Vous (1979)
“Watch Out” – Waterloo (1974)
“Waterloo” – Waterloo (1974)
“Waterloo” (French Version) – Waterloo French single (1974)
“Waterloo” (French/Swedish Medley) – Thank You for the Music (1994)
“Waterloo” (German Version) – Waterloo West German single (1974)
“Waterloo” (Swedish Version) – Waterloo Swedish single (1974)
“The Way Old Friends Do” (Live) – Super Trouper (1980)
“Wer im Wartesaal der Liebe steht” – B-side to Ring Ring German single (1973)
“The Winner Takes It All” – Super Trouper (1980)
“What About Livingstone?” – Waterloo (1974)
“When All is Said and Done” – The Visitors (1981)
“When I Kissed the Teacher” – Arrival (1976)
“When You Danced with Me” – Voyage (2021)
“Why Did It Have to Be Me?” – Arrival (1976)
“You Owe Me One” – B-side to Under Attack (1982)
“Åh, vilka tider” – B-side to Ring Ring (Bara du slog en signal) (1973)
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Complete List Of ABBA Songs From A to Z article published on Classic RockHistory.com© 2024
