Hey! You are missing "Eagle", "What's the name of the game", "I have a dream", "Does your mother know" (Bjorn sings that one), "Voulez Vous" and "I do, i do, i do", really good and classic songs from ABBA.
The formula was brilliantly written, catchy, danceable pop songs that appeal to the youth and elderly. Also the girls, especially Agnetha were gorgeous.
The formula for the ABBAmania in Australia, and not only there, was their talent, hard work, passion, and desire to deliver their best. They did not care about the money; they already had enough of them, they cared about pleasing the audience. They also hired the best musicians they could and not a few of them.
Sure, though I don't think we should discount the role the girls' physical beauty played. And from some of the costumes it's pretty clear they were happy to play to that advantage.
The reason it was Australia was just timing. It was them at their peak while touring and songs blowing up, and it just happened they were going to Australia who wasn't always included in band's tours but were very connected to British culture who really loved ABBA. All that together was just timing and synergy. If not Australia, it could have been somewhere else.
My heart always melted for Agnetha Fälskog whenever she sang "The Winner Takes It All". It's almost like you could feel what she was feeling. And knowing that Bjørn Ulvaeus had written this right after their divorce added a depth of understanding that made it even more poignant. Love that song, still amazed how they saw that performing this piece actually fit and was a good thing, when any lesser person might have been incapable of doing so. These are truly exemplary human beings, not just pop stars. One of the reasons I love ABBA so much.
Not quite, I guess. Bjoern was an idiot to leave her. Perhaps she made him feel that he was someone inferior to her. Young testosterone bulls don't like that. They are running away instead of meeting the challenge. I suspect he later regretted it. His loser's loss.
I'm so happy to still have my ABBA vinyl LP records from back then. I had such a crush on both of the beautifull ladies, and their great vocals .. even my GF at the time could understand the attraction. Agnetha with that incredible cascade of blonde hair still gets me.
@@herrbonk3635 During the time I refer to in my post, the term discotheque was out of favor and replaced by "club." These clubs were gay or straight and featured a dance floor as well as other entertaining amenities. The music played for dancing was not limited to "dance" music but to whatever had a beat and was good to dance to (The Police wasn't a dance band but were played all the time at these clubs). I was done "clubbing" by the 90s so I have no idea what there is now.
@@secr202484 Thanks! I sure visited some clubs like that in the 1980s and 90s, but they were seldom called "clubs" in my language. So the term has always confused me somewhat. The word does not not only make me think of jazz clubs but also things like gentlemen clubs and hobby clubs, both pretty common in my country.
Great job FWF, very entertaining watched all 4 parts. Now I am even more pumped to hear the new ABBA tunes beginning this summer. One aspect of ABBA fever in Australia coincided with color television broadcast nationally there in 1974 or 1975. A popular television music show there called Countdown also began around this time. Now viewers were seeing these innovative music videos of this new and different group ABBA with all the color and glam alongside the catchy pop music. (kind of sort of like when MTV hit early eighties in America). Sometimes it is all in the timing of several factors.
Spot on about Countdown's role in sparking interest in ABBA around the world .. Playing the Mamma Mia video on it made ABBA superstars here, and other countries ( particularly the UK ) followed suit .. ABBA always recognised Australia's huge part in their success, and Countdown was integral to it.
Buen documento, no comprendo del todo inglés ( 50%), yo creo que en el escenario eran un grupo de amigos que se lo pasaban bien y transmitían felicidad. Unas excelentes voces que se complementan con armonía, con vibraciones positivas. Yo crecí con ellos, vi cuando ganaron Eurovision, y el 99% de sus canciones me transmiten sensaciones que me llegan al alma. Para mí es el mejor grupo de la historia, tengo 54 años, y me siguen vibrando el alma cada vez que los escucho. ❤️❤️👍 He visto los 4 documentos 👍👍👍👍
Although Fernando was their biggest hit in Australia and was at Number 1 for months, it was Mamma Mia that first made Australia crazy for ABBA .. The video of it was played on the iconic music show Countdown, and we Aussies hadn't seen or heard anything like it before .. Reaction was amazing .. Went to Number 1 here, and the world sat up and took notice .. Wayne
let´s not forget that they had hits in the US before "Dancing Queen": Waterloo (no.6), Honey Honey (27), I do,I do,I do,I do,I do (15), SOS (15), Mamma Mia (32), Fernando (13). What i miss is a word about the other albums ( "The Album", "Voulez-Vous") that topped the charts around the world, with hits like Take a chance on me ( no.3 in the US and their most-selling-song in the US at all), Music for Unicef ("Chiquitita"), their successful tour 79, their melancholic masterpiece "The Visitors", which became their last studioalbum. A little too much "Dancing Queen" and "The winner takes it all" in this documentary. and btw, "Fernando" was the most successful single they ever made. oh, how i miss ABBA , still, after all these years, and still i am waiting patiently for the new songs. my musical heroes.
Last week there was a video clip from a Ukrainian city. The apartment building had been hit by a Russian missile. In the rubble in front of the destroyed building was a pile of rubble. On top of the rubble was some LP albums, and the foremost album was ABBA's Voulez-Vous. Very sad.
As far as I know, you are the only one who does this more in dept docs. At least with ABBA. I really like it thanks!!. They did a movie, called ABBA the movie (lol). A very very thin storyline but a really well captured "70ties vibe" and of course a lot of live performances from their Australian tour. They were hated by a lot of Rock fans but strangely enough adored by a lot of Rock artists who appreciated their top-notch compositions and production. Artists like the sex pistols, sid vicious were big fans and they were at the other end of the musical spectrum! Most critics of those days have turned around apart from some who stuck in their development since that time I think ... You can say it is not my taste but you can not say it is bad music!
An Australian show called Countdown, hosted by Ian “Molly” Meldrum was on TV every Sunday night. This show featured each week overseas artists that were popular at the time. Molly had video clips of ABBA on Countdown each week singing their latest hits. I was a teenager at that time and wouldn’t miss seeing Countdown. And so their popularity grew in Australia.
I totally recommend you watching the ABBA - Bang-A-Boomerang Documentary which tells the story about the ABBAmania in Australia. Very interesting documentary and sheds a light on how absolutely vital the success in Australia was for ABBA.
It was just before Christmas '76 when my parents bought the "Arrival" album. I was 14 and listening to my own rock music at the time, but when 'Dancing Queen' came on.....wow! I just thought it was best song I'd ever heard. The narrator's of this doc had earlier mentioned it was disco. No way! It was just a perfectly crafted pop song.
After this great work, which allows us to learn even more about ABBA's history and its context, I can suggest you watch two important television presentations: American Bandstad (United States 1975) playing S.O.S. & I do I do I do I do I do Don Lane Show (Australia 1976) playing S.O.S. & Fernando both include two songs with a short introductory report between each song
This was a lovely (ABBA...) journey, my friend! Any more trips planned? (...and in addition, the official video of ABBA's "VOULEZ-VOUS" [which I think was recorded in Frida's favorite night club, just like "Dancing Queen"...] is a MUST listen - which, I might have mentioned a time or two by now...😉)
Recently discovered your site. Really enjoy your perspective with Artists. Glad you discovered the artistry of their contribution to music . Was lucky to have experienced their genius as it unfolded. Yes in Australia they were royalty and loved more than any other artists in history even more than the Beatles
Agnetha in an interview, asked about "The winner takes it all": "It was a bit sensitive for all of us but I just had to go into it and tell the story." And after another question from the interviewer: "Yeah, it was a bit moving." And let's not forget: she was not the one who was dumped but the one who left him after they tried to save their marriage.
I am so with you. Who can say that any other persons work is trash. Artist or not. What? Why? I do not understand. I can´t answer your question about Australia but I do remember liking their melodies.
ABBA made exclusive exceptions for Australia. They visited in 1976, did via satellite interviews...and the country adores them to this day. Many, many Europeans also lived in Australia (I’m one of them) and watched Eurovision every year, so Australia had followed them from the start in 1974. You can thank Agnetha 💖 not wanting to tour for the videos that dominated TV, including special little interviews, again, exclusively for Australia. But overall, it’s the music. Australians have fantastic taste in music and ABBA are fantastic.
Need to do Happy New Year next! Might be your next must-play new year song. But be warned, even though it should be a "everyone's happy" song it's got a lot of melancholy. But it's classic ABBA.
Agnetha sings "The Winner Takes It All" from her broken heart. You can see it in her face as if she is telling you personally about her heartache. Mind you, she always sings with feeling which you can always see in her face, whatever the song is about.
It focuses on three songs a bunch, but it makes it appear like these are the only magic they came up with. In reality something like 50 of their 80 songs are great achievements (not just good- great). And most of the rest are good.
It’s the only song she did all the solo, she said it was the only way she would sing it! (She wanted Bjorn to stay at home with their kids and her! He wanted her to keep traveling.)
If you dig into the breakup of Bjorn and Agnetha more you will see that they had really grown apart. Bjorn and Benny liked the lime light! They liked trappings and adoring fans! They enjoyed the competition of obtains success! Agnetha wanted more solidarity, she wanted to be the Mother that she felt she had not been because of the demands placed on her by the recording schedules and touring schedules. So, on one hand, you had a person driven to succeed as an artist, and on the other hand a person driven to be a good mother. And there we are.
Except that August is wintertime in the Southern Hemisphere ("Down Under") due to the 23 degree tilt of the Earth on its' axis, relative to its' orbit around the sun ( for those of you who missed the day in grade school when that subject was discussed).
Hey! You are missing "Eagle", "What's the name of the game", "I have a dream", "Does your mother know" (Bjorn sings that one), "Voulez Vous" and "I do, i do, i do", really good and classic songs from ABBA.
In this part it's all about to The winner takes it all Unlike what was done with Mamma Mia and Dancing Queen, no musical background is sought the point of reference is the breakup of the couples, especially that of Agnetha and Björn, who are the great protagonists of the song ABBA had been two and a half years without reaching #1 in England (their main objective) "The winner takes it all" gave it And also gave They a #8 on Billboard and #1 in Contemporary Adults (both ranking in the United States) "The winner takes it all" is part of the select group of their greatest worldwide hits it was also voted by British fans as the best ABBA song and favorite of Agnetha and Björn It"s show parts of the official video that is the best of all ABBA It is a very well accomplished job where Agnetha, the central protagonist, is seen acting out the pain of loss (in contrast to the happiness of her companions) ABBA always stood out for its ability to use contrasts
Do the Bee Gees Keppel Road documentary. It’s funny…Barry makes a comment “suddenly it’s okay to like us” After all those years of hits. He goes on to say “We fooled them again” as he laughs.
8:12 MUSIC VIDEOS made them great in Australia. There was a TV program called "Countdown" in Australia playing music videos. And ABBA were pioneers regarding those filming every single they issued - hence their reluctance to travel all the time.
The only problem with Dancing Queen was that most US audiences assumed that Abba were only about "this" song. As a fan from the get go, I was still ridiculed for loving them. So in some ways Dancing Queen was a bit of a hindrance, until the musical "Mama Mia" hit in the late 90's.
Most of Fleetwood Mac's songs were based on their relationships within the band. Winner is on the same line." The Night Before You Came" is my favorite.
If you want to know more about the background I recommed Abba - When four became one. It is 48 minutes and only about what happened up to Waterloo. It explains much more about their background and how they started. How they met, how Björn and Bennys friendship became so strong, Stigs role and it contains nterviews with old band members that played with them all in the 60s. m.ua-cam.com/video/Rj92N8cuWbk/v-deo.html
But at the peak of Abba's fame, Bjorn and Agnetha, who have two children together, broke up. Within a week he had moved on with a new girlfriend while Agnetha is said to have needed counselling after the split.
Hey man! Just started watching your stuff, and I like it a lot! I respect your opinion, you've won me over. Also, you asked, what was the deciding factor in Australia. Well, I live in Melbourne and went through all this era. Great memories! The deciding factor in Australia was one man, Molly Meldrum, host of 'Countdown'. He pushed this band and was the factor in their acceptance here. He had an uncanny knack of predicting future successful acts. Hey, I challenge you man, please do some research on Molly and do a couple of shows on him! Cheers Bro.
I don't think the spit was only because of tensions. I think it had to do with the glue ( the marriages) just wasn't there any more. When the guys decided to do the musical Chess, there was no reason for the girls to put their lives on hold for their ex-husbands. They did their solo things. Frida moved out of Sweden. Both girls pursued solo careers to moderate success. Another issue was what was going on with their manager and his attempts to become a major business force. He had gotten the group entangled in a number of business arrangements that depended on bringing more outside experts into the company. People who had no sentimental attachments to the members or the music. Tax evasion charges on royalties they said they weren't paid, along with pressures for that next album probably just made the desire to regroup less appealing. Plus at the time, music and the music industry had changed drastically and I think (sadly) they listened to the critics, who had dismissed ABBA as fluff. It was a number of factors, that when added up, all contributed to the group disbanding. Not solely just the divorces.
As an abba fan growing up with their music and owning all their records they were amazing music makers, but still, with all their accomplishments and greatness they are still second to the BeeGees who are the greatest band in history. (benny and bjorn acknowledged that in their rock roll hall of fame acceptance interviews)
Why did ABBA do so well in Australia? One part of the answer I thinkt maby could be explained by the way a country is ”feeling” and were it is at in it’s identity process. The way a country feels is about wealth/Health/socioeconomic Development and so on, something I know little about when it comes to Australia at this time. Even though I know they are struggeling at the moment with unemployment and increasing powerty, relativly speaking. Those things should - I think - effect peoples need for ways to shut of the problems. The identityprocess is - I think - how a country picture is self comparing to the rest of the world - in this case the western world. Often you can hear discissions about an - almost global - complex of lowe selfaseeme towards for instance US, UK and other ekonomical and cultural similar western countrys. And therefore countrys with identitystruggles are more likely to embrace modern cultural - popular - fenomen. And that is what I think happend in Australia when ABBA smashed into the musikworld in the 70’s.😀
I so love you reacting to ABBA, cought up now. Let me recomend another swedish group thats NOT a one hit wonder, Roxette. watch "the look" first, it made them the third group to get no 1 on the US billboard list. whats the first one, it's not ABBA, have you ever heard the lyrics oooooogha chacka?
Ive binge watched all your ABBA reactions. Im a metal guy (from birth more or less) but as a swede I grew up with them, so theyre sort of grown into the cultural "DNA". Björn and Benny have since the ABBA period also been very active musically. It was really cool to see and hear your take on them, from your perspective, thanks. You should check this interview with Alice Cooper from when they stayed at the same hotel in Australia (2.09 into the clip). I laugh every time I see it. Its funny :) ua-cam.com/video/qfaxifjRsZo/v-deo.html
The trouble with documentaries on Abba is that they always concentrate on the same songs and focus more on Agnetha as though she was the real lead. She wasn't, but a kind of Agnetha cult has developed since their split. I guess people really do prefer blonds. For me the quintessential Abba songs are Knowing Me, Knowing You; The Name of the Game; and Take a Chance On Me.
Agneta was dumped bro that's a reality of fact, he cheated on her and choose to stay with the other woman....that's a DUMP!!! No break up here nothing mutual here other than the legal resolution.
This documentary is very average...made by average people...the commentaries were wrong and superficial...in fact they were talking garbage...if you really want to know the secret of Abba...study their music from the beginning ...my favorite songs are not the hits...there are so many gems...ignored by the masses...you can only find it by yourself...FortWorthFabian is great...I see a great potential...still growing inside...
I guarantee you, the new album when it comes out 11.5.2022 will not do as well here. They will have something to say to bring it down. That’s just America
The winner takes it all is her being dumped one week later björn was with his now wife agnetha must have been crushed in fact she had counciling to get through it 💔
Comment on your comment that the couples seperating sholdn t come as a big surprice as it is a part of the reality (you Said it with other works). I totally agree, however I d like to add that I think many people at this time - particilary in Sweden - weren t as educated about music industry/reality as you and I, some 35 years later, and therefore they lacked knowledge and was therefore buying a more of a ”farytail-reality” as it was framed in the newspapers of that time. Maby you and I would have done that to, witch is my point. But just a small detail, not me really wanna criticise your fine channel and work🙏🏻
Please react to The day before you came. It is truly a masterpiece. You could watch "Benny about the day before you came" first and then the music video. Make a double reaction. benny about the day before you came (starting at 0:29) ua-cam.com/video/cgynuWyHoJI/v-deo.html the day before you came mv ua-cam.com/video/1HnOFwqpLRQ/v-deo.html
@@FortWorthFabian yes true but Bjorn was living with his girlfriend Lena within a week. They(Agnetha and Bjorn) simply grew apart, Bjorn and Lena are still together to this day so all power to them. She (Lena) has been chastised unfairly by so many over the years so I totally agree with your comments re divorce etc..nobody knows besides those involved what really goes on behind closed doors.
ABBA PLAYLIST : ua-cam.com/play/PLe70UwDfhHBiSE6eQONCuJcTq_E4l3LAo.html
Hey! You are missing "Eagle", "What's the name of the game", "I have a dream", "Does your mother know" (Bjorn sings that one), "Voulez Vous" and "I do, i do, i do", really good and classic songs from ABBA.
Did you know that "Dancing Queen" was played at Colin Powell's funeral.
ua-cam.com/video/hWMNgIsstYk/v-deo.html
I remember the first time I heard Winner Takes It All....as a teenager.... I cried...
The formula was brilliantly written, catchy, danceable pop songs that appeal to the youth and elderly. Also the girls, especially Agnetha were gorgeous.
The formula for the ABBAmania in Australia, and not only there, was their talent, hard work, passion, and desire to deliver their best. They did not care about the money; they already had enough of them, they cared about pleasing the audience. They also hired the best musicians they could and not a few of them.
Sure, though I don't think we should discount the role the girls' physical beauty played. And from some of the costumes it's pretty clear they were happy to play to that advantage.
The reason it was Australia was just timing. It was them at their peak while touring and songs blowing up, and it just happened they were going to Australia who wasn't always included in band's tours but were very connected to British culture who really loved ABBA. All that together was just timing and synergy. If not Australia, it could have been somewhere else.
My heart always melted for Agnetha Fälskog whenever she sang "The Winner Takes It All". It's almost like you could feel what she was feeling. And knowing that Bjørn Ulvaeus had written this right after their divorce added a depth of understanding that made it even more poignant. Love that song, still amazed how they saw that performing this piece actually fit and was a good thing, when any lesser person might have been incapable of doing so. These are truly exemplary human beings, not just pop stars. One of the reasons I love ABBA so much.
Not quite, I guess. Bjoern was an idiot to leave her. Perhaps she made him feel that he was someone inferior to her. Young testosterone bulls don't like that. They are running away instead of meeting the challenge. I suspect he later regretted it. His loser's loss.
I'm so happy to still have my ABBA vinyl LP records from back then. I had such a crush on both of the beautifull ladies, and their great vocals .. even my GF at the time could understand the attraction. Agnetha with that incredible cascade of blonde hair still gets me.
There was a wonderful period of time when pop and rock were absolutely included in the club scene. Late 70s through the mid 80s.
I've heard of (frequented) jazz clubs, but what is "the club scene" really? What is there now?
@@herrbonk3635 During the time I refer to in my post, the term discotheque was out of favor and replaced by "club." These clubs were gay or straight and featured a dance floor as well as other entertaining amenities. The music played for dancing was not limited to "dance" music but to whatever had a beat and was good to dance to (The Police wasn't a dance band but were played all the time at these clubs). I was done "clubbing" by the 90s so I have no idea what there is now.
@@secr202484 Thanks! I sure visited some clubs like that in the 1980s and 90s, but they were seldom called "clubs" in my language. So the term has always confused me somewhat. The word does not not only make me think of jazz clubs but also things like gentlemen clubs and hobby clubs, both pretty common in my country.
Great job FWF, very entertaining watched all 4 parts. Now I am even more pumped to hear the new ABBA tunes beginning this summer. One aspect of ABBA fever in Australia coincided with color television broadcast nationally there in 1974 or 1975. A popular television music show there called Countdown also began around this time. Now viewers were seeing these innovative music videos of this new and different group ABBA with all the color and glam alongside the catchy pop music. (kind of sort of like when MTV hit early eighties in America). Sometimes it is all in the timing of several factors.
Spot on about Countdown's role in sparking interest in ABBA around the world .. Playing the Mamma Mia video on it made ABBA superstars here, and other countries ( particularly the UK ) followed suit .. ABBA always recognised Australia's huge part in their success, and Countdown was integral to it.
If you look at the documentary "thank you for the music" you will see it more from an Australian point of wiew
Buen documento, no comprendo del todo inglés ( 50%), yo creo que en el escenario eran un grupo de amigos que se lo pasaban bien y transmitían felicidad.
Unas excelentes voces que se complementan con armonía, con vibraciones positivas.
Yo crecí con ellos, vi cuando ganaron Eurovision, y el 99% de sus canciones me transmiten sensaciones que me llegan al alma. Para mí es el mejor grupo de la historia, tengo 54 años, y me siguen vibrando el alma cada vez que los escucho. ❤️❤️👍
He visto los 4 documentos 👍👍👍👍
It makes me happy how you love ABBA.
“Fernando” was what drove Australia crazy for ABBA.
Although Fernando was their biggest hit in Australia and was at Number 1 for months, it was Mamma Mia that first made Australia crazy for ABBA .. The video of it was played on the iconic music show Countdown, and we Aussies hadn't seen or heard anything like it before .. Reaction was amazing .. Went to Number 1 here, and the world sat up and took notice .. Wayne
let´s not forget that they had hits in the US before "Dancing Queen": Waterloo (no.6), Honey Honey (27), I do,I do,I do,I do,I do (15), SOS (15), Mamma Mia (32), Fernando (13). What i miss is a word about the other albums ( "The Album", "Voulez-Vous") that topped the charts around the world, with hits like Take a chance on me ( no.3 in the US and their most-selling-song in the US at all), Music for Unicef ("Chiquitita"), their successful tour 79, their melancholic masterpiece "The Visitors", which became their last studioalbum. A little too much "Dancing Queen" and "The winner takes it all" in this documentary. and btw, "Fernando" was the most successful single they ever made. oh, how i miss ABBA , still, after all these years, and still i am waiting patiently for the new songs. my musical heroes.
You didn't have to wait very long at all.
Last week there was a video clip from a Ukrainian city.
The apartment building had been hit by a Russian missile.
In the rubble in front of the destroyed building was a pile of rubble.
On top of the rubble was some LP albums, and the foremost album was ABBA's Voulez-Vous. Very sad.
@@jeffreymcfadden9403 yes, i have seen that picture. Really very sad. What a mess, this whole thing.
As far as I know, you are the only one who does this more in dept docs. At least with ABBA. I really like it thanks!!. They did a movie, called ABBA the movie (lol). A very very thin storyline but a really well captured "70ties vibe" and of course a lot of live performances from their Australian tour. They were hated by a lot of Rock fans but strangely enough adored by a lot of Rock artists who appreciated their top-notch compositions and production. Artists like the sex pistols, sid vicious were big fans and they were at the other end of the musical spectrum! Most critics of those days have turned around apart from some who stuck in their development since that time I think ... You can say it is not my taste but you can not say it is bad music!
Nailed it. I remember.
An Australian show called Countdown, hosted by Ian “Molly” Meldrum was on TV every Sunday night. This show featured each week overseas artists that were popular at the time. Molly had video clips of ABBA on Countdown each week singing their latest hits. I was a teenager at that time and wouldn’t miss seeing Countdown. And so their popularity grew in Australia.
Don't leave ABBA without watching their 1975 American Bandstand performance. HOT!!!!!!!!
ABBA : The Movie, was recorded as part of their Australian tour.
I totally recommend you watching the ABBA - Bang-A-Boomerang Documentary which tells the story about the ABBAmania in Australia. Very interesting documentary and sheds a light on how absolutely vital the success in Australia was for ABBA.
It was just before Christmas '76 when my parents bought the "Arrival" album. I was 14 and listening to my own rock music at the time, but when 'Dancing Queen' came on.....wow! I just thought it was best song I'd ever heard. The narrator's of this doc had earlier mentioned it was disco. No way! It was just a perfectly crafted pop song.
After this great work, which allows us to learn even more about ABBA's history and its context, I can suggest you watch two important television presentations:
American Bandstad (United States 1975) playing
S.O.S. & I do I do I do I do I do
Don Lane Show (Australia 1976) playing S.O.S. & Fernando
both include two songs with a short introductory report between each song
Well, sincere music has found your "box", soooo..., stay free. Infinity is not sought, it finds you. 😉
This was a lovely (ABBA...) journey, my friend! Any more trips planned?
(...and in addition, the official video of ABBA's "VOULEZ-VOUS" [which I think was recorded in Frida's favorite night club, just like "Dancing Queen"...] is a MUST listen - which, I might have mentioned a time or two by now...😉)
You are so right. There is a difference between a breakup, and being dumped!
Recently discovered your site. Really enjoy your perspective with Artists. Glad you discovered the artistry of their contribution to music . Was lucky to have experienced their genius as it unfolded. Yes in Australia they were royalty and loved more than any other artists in history even more than the Beatles
Agnetha in an interview, asked about "The winner takes it all": "It was a bit sensitive for all of us but I just had to go into it and tell the story." And after another question from the interviewer: "Yeah, it was a bit moving." And let's not forget: she was not the one who was dumped but the one who left him after they tried to save their marriage.
I am so with you. Who can say that any other persons work is trash. Artist or not. What? Why? I do not understand. I can´t answer your question about Australia but I do remember liking their melodies.
ABBA made exclusive exceptions for Australia. They visited in 1976, did via satellite interviews...and the country adores them to this day. Many, many Europeans also lived in Australia (I’m one of them) and watched Eurovision every year, so Australia had followed them from the start in 1974. You can thank Agnetha 💖 not wanting to tour for the videos that dominated TV, including special little interviews, again, exclusively for Australia. But overall, it’s the music. Australians have fantastic taste in music and ABBA are fantastic.
She always was a fan.
Love your reactions to these docs.
Unlike some other channels you react at the right time and don’t interrupt 👏👏👏👏
Need to do Happy New Year next! Might be your next must-play new year song. But be warned, even though it should be a "everyone's happy" song it's got a lot of melancholy. But it's classic ABBA.
Agnetha sings "The Winner Takes It All" from her broken heart. You can see it in her face as if she is telling you personally about her heartache. Mind you, she always sings with feeling which you can always see in her face, whatever the song is about.
It focuses on three songs a bunch, but it makes it appear like these are the only magic they came up with. In reality something like 50 of their 80 songs are great achievements (not just good- great). And most of the rest are good.
It’s the only song she did all the solo, she said it was the only way she would sing it! (She wanted Bjorn to stay at home with their kids and her! He wanted her to keep traveling.)
If you dig into the breakup of Bjorn and Agnetha more you will see that they had really grown apart. Bjorn and Benny liked the lime light! They liked trappings and adoring fans! They enjoyed the competition of obtains success! Agnetha wanted more solidarity, she wanted to be the Mother that she felt she had not been because of the demands placed on her by the recording schedules and touring schedules. So, on one hand, you had a person driven to succeed as an artist, and on the other hand a person driven to be a good mother. And there we are.
Except that August is wintertime in the Southern Hemisphere ("Down Under") due to the 23 degree tilt of the Earth on its' axis, relative to its' orbit around the sun ( for those of you who missed the day in grade school when that subject was discussed).
Re. "The nature of their relationship."
It was Agnetha who walked out on X-Mas day, 1978.
FWIW.
Hey! You are missing "Eagle", "What's the name of the game", "I have a dream", "Does your mother know" (Bjorn sings that one), "Voulez Vous" and "I do, i do, i do", really good and classic songs from ABBA.
In this part it's all about to
The winner takes it all
Unlike what was done with Mamma Mia and Dancing Queen, no musical background is sought
the point of reference is the breakup of the couples, especially that of Agnetha and Björn, who are the great protagonists of the song
ABBA had been two and a half years without reaching #1 in England (their main objective)
"The winner takes it all" gave it
And also gave They a #8 on Billboard and #1 in Contemporary Adults (both ranking in the United States)
"The winner takes it all" is part of the select group of their greatest worldwide hits
it was also voted by British fans as the best ABBA song
and favorite of Agnetha and Björn
It"s show parts of the official video that is the best of all ABBA
It is a very well accomplished job where Agnetha, the central protagonist, is seen acting out the pain of loss (in contrast to the happiness of her companions)
ABBA always stood out for its ability to use contrasts
Thank you for these 4 videos! Much I didn't know.
great work on this documentary of a documentary, you added another dimension really. Keep it up
Glad you enjoyed it!
Do the Bee Gees Keppel Road documentary.
It’s funny…Barry makes a comment
“suddenly it’s okay to like us”
After all those years of hits.
He goes on to say “We fooled them again” as he laughs.
8:12 MUSIC VIDEOS made them great in Australia. There was a TV program called "Countdown" in Australia playing music videos. And ABBA were pioneers regarding those filming every single they issued - hence their reluctance to travel all the time.
3 Abba hits you need to react to: "Voulez-vous", "As good as new" and "Does your mother know" where Bjorn is the lead vocalist.
I think Ben or Bjorn sent a video record to somebody in Australia. I think, the visual component to the sound was relatively new.
Thank you for the documentary,you learn something new every day....what’s your next project..try ELO
You should watch agnetha faltskog getting the golden egg award with Noel edmonds.
Also Frida elbowing agnetha and Frida hitting Bjorn on stage
In those days Australia had little talent and few groups toured over there so ABBA where huge...
Yes, there was time ABBA was seen as something not cool....except by true fans!
Loving that reaction at 3:40 🤣 👏
Australia just appreciates talent.
The UK easy going and open minded.
The problem with the U.S. is, it’s political, too political!!
The only problem with Dancing Queen was that most US audiences assumed that Abba were only about "this" song. As a fan from the get go, I was still ridiculed for loving them. So in some ways Dancing Queen was a bit of a hindrance, until the musical "Mama Mia" hit in the late 90's.
Great reactions to our supergroup, please try "On and on and on" (Dick Cavett live version)... Greetings from Sweden!
Most of Fleetwood Mac's songs were based on their relationships within the band. Winner is on the same line." The Night Before You Came" is my favorite.
Great thoughtful reactions.
If you want to know more about the background I recommed Abba - When four became one.
It is 48 minutes and only about what happened up to Waterloo.
It explains much more about their background and how they started. How they met, how Björn and Bennys friendship became so strong, Stigs role and it contains nterviews with old band members that played with them all in the 60s.
m.ua-cam.com/video/Rj92N8cuWbk/v-deo.html
Thanks for that .. Sounds very interesting .. Will check it out 👌 .. Wayne
16:53. You basically nailed the pronunciation of her name there. Great job for a non-swede :)
But at the peak of Abba's fame, Bjorn and Agnetha, who have two children together, broke up. Within a week he had moved on with a new girlfriend while Agnetha is said to have needed counselling after the split.
There's so many more great songs that they don't talk about in the documentary....
Hey man! Just started watching your stuff, and I like it a lot! I respect your opinion, you've won me over. Also, you asked, what was the deciding factor in Australia. Well, I live in Melbourne and went through all this era. Great memories! The deciding factor in Australia was one man, Molly Meldrum, host of 'Countdown'. He pushed this band and was the factor in their acceptance here. He had an uncanny knack of predicting future successful acts. Hey, I challenge you man, please do some research on Molly and do a couple of shows on him! Cheers Bro.
I agree with you about the special lady commenting and exaggerating.
If you notice Agnetha never really looks at Bjorn during the song., Winner takes All.
I don't think the spit was only because of tensions. I think it had to do with the glue ( the marriages) just wasn't there any more. When the guys decided to do the musical Chess, there was no reason for the girls to put their lives on hold for their ex-husbands. They did their solo things. Frida moved out of Sweden. Both girls pursued solo careers to moderate success. Another issue was what was going on with their manager and his attempts to become a major business force. He had gotten the group entangled in a number of business arrangements that depended on bringing more outside experts into the company. People who had no sentimental attachments to the members or the music. Tax evasion charges on royalties they said they weren't paid, along with pressures for that next album probably just made the desire to regroup less appealing. Plus at the time, music and the music industry had changed drastically and I think (sadly) they listened to the critics, who had dismissed ABBA as fluff. It was a number of factors, that when added up, all contributed to the group disbanding. Not solely just the divorces.
react to Rita MacNeil Working Man & her brilliant album Reason To Believe R.I.P Rita MacNeil
Australia was the first country (outside of Scandinavia) to give them a #1 in the beginning, wasn’t it?
Look at ABBA Summer Night City. It's different.
That song is pop/disco
As an abba fan growing up with their music and owning all their records they were amazing music makers, but still, with all their accomplishments and greatness they are still second to the BeeGees who are the greatest band in history. (benny and bjorn acknowledged that in their rock roll hall of fame acceptance interviews)
You could understand it
React to One of Us from Abba.
My actual name is Christian Hottois/ I would love to hear you react to On and On and On
Why did ABBA do so well in Australia? One part of the answer I thinkt maby could be explained by the way a country is ”feeling” and were it is at in it’s identity process. The way a country feels is about wealth/Health/socioeconomic Development and so on, something I know little about when it comes to Australia at this time. Even though I know they are struggeling at the moment with unemployment and increasing powerty, relativly speaking. Those things should - I think - effect peoples need for ways to shut of the problems. The identityprocess is - I think - how a country picture is self comparing to the rest of the world - in this case the western world. Often you can hear discissions about an - almost global - complex of lowe selfaseeme towards for instance US, UK and other ekonomical and cultural similar western countrys. And therefore countrys with identitystruggles are more likely to embrace modern cultural - popular - fenomen. And that is what I think happend in Australia when ABBA smashed into the musikworld in the 70’s.😀
I so love you reacting to ABBA, cought up now. Let me recomend another swedish group thats NOT a one hit wonder, Roxette. watch "the look" first, it made them the third group to get no 1 on the US billboard list. whats the first one, it's not ABBA, have you ever heard the lyrics oooooogha chacka?
Another group whose music is instantly identifiable, seemingly simple, but can't be reproduced--CCR.
Ive binge watched all your ABBA reactions. Im a metal guy (from birth more or less) but as a swede I grew up with them, so theyre sort of grown into the cultural "DNA". Björn and Benny have since the ABBA period also been very active musically. It was really cool to see and hear your take on them, from your perspective, thanks. You should check this interview with Alice Cooper from when they stayed at the same hotel in Australia (2.09 into the clip). I laugh every time I see it. Its funny :) ua-cam.com/video/qfaxifjRsZo/v-deo.html
Do you have any reactions to Albert Hammond's songs?
The trouble with documentaries on Abba is that they always concentrate on the same songs and focus more on Agnetha as though she was the real lead. She wasn't, but a kind of Agnetha cult has developed since their split. I guess people really do prefer blonds. For me the quintessential Abba songs are Knowing Me, Knowing You; The Name of the Game; and Take a Chance On Me.
Exactly what i thought. not one word about The Album and Voulez-Vous. Music for Unicef. World tour 79. ..........
Agnetha was the icon of the group, or in better terms to most eyes, she was the first amongst equals.
@@mountain262 so true
VIDEOS VIDEOS
Are you still wondering about Australia thing or did you figure it out?
Agneta was dumped bro that's a reality of fact, he cheated on her and choose to stay with the other woman....that's a DUMP!!! No break up here nothing mutual here other than the legal resolution.
This documentary is very average...made by average people...the commentaries were wrong and superficial...in fact they were talking garbage...if you really want to know the secret of Abba...study their music from the beginning ...my favorite songs are not the hits...there are so many gems...ignored by the masses...you can only find it by yourself...FortWorthFabian is great...I see a great potential...still growing inside...
Actually Björn married his new girl the day after the divorce was finalised.
I guarantee you, the new album when it comes out 11.5.2022 will not do as well here.
They will have something to say to bring it down. That’s just America
U should react to jordons fire in the booth
The winner takes it all is her being dumped one week later björn was with his now wife agnetha must have been crushed in fact she had counciling to get through it 💔
Comment on your comment that the couples seperating sholdn t come as a big surprice as it is a part of the reality (you Said it with other works). I totally agree, however I d like to add that I think many people at this time - particilary in Sweden - weren t as educated about music industry/reality as you and I, some 35 years later, and therefore they lacked knowledge and was therefore buying a more of a ”farytail-reality” as it was framed in the newspapers of that time. Maby you and I would have done that to, witch is my point. But just a small detail, not me really wanna criticise your fine channel and work🙏🏻
Please react to The day before you came. It is truly a masterpiece. You could watch "Benny about the day before you came" first and then the music video. Make a double reaction.
benny about the day before you came (starting at 0:29)
ua-cam.com/video/cgynuWyHoJI/v-deo.html
the day before you came mv
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Yes but Bjorn wrote it
It was not a mutual end. Have you read about it?
Yeah, Agnetha left him on December 25th, 1978.
O word
@@FortWorthFabian yes true but Bjorn was living with his girlfriend Lena within a week. They(Agnetha and Bjorn) simply grew apart, Bjorn and Lena are still together to this day so all power to them. She (Lena) has been chastised unfairly by so many over the years so I totally agree with your comments re divorce etc..nobody knows besides those involved what really goes on behind closed doors.
She was dumped! Soon after they divorced, Bjorn was in a new relationship! Don't be flippant! 'Assumed pain'? Are you serious?