Interview: Björn Ulvaeus On Making ABBA's Timeless Hits

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wy6ZO1e4W3U

Article here: https://musictech.com/news/music/abba-bjorn-ulvaeus-ai/

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Björn Ulvaeus Reveals Inspiration Behind ABBA's 'Dancing Queen': 'I Think That's How Pop Music Evolves'

"The groove, that slow kind of disco groove was something that [made us think], 'That's interesting.'"

Björn Ulvaeus Reveals Inspiration Behind ABBA's 'Dancing Queen': 'I Think That's How Pop Music Evolves'

ABBA songwriter & star Björn Ulvaeus reflected on the unusual arrangement of the Swedish pop institution's "Dancing Queen", admitting that it was inspired by the R&B icon George McCrae's debut single "Rock Your Baby".

Originally released in Sweden as a single on August 15 in 1976, ABBA's disco song soon became a worldwide hit, reaching no. 1 in the US, and topping the charts in over a dozen other countries, while reaching top five in many more. Aside from being catchy as hell, one of the song's standout features is certainly that it starts almost in the middle of the chorus.

Speaking to Rick Beato in a recent interview, Björn Ulvaeus explains that it turned out that way because the song was originally too long, so someone decided to cut the intro.

Recalling the original inspiration behind the song, he added (transcribed by Ultimate Guitar):

"['Dancing Queen'] illustrates how the human mind works a bit like AI. We gather all this information in the form of songs, [and] when we grow up, we never stop. And we use it as inspiration; as an impulse to do something."

"I can say that 'Dancing Queen' was inspired by a big hit in the US called 'Rock Your Baby'. [But] when you hear 'Dancing Queen', it has nothing to do with 'Rock Your Baby'. But the groove, that slow kind of disco groove was something that [made us think], 'That's interesting.' There's nothing wrong with that. I think that's how pop music evolves."

ABBA Voyage review: ‘A musical showcase so mind-blowing I’m unsure if it really happened’

 ABBA Voyage review: ‘A musical showcase so mind-blowing I’m unsure if it really happened’

Nobody would believe me if I told them what happened, writes Lea Dzifa Seeberg

22:00, 3 AUG 2023

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My mind was blown by ABBA Voyage (Image: Lea Dzifa Seeberg)

ABBA Voyage has been in London for months, yet no one knows what it is. Billed as a "concert like no other" with ABBA's "digital avatars" performing, the whole thing is shrouded in mystery.

When I bought tickets, I didn't know what to expect. At best, I thought I'd get some old ABBA videos playing behind see-through holograms, and at worst I imagined an ABBA-themed club night.

As the day finally arrived and my DLR pulled up in front of the futuresque and rainbow-clad arena, fans mingled out front, taking pictures of the out-of-place concert hall. We made a peculiar bunch: half, like me, wore casual officewear or jeans, planning on ending their day with a solid sing-along.

I was already impressed by the atrium (Image: Lea Dzifa Seeberg)

The other half went all in, sporting sequinned berets, full-body flared jumpsuits, and more feather boas than Harries. Platform boots aplenty were paired with bell-bottoms and frilly 70s skirts, and I even saw two people wearing matching light-up angel costumes.

Being asked for ID to get into a concert was not on my 2023 bingo card, but once that ordeal was done - security told me they thought I was 16 - I was in. The atrium rose above me, wooden beams supporting a heaving, booze-fuelled anticipation.

With merch, beer, and food for sale, the crowd quickly outnumbered the oxygen and I hurriedly made my way into the auditorium. With strict notices to not record or photograph the performance, I took my seat below a ceiling of ethereal lights.

The stage hid behind screens decorated with moving Swedish forests blanketed in falling snow. They reminded me of my Norwegian childhood, and no doubt reflected ABBA's lives to the audience and to themselves.

As the lights dimmed at 7.45pm - with another reminder not to film, enforced as a woman tried to do just that and had her view blocked by a surly steward - the magic began. I'm not sure if I'm allowed to tell you what song came on first, but I honestly don't remember anyway.

The whole 90-minute show was a blur of Dancing Queen, Waterloo, Chiquitita, and all the other bangers we know and love. But for the most part, I was distracted from screaming the lyrics by the sheer artistry I witnessed.

The concert was so much more than a concert (Image: Lea Dzifa Seeberg)

ABBA were really there. At least, it seemed to me like they were; rather than holographs, the foursome twirled and danced across the stage in life-like projections complete with shadows and glittering sequins.

The band accompanying them were every bit as captivating, with the trio of backup singers rightfully getting their own solo moment to shine. Coupled with perfectly timed lights and mirrors, cartoon intervals, archive footage of the band, and huge psychedelic close-ups of the avatars, they made for an unforgettable experience more dopamine-inducing than anything I've seen before.

I won't reveal the twist at the end, but it did bring a tear to my eye and an almighty scream out of the crowd. I left the arena a changed woman, convinced I'd seen the real ABBA but completely unable to convince anyone of the magic I'd witnessed.

I cannot urge anyone to see the show enough. Even as a casual fan at best, I enjoyed every single moment and wish the whole thing could have gone on for hours. 

https://www.mylondon.news/whats-on/reviews/abba-voyage-concert-performance-review-27445753