ABBA to Be Inducted to Rock & Roll Hall of Fame

Joo can dance! Joo can yi-ive! Who cares if they (allegedly) sang in phonetic English, I loved and still love ABBA. I never get tired of their music, and their sound was so unique, it only pegs as "70s" if you were there. Before we get to the excerpted article, here are a few of my favorite ABBA songs, not the typical ones, but great songs just the same.




And for the hell of it, here are the two big US solo hits by Agnetha and Frida, Can't Shake Loose and I Know There's Something Going on.



[Excerpt]

ABBA, Stooges to Join Rock and Roll Hall of Fame

The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame gave a big "Thank You For The Music" to ABBA on Tuesday, announcing that the Swedish pop group would be among its 2010 inductees.

British rock band Genesis, reggae superstar Jimmy Cliff, rockers The Stooges, and The Hollies are also among the legends who will be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame at a ceremony on March 15 in New York. . .

Read more at: ABC News

ABBA is Back! Well, "BB" Anyway. . .

Image from PopTherapy

At the beginning of 2009, I posted a New Year's wish that ABBA would reunite one last time. I honestly didn't think it would ever happen. It was really just an excuse to post some ABBA videos, though I sincerely wish they would reunite.

Well, I got half my wish. Though this isn't the first time Benny Andersson and Bjorn Ulvaeus have gotten together since the band dissolved. C'mon, A&A (Agnetha Faltskog and Frida Lyngstad). . .wrap your initials around those Bs!

[Excerpt]

ABBA Duo Collaborating Again

ABBA stars Benny Andersson and Björn Ulvaeus are set to premiere their first newly written pop song in 15 years, according to a report on Nme.com. . .

Read more at: MusicVixen

Another Call for an ABBA Reunion

When I'm doing chores around the house, there are a few "old reliable" CDs I'll play to keep me inspired. They include, the soundtrack of Fame, the soundtrack of Xanadu, the soundtrack (sensing a theme?) to the Buffy the Vampire Slayer episode "Once More With Feeling," Donna Summer's Greatest Hits, Madonna's Immaculate Collection or I'm Breathless, and of course, ABBA Gold I & II.

So, by now you have concluded that I'm not only an old nerd, but an old, gay nerd. And you've concluded correctly. I'll totally cop to not getting most of today's music. I'm still incredulous that rap music is still popular. And while a little Maroon 5 or Scissor Sisters might sneak into the mix, my musical tastes are decidedly old school.

Not so long ago, I ran a post about my new year's wish that ABBA might reunite for one last album. I still hope they manage to do that, though nothing points to it even being considered. Clearly, they don't need the money. That won't keep me from wishing though. And I found a few YouTube clips of songs I haven't featured before. And it's my blog, dammit, so here they are, like it or not! Heh.

Anyway, these are some of my favorites, On and On and On, The Day Before You Came, SOS, and Chiquitita. Enjoy!




And for the hell of it, here are the two big US solo hits by Agnetha and Frida, Can't Shake Loose and I Know There's Something Going on.

My Wish for 2009: An ABBA Reunion

I know that they've been offered a billion dollars to regroup, and have refused. And I'm aware that Agnetha Fältskog is the one who puts the sticky wicket into a reunion of ABBA. But, c'mon, guys! You're not getting any younger, and time's a-wastin'! Sure, Bette Midler, Cher and Elton John can keep Las Vegas rockin' on into their 60s, but time is limited. Can't we please--please--see an ABBA reunion before one of you slips away?

I've featured clips of ABBA songs on the blog before, most prominently Happy New Year, even though it includes clear references to 1979. Mamma Mia has only whetted America's thirst for new ABBA stuff! It doesn't have to be a live tour, or even a big showy concert. How about a new album? Benny and Björn can over-produce it to your pleasure, finessing Agnetha's and Anni-Fred's vocals to their 70s prime! We don't care! Just give us ABBA! Please?

The Science of ABBA: Is Their Music Addictive?

Photo from source, Chicago Sun-Times

The Other Half and I haven't set off to see Mamma Mia! yet, somewhat crestfallen by Entertainment Weekly's less than stellar review. The musical, set to the biggest hits of Swedish megagroup, ABBA, was frothy and light as a stage show, so we're not expecting The Wizard of Oz here. But it dashed the urgency to see the film.

That didn't stop me from playing an ABBA track on my Windows Media Player when I sat down to write this though. I was an ABBA fan as a little boy, knowing all of the lyrics to Waterloo when I was 8, and winning a 45-single of Knowing Me, Knowing You at a Jr. High School dance. I had their Greatest Hits album before they had more than three or four US hits, and before my little brother and I were even out of bunk beds. And I used it to torture said brother with repeated playings of Nina, Pretty Ballerina.

Despite his protestations--to this day--that Nina was a great song, I'll bet if you sang a few bars, he'd complete them for you. And that tells you how catchy they are. And now science might even be able to tell us why. . .

[Excerpt]

Why are ABBA songs so infectious? Science has answers

It only takes a single exposure, and in an instant, your whole day can change. The infection is rapid and feels potentially unending. One minute you’re minding your own business and the next you find that you can’t stop thinking, humming, or singing ‘‘Dancing Queen.’’
‘‘Friday night and the lights are low. . .’’

No matter what you try, you can’t shake it. In fact, once you start thinking about ABBA, you’re a goner. . .

Read more at: Chicago Sun-Times

ABBA Reunites!

Image from source, LA Deli

Well, sort of. All of us geeky ABBA fans have been wanting an ABBA reunion for two and a half decades, so we'll have to take what we can get. All four of the singers, Benny Andersson, Björn Ulvaeus, Anni-Frid Lyngstad (Frida) and of course, Agnetha Fältskog got together in the same place at the same time! It was for the movie premiere event of Mama Mia! And they didn't sing. And ain't gonna. Thank You for the Music anyway!

Source: LA Deli

Blast from the Past: Forgotten 80s, #4

Because I can't keep from beating a dead horse, here are a few more "Forgotten 80s" hits for you. See if they ring any bells.




#1 - Can't Shake Loose by Agnetha Fältskog - This is a favorite, and also a hat-tip to my friend, Marky in Florida. Agnetha is the "pretty one" from ABBA, and she had exactly one solo hit in America. I love Aggie, but she is solely responsible for the LACK of a reformation of ABBA, so I hate her too. . .

#2 - I Know There's Something Going On by Frida - OK, I know I'm stretching "forgotten 80s" with this tune--it does turn up. But it's a fitting bookend to ABBA bandmate Agnetha's song. So sue me.

#3 - Toy Soldiers by Martika - I don't know what it was about exactly, but it was a HUGE hit that I haven't heard in years.

#4 - Blood Makes Noise by Suzanne Vega - Yes, I'm stepping out of the 80s just a squink (like those "80s and more!" stations), but this song gets very little love. We remember Luka, and Tom's Diner, but Blood Makes Noise is my absolute favorite Suzanne Vega song. So there.

Previously:
Blast from the Past: Forgotten 80s, #3
Blast from the Past: Forgotten 80s, #2
Blast from the Past: Forgotten 80s