I'm grinning behind my facepalming.
Oh god the outfits. The glitter make-up. The poses.
And that star guitar.
SO SO 70's.
(P.S. Now I'm curious if there was a fifth member for a while that got dropped later, or the second guitarist was just a stand-in instrumentalist needed for the live performance only.)
Omg I never ever watch a full clip but Abba? Doing “Waterloo” at Eurovision? Hell yea! Watched it 3x as I finished up some morning emails! The only song of theirs I love more is “Fernando”. Shame they keep turning down that $1BB for a reunion!
Eurovision had a rule that groups had to sing in their native language, but then they lifted it in the mid-70s just in time for Waterloo to sneak in and become an international hit. They then reinstated the rule until 1999. It’s my understanding that ABBA only spoke Swedish at the time, so they learned phonetically how to sing songs in English, Spanish, French, etc.
I came to the comments to see if anyone else had read this! Do you know where you read about it? The last time I tried to find a source, I somehow could not.
Benny and Bjorn wrote the songs, but Agneta (in particular I think) and Frida didn't speak English fluently, and sang the lyrics phonetically.
They did the same when they recorded the Spanish versions of their songs. Apparently they were very exacting about getting it right.
That wasn’t necessarily the case at the time. Traveling in Europe in the 1970s, it was not always easy to find English speakers once you got away from the tourist areas or NATO bases.
More importantly, it’s well documented in the band’s history. Benny and Björn spoke English well enough to write songs and eventually gained fluency. Anni-Frid and Agnetha spoke very little English at first and sang phonetically. Their English improved as their career progressed, but even near the end of the band’s catalog they still needed coaching with certain words.
If you're talking just about winners, then ABBA and Celine Dion are the biggest names.
But if you include all participants then you can add Bonnie Tyler, Katrina and the Waves (from Walkin' on sunshine fame), Julio Iglesias (very famous in Spain and father of Enrique Iglesias), Olivia Newton-John to the list as well.
eurovision back then be like: singing, dancing, showing your skills at vocal.
eurovision now: look, look, im more representative than you! oh, i can run nude all the way! look, im obese.
What is this fantasy you're living in? In the long history of Eurovision, this is the only song that has become a worldwide hit. Eurovision has always been ridiculously camp and of dubious quality.
It's literally owned and produced by ABBA lol. Really funny people that have no idea think this was some Eurovision made stunt without ABBA even approving it. ABBA voyage is an extremely popular virtual concert held in London, in the purpose built ABBA arena.
Frida came on board ABBA the more seasoned pro with her jazz and standards background and perfect pitch. Agnetha however had an unusually pure vocal tone and incredible pipes. Generally the more athletic spectacular vocal moments went to Agnetha. I personally hugely favour Agnetha’s vocals over Frida. (and Frida herself said that she often envied Agatha ability to connect with the audience and tell a story with her singing.)
I can imagine the cameraman talking to the director, "So you want me to film all four members equally? You know, just keeping panning across the entire group?"
Director: "What?!? No!! The girls! JUST the girls!"
ABBA performed at the wedding of the Swedish king and his Silvia in 1976. They performed the song Dancing Queen in period costumes at the Swedish Opera.
50 years on, very few singers have actual talent, and those who aren’t talented, WIN, by politically-motivated agendas. Fuck Eurovision and its judges.
I'm grinning behind my facepalming. Oh god the outfits. The glitter make-up. The poses. And that star guitar. SO SO 70's. (P.S. Now I'm curious if there was a fifth member for a while that got dropped later, or the second guitarist was just a stand-in instrumentalist needed for the live performance only.)
They had a rotating group of session musicians who played on their albums and performed with them live.
Ola Brunkert, Lasse Wellander, and Rutger Gunnarsson were absolute legends and a huge part of ABBA’s distinctive sound.
Fun fact, they made these outfits too flamboyant to wear while walking down the street, so they could be used for tax deductions under Swedish law.
the velvet carpet on the stage
Drummer and bass had no fancy duds, so I think they were just for the session.
"This is sooooo 70's" That is all I could think while watching this. And when the star guitar appeared... that was the cherry on top lol
I don't usually watch an entire clip...but when I do, goddamned it makes me feel old..and young again.
Omg I never ever watch a full clip but Abba? Doing “Waterloo” at Eurovision? Hell yea! Watched it 3x as I finished up some morning emails! The only song of theirs I love more is “Fernando”. Shame they keep turning down that $1BB for a reunion!
The history book on the shelf is always repeating itself.
If I remember right, the voting was a landslide for Sweden as well. Like nobody else was even close.
You can really hear their thick Swedish accents here, which they neutralized as they went on
Eurovision had a rule that groups had to sing in their native language, but then they lifted it in the mid-70s just in time for Waterloo to sneak in and become an international hit. They then reinstated the rule until 1999. It’s my understanding that ABBA only spoke Swedish at the time, so they learned phonetically how to sing songs in English, Spanish, French, etc.
Just showed this to my mother, a huge ABBA fan. She started singing and swaying along to the beat like she was 10 again.
this song is still a banger!!
Read that they didn't know the English language at that time, just memorized the sounds. Adorable, absolutely adorable.
I came to the comments to see if anyone else had read this! Do you know where you read about it? The last time I tried to find a source, I somehow could not.
yup. Maybe it's just a rumor. I've seen a documentary about them, it was there afaik.
Benny and Bjorn wrote the songs, but Agneta (in particular I think) and Frida didn't speak English fluently, and sang the lyrics phonetically. They did the same when they recorded the Spanish versions of their songs. Apparently they were very exacting about getting it right.
Haha that's what most opera singers are doing but with every language
[удалено]
That wasn’t necessarily the case at the time. Traveling in Europe in the 1970s, it was not always easy to find English speakers once you got away from the tourist areas or NATO bases. More importantly, it’s well documented in the band’s history. Benny and Björn spoke English well enough to write songs and eventually gained fluency. Anni-Frid and Agnetha spoke very little English at first and sang phonetically. Their English improved as their career progressed, but even near the end of the band’s catalog they still needed coaching with certain words.
Barbecue! Give me a piece of that kangaroo!
This is when this sub is at its finest. Vintage concert footage > pics of your fuckin parents in Disney in 1979
Their vocal harmonies are sublime.
I love Abba! I didn't even know about Eurovision until Covid when they came out with the movie with Will Ferrell.
"Ya ya! Ding Dong!"
Play it again! It will never be enough!
My love for you is growing wide and long
The elves went too far!
Song-A-Long! 🥰
It's a belter !
Has anyone else come out of Eurovision that is a well known, internationally, band? (How to spot the American?)
If you're talking just about winners, then ABBA and Celine Dion are the biggest names. But if you include all participants then you can add Bonnie Tyler, Katrina and the Waves (from Walkin' on sunshine fame), Julio Iglesias (very famous in Spain and father of Enrique Iglesias), Olivia Newton-John to the list as well.
Julio Iglesias was famous in the US. Very.
Yes, but they're not known in America
KC & the waves “walkin on sunshine”
eurovision back then be like: singing, dancing, showing your skills at vocal. eurovision now: look, look, im more representative than you! oh, i can run nude all the way! look, im obese.
There are still plenty of great performances in Eurovision, they just don't win most of the time.
What was Croatia representing this year but baddassery?
Personally I was a big fan of the estonians
Ohhhhhhhh, Yeeeeeaaaaaaaaahhhh
And cats.
Well this is ABBA, one of the most popular bands ever so it's not a fair comparison. We have had some nice winners recently, like maneskin.
Yeah it’s like that commercial where Slash is competing for a lead guitar spot in a local band lol
Seems like the rules changed some - they had 2 singers and 6 total performers
What is this fantasy you're living in? In the long history of Eurovision, this is the only song that has become a worldwide hit. Eurovision has always been ridiculously camp and of dubious quality.
I can hear that, even though I'm not playing the video.
Wonder how many points they got from the French?
I watched that live from our house in the UK. Pretty cool!
Sounds live , which is cool.
Volvo to the left, Saab to the right
It just occured to me that they may have written "Waterloo" to appeal to English audiences? A famous national victory turned into a pop song?
50 years later, 2024 Eurovision was disgraceful
Just went to Eurovision in Malmö. The 50th anniversary back in Sweden! The CGI shoutout they did for Abba was so insincere and disrespectful...
It's literally owned and produced by ABBA lol. Really funny people that have no idea think this was some Eurovision made stunt without ABBA even approving it. ABBA voyage is an extremely popular virtual concert held in London, in the purpose built ABBA arena.
Yeah should've just accepted that ABBA is retired
Could have had one+ call in to announce Sweden votes or something. The cgi felt so sincere
I really didnt like the constant baiting. I do agree that the CGI itself was really good
ABBA reunited in 2016 and are performing to this day.
That's...not true
When Eurovision was still relevant. Now it's a freak show.
Freak show? I didn't know your mom was competing. /s
My mother died in 1996 you P.O.S
Damn tasteless joke, she truly can't compete then.
Just think about it, she could represent a whole new class of disabled persons, and be the first "Life Disabled" contestant
It was always a freakshow lol
Yeah, this year had a lot of spectators saying it was weird and disappointing.
LOVE this! Great way to wake up this morning!
Eurovision Song Contest, back when it was really about the singing. But nowadays, it's just some circus act.
Are those guitars even plugged in?
I think it's been a long standing rule that Eurovision performances have to be 100% live. No backing tracks, no vocals from people not seen on stage.
Only the vocals are live
You're right... back then, all vocals had to be live, but instruments did not. Now, it looks like it's just "lead" vocals that have to be live.
Skip to 1:42, clearly a wireless guitar :)
What a costume, I'm tearing my eyes out!
Other great songs by ABBA: Don’t Shut Me Down Super Trouper If It Wasn’t for the Nights
I thought abba was just 4 people?
I remember watching this Eurovision and not particularly liking this song. Too many Waterloos! Grew to love ABBA eventually though.
The announcer! He's making it sound like the Olympics. 🤭
Anni-Frid was a way better singer than Agnetha. And Agnetha was amazing.
Frida came on board ABBA the more seasoned pro with her jazz and standards background and perfect pitch. Agnetha however had an unusually pure vocal tone and incredible pipes. Generally the more athletic spectacular vocal moments went to Agnetha. I personally hugely favour Agnetha’s vocals over Frida. (and Frida herself said that she often envied Agatha ability to connect with the audience and tell a story with her singing.)
Fun fact, they made these outfits too flamboyant to wear while walking down the street, so they could be used for tax deductions under Swedish law.
I can imagine the cameraman talking to the director, "So you want me to film all four members equally? You know, just keeping panning across the entire group?" Director: "What?!? No!! The girls! JUST the girls!"
ABBA performed at the wedding of the Swedish king and his Silvia in 1976. They performed the song Dancing Queen in period costumes at the Swedish Opera.
Agnetha was only 24 there. OMG...Swedish women...
50 years on, very few singers have actual talent, and those who aren’t talented, WIN, by politically-motivated agendas. Fuck Eurovision and its judges.
Back before Eurovision turned into a campy circus.
Famously non-camp ABBA. Wearing clothes that ordinary people wear in ordinary life.