ABBA were treated as “enemies” in Sweden at the height of their popularity
ABBA became famous, but says that Swedish critics did not support their music. Photo / Delivered
ABBA was treated as “enemies” in Sweden during its heyday.
The iconic pop group – Agnetha Faltskog, Björn Ulvaeus, Benny Andersson and Anni-Frid Lyngstad – were disapproved of by the “progressive movement” in Sweden when they first appeared on stage.
Björn explained: “You know, in Sweden there was this progressive movement in music, and we were the enemies.”
However, the band did not worry so much about the reaction in Sweden, as they became one of the world’s most beloved pop groups.
Björn told the Guardian: “Personally, I did not pay attention to all that – it did not mean shit to me, even if they hated us.
“Because we got so much response from all over the world. From the beginning, we had contemporary colleagues, musicians, who liked what we did.”
Benny also admitted that he could not understand how perceptions about the group have changed so much over the years.
Reflecting on the differing views of critics, he said: “It’s hard to understand, you know, I really do not understand.”
ABBA has recently returned to the limelight with their long-awaited new album, Voyage.
And Björn revealed that they did not seek too many outside influences when they made the record.
Speaking about the current landscape of the music industry, he shared:
“We decided early on that we would not look at anything else.
“We’re just going to make the songs, the best songs we can right now. That meant I would write lyrics that I could get into some of my thoughts about the last 40 years and add some kind of depth that hopefully comes with age and it makes a difference. the one from the texts I wrote 40 years ago. “