Abba is certainly a force in pop music that proves what goes around comes around, and keeps coming. Bjorn Ulvaeus, Benny Andersson, Anni-Frid Lyngstad and Agnetha Faltskog also can attest to the adage of “never say never,” seeing that the group even surprised themselves with their sense of synchronicity when they got together to talk details of a virtual tour using avatars. According to the Associated Press and numerous other reports from April 27, the feeling was so fine for ABBA that they were inspired to create two new songs. Fans will have to bide their time for a few months before they can hear the tunes, but that only makes any “Dancing Queen’s” heart grow fonder.
Exuberant news
The closing words in the Instagram announcement from ABBA practically gushes straight from the screen with goodwill between the members, reflecting that “We may have come of age, but the song is new. And it feels good.” Many erstwhile ABBA fans have come of age, and then some. The group has continued to gain in followers since their 1982 break up, with their catalog becoming the backbone of film screen productions and Broadway stage hits.
Much of the resurgent fervor for the choruses on such hits as “Fernando,” “Take a Chance on Me,” and the infectious “Waterloo” was sparked by director P.J. Hogan's film, “Muriel's Wedding,” starring the multifaceted Toni Collette in the leading role.
Muriel finds solace in soaking herself in the songs of ABBA, pining for a love and life of her own while navigating the waves of her lovingly dysfunctional family.
The movie garnered such a following with its warm wedding story and sounds of ABBA echoing through scenes that Broadway's “Mamma Mia” ran with the same inspirational muse.
A string of Tony nominations came for the stage production in 2002, including Best Musical and Best Leading Actress in a Musical. Touring companies still draw large audiences for the colorful mix of costume, characters, and familiar sound. The sequel to the first “Mamma Mia” film, “Here We Go Again,” is set for release in July this year, with Cher added to the ensemble cast.
Naysayers may dismiss the music as light and lacking anything hard-core, but in one stream or another, the bucks keep rolling in, and no one can resist humming the soundtracks.
Teasing title
In their group social media statement, ABBA noted that “it was like time stood still and we had only been away for a short holiday,” referring to their creative kismet in the studio after the 35-year hiatus.
“I Still Have Faith in You” is the title of one of the songs, fitting for the way that ABBA faithful have always felt about their group. No hint of the second song is given. Holograms of the band will perform the song in December for a BBC special. The group dubbed the images “Abbatars,” and the new song will also be featured on NBC for the United States.
Another planned TV appearance will be announced later, with the virtual tour to span over 2019 and 2020.
As with their signature harmonies, ABBA is very good at keeping private things secret and has performed only once, for a private event in 2016, since their split. Perhaps if human fans display enough heart for hologram images of the group, the human ABBA will have a heart, and make an appearance.
