Editor’s note: Arachnophonia is a regular feature on our blog where members of the UR community can share their thoughts about resources from the Parsons Music Library‘s collection.
All links included in these posts will take you to either the library catalog record for the item in question or to additional relevant information from around the web.
Today’s installment of Arachnophonia is by student worker Olivia (class of 2019) and features a compilation of songs by the Sweedish pop group Abba. Thanks, Olivia!
This 1994 collection of Swedish pop group ABBA’s most popular songs, recorded from 1972 through 1982, is an absolute classic. As the second Mamma Mia movie has recently been released, I felt it was time we looked back and appreciated this fabulous music group for all the music they’ve given us (and for what they WILL be giving us – news is that the group is set to release 3 new songs in 2019!).
ABBA, also known as Björn & Benny, Agnetha & Anni-Frid, banded together in Stockholm in 1972. They can proudly claim to be one of the best selling music acts of all time, as they’ve sold an estimated 300-500 million records worldwide. Bestselling songs include “Dancing Queen,” “Waterloo,” “Fernando,” and my personal favorite, “Gimme! Gimme! Gimme! (A Man After Midnight).”
When a person thinks of ABBA, they most likely envision a group of four Swedes with voluminous 70’s styled hair, dressed in spectacular costumes, dancing emphatically on stage, having the time of their lives. This is why I appreciate them so much – the energy, positivity, lightness and uplifting emotion the songs bring out in listeners are infectious and inspiring. It feels so good to belt out “Lay All Your Love On Me,” twirl around to “Honey, Honey,” and it is a well known fact that no one stays quiet when “Dancing Queen” comes on over the speakers. It’s no wonder they’ve stayed popular over so many years; the feelings that their songs evoke in listeners are timeless.
While the group isn’t planning on touring (in person) any time soon, there is word that a futuristic “hologram tour” (yes, you read that right) is set to debut in 2019 or 2020. All I know is that I have to be there…
