Ask Ian

1 September 2003
updated 18 October 2003

If you have anything more to add to these answers, please write to Ian!

When I was about ten years old I had a white/cream coloured jumper with the ‘Arrival’ album cover printed on the torso. The arms of this jumper were of a darker brownish colour (from memory). Where do you think I should look for this jumper in a bigger size? I suppose I could find the image on the Net or something and make my own iron-on transfer. Just thought you may be able to advise. Thank you. o) Seamus, Sydney, Australia. :o)

Would you believe that I had that very same jumper – mine had yellow sleeves. None of that original ABBA merchandise has been available since the late 70s. You might get lucky and find one on eBay or at some second hand shop, though if one did turn up it would probably be rather expensive. If you want to have something to wear, I’d suggest having something made up yourself – many T-shirt shops can print your own photos onto a shirt.

I was recently at a Cancer Camp and the woman played ‘I Believe In Angels’. It was on an ABBA CD but did not write down the CD name. I would really appreciate your help. Thanks, Leah

The song is called ‘I Have A Dream’. You’ll find it on ABBA’s album ‘Voulez-Vous’, and on the compilations ‘ABBA Gold’ or ‘The Definitive Collection’. All should be available from any good music shop.

Can you help my 11 year old daughter; who is trying to find the sheet music for ‘Thank You For The Music’ and ‘Super Trouper’, for a singing competition. Although we managed to get a backing track it has singers on at the chorus bits. Bec

There is a music folio for the ‘ABBA Gold’ collection that has both songs. If you can’t find it locally, Music Sales has it available for mail order, along with a wide selection of other ABBA sheet music books.

I’m not really sure why that particular order of names was chosen. The credit “Andersson/Ulvaeus” was firmly established in the early Seventies (before that, some songs had been credited “Ulvaeus/Andersson”), and perhaps they felt it flowed better with Stig Anderson’s name in the middle, rather than tagged on the end. When the musical ‘Chess’ was released, a similar credit was used, with Tim Rice’s name appearing between Benny and Björn.

Several people have written to me suggesting that possibly the songwriting credits Andersson/Ulvaeus and Andersson/Anderson/Ulvaeus reflect the status of who composed the music and who wrote the lyrics, as this is the convention of many famous songwriting duos. While potentially a valid comment, I don't think that we can ever say that Benny and Björn's songwriting was ever that clear cut, at least until Benny started producing solo music with 'Klinga mina klockor'.

Despite what is a common misconception today, Benny and Björn composed songs together, and then for most (but not all) songs Björn would write the lyrics. Other song writing duos who do not follow the convention of composer/lyricist come to mind - Lennon/MacCartney (who, on The Beatles first LP were actually credited McCartney/Lennon) and Jagger/Richard, to name but two in the field of popular music. - Ian

Is it possible for ABBA fans to be able to contact ABBA band members via the internet? Is there an address fans could contact the band at? Dave.

I’m sorry, but that’s not possible. The former ABBA members are all private people. Many people write to ABBA members c/- Mono Music but it’s unlikely that you’ll get a response.

Why were two song titles of the Swedish version of ‘Chess’ changed between the première on stage and the release of the CDs? In the case of ‘Slag mitt hjärta slag’ (Beat, my heart, beat) turning to ‘Om han var här’ (If he were here) I'd be ready to accept that the new title is somehow catchier. But it's clearly the opposite in ‘Vem är jag’ (Who am I) becoming ‘Han är en man, han är ett barn’ (He is a man, he is a child). The new title strikes me as rather awkward, while ‘Vem är jag’ is so much stronger and more to the point of the song, since Svetlana is singing about her role in the relationship with Anatolij. Have you ever heard of a reason why the song titles were changed? Stephan, Germany

I really have no idea why this was done. Presumably someone (Benny? Björn?) thought that the changed titles were catchier in Swedish. It’s not the first time they’ve done this – several songs in ‘Kristina från Duvemåla’ changed title on the way from stage to disc, and even some original ‘Chess’ titles changed from the concept album to the stage and through various later productions.

Who sings backing vocals on ‘Conociéndome, Conociéndote’? Carl Magnus Palm ('Complete Recording Sessions', p. 95) makes it sound like Björn and Benny were not at all involved in the Spanish recordings in early 1980. But the backing vocals in the chorus (the Spanish equivalent of ‘This time we're through, this time we're through...’) sound a lot like the English ones by Björn. Would you say that he did contribute after all? Stephan, Germany

Those backing vocals certainly do sound a lot like the original English vocals, but to my ears it sounds like the two women, singing low. At the time when Agnetha and Frida were recording the vocals for the eight songs specifically for the 'Gracias Por La Música' album, Benny and Björn were away on a songwriting trip - as you would know from reading the CRS.

Would you happen to know if all four members of ABBA will be performing in Michigan on July 16th? If so, I am thinking about proposing to my girlfriend at their concert considering that July 16^th will be our 8th year anniversary of dating! Would you happen to know who their publicist is or how I could contact them. If so, I would greatly appreciate it. Thanks, Ed

None of the members of ABBA will be performing there or anywhere else. What there will be is a concert by ABBA tribute band Waterloo, who advertise that they feature “members of the original ABBA band”, which in truth means some of the session musicians who played on ABBA’s recordings and concert tours.

In the fabulous book ‘Bright Lights Dark Shadows’ Carl Magnus Palm writes that Agnetha was deliberately not asked to sing background vocals on Frida's Swedish performance of ‘Fernando’ just to make sure that this would be seen as a project outside of ABBA. Now I wonder: was Frida also not asked to sing background vocals on Agnetha's Swedish version of ‘SOS’ or is it her in the background ?’ By the way: yesterday there was a series of the 80s music show ‘Musikladen’ screened here in Germany. (originally aired November 11th 1982). It included Agnetha and Thomas Ledin with ‘Never Again’. Then Agnetha is filmed while saying. ‘Here's my colleague Frida and her new song ‘To Turn The Stone’ and then the video was shown. I never saw it before but compared to the relatively interesting ‘I Know There's Soemthing Going On’ video it's poorly made and Frida looks so disenchanted as if she knew that this wasn't going to be very good. Thank you very much and regards to Australia, Oliver

I suspect that Frida does sing on Agnetha’s Swedish recording of ‘SOS’ – she’s credited as part of the “kör” (choir) on the album ‘Elva kvinnor i ett hus’. You’re right about the clip for ‘To Turn The Stone’ – the production quality is way below that of ‘I Know There’s Something Going On’. The only time that I know of it being screened was on that particular episode of Musikladen

Heard rave reviews about ‘Mamma Mia!’ Imagine our great surprise while on vacation in Malta that ABBA's Unique Musical, called ‘Chess’ was going to be in Valletta, Malta on May 18, 2003. We get tickets along with another couple and attend without a doubt the worst show we had ever seen in our lives. We along with a number of other people walked out after the first act. Was this really an ABBA production? Poor is being kind as a description to this "unique musical" John

‘Chess’ is the first musical project that Benny and Björn (with British lyricist Tim Rice, of ‘Jesus Christ Superstar’ and ‘Evita’ fame) worked on after ABBA. The original “concept” album was released in late 1984, and the show premiered in London in 1986. Since then, it’s been modified over the years, and in recent years there’s been a fairly standardized version that’s been performed in smaller theatres around the world.

Can you please tell me (for my husbands sake) is Frida's hair a natural blonde or is it now grey. Thanks, Norma

I’ve got no idea what her natural hair colour might be these days – she’s been colouring it for so many years. Her current blonde look is definitely not natural.

The A*Teens were originally called the ABBA Teens, and were put together by Stockholm Records in Sweden in 1999 to record ABBA songs with a current sound – sort of like a junior ABBA for today. After their first single release (‘Mamma Mia’), their name was changed at the insistence of Benny, who said that “ABBA is ABBA and nothing else”, though Björn had initially approved of their use of the name. Their first album was called ‘The ABBA Generation’ and consisted of all ABBA songs. Since then, they have been successful with all new material. The group members themselves are not related to ABBA in any way.

I am sure that you have been asked this question many times, but is there ever likely to be an ABBA get together (come back)? Don't you think that it would be the greatest come back of all time? And I am sure would please millions of fans old & new. Steve.

It seems highly unlikely that ABBA will ever reform publicly, though the four have sung together at private parties occasionally since the group ended, the most recent known occasion in June 1999 for their friend and business colleague Görel Hanser’s 50th birthday.

I want to sing ‘Like An Angel Passing Through My Room’ written by Benny Andersson and Bjorn Ulvaeus, 1981 Union Songs AB, Stockholm and I can't seem to find the sheet music anywhere. Can you help me? Thanks in advance. Deborah Roessner

You might find it in one of the many music folios available from Music Sales.

How come no where on the web can I see anything about the third ‘ABBA Gold’ trilogy titled 'Forever Gold'. ‘Forever Gold’ came out after ‘More ABBA Gold' in the late 90s. I purchased it from my country - Bangladesh about two years back. The first track on ‘Forever Gold’ is 'As Good As New' and it contains the Spanish version of 'Gimme, Gimme..' along with 'Me And I', 'Hole In Your Soul', That's Me', etc. I'm sure it's not an ABBA album that came to my hands from 'The Twilight Zone'! Then how come there's no mention of it anywhere where ABBA CDs are on sale? Please shed light on my query. Thanks a lot in advance. O.S.Siddiq

That sounds a bit like a semi-official local release, something that is rather common across Asia. There was an official internationally released compilation ‘Forever Gold’, but this was simply ‘ABBA Gold’ and ‘More ABBA Gold’ packaged together with a new cover, sometimes with a slipcase and a limited edition bonus single of ‘Put On Your White Sombrero’. This particular compilation is no longer available.

As a matter of interest do we know what Inger Brundin was singing when she was "frequently" with ABBA? Early stuff, obviously, but do we know what songs they were? What engagements they were? It would be interesting to know. Genevieve

Do you have any info on how well or how bad the ‘More ABBA Gold’ CD sold world wide? Thanks, Terri, USA

It’s hard to say exactly how valuable those sorts of things are. It’s true that many items sell for quite high prices on eBay, but personally I don’t think a lot of things are really worth what people are paying. If I were to place what I think would be a fair price, I would say maybe US$20 would be the top price for the Annuals, and US$10 for a single issue of the magazine, except for the first couple of issues which are truly rare.

I'm not sure if you will be able to answer my question, but I've looked everywhere and cannot find an answer. I'm playing in the orchestra for the musical ‘Chess’ and am wondering if you know what original synthesizers were used for the Broadway recordings? I have a feeling they used a Yamaha DX7, but I'm not certain. Do you know anything about this or would you be able to point me in the right direction? Thanks for any help you can provide! Nick, Windsor, Ontario, Canada

Is the book ‘On Speaking Terms’ available in the English version? If it is, how may one go about buying it? Thanks. Kangdirm

I was planning a trip to Stockholm and would be there on Monday 12th as well. Now that’s the day of the Polar Music Prize, as I read on your site. Only now it seems the ticket fare is a bit more expensive. Do you think (or have you any confirmation) Frida will attend the ceremony? Best regards Stany, Belgium 5 May

I would like to remind you all to please try not to write in with questions about events coming so soon, as I may not get to answer them until the event has passed. It's best to check ABBAMAIL's Latest News page for coming events.

Can you tell me what ever happened after the break up? Do the girls still sing? I heard they went solo, but it went bad, and also what do they do now, are they in hiding?, I always loved them, it's too bad we couldn't e-mail them to ask them question. Is it true that they were offered 1 billion to perform? Thank you Fran Letourneau

Yes, it's apparently true that ABBA were offered $1 billion dollars to reform, for 100 concerts plus a new album.

Could you tell me all the dates all the many ABBA Tribute bands will be touring in Massachusetts, or East Coast area of U.S.A., please? I found out too late one was in Rhode Island this year. Last year I saw "Waterloo" tribute band and they were surely the next best thing to the real "ABBA" ,and I believe some in the audience were fooled ! Thanks very much. Geraldine

I know that the Swedish tribute band Waterloo are touring the US again this year, but that’s the only one that I’m aware of at this time. See their site

For many months I´ve been looking for the autograph address from Agnetha. But all my tryings to find the address weren´t successful. I heard from another Agnetha fan that he gets an autograph from Agnetha over Mono Music in Sweden. So I wrote to Mono Music. But they gave me the answer, that they haven´t autographs in the record company and I should try to contact an ABBA Fan-Club. So I hope that you can help me to find the autograph address. It means so much to me to get an autograph from Agnetha. With best wishes from Hagen/Germany, Tobias Woelk

You could try the Official International Agnetha, Benny, Björn, Frida Fan Club, but I can’t guarantee that they’ll be able to supply an autograph.

I have looked all over the internet and am yet to find pictures from the 'ABBACadabra' musical. I have found pics from single sleeves etc. but only one onstage performance at Elaine Paige’s website. I wonder if anyone knows of anywhere to get some pics. Thanks in advance, Michael.

I've just discovered that Benny and Björn wrote and produced an album for a Swedish singer called Josefin Nilsson in 1993. I can't find any reviews of the album and I'm intrigued as to whether it's any good. Obviously I'm not expecting the brilliance of ABBA but if it comes close then I will get a copy! Any idea what it's like?  Many thanks!  Matthew (in London)

The album was called ‘Shapes’, and it was released in Sweden on Benny’s Mono Music label in 1993. It was also released by Sony Music in the USA around 1998. To the best of my knowledge, it’s no longer available. I’ve not heard it for a long time, but the sound was not really like ABBA, perhaps more like the two albums that B&B produced for Gemini in the mid-80s. You can read more about Josefin and the album at this fan site, and also on the Mono Music site, where you can hear sample of a couple of songs.

A recent question to you from an Abba fan inquired about Josefin Nilsson's CD "Shapes". It can be bought through www.cdeurope.com

Cheers, Mark Butler NSW Australia.

I need to get (for my best friend) the name of an ABBA song, which includes the line: "I don´t wanna talk". Could you please help me? In which album is include this song? Thanks in advance & regards from Spain, Máximo

That song is ‘The Winner Takes It All’, one of ABBA’s biggest hits. You’ll find it on their album ‘Super Trouper’, as well as the compilations ‘ABBA Gold’ and ‘The Definitive Collection’.

I am in desperate search for a picture of Frida onstage 1979 performing ‘Why Did It Have To Be Me’ but wearing the Wolverhampton Wonderers (Wolves) strip. It would have been at Bingley Hall Stafford. That’s all I know. Dudley, UK

I’ve seen quite a few pictures of Frida wearing different jerseys at different concerts – she wore the jersey of some local sporting team at each concert – but I don’t recall ever seeing that particular one. You could check out the huge ABBA Picture Gallery site, which has thousands of ABBA photos, but you’ll have to go searching – the various galleries are in no particular order.