Thank you for the music, ABBA

Think Abba and tracks like ‘Mama Mia’, ‘Dancing Queen’, ‘Chiquitita’, ‘Gimme! Gimme! Gimme!’, ‘Fernando’ and ‘Thank You For The Music’ ring in your ears. Despite new genres and styles coming up, the recent announcement of two new songs from Abba, namely ‘I Still Have Faith In You’ and ‘Don’t Shut Me Down’, has brought excitement to a lot of fans.

Long after the musical ‘Mamma Mia!’, which has been staged since 1999 and the namesake film which hit the screens in 2008, ABBA’s diehard fans were looking forward to the upcoming film ‘Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again’.

And now with new songs, ABBA enthusiasts are super thrilled. As the post on their official site says, “We may have come of age, but the song is new! And it feels good.”

‘They are taking a massive risk’
Rickey Kej, Grammy-winning composer and music producer
“A bunch of their songs were anthems in my childhood, even though I am not a hardcore fan. It was a refreshing and exhilarating experience to see the movie make it big and take us back to their tracks. There were a lot of cover versions floating around. When it comes to music which has a hint of nostalgia, it always reminds you of what you were when you heard a song first.
If the rumours of ABBA doing a tour are true, I would definitely want to attend it. Also, it is encouraging for me as an artiste to see them coming out with fresh music. It’s always a double-edged sword. If the songs are exactly like their earlier songs, they might sound dated. On the other hand, a modern song might cause a disconnect. They are taking a massive risk by coming out with new music now but let’s hope for the best.”
Favourite songs: ‘Money Money Money’, ‘Dancing Queen’, ‘Fernando’ and ‘Chiquitita’.

‘I am curious’
Sumalatha Ambareesh, actor
“ABBA’s music reminds me of the golden era, the hairstyle, the bling, spirit and fun associated with their music. Their music also represented a better time. I am a diehard fan and I remember making it a point to watch the play ‘Mamma Mia!’ at London during a visit, since I loved their songs.
The buzz about an old band coming out with new music often raises a lot of questions and hype. People expect a lot and some feel that the band or artiste could have just stayed that way instead of coming back with new creations. I am curious as I grew up in that era with lively disco music and would want to know what new they have to offer.”
Favourite songs: ‘I Have A Dream’, ‘Take A Chance On Me’ and ‘Money Money Money’.

‘Their music has harmony’
Suraj Mani, singer-songwriter and composer
“My father and family used to listen to ABBA. I relate their songs to family time and how we appreciated the songs sitting together. I don’t think ABBA ever had a bad song. Their music has harmony. I am pleasantly surprised that an old band making new music is triggering so much conversation. People around me, who are from the music fraternity, have been discussing this news a lot. The very excitement indicates that the band still have an audience. I am looking forward to seeing how music like theirs will sound now. People are looking to reconnect with themselves with such a move.”
Favourite song: ‘Dancing Queen’

‘Their lyrics mean something’
Sudharani, actor
“I must have been eight or nine years old when I started listening to them. There was a music video programme called ‘Hot Tracks’ on Doordarshan, where the music videos of ABBA would come regularly. Those were the only times when we could see the video and I was enamoured by their jazzy costumes and makeup. The dance movements in the videos would be simple yet eye-catching. The band’s announcement of new songs is exciting. We need to revisit pure classics and listen to real talent. Their songs have a good zing and the lyrics mean something.”
Favourite songs: ‘Mamma Mia’ and ‘Dancing Queen’.

‘It will be really refreshing’
Neeraja V, software engineer and avid ABBA fan
“The news that the band is coming out with new songs is exciting. It will be refreshing for people to listen to songs by artistes they have grown up listening to. I am sure that if they stick to their original style, the new songs would be a good change from the regular.
Abba’s songs were the first pop songs I have ever listened to. Their lyrics were simple and clean and their songs were not taboo. Our teachers used to recommend listening to the songs so that we could learn new words. After watching the film ‘Mamma Mia!’, I loved their works.”
Favourite songs: ‘Waterloo’, ‘Does Your Mother Know’ and ‘Take A Chance On Me’.