ABBA YEAR BY YEAR 1980-1984

All original ABBA and ABBA solo releases, are listed here, by year of release, the order of release within each year is approximate. Albums are listed by country of orgin, unless they were released widely throughout the world. The most recent available format of release (LP or CD) is what is listed and is what has been reviewed. Singles are listed only if they include non album tracks. Multi-artist collections are usually not listed unless they include tracks not available elsewhere. Bootleg lp's or CD's are not included in this listing. Related artists are included when it is deemed relevant or convenient to do so..

Click on the years below to go directly to that year.

1980 1981 1982 1983 1984

ABBA's later period 1980-1982 ABBA's last three years as a recording act featured a more adult,more autobiographical songwriting. Agnetha and Frida also sang a lot more as soloists on ABBA's records,and musically Benny's synthesizer began to dominate. The divorces of the group members helped lead to the end of the group. Being members of ABBA was not as much fun anymore! By 1983 both Agnetha and Frida resumed their solo careers. Bjorn and Benny began working with lyricist Tim Rice on the musical CHESS.

1980 1980 brought ABBA's least disliked album-Super Trouper as well as a full length Spanish language album...ABBA also played their last concerts ever -oddly enough in Japan. ABBA-Gracias Por LA Musicas 1980 Released in some territories. Made available on CD also. ABBA-THE MAGIC OF ABBA 1980 ABBA-Super Trouper 1980 Available worldwide on CD Mike Oldfield-QE2 1980 British CD    ***ABBA-Gracias Por LA Musicas June 1980 Released in some territories. Made available on CD also. The title means Thank You For The Music...But you knew that!!!! A specially recorded album of Spanish versions of ten ABBA songs that was put together after Spanish versions of "Chiquittita and "I Have A Dream" broke ABBA in Latin America. The Spanish versions of "Chiquittita and "I Have A Dream had been recorded during 1979.... In early 1980 Anna, and Frida found the time to record Spanish vocal tracks to dub onto the backing tracks of 8 more previously recorded songs .Some of the instrumention (notably Dancing Queen) seems to be different than the orignal recordings but this was due to the remixing process. However , mercifully Björn's spoken prologue to "Move On" was not included in the Spanish version.Somewhat shockingly, Björn and Benny had little involment in this project leaving it to Michael Tretow to run the vocal sessions. Buddy and Mary McCloskey did the transalations and according to Spanish speakers they only did a fair job. The ten songs chosen to be translated ranged from 1974 to 1979. The songs were chosen for their appropriateness for the Latin markert so some non-hits were chosen. This album has been released on CD both in it's original form and reissued in the original version of ABBA ORO. ABBA would also record two Spanish versions each songs from SUPER TROOPER and THE VISITORS albums. These would made available on the MAS ORO Cd and on the revised version of ORO, but these track were not on Gracias Por LA Musicas Although some people like some of the mixes on this album, in general the English versions are better. This album (or ORO) is great for Spanish speakers and completists but is not essential ABBA. Gracias Por La Música track listing: Gracias Por La Música ( "Thank You For The Music") /Reina Danzante ( "Dancing Queen") Al Andar ("Move On") /Dame! Dame! Dame! ( "Gimme! Gimme! Gimme! (A Man After Midnight)") /Fernando (Spanish version) / Estoy Soñando ( "I Have A Dream") . Mamma Mía (Spanish version) /Hasta Mañana (Spanish version) . Conociéndome, Conociéndote ("Knowing Me, Knowing You")/ . Chiquitita (Spanish version) ABBA-THE MAGIC OF ABBA 1980 American TV markerted LP A not too exciting American K-Tel Lp that in typical K-Tel fashion was loaded up with16 not very well mastered previously released ABBA hits. At least three later versions were tried in other countries . In 1982 K-Tel somehow managed to get 20 edited ABBA tracks onto one Lp for the Aussie version of "THE MAGIC OF ABBA".. At some point in the early eighties , the Canadians released the Story of ABBA which has the same track listing and cover as the American version ,but a different title.. THE MAGIC OF ABBA is also the is name of Stephen Morris ' ABBA website, which focuses on the ABBA in America.... 1. Dancing Queen 2. Take A Chance On Me 3. The Name Of The Game 4. Waterloo 5. Ring Ring 6. Does Your Mother Know 7. Angeleyes 8. S.O.S. 9. Fernando 10. Knowing Me, Knowing You 11. I Do, I Do, I Do, I Do, I Do 12. Mamma Mia 13. Honey, Honey 14. Money, Money, Money 15. Voulez-Vous 16. Chiquitita

*****ABBA-Super Trouper November 1980 Available worldwide on CD ABBA is mature and self assured here. On this album they dont try too go to much into one direction -we find, a little disco, a little theatre, a little whimsy, a little rock, a little folk, as well as some topical music here. Yet, the whole thing is a cohesive if perhaps a slightly bland record. Supposedly, this was ABBA's biggest selling studio album, but if that's true it's probably because of markert expansion. Björn by now ,is finally writing consistently good lyrics. His lyrics are finally reflecting his and the groups' own personal experiences. On the album and it's sister THE VISITORS . Abba addresses their own maturity, and personal heartaches. Pete Townsend noted that ABBA were one of the few rock acts to address middle age. On this album the group moves away from unison lead singing. Though there is still sound unison singing by Aggie & Frida, it tends to be just in the chorus or the backings.not in the whole song."The Winner Takes It All" was the biggesthit from the album, it features a virtuoso performence from Agnetha. It's a remarkably well written (if bland) song. "Super Trouper" featuring the lovely Frida was ABBA's last English # 1. A song about stage lighting, I dont know... This song is not overwhelming but it's endearing. It's features a monster hook in the chorus. "ON x3" is that rare thing -a ABBA song with better lyrics than the music.The lyrics are a goofy but funny. It obliquely reflects the influnence of the Beach Boys ,one of Benny's favorite groups. On x 3 was coupled on a 12 inch single in Great Britain with "Lay All Your On me" a better disco record than anything on VOULEZ-VOUZ. These two were a hit in American dance clubs but like so many of ABBA's later 45's flopped on the American single chart. Strangely, this single wasn't really pushed in most territories. The rest of the songs are uniformly intelligent, and non-objectionable. I like "Our last Summer" a lot. The lyric ( according to the PALM book) is based on actual romance Björn had in Paris in the 1960's. "Paris Restaurants ,"Morning croissants" is one of the most evocative couplet in the ABBA repertoire. This is ABBA song where you can actually get a mental picture from the lyrics. "ME and I' is a rather cheerful song about multiple personalities. LALOM and "Winner Takes It all " notwithstanding,it's seems that Frida was finally is getting her due when it comes to vocal opportunities. "Happy New Year" -ABBA never did a Christmas song-instead we get this, and the darn thing was already a year old when it came out. "The Piper" has a chorus singing on it-that almost sounds like it's not A&F but if so-thery are not credited. "The Piper" has some word's in LAtin. Is there a language that Björn doesn't know? It's not a fact that jumps out at you,but Agnetha sang lead (when there was a solo lead vocal) on more of ABBA's biggest hits than the Frida. This was probably simply because on record she tends to use a higher sweeter tone than Frida. Super Trou per closes with "The Way Old Friends Do." There was always something lacking in the song for me, which is a shame same because it's got a great melody and seems a much better signature song than "Thank You For The Music". Super Trouper is often regarded as ABBA's best all around album though most fans are more passionate about other albums. 1. Super Trouper; 2. The Winner Takes It All; 3. On And On And On; 4. Andante, Andante; 5. Me And I; 6. Happy New Year; 7. Our Last Summer; 8. The Piper; 9. Lay All Your Love On Me; 10. The Way Old Friends Do; BONUS TRACKS ON 2001 Remaster 11. Elaine; 12. Put On Your White Sombrero Mike Oldfield -QE2 Mike was famous for his classic instrumental albums -Tubular Bells I, II, and III.On this album he recorded a fairly good version of the title track from ABBA's Arrival album. He was one of the first "cool" musicians to record a ABBA cover...Mike even had a picture of him taken in a helicopter. Taurus /Sheba /Conflict /Arrival /Wonderful Land /Mirage /QE2 /Celt   / Molly

1981  1981 brought ABBA's last studio album as well as the divorce of Benny and Frida followed by Benny's marriage to Mona Norklit in December. ABBA-VERY BEST OF ABBA (1981) ABBA- Hovas Vittne /Tiveds Hambo (instrumental version) private single Jan. 1981 ABBA- THE MUST OF ABBA Early 1981? French L Mirelle Mathieu-"Bravo Tu As Gagne''" French single 1981 ABBA-The Readers Digest Box. 1982 5 lp set ABBA- THE MUST OF ABBA Early 1981? French L ABBA-DEZ ANOS Brazilian LP 1981 ABBA- A WIE ABBA & A VAN ABBA German and Dutch Lp 1981 Kicki Moberg-Kicki Moberg 1981 out of print LP Michael Tretow-Caramba 1981 Swedish Lp Ted Gardestad -Stormvarning 1981 Swedish CD ABBA-Anniversario Los 10 Anos De ABBA September 1981 Mexico Lp ABBA-Slipping Through My Fingers Mid to Late 1981 Japanese promo lp.. Finn Kalvik- NATT OG DAG, 1981 Swedish album ABBA- Fanfare for Ice hockey World Championship '81 Agnetha and Linda - NU TANDAS TUSEN JULEJUS 1981 Swedish CD. The Visitors 1981 Available worldwide on CD ABBA- Hovas Vittne /Tiveds Hambo (instrumental version) private single Jan. 1981 This two sided record was privately issued in January 1981 This was a tribute record for Stig this time, not as good as "Sang to Gorel" but still listenable. The a-side was written by Bjorn and Benny with lyrical help from Anna, Frida and Rune Soderqvist. The b -side is an instrumental version of old song written by Stig....These tracks have never been made commercially available by ABBA... ABBA- Magica De ABBA ABBA 1981 Venezuela Lp The K-tel people even released a ABBA compilation in the lucrative Venezuelan markert. There was very little dancing in Caracas... Mirelle Mathieu-"Bravo Tu As Gagne''/ Viens Chanter Pour               Le Bon Dieu " French single Mid 1981 For some reason Bjorn & Benny agreed to produce this French version of "The Winner Takes It All" for the French chanteuse -Mirelle Mathieu. The recording was made in Decmber 1980. Frida and Bjorn sing background vocals on this track. The French translation of the lyrics were written by Chales Level . The b-side is not ABBA related. This track can be found on a Danish compilation - Mireille MAthieu "Greatest hits". This track can also be found on the French album "Les plus grands succès Vol 3",but that particular album is probably out of print by now.. ABBA- THE MUST OF ABBA Early 1981? French LP (some sources says this album released in 1982) Here you go -a kind of 1981 version of ABBA GOLD that takes a strange journey from France to Germany , Brazil, The Netherlands and South Korea. Very similiar to Dez Anos and A Wie ABBA.. I am actually am not sure when this album was released-A couple of sources say 1980, and others say 1982...Trent Nickson's Worldwide Chart list says the album charted in France in early 1981-so that's what I am going with as a date.... The same 16 songs that can found found on the German album A Wie ABBA.-... Super Trouper /Knowing Me, Knowing You /Waterloo /Take A Chance On M/e/ Mamma Mia /I Have A Dream/The Name Of The Game ./ Fernando The Winner Takes It All Dancing QueenS.O.S.Gimme! Gimme! Gimme! I Do, I Do, I Do, I Do, I Do/Money, Money, Money Summer Night City/Chiquitita ABBA-DEZ ANOS Brazilian LP 1981 Yes that's Portuguese for-10 years , Ok it had only been nine, but who's counting... Dez Anos , is similiar to Must of ABBA. In the Brazilian only version it is a compilation of 14 songs ranging from "Waterloo to ""Super Trouper". The brazilian version is missing two tracks-The Name Of the Game and Mamma Mia that are found on Must of ABBA" Brought to you by the fine folks at the Somlivre label. ABBA-A VAN ABBA Dutch Lp Spring 1981 ABBA- A WIE ABBA German Lp November 1981 Same track listing as THE MUST OF ABBA .German and Dutch versions of the same album-. Yet another compilation with a track listing very similiar to Brazil's Dez Anos. The German/Dutch version though, has two additional tracks-The Name Of the Game and Mamma Mia. The Koreans also released a cassette version of this album...This album has a very 1980-ish yellow cover.... Super Trouper /Knowing Me, Knowing You /Waterloo /Take A Chance On Me/ Mamma Mia /I Have A Dream/The Name Of The Game ./ Fernando /The Winner Takes It All Dancing Queen/S.O.S./Gimme! Gimme! Gimme! I Do, I Do, I Do, I Do, I Do/Money, Money, Money Summer Night City/Chiquitita Kicki Moberg-Kicki Moberg February? 1981 out of print LP Agnetha does not sing or play on this album. , but I include this record because it shows how Agnetha was still writing songs at this point. This Polar release features two songs cowritten by Agnetha Faltskog. " Men Natten ar Var"   and " Har ar Mitt Lin " a Swedish version of the unreleased ABBA song-"I'm Still Alive".   ABBA-VERY BEST OF ABBA Japanese LP set July 1981 This set features 24 ABBA songs ranging in time from "Hasta Manana to "Lay All Your Love on me" One b-side is included -"Happy Hawaii".This is different album then the 1976 German ABBA collection with a similiar name.Supposedly the Japanese also released an album in 1981 called SLIPPING THROUGH MY FINGERS. Like, in Latiin American , ABBA became big in Japan only in the late 1970's and early 1980's. Record 1 1. The Winner Takes It All 2. Happy Hawaii 3. Chiquitita 4. The Name Of The Game 5. If It Wasn't For The Nights 6. Dancing Queen 7. Dum Dum Diddle 8. Knowing Me, Knowing You 9. That's Me10. My Love, My Life11. Money, Money, Money 12. I've Been Waiting For You Record 2 1. Lay All Your Love On Me 2. Take A Chance On Me 3. Thank You For The Music4. Eagle 5. Hasta Mañana 6. I Wonder (Departure) 7. Angeleyes 8. One Man, One Woman 9. I Have A Dream10. Lovers (Live A Little Longer) 11. Hole In Your Soul 12. Kisses Of Fire ABBA-Anniversario Los 10 Anos De ABBA September 1981 Mexico Lp Yes yes title means -"The Anniversary of Ten Years of Abba." Ok it had really only been nine years but who's counting. This set seems suspiciously like Gracias Por La musica, ....This album Went to #1 in Mexico..   Michael Tretow (Caramba) -Caramba 1981 Swedish LP This is another novelty Michael Tretow related album, this album has no ABBA involvement though Caramba features Ted Gardestad prominently....The Swedish markert hit here was" Hubba Hubba Zoot Zooot" Many of songs mimic the music of various places like Hawaii or Russia.....One song on here called "Aitho" sounds as if Frida is singing on it-but she is not..... : BLAZTAH 1 (Side A): ALI BABA , SPOTTNJIK HUBBA HUBBA ZOOT-ZOOT , EINE FEINE FIDO BLAZTAH A (Side B): AITHO , ANNA KAPOAE DONNA MAYA, AHLLO, CARHUMBA Ted Gardestad -Stormvarning 1981 Swedish CD ABBA's involvement died down on Ted's later albums. On this album, Benny produced one song, and Frida sang on that song. ABBA-Slipping Through My Fingers Mid to Late 1981 Japanese promo lp.. This promo lp is famous for having a bizarre cover that features the four members of ABBA standing on a huge vinyl record that says Coca-Cola. Keep in mind, that ,It's really hard to stand on a moving vinyl record... The record is also unusual in having a unique edited medley of four ABBA's songs. The original edition of this among the most expensive ABBA collectables.. Finn Kalvik- NATT OG DAG, 1981 Swedish album A second album produced by Benny Andersson for Finn on the Polar label... Agnetha and Linda - NU TANDAS TUSEN JULEJUS November 1981 Swedish CD. Remastered in 2004 without bonus tracks..... This album was actually recorded in late 1980, but held back for release till Late 1981 It was the only new studio ABBA solo album to recorded between 1976 and 1982. .This album is Agnetha's contribution to the world of Christmas music. Both this and Agnetha's later childrens album seem to be easier to get into if your actually Swedish .. The title track is a Swedish Christmas standard, which means in English "-A thousand Candles Are being lit".Agnetha, Linda and a bunch of children recorded this Swedish language Christmas album. Michael B .Tretow engineered-note how He speeds up the children's voices on occasion. Some of the ABBA band play on this album. Agnetha only sings some of the time. Though this is more listenable then Aggie's later album with her son Christian it remains a non-essential album. The best thing about the album is the cover. It quite literally portrays Agnetha and her daughter surrounded by good percentage of the 1000 candles that are referred to in the title. Agnetha looks like a Angel. This CD was released by Polar in 1987. The original album came out while ABBA still existed. This album was recently re- issued in tandem with a 1972 Polar Christmas LP on a Swedish CD called JULENS MUSIK. Nej se dat snöar/ Bjällerklang/ Nu tändas tusen juleljus/ Två små röda luvor/ Nu står jul vid snöig port/ Jag såg mamma kyssa tomten/ När juldagsmorgen glimmar/ Potpurri/ Mej mitt vinterland/ Så mitt lyser stjärnan/ Mössens julafton/ När det lider mot jul ****ABBA- The Visitors November 1981 Available worldwide on CD THE VISITORS is a often somber record. Look at the cover,for the first time there are four separate people, No smiles, but at least for once they look like real people. It also has quite a beautiful cover. This album though successful was the start of ABBA's quick commercial decline. This was their studio album since RING RING that did not have two solid worldwide hits. THE VISITORS ,despite it's mixed commercial success (and even mixed reviewsat the tim,e) was a culimination, something that wouldn't perhaps have seemed possible in the days of "Waterloo.This was a record to be proud of .Recording an album like THE VISITORS significantly enhanced the ABBA ouvre. Yet, it was easier to appreciate THE VISITORS because ABBA had previously did more accessible ,more commercial work. All the songs on THE VISITORS have clearly distinquishable lead vocalists.Four songs are sung by Frida, four by Agnetha, and one by Björn. The Frida songs are all adventurous, sometimes weird tracks, The remaining tracks except for "Soldiers" are more conventional ,but still very intelligent. Like SUPER TROUPER this album is blessed with very stronglyrics and a refreshingly adult approach. The title track seems to about a person who is anxious about being visited by Secret Police. The lyric itself doesn't explicitly state that and the "Cracking Up" chorus tends to obscure the meaning of the song a little. Indeed the verse and the chorus are almost two diferent songs. Like many 80's ABBA songs"The Visitors" has some sublime synthesizer work by Benny. "One of Us" was this albums hit single. The mandolin intorduction performed by The Three Boys (Björn,Lasse and Rutger) is so good that it almost outshines the rest of song-which is nevertheless a solid song. "Head Over Heels" was also released as a single in a few places but shouldn't have been. It's failure as a single in Great Britain broke ABBA's streak of 18 top ten hit singles. "Head Over Heels" comes off sounding spiteful. The entertaining video for "Head Over Heels" has Frida portraying the headstrong woman described in the song. In a few places "When All is Said and Done" was released as a single.IT was ABBA's very last Top 40 hit in America. It has quite a vigorous backing track ,the song islightened up a little by "munchkin' style background vocals. It has an extremely evocative lyric. "I let The Music Speak" is a little known ABBA song but certainly seems to presage Björn and Benny's post ABBA work. Once again the lyric is just as good as the exquistite musical backing. "Soldiers" another topical political song of uncertain political leaning is made even more interesting by Per Lindvall drum part. "Slipping Through My finger" is perhaps more interesting becasue it is clearly written about Björn's and Agnetha's personal experience with not being able to spend as much time with their children as they would like, it was a lyric that many people could relate to. The album closes with "Like An Angel Passing Through My Room'. The song just has Benny playing and Frida singing on it and yet is so evocative. Frida's high notes towards the end really bespeak wistfully of a ending of something, in way it is surprising that ABBA went on one more year but they did. Many of the songs on THE VISITORS were recorded digitally making this one of the first digital pop albums. The Visitors is ABBA' s most artistic album, but it is only a so-so pop album. 1. The Visitors; 2. Head Over Heels; 3. When All Is Said And Done; 4. Soldiers; 5. I Let The Music Speak; 6. One Of Us; 7. Two For The Price Of One; 8. Slipping Through My Fingers; 9. Like An Angel Passing Through My Room; BONUS TRACKS ON 2001 Remaster: 10. Should I Laugh Or Cry; 11. The Day Before You Came; 12. Cassandra (new bonus track) 13. Under Attack ABBA- Fanfare for Ice hockey World Championship '81 A short synthesizer fanfare written by B&B that was released only privately as part of Polar Music Annual report ,but it also was used in the original Dick Cavett meets ABBA TV special as well in a ice hockey championship. It was the first of at least three obscure pieces that Benny wrote for sport events.. 1982 In 1982 the last recordings by ABBA were made and Frida resumed her solo career. Hootenanny Singers -FÖR KÄRLEKS SKULL1982 Out of print Swedish Lp Frida-Something's Going On -1982 Available internationally on Cd TOMAS LEDIN-HUMAN TOUCH 1982 Swedish lp with some international releases. ABBA-The Singles-The First Ten Years 1982 Released on CD but phased out ABBA-THE SINGLES-THE FIRST TEN YEARS 1982 2 picture Lp set vinylUK ABBA-The Best of ABBA (The Readers Digest Box). Austrailia, Germany 1982 5-LP ABBA-POR SIEMPRE 1982 Lp ABBA-ABBAantogiABBA 1982 Spanish Lp ABBA-ABBA International 1982? 1984? 1989*German CD ABBA=The Magic of ABBA Australia LP ABBA- THE MUST OF ABBA 1982 French LP ABBA-DISCO SPECIAL-1 ABBA-DISCO SPECIAL-2 ABBADANCING SPECIAL-L ABBA-LOVE SOUNDS SPECIAL - All 1982 Japanese Lp releases ABBA-OS GRANDES SUCESSOS DE ABBA 1982 Brazilain LP Hootenanny Singers -FÖR KÄRLEKS SKULL1982 Out of print Swedish Lp A second Hootz release an album without Björn ,how dare they! Some traditional songs but also a Swedish version of the Keith carradine song -"I'm easy', and a song by Benny Andersson protege-Finn Kalvik. This has been the Hootz final original studio album up to now. TRACK LISTING KOM UT, KOM FRAM SKÄRGÅRDSVIND EN VISA OM ARTON SVANAR JAG BÖRJAR REDAN SAKNA DEJ INGA-LILL EN MORGON I MAJ OCH HAVET ÄR STORT JAG ÄLSKAR EN GAMMAL MAN JUST NÄR DAGEN BLIVET KVÄLL FÅGEL BLÅ ABBA-DISCO SPECIAL-1 ABBA-DISCO SPECIAL-2 ABBA-DANCING SPECIAL ABBA-LOVE SOUNDS SPECIAL - All June 1982 Japanese Lp releases These are four separate compilation albums were all released concurrently during 1982 by ABBA's then Japanese label DISCOMATE. Each album has a strange mixture of tracks from various ABBA albums.Only one rarity was included- the 1979 b-side "Lovelight" Each album has ten songs. At least two of these albums were released on colored vinyl. ABBA-THE Spanish album, April 1982 Gracias Por La musica received a belated release in Australia,in this version it has a different title... ABBA-ABBAantogiABBA Late Summer 1982 Spanish Lp Cool titlle ! Espana's Carnaby label put out this 11 track compilation...cos they had nothing else to do that week. Although the track listing is all 70's stuff-the cover photo is from 1982.... SIDE A -Waterloo /Dancing Queen /Summer Night City /I Have A Dream /Mamma Mia/ Fernando SIDE B Thank You For The Music/ Chiquitita Knowing Me, Knowing You /Gimme! Gimme! Gimme! Voulez-Vous ABBA-ABBA International 1982? 1984? 1989*German CD The CD version of this doesn't have a copyright date-so I havent been able to confirm the release date. More than one source says this album was released in 1982, one source says 1984....one source (CARL MAGNUS PALM) said 1989 and one said 1988. It may be that the cassette version was released before the CD Version.... Not every ABBA compilation album was stupid, redundant and pointless, there have a been few that actually used good ideas. The idea behind this compilation was to throw in some of ABBA's non-English recordings with some b-sides and hits. This CD was originated in Germany by Polygram.This CD is no longer available but at the time of it's release it provided the CD debuts for a number of ABBA's rare tracks. About half of the tracks were the usual hits like "Dancing Queen" "Eagle" was featured in the edit version (which even in 1989 was more interesting than aggravating.) This CD has the German versions of "Ring Ring" and Another Town Another Train", The Spanish version of "Chiquitiita", the French Version of "Waterloo" and three non- album B-sides -"Happy Hawaii"."Take A chance On Me "(live),and "I Wonder (live)'. All of these tracks were not widely available on Cd at the time. The original cassette version of this included five additional tracks, one of which was the then hard-to find b-side-""Crazy World".So the record company tries hard, but they lose points for leaving out some of the other foreign language tracks such as the Swedish versions of" Waterloo",Ring Ring and "Honey Honey".   Track listing -Ring ring (German vers.) *Honey Honey, Intermezzo No1/Waterloo(French) *The Visitors/Take A Chance On Me (Live) /Gimme X3/I've Been Waiting for You/Happy Hawaii/SOS/Rock N Roll Band/ *Crazy World/People Need Love/*Mamma Mia/ Wer Im Wartesaal er Liebe Steht(German vers. of Another Town, Another Train/Rock Me/ The Winner Takes it All/ I Wonder (Live ver.) Eagle (edit) *Voulez-Vous/ Dancing Queen/I Have A Dream -*CASSETTE Only tracks     ABBA-The Best of ABBA (The Readers Digest Box). Australia, Germany 1982 5-LP set. No longer available Among the first ABBA box sets. Haven't seen this but it's supposed to be a five LP box set with previously released material, including hits , album tracks, and 3 or so b-sides. Reader Digest also put out a similar 4CD box set in 1993 and 2004. TOMAS LEDIN- THE HUMAN TOUCH September ? 1982 Swedish lp with some international releases.   Tomas Ledin was a bit of ABBA/Stig protege. He went along as the male background singer on ABBA's 1979 tour-in which he performed the track,"Not Bad At All", He also wrote songs for both of Agnetha and Frida's first English language solo albums... This particular album is notable for including his melodramatic duet with Agnetha Faltskog-called "Never Again" which was a big Swedish hit in fall of 1982 .That duet can be found on a couple of Aggie'scompilations.. Tomas Ledin ending up marrying Stig Anderson's daughter Marie, and also ended up owning Polar Studios' which sadly was shut down in 2004. I Love You I've Got Something Never Again She's In Love With My Best Friend Listen To Your Heart Loving You Is Like Chasing A Dream Keep It Up Taken By Surprise Love Me Like You Used To In The Middle Of Nowhere Frida-Something's Going On - September 1982 Available worldwide on Cd Remastered and reisued with bonus tracks in 2005 The first solo album after the divorces of ABBA's two couples. It's appearance was a clue that ABBA was nearing the end of the road. Somehow, Frida ended up with Phil Collins as her producer, just right before Phil became one of the largest selling artists of 1980's. SOMETHING'S GOING ON came a year after Phil's first solo hit-"In the Air Tonight' was released. "In The Air tonight " featured the influential drum sound that Phil had brought to the world partly through the talents of engineer Hugh Padgham.That distinctive drum sound was featured prominently in the title track here as well as on "Tell Me That's It Over"and other tracks on this album. The up-tempo songs on this album tend to emphasize Frida's great radio voice instead of allowing Frida to be expressive. The ballads here have aged better. Frida's introduces Roxette's Per Gessle to the world when she sings his song "Threnody'' based on a Dorothy Parker poem. "Threnody" got some lovely guitar work by Darryl Struemer. The song "The Way You Do" was written by Roxy Music's Bryan Ferry. The synth pop tune "To Turn the Stone" written by Giorgio Moredor/Pete Bellotte (Donna Summer's songwriters) was Frida's favorite song on the album. Frida recorded a lovely version of the Phil Collins' song "You Know What I mean" . The track features some great harp work by Skaila Kanga . "You What I Mean" was originally on Phil's FACE VALUE album. Frida decided she wanted Phil to produce her solo album after hearingFACE VALUE. Frida shared Phil's affinity for Earth ,Wind , and Fire and like Frida , Phil mairrage had just broken up. (I don't know why I am having trouble spelling Marriage!) The record closes with a cheesy duet between Phil and Frida. For some reason the song (because Phil and his label didn't think the song was very good) when this was was released as a single it was without Phil singing. This record showed that ABBA solo projects would have a tough row to hoe internationally. the album did so-so in most markets and the title track (a song that just screams -hit record) was a hit only in some markets, but it it did do OK.Strangely ,the title track did well in the United States where it proved to be one of only 2 or three ABBA related records to make it onto MTV. (which at the time was something new and exciting). The video for" I Know there's Something Going on" seemed to be surprisingly autobiographical since it's about a woman finding out that her lover is seeing someone new. Frida's breakup with Benny occurred right before this album was recorded. The album cover is a drawn portrait of Frida by Yves Poyet. On the inside sleeve there was the photo on which it was based showing Frida with sharply cut short dyed red hair. None of the ABBA band played on this album but most of sessions were recorded at Polar Studios in Stockholm. These are practically the only Frida recordings since 1969 not to be produced or coproduced by Benny Andersson .This album was reissued a few years ago on CD in the USA in a remastered version which, unfortunately, doesn't have any bonus tracks. This Frida's second # 1 solo album in Sweden...  Track listing for SOMETHING'S GOING ON( all sungs in English)  Side 1:  1. Tell Me It's Over (Stephen Bishop) 2.50 2. I See Red (Jim Rafferty) 4.32 3 .I Got Something (Tomas Ledin) 4.05 4. Strangers (Jayne Bradbury/Dave Morris) 4.05 5. To Turn The Stone (Peter Bellotte/Giorgio Moroder) 5.25  Side 2:  1. I Know There's Something Going On (Russ Ballard) 5.25 2. Threnody (Dorothy Parker/Per Gessle) 4.16 3. Baby Don't You Cry No More (Rod Argent) 3.02 4. The Way You Do (Bryan Ferry) 3.35 5.You Know What I Mean (Phil Collins) 2.35 6. Here We'll Stay -duet with Phil Collins-(Tony Colton /Jean Roussel) 2.35 :Extra tracks: on 2005 remaster 12. I Know There's Something Going On (Single Edit) 13. Here We'll Stay (non album Solo Version)

****ABBA-The Singles November 1982 Released on Cd but phased out This was the end. Though we didn't know it at the time. This collection of most of ABBA's A- sides was put together when it became clear that the group had no enthusiasm and not enough material for an entire studio album. Sadly, however, that meant that the six new B&B compositions recorded got treated rather badly. Two of the six songs (The Day Before You Came and Under Attack were released as A-sides and) made it onto THE SINGLES collection along with the 21 previously released A-sides from 1972-1981. TDBYC was a five minute laundry list of a person's day that is either boring or profound depending on your prospective.." Under Attack" was actually a fairly good pop song -but the world was cooling on ABBA . Two of six songs"Cassandra" " You Owe Me One" were intially released only as B-sides and were left off THE SINGLES collection. " Cassandra" featured a intriguing lyric and a rich production. "The packing your bags" section is one the best 5 seconds in the ABBA ouvre. "You Owe Me One" sounds like a techno version of "Happy Hawaii". "Cassandra" and "You Owe ME one". would later be available on the BOX set and on other albums, and CD's. Two other songs , "I am the city" and "Just Like that" were left in the can at the time.. "I am the City" was a fine techo-pop song that finally surfaced in 1993 on More ABBA Gold. "Just Like That" would become the most sought after songin the ABBA vault. .B&B would only allow a small snippet of JLT to be released on the box set. Longer versions exist. B&B regard ther 1985 production a version of JLT by Gemini to be definitive. The songs on the 1982 sessions would be dubbed the Opus 10 sessions by a Swedish journalist even though ABBA never had a working album title. Supposedly it was ABBA's 10th album up to that time but it in actuality it would have been there 9th studio album . THE SINGLES -THE FIRST TEN YEARS would be phased out from the catalogue when ABBA Gold was released.   Side A Ring Ring-Ring Ring Waterloo-Waterloo So Long-Abba I Do, I Do, I Do. I Do, I Do-Abba SOS-Abba Mammia Mia-Abba Fernando-Greatest Hits Side B Dancing Queen-Arrival Money, Money, Money-Arrival Knowing Me, Knowing You-Arrival The Name of the Game-The Album Take A Chance On Me-The Album Summer Night City-Greatest Hits 2  Side C Chiquitita-Voulez-Vouz Does Your Mother Know-Voulez-Vouz Voulez-Vous-Voulez-VouzGimme! Gimme! Gimme!-Greatest Hits 2 I Have A Dream-Voulez-Vouz   Side D The Winner Takes It All- Super Trouper Super Trouper-Super Trouper One of the Us-The Visitors The Day Before You Came-new song Under Attack-new song ABBA-THE SINGLES-THE FIRST TEN YEARS 1982 2 picture Lp set vinyl release (The Cardboard Box Version) A boxed version of ABBA-The Singles. This was released in Britain. The black box features 2 picture Vinyl albums, a booklet, a poster and a reproduction of tickets to the 1974 Eurovision Contest . Of course, if you play the picture discs they produce lousy sound but you probably don't want to play them , since this is a collectible worth over 100 dollars.   ABBA-THE SINGLES-THE FIRST TEN YEARS Late 1982 2Lp Argentina vinyl release Same album , but this version of ABBA-The Singles, has six of the Spanish language versions of ABBA's hits in place of the English versions . ABBA-THE SINGLES-THE FIRST TEN YEARS Volume 1&2 Late 1982 French CD's Supposedly ,The French split this album up into two parts...I have never seen this version.. ABBA-OS GRANDES SUCESSOS DE ABBA 1982 Brazilian LP Ten more ABBA hits ,this time featuring tracks from ABBA's middle period. This compilation focuses on later hits. . The cover did not have ABBA's picture on it. Released on the Square label. In 1988 a CD with the same title was released in Brazil with four more songs ,but with butchered edits of many of the songs. The Winner Takes It All /I Have A Dream/Chiquitita/Gimme! Gimme! Gimme!/Knowing Me, Knowing You /Super Trouper/Dancing Queen /Money, Money, Money/The Name Of The Game/Fernando ABBA-POR SIEMPRE 1982 Lp An Argentinian compilation album that somehow rather strangely contains the only official appearance on record of the live recording of ABBA's" Hole In' Your Sole". The rest of the track selection is equally unusual . All of the other songs are preety much album tracks except for the b-side "Should I Laugh or Cry" which appears here for the first time on a album. There was also a Argentinian TV special with the same name.... Should I Laugh Or Cry /My Love, My Life /If It Wasn't For The Nights Move On Arrival / Me And I . Lay All Your Love On Me/Lovers (Live A Little Longer)/dum Dum Diddle /Hole in Your Sole (live)  1983 The first year of the post ABBA era-brought little of promise for the future. Agnetha resumed her solo career. ABBA -Singles Collection (1972-1982) International Singles of ABBA.28 singles 1983? Agnetha Fältskog-Wrap Your Arms Around Me 1983 Cd ABBA-THE LOVE SONGS 1983 South Africa Various Artists-Antiligen Sommarlov 1983 Swedish Lp ABBA-Golden Hits 1983 Brazil lp Various Artists-(concept album)-ABBACADABRA- 1983 French Lp and later English singles ABBA-I Love ABBA October 1983 Germany and other territories ABBA-Thank You For The Music ( A COLLECTION OF LOVE SONGS) November 1983 Uk lp The Hep Stars-Hep Stars 1964-1969 Re. 1983 Available on Swedish Cd. ABBA-the first round of CD's 1983-1992 ABBA-the American CD reissue program, Part One (1983-1995) ABBA -Singles Collection (1972-1982) International Singles of ABBA.28 singles 1983? This is a collection of vinyl singles released in Germany. Some picture vinyl disc were included as well as some foreign language singles. This is similiar to the CD version of this released in 1999. Agnetha Fältskog-Wrap Your Arms Around Me June 1983 Available on Cd Remastered and reisued with bonus tracks in 2005 Released worldwide (even in America) this album was produced by British pop producer Michael Chapman. It was not a huge success, but well, at least Agnetha was happy with this album.. Many of the songs are good vehicles for Agnetha's voice. For that reason , this album appeals to some fans. This album does not compare well to Agnetha's ABBA's records which was the standard many record buyers were using. Nor does it seem as personal as Agnetha's Swedish solo work ,perhaps, because only one of the songs here was written by Agnetha,the forgettable song -"Man". The best songs here are probably "the Heat Is On" and the title track. I dont think any of the songs really impress me on this album . Strangely a few of the songs ("Take Good Care of Your Children", Once Burned Twice Shy, Stand By Your Side") have a sort of light soul sound. If " Cant Shake Loose' sounds like a remake of Frida's "Something Going On " It's because both songs were written by Russ Ballard. Both of the Ballard's songs got played by American Album orientated rock stations (the stations that would play Van Halen or Led Zeppelin that would never play ABBA).. The most amusing song here is "Mr. Persuasion" which sounds like it would make a good song for a exercise video with it's "You take me UP, DOWN chorus. It has has a great line-"Well have a mind but I put it on vacation"... This album was recorded at Polar by ABBA Engineer Michael Tretow Some ABBA band people like the ever-faithful Rutger Gunnarson played on it. There was some debate as to whether or not to use Agnetha's last name on the cover. Record Companies wondered whether DJ's would be able to say Aggie's last name. In the end she decided that her last name would stay. After all, people probably couldn't her say her first name correctly either and "ANNA" wasn't an option at this point in the game. I am amazed that somebody can be the most prominent member of a group that sells 300 million records and still Professional DJ's dont know to say her name! It is interesting that Agnetha's two early 198o's albums were released in the Spring and Frida's two early 80's albums were released in the fall...It's also interesting that salt and sugar look the same.... Track listing for WRAP YOUR ARMS AROUND ME Side 1 1.The Heat Is On (Palmer-Ashton)(3:50) 2.Can't Shake Loose (Ballard)(4:20) 3.Shame (Allen)(3:40) 4.Stay (Allen)(3:20) 5.Once Burned, Twice Shy (Tyler-Brannan)(3:40) 6.Mr. Persuasion (Lynch-Whitman)(2:45) Side 2 1.Wrap Your Arms Around Me (Chapman-Knight) (5:15) 2.To Love (Brandt-Goodrum)(3:49) 3.I Wish Tonight Could Last Forever (Ballard) (4:12) 4.Man ( Fältskog) (3:31) 5.Take Good Care Of Your Children (Ledin) (3:42) 6.Stand By My Side (deAngelis -deAngelis- Cowles)(4:16) Bonus Trackson 2005 remaster.. Never Again (duet with Tomas Ledin) It's So Nice To Be Rich (a-side) P&B (b-side) The Heat Is On (Super Dance Music Mix) Ya Nunca Más (Spanish version of "Never Again") ABBA-Golden Hits 1983 Brazil lp The folks at Somlivre were back with another ABBA compilation-there was dancing in the streets in Rio that year.... Various Artists-Antligen Sommarlov! June 1983 Out of print Swedish Lp Polar Records put out This Swedish market only compilation album The title means "Finally holidays" It has has Benny's first solo recording ,and a rare live ABBA recording. Benny recorded a short version of the Swedish hymn-"Den Blomstetid Nu Kommer",which saw it's first release here. In a different time Benny would have no doubt,been working in a church as a organist and classical composer. Also find here a 1979 live version of "Summer Night City;' Though this recording was left off the later ABBA 's live album , it was made available here as well on numerous bootlegs. The live recording of SNC might even be better than the original released single of "Summer Night City". Den Blomstertid Nu Kommer" was later released a second time on the SOMMAR, SOMMAR, SOMMAR CD ,but that is also out of print. It's the sort of track that just waits to be compiled somewhere... The track Sommar, Sommar, Sommar features Stig Anderson and the Polar Music office choir.. Stikkan och Kontorskoren-Sommar, Sommar, Sommar Just a side note-Summer compilation albums are a Swedish phenomenom -go into a Swedish record store in the summer and you'll find dozens of titles in this category. 1. Benny Andersson-Den Blomstertid Nu Kommer 2. Stikkan och Kontorskoren-Sommar, Sommar, Sommar 3. Nifty's Roadrunners-Sommarvino 4. ABBA- Summer Night City (LIVE) 5. Mats Ronader-Summer Time Blues 6. Fia Nystrom-Sommarrkvall I Stan 7. Pal Ritz and Piccolos-Good Day Sunshine 1. Buslingarna-Antligen Somarlov 2. Lars Hoflund-Here Comes The Sun 3. Tomas Ledin-Summaren Ar Kort 4. Low Budget Blues Band-Summer in The City 5. Express-Sommardagar 6 .Tove Naess-Falling In the Love with the Summer Again 7. Rolk Ericksson-Jag Pa Sommaren   Various Artists-(concept album)-ABBACADABRA- 1983 French Lp and later English singles released on French CD in the 1994.. This was the first"musical" based on B&B music. B&B were not directly involved but they helped with two songs on the English version of this project. There were French and English versions of this musical, the French version was recorded for an album . the British version was staged on the West End, The idea here was to borrow the melodies from ABBA songs and rewrite the lyrics so as be able to tell a story and also so as to be able to do it in French. (this was a French/Belgian coproduction). I am not sure but I believe some non-B&B music was used as well. Although this was not staged , a TV show and a Concept album were produced and released in 1983. (Produced by Alain Boublil of MISS SAIGON fame).Frida got involved and so two hard to get get Frida tracks come from this project .Frida was involved ,she played a Princess and sung a duet with Daniel Balavoine called "Belle.' "Belle" was a hiot single in France , reaching #15 in early 1983... At the end of 1983 , the thing was apparently redone in English and performed at London's Lyric Theater. This production was produced by Cameron Macintosh. The British version however, apparently did not result in another album , but at least two singles were released. One of the singles included Frida's duet with B.A. Robertson on "Time" ,The b-side of that single featured B.A Robertson doing "I am the Seeker" which was a B&B song that ABBA considered but never recorded, The other single featured Elaine PAige doing a rewritten version of "My Love , My Life called "Like an Image Passing Me By" . Oddly, the new lyrics for this one were cowritten by Björn. Apparently, B&B never saw the play-which seems bizarre. Supposedly the French version of this was reissued on CD in 1994. Needless to say, ABBACADABRA has been superceded by Mamma Mia, and thus is not lileky to be staged again... Sadly, I dont have this album, i 's not easily available. I saw this album in Germany many years ago, but I didn't have the money for it-so I didn't bother getting it-("oh I'll see that again") and I haven't seen it since!  Track listing side A . QU'EST-CE QUE J'VAIS FAIRE PLUS TARD (When I Kissed The Teacher) DÉLIVRÉS (The Visitors) ABBACADABRA (Take A Chance On Me) MON NEZ MON NEZ (Money, Money, Money) .TÊTE D'ALLUMETTE (Super Trouper) IMAGINE-MOI [I Wonder (Departure)]  Track listing side b CARABOSSE SUPER SHOW (Dancing Queen) PAREILS ET MÊMES (I Let The Music Speak) L'ENFANT DO (Fernando) \LACHEZ MES CASSETTES (I`m A Marionette) BELLE BELLE (Arrival) ENVOYEZ LE GÉNÉRIQUE (Thank You For The Music) ABBA-I Love ABBA October 1983 Germany and other territories A compilation was released in Germany and elsewhere.... This title was released with a different cover in the USA in 1984... Side A. I Have a Dream, One Of Us, Knowing Me Knowing You, Andante Andante, Honey Honey, People Need Love, Chiquitita & To Turn The Stone. Side B. Arrival, Super Trouper, Move On, Fernando, When I Kissed The Teacher, Eagle, When All Is Said And Done & The Heat Is On.  ABBA-Thank You For The Music ( A COLLECTION OF LOVE SONGS) November 1983 Uk lp This one album compilation was released in U.K. It broke up ABBA's record tying string of eight #1 albums in the U.K. that had spanned from GREATEST HITS to THE SINGLES -THE FIRST TEN YEARS. This album focuses mainly on ballad/softer numbers from post 1977. The 1981 b-side "Should I Laugh Or Cry "made it's debut as a UK album track here. .The Spanish version of "Fernando" was released here. For some reason, the tracks are connected together into one continous mix. That ABBA's Uk label, EPIC was already putting out compilations like this one ,was a sign that they were not expecting there to be any second "Ten Years' ! To help promote this album a single was released of "Thank You For The Music." in the UK. It didnt work! My Love, My Life/I Wonder (Departure) Happy New Year New Year/ Slipping Through My Fingers Fernando (Spanish version) /One Man, One Woman/ Eagle I Have A Dream\ Our Last Summer\ The Day Before You Came\. Chiquitita\. Should I Laugh Or Cry\ The Way Old Friends Do \ Thank You For The Music ABBA-THE LOVE SONGS 1983 South Africa LP Yet another variation on the ABBA 'love song" theme album that would dominate ABBA releases in 1983-4. Most of the compilers of these albums tried to include a b-side or two. In this case -"Cassandra" was chosen. Cassandra One Man, One Woman / The Winner Takes It All /My Love My Life Andante Andante /One Of Us/ The Day Before You Came/ . I've Been Waiting For You/Move On I Have A Dream/Slipping Through My Fingers Happy New Year  The Hep Stars-Hep Stars 1964-1969 Released on Lp in 1983 Available on Swedish Cd. Released on lp in 1983 and on Cd in the early 1990's this is a very good compilation of the Hep Stars . It's 32 tracks make a persuasive case for the band importance as "the Swedish Beatles" . All the songs here except for one include Benny on keyboards . The Hep Stars first hit (included on this CD) "Kana Kapila" had a different organist. Most of the Hep Stars A&B sides are included on this Cd. Some of the Lp liner notes seem to have written in Swedish by Roxette's Per Gessle (before there was a Roxette!). The sleeve reminds me of one of those old Beatles Parlophone LP sleeves of the 1960's. This compilation was a companion of two other collections showcasing 1960's Swedish groups-The Tages and the Shanes. The only flaw with this set is that it leaves out two of the four of the songs that B&B wrote together for the Hep Stars. Track listing: Kana kapila / A tribute to buddy holly /. Bird dog/  If you need me/ Farmer John/  Donna / Cadillac / Bald headed woman / No response / So mystifying /Young and beautiful / Should I /. Sunny girl / Wedding/ When my blue moon turns to gold again / I natt jag drömde / Consolation / Don't/No time  / Isn't it easy to say / Malaika / It's nice to be back / Christmas on my mind / Mot okänt land / She will love you / Let it be me / Tända på varann / Holiday for clowns /Speleman / Speedy gonzales /

The amazing CD reissues !!!!

ABBA -the first round of CD issues of ABBA material 1983-1992 Compact Discs were not commercially available till around 1982. The first ABBA Cd's to be made available in Great Britain were SUPER TROUPER, THE VISITORS and THE SINGLES (2CD set). These were issued in 1983 by EPIC. Germany's Polydor manufactured most of the early ABBA Cd's. (In the early 1980's there were only a small number of CD production plants in the whole world! .By 1992 all of ABBA's studio albums had been issued on CD in Great Britain and in much of the world. ABBA LIVE also was made available on CD. (albeit belatedly, in Great Britain). The RING RING album. which had never been issued on Lp in most places, was made available in most markets on CD by the1992 During the 1970's and 1980's the rights to issue ABBA records had been licensed by Polar Music International to a smorgasbord of different labels throughout the world. In 1990, ABBA's manager Stig Anderson sold Polar and the worldwide rights for the ABBA Catalog to Polygram. It took a couple of years after that for the all the old label licensing deals to expire... According to one not very helpful source, THE NAME OF THE GAME book ,the price for the catalog was considerably more than the price of a sandwich . According to Carl Magnus Palm the actual price was 300 million krona-or only 30 to 50 million dollars, a sum that the new label would soon earn back. Anyway, the new owners would subject the ABBA catalog to another series of reissues in the early 1990's. In 1999 Polydor, Polygram, Polycrap whoever the hell they are... was bought by Universal (see also the entry on ABBA-the Cd remasters). ABBA's MAIN albums in order of intial CD release (and the year by which most countries has issued the album on CD., if different) The Singles 1983 International release The Visitors 1983 International release Super trouper 1983 International release Abba greatest hits Vol 2 1983 Sweden (by 1990 in some territories) Abba -the album 1984 International release Arrival 1984 International release Voulez-Vous 1984 International release Abba Greatest Hits Vol 1 1986 USA only?( 2006 International) Live 1986 International release (not in US or Uk till later) Abba 1987 German release(1992 International) Waterloo 1988 Swedish release (1992 International) Gracias Por La Musica 1988 Japan release (1992 -as ORO internationally) Ring Ring 1988 (Sweden) 1992 International (In the U SA GREATEST HITS,GREATEST HITS II and SUPER TROUPER were the only ABBA albums available on CD prior to 1995.) Sources: Record Collector Magazine,: Ian Cole's ABBAworld, Abba-The Releases   ABBA-the American CD reissue program, Part One (1983-1995) Not surprisingly, those darned Americans were somewhat tardy in issuing the ABBA catalogue on CD. ABBA's American label, Atlantic was kind of enough to issue GREATEST HITS,GREATEST HITS II and SUPER TROUPER on CD during the 1986/1987 . But, none of the other seven ABBA studio albums were released on CD by Atlantic, not even ABBA LIVE , was released on CD even though it was issued after the widespread emergence of CD's. By the early 1990's all three of Atlantic's ABBA CD's were out of print. for a time ,the only ABBA Cd's available were those made by Erasure! At one point even, ABBA placed in the top ten in a Billboard poll asking people which artists catalog they though should be reissued on CD. The fact that Atlantic's right to ABBA's catalogue were due to expire may partly explain why Atlantic was hesitant to reissue the albums. Even Polydor, the second owners of the ABBA catalogue in America dragged their feet on issuing American ABBA Cd's. In the USA, ABBA gold, More ABBA Gold and The Box Set,were all released well after their European issuence. But, the success of ABBA Gold proved there was still a market for ABBA even in America.This led to the rest of ABBA's studio albums finally being released in America on Cd during 1995. Of course, by this time the hardcore fan already had bought import copies.

1984 The end of 1984 brought one of the great ABBA solo albums (the double album-CHESS) ,as well as Frida's last solo album for a time. It was a quite unusual to have two new ABBA related albums to listen to it at the same time. ABBA-FROM ABBA WITH LOVE 1984 Released on CD ABBA-I LOVE ABBA 1984 American/ LP ABBA-The Story of ABBA 1984? Canadian Lp ABBA-The Best of ABBA 1984? Canadian Lp ABBA-Dancing Queen April 1984 Japanese album ABBA-LOVE SONGS, A VERY SPECIAL COLLECTION 1984 Canada LP ABBA -Anniversary Collection (1972-1982) Blancmange-Mange Tout British Cd 1984 ABBA-LOVE SONGS 1984 Canada LP ABBA -HITS! HITS! HITS! 1984 Austrailian LP Andersson,Rice & Ulvaeus-CHESS Double album 1984 Frida-Shine 1984 Available worldwide on Cd

ABBA-I LOVE ABBA March 1984 American This has to have one of the more bizarre covers ever created for a ABBA record. For some reason, ABBA's American label (Atlantic) chose to a have a drawing of a heart shaped vinyl album grace the cover of this collection. The songs selected were basically love songs (or more accurately softer numbers). This album did have one saving grace, it marked the album debuts in America for the b-sides "Should I Laugh Or Cry' and "Cassandra". This album was released in March 1984 and disappeared without a trace.This album was ABBA's first Atlantic release not to make the TOP 200 chart. A similiar version of this album(with a better cover),and different track listings had appeared in the German, French and other markerts during 1983 (see above). The French and German versions of this album had solo tracks by Agnetha & Frida. 1. Cassandra 8. I Have A Dream 2. The Name Of The Game 3.52 9. My Love, My Life 3. Should I Laugh Or Cry 10. I Wonder (Departure) 4. Our Last Summer 11. One Man, One Woman 5. I Do, I Do, I Do, I Do, I Do 12. Slipping Through My Fingers 6. Chiquitita 4.36 13. Fernando 7. Andante, Andante 14. Eagle 3.36 ABBA-FROM ABBA WITH LOVE April 1984 Dutch CD Another album , Another Love Collection. Nothing Lost , Nothing Gained. Aha! Groan....Marketed on Dutch TV. This marked the first appearance on Cd for "Cassandra", and "Elaine". This CD included one previously issued solo song each by Frida and Agnetha. 1. One Of Us 8. My Love, My Life 2. Lay All Your Love On Me 9. Wrap Your Arms Around Me - Agnetha Fältskog  edit 3. Eagle edit 10. Cassandra 4. The Winner Takes It All 11. The Day Before You Came 5. Head Over Heels 12. Elaine 6. To Turn The Stone - Frida  edit 13. Slipping Through My Fingers 7. Voulez-Vous 14. Thank You For The Music   ABBA-Dancing Queen April 1984 Japanese album Another Japanese ABBA compilation album-the only ABBA album to use the name of ABBA's most famous songs.   ABBA-The Story of ABBA 1984? Canadian Lp This is a K-Tel 16 song Lp... Similiar to the US release, THE MAGIC of ABBA , but in a new Canadian version with a updated track listing but the same cover photo.. THE STORY OF ABBA 1. Super Trouper 2. Dancing Queen 3. Take A Chance On Me 4. The Name Of The Game 5. Waterloo 6. Angeleyes 7. The Winner Takes It All 8. SOS 1. Fernando 2. Knowing Me, Knowing You 3. I Do, I Do, I Do, I Do, I Do 4. Mamma Mia 5. Honey Honey 6. Money, Money, Money 7. When All Is Said And Done 8. Chiquitita ABBA -Anniversary Collection (1972-1982) 26 -45rpm singles April 1984 This is a collection of vinyl singles released in the Uk, similiar to the West German singles box. It was released to celebrate the tenth annniversary of Abba's victory at the Eurovsion Song contest... ABBA-LOVE SONGS, A VERY SPECIAL COLLECTION 1984 Canada LP The Canadians went with a sickly pink cover. The Canucks included15 tracks -amongst them the b-sides -"Cassandra" and "Should I Laugh Or Cry". Unlike some of the other the other love albums.They elected not to do the solo tracks thing, 1. Cassandra 2. The Name Of The Game edit 3. Should I Laugh Or Cry 4. Our Last Summer 5. I Do, I Do, I Do, I Do, I Do 6. Chiquitita edit 7. Andante, Andante 8. I Have A Dream 9. My Love, My Life 10. I Wonder (Departure) 11. One Man, One Woman 12. Slipping Through My Fingers 13. Fernando 14. Eagle edit 15. The Winner Takes It All ABBA -HITS! HITS! HITS! Fall 1984 Austrailian LP The Aussies were too jaded to call this a Love album-instead it was a hit collection with a yet another somewhat more conventional track listing. They did however throw in "Cassandra" and one solo track each by Agnetha & Frida. 1. I Know There's Something Going On edit- Frida 8. The Heat Is On - Agnetha 2. Dancing Queen 9. Mamma Mia 3. Does Your Mother Know 10. Fernando 4. The Winner Takes It All 11. Cassandra 5. Money, Money, Money 12. The Name Of The Game 6. Chiquitita 13. Gimme! Gimme! Gimme! (A Man After Midnight) 7. The Day Before You Came 14. Blancmange-Mange Tout British Cd Mid to Late 1984 This album includes one of the more influential covers of an ABBA song. Blancmange had a #22 British hit with their cover of 1982 ABBA Track -" The Day before you came".The song is more easily available on Blancmange 1990 hits collection called Second Helpings. Don't tell me/Game above my Head/Blind Vision/Time became the Tide That's Love that it is/Murder/See the Train/All Things are nice My Baby/The Day before you came   Frida-Shine September 1984 Available worldwide on Cd Remastered and reisued with bonus tracks in 2005 SHINE was pretty much ignored by ABBA fans and none-ABBA fans alike. Producer Steve Lillywhite(U2, Big Country,Kirsty MacColl) fashioned a distinctive sound for this album that resonates throughout the album. This albums' white with florescent pink and green cover seems a bit out of place in our world. I like this cover but I am in the minority! This album was recorded in France the only time that Frida has recorded a studio album outside of Sweden. Frida's voice does strange things to many of the songs here . This was becoming a pattern on her 1980's work -ME and I, The Visitors, You Owe Me One, Something's Going On all feature something other than her normal voice- the sound almost of a female computer .In any case it's not always easy to be expressive when you have to sing like that much of the time but for themost part this weird voice is still fun to listen to. Among the more interesting songs here are B&B's "Slowly" which was the only B&B song to appear on any of the girls post 1976 albums. The full sound of "The Face" is typical of the songs here-it has a great hook or two notably the point where the background singers sing "it wouldnt mean a thing". I wasn't overwhelmed by the title track, which was issued as a single in some markerts. Frida was encouraged to write songs for this album and two songs written by her were released. "That's Tough" didn't make it on to the album . It was a non album B-side and "Don't do It' was a lovely ballad that did make it on the album. The albums' best song is it's closer. Frida counts in slowly to "Comfort Me' and takes her time coming to the last verses where she speaks the words. Lillywhite's carefully assembled sound environment is there but on " Comfort me" Frida, the human being is there too. This album was not released in the United States. On this album Frida has medium short red hair.After the promotion was done for this album, Frida lowered her profile , and opted out of trying to become a solo star. She did record on occasion,primarily dueting, with other artists for the Swedish market. It was to be many years before she would make another album.   Track listing for SHINE album (all songs in English) Side 1: 1.Shine (Kevin Jarvis,Guy Fletcher, Jeremy Bird)4.39 2. One Little Lie (Simon Climie & Kirsty MacColl)3.44 3. The Face (Daniel Balavoine & Kirsty Mac Coll ) 3.50 4. Twist In The Dark (Andde Leek) 3.43 5. Slowly (Benny Andersson & Björn Ulvaeus) 4.18 Side 2: 1. Heart Of the Country (Stuart Adamson) 4.38 2. Come to me (I am Woman) (Eddie Howell & David Dundas) 5.04 3. Chemistry Tonight (Glenister, Climie & Mac Coll) 4.56 4. Don't Do It ( Anni-Frid Lyngstad) 4.37 5. Comfort Me (Peter Glenister) 4.28 Extra tracks: on 2005 remaster 11. That's Tough (non album b-side) 12. Shine ( Extended 12 inch Mix)

Andersson,Rice & Ulvaeus-CHESS Double album November 1984 Available worldwide on CD A work in progress...So said the composers in the liner notes...little did we know at the time how this fine work would be molded and remolded but never become moldy. CHESS is a melodic ,daring, witty , ambitious sung play. The play's three main leads all give great performances. As the Russian, Tommy Körberg. Körberg proves to be a major find vocally , Murray Head is cynically effective as The American but it is Elaine Paige's Florence Vassey who ultimately ties it all together. Which she somehow does even though she ,perhaps, fails to make her character as believable as the other leads. (Elaine was one of London's West End's biggest stars but she also was lyricist Tim Rice's girlfriend.) The idea for Chess came from Tim Rice but the lyrics and the music were melded together in a joint effort, The music on occasion drives the storyline through it's subtle repeated themes. CHESS was recorded at Polar studios and in London by Michael Tretow. Abba's backing band plays on many of the tracks but is supplemented by the London Symphony Orchestra and the Ambrosian Singers(who are also British). Anders Eljas arranged the orchestrations and conducted the LSO. CHESS was released originally as a 2 album set in late 1984. Various singles were released. " I know Him So Well" became B&B's tenth number one song in Great Britain. "One Night in Bangkok" was a surprising top three hit in America A extended remix 12 inch version was released in America. Attempts to have hits with Nobody Side,"The Arbiter" and "Anthem" did not succeed . A one album condensed version was released in Europe called Chess Pieces. The songs were performed in concerts throughout Europe in 1984 and the play made it to London's West End in MAy 1986. Chess arrived on Broadway in a highly altered version in APRIL 1988. There would not be an official album from the London cast but there would be a Broadway cast album . In 1994 a version of the the Concert recordings came out in Sweden. This work is where it we start to recognize Benny's talent as a orchestral and a dramatic composer. Benny's melodies come to the fore in a way that they couldn't always do in Abba songs. The melodies were always there of course, but in the Abba recordings other elements would compete for attention. Chess, unlike B&B's later Kristina or for that matter most other musicals is fairly unique in the way that rock sensibilities are mixed seamlessly with musical & opera forms . However, the use of Rock idioms on stage proved to more problematic since middle aged critics & showgoers of the 1980's often found the rock elements to be too harsh for their sensitive ears. Despite the quality of the score Chess would never be a total success on the stage.The book for the play remained a major if very interesting problem in a every future attempt to stage the play. For more on CHESS visit our CHESS page. Chess track listing -original 2 lp set (with principal performers on each track)) Side 1 1.Merano-Chorus, Head 2.The Russian and Molokov-Korberg,Quilley Where I want to be-Korberg 3.Opening ceremony-Skifs, Quilley, Chorus 4.Quartet (a model of decorum and tranquility), -Paige, Quilley, Skifs, Korberg Side 2 1.The American and Florence-Head, Paige, Chorus Nobody's side-Paige 2.Chess-instrumental feat. Benny Andersson 3. Mountain duet -Paige, Korberg 4.Florence quits-Paige, Head 5.Embassy Lament-Chorus (Byers.Midgey,Bambo, Fryson) 6.Anthem -Körberg Side 3 1.Bangkok instrumental featuring Lindh /One night in Bangkok-Head,Chorus,Glenmark 2.Heaven help my heart-Paige 3.Argument-Paige,Korberg 4 I know him so well-Paige, Cook 5.The deal (no deal)-Head,Korberg, Quilley, Paige 6.Pity the child-Head Side 4 1.Endgame-Chorus.Quilley, Head, Paige, Korberg,Cook 2. Epilogue: You and I-Paige, Korberg /The story of Chess-Chorus  *The chorus features The Ambrosian Singers as well as Anders Glenmark,Karin Glenmark and Liza Ohlman

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Montief's handy guide to ABBA the Albums

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MONTIEF'S HANDY GUIDE TO ABBA THE ALBUMS!!!

HOME-ABBA-THE ALBUMS	All ABBA Albums 1972-1982	All Abba Albums 1983-2006
1970-1972 The Early Years (Lycka, Pa Svenska, Early singles)	1973 Ring Ring	1974-Waterloo
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1977/1978- The Album	1979 Voulez-Vous and Greatest Hits Volume 2	1980-Super Trouper
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ABBA THE ALBUMS -SITE INDEX -REVIEWS OF ALBUMS SORTED BY ARTIST  HOME-ABBA-THE ALBUMS ABBA -Group Career   ABBA, Group& Solo -100 Great Records   AGNETHA SOLO CAREER  FRIDA SOLO CAREER  BJORN AND BENNY incl. their musicals and productions  Benny SOLO CAREER   TRIBUTE ALBUMS & COVER GROUPS   RELATED ARTISTS   BJORN AND THE HOOTENANNY SINGERS   BENNY & THE HEP STARS  Latest RELEASES  ABBA GOES TO THE MOVIES  ABBA GOES TO THE Theatre  INDEX TO ALBUMS REVIEWED ON THIS SITE

ABBA THE ALBUMS - GROUP & SOLO ALBUM REVIEWS LISTED IN ODER OF YEAR OF RELEASE  HOME-ABBA-THE ALBUMS ALBUMS YEAR BY YEAR 1960's  ALBUMS YEAR BY YEAR 1970-1975  ALBUMS YEAR BY YEAR 1976-1979  ALBUMS YEAR BY YEAR 1980-1984 ALBUMS YEAR BY YEAR 1985-1989   ALBUMS YEAR BY YEAR 1990-1994 ALBUMS YEAR BY YEAR 1995-1999 ALBUMS YEAR BY YEAR  2000's Chart revised July 2006 by Montief OR SOMEONE WHO LOOKS LIKE HIM...