Abba: Bjorn Ulvaeus says group were mistaken for porn stars early in their career
‘It was in the soft porn period and [record labels] assumed anything coming out of Sweden had to do with that,’ said the songwriter
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Björn Ulvaeus has said that Abba were mistaken for porn stars due to prejudice surrounding Swedish entertainers in the mid-20th century.
After forming in 1972, the group rose to international fame in 1974 after winning the Eurovision Song Contest with their performance of “Waterloo”.
Speaking to The Mirror, Ulvaeus recalled the difficulties the band faced early on.
“We sent tapes to record companies in the UK and US and other places and nothing came of it,” he said. “The only ones who released any Abba music certainly before ‘Waterloo’ was Playboy Records, who released a song called ‘People Need Love’.
“On the label it said Bjorn and Benny and Swedish girl. It was in the soft porn period and they assumed anything coming out of Sweden had to do with that.”
Ulvaeus added that the band “opened the door” for other Swedish musicians after winning Eurovision.
“We showed to Swedish musicians and producers and writers it can be done,” he said.
Abba recently released Voyage, their first album in more than four decades. The group, comprising Ulvaeus, Agnetha Faltskog, Anni-Frid Lyngstad and Benny Andersson, had disbanded in 1980.
Digital avatars of the band are set to perform a run of dates next year alongside a live band in a purpose-built arena in East London.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments