Pop legend
50 years of “Waterloo”: Abba thank their fans so touchingly
Almost 50 years passed from “Waterloo” to “Voyage”: Björn Ulvaeus (left) and Benny Andersson recording the last Abba album in the studio in Stockholm. In the background Anni-Frid Lyngstad (left) and Agnetha Fältskog
© Ludvig Andersson / Universal Music
On April 6, 1974, the Swedish band Abba won the Eurovision Song Contest with “Waterloo”. The start of an incredible career. Half a century later, Agnetha, Benny, Björn and Anni-Frid thank their fans with a touching statement.
“My, my / at Waterloo / Napoleon did surrender…” – with this line of lyrics Abba’s world career began 50 years ago at the Eurovision Song Contest in the English seaside resort of Brighton. Napoleon’s defeat was Abba’s victory – more than 400 million records sold speak for themselves. The “Waterloo” anniversary was celebrated worldwide, for example with the performance of a piano version of the song by Benny Andersson in Berlin and other European cities. The song was also played and sung at a flash mob in London’s Waterloo tube station. A special edition of the album of the same name was released to mark the anniversary. And the band itself celebrated the anniversary with a private celebration.
Agnetha Fältskog (74), Benny Andersson (77), Björn Ulvaeus (78) and Anni-Frid Lyngstad (78) published a touching message for the fans in which they thanked them for their support over the past few years. Here is a translation:
“It’s slightly dizzying and humbling to think that millions of you who saw us for the first time in the 1974 Eurovision final have passed our music on not just to one generation but to multiple generations. Seeing that every time one of us attends the ‘Abba Voyage’ show in London, so we can celebrate the 50th anniversary knowing that our songs still resonate worldwide.
It’s hard to comprehend that 50 years have passed since the four of us waited backstage at the Brighton Dome for the verdicts from Eurovision juries across Europe.
“Reality has exceeded our dreams”
What were our dreams in those exciting moments or in the chaos after the victory, which we achieved by the narrowest margin in the history of the Eurovision Song Contest? Undoubtedly there were four different dreams. But whatever or how big they may have been, reality has certainly exceeded these dreams.
Many of you have been there from the beginning and have been with us ever since – for over half a century! Music that you learn to know and love as you grow up (or later) stays with you forever. We share this experience with you. Knowing that our music has become a constant in your life is wonderful.
“No moment for triviality”
Over the years we have been blessed with the love of you, our fans. We feel that. And we want you to know: Hardly a day goes by when we aren’t reminded of it. It’s not easy to say thank you for what you give us without sounding trivial. This is not a moment for triviality. It is a happy and celebratory moment, and we can only hope that you understand how grateful we are for a long, successful career and for your unwavering loyalty and support throughout the years. Thanks!
Agnetha, Björn, Benny, Anni-Frid”