ABBA star Björn Ulvaeus
His Germany tip for the next ESC
Björn Ulvaeus knows the feeling of winning the ESC.
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In an interview with Riccardo Simonetti and Anke Engelke, Björn Ulvaeus from ABBA gave a tip for future German ESC contributions.
In the most recent episode of their joint Spotify Podcasts “Quality Time with Riccardo & Anke” Riccardo Simonetti (30) and Anke Engelke (57) took on the German debacle at the ESC in Liverpool. What Engelke did not suspect: as a surprise guest, her congenial podcast partner had landed a man who knew more about successful ESC evenings than almost anyone else: Björn Ulvaeus (78) from the Swedish cult band ABBA.
After some small talk with the perplexed Engelke, he immediately had a tip ready as to how things could go better for the German entry in future editions of the Eurovision Song Contest. Contrary to the suggestion of Guildo “hat dich lieb” Horn (60), one should take a break in 2024 and maybe even longer, according to Ulvaeus, Germany simply has to go back to its former strengths.
“Under certain circumstances, Germany should go back to its roots instead of trying to imitate something that the others are doing,” said the musician. “When ‘A Bit Peace’ won, it was a piece of pure German hits – and it worked!”
Is the ABBA comeback coming?
The fact that the competition is coming back to Sweden next year, and thus on the 50th anniversary of ABBA’s triumph at ESC 1974, is a wonderful story for Ulvaeus. He is sure that there will be a small celebration for the occasion. However, he does not yet know any more details, as he asserts in the podcast. He only says about a possible stage comeback of the cult band: “You never know.” Next year it will be exactly 50 years since the band first led Sweden to victory with the song “Waterloo”.
At this year’s ESC, Swede Loreen (39) won and thus accomplished the feat of being the first person to win twice. Germany’s Lord of the Lost, on the other hand, finished last with just 18 points.