ABBA defined the disco era with their infectious melodies and flawless harmonies. While the world remembers their Eurovision victory, the band's journey involved bizarre legal hurdles and massive financial sacrifices. For instance, the group had to negotiate with a seafood brand just to use their iconic name. Furthermore, they once turned down a literal billion dollars to protect their legacy. Prepare to thank ABBA for the music.
ABBA
The band had to get permission from a canned fish company to use their name. A Swedish company called Abba Seafood had produced pickled herring since the 1800s. Consequently, the band’s manager had to ask them for rights. The factory agreed as long as the pop group did not make them “feel ashamed.”
Their flashy costumes were actually a tax-saving strategy. Specifically, Swedish law allowed performers to deduct the cost of their outfits from their taxes. However, the law required that the clothes be so outrageous that they could never be worn as “regular” daywear. Thus, the sequins and platform boots were financial decisions.
The UK gave them “nul points” during their Eurovision win. Despite “Waterloo” becoming a global smash, the British jury awarded ABBA zero points in 1974. Björn later suggested the UK did this tactically because they viewed ABBA as the biggest threat to their own entry.
They were once the second most profitable export in Sweden. During their peak in the 1970s, the band generated so much international revenue that they ranked only behind the car manufacturer Volvo. Consequently, they became a massive pillar of the Swedish economy.
The band received royalty payments in oil commodities from the Soviet Union. Because the Soviet ruble was embargoed during the Cold War, the band could not take cash out of the USSR. Instead, they accepted payments in oil and even corned beef to settle their royalties.
They turned down $1 billion for a reunion tour. In the year 2000, a consortium offered the four members a staggering sum to reunite for 100 shows. Remarkably, they said no. They felt that fans should remember them as they were in their youth rather than as “four old turnips.”
The iconic “reversed B” logo was a happy accident. During a photoshoot where the members held up large initials, Benny accidentally held his “B” backward. The band loved the symmetry it created between the two couples. Consequently, they made the mirrored “B” their official trademark.
ABBA is one of the few artists Madonna ever begged to sample. The pop queen sent a letter to Stockholm “imploring” the band to let her use the hook from “Gimme! Gimme! Gimme!” for her hit “Hung Up.” ABBA famously protects their music, but they eventually granted her permission.
Their first performance as a quartet was for UN troops. While on holiday in Cyprus in 1970, the four members gave an impromptu concert for the United Nations peacekeeping soldiers stationed there. At the time, they were still performing under the cabaret name “Festfolk.”
3.5 million people applied for tickets to two London shows in 1977. This demand could have filled the Royal Albert Hall 580 times over. To put that in perspective, nearly half the population of London at the time tried to see the band live.
“Waterloo” was not their first choice for Eurovision. They originally considered a ballad titled “Hasta Mañana.” However, they decided that “Waterloo” was riskier and more likely to make a splash. Ultimately, this choice sparked a pop revolution.
The movie The Lion King almost featured ABBA’s music. Lyricist Tim Rice originally approached Benny and Björn to write the songs for the Disney film. However, they were busy with other projects. Consequently, the job went to Elton John instead.
Their greatest hits album spent over 1,000 weeks on the charts. ABBA Gold became the first album in history to hit this milestone in the UK. It remains one of the best-selling records of all time, proving that their music never goes out of style.
The “ABBAtars” are not holograms. The technology behind ABBA Voyage involves 2D renderings of 3D motion-capture data projected onto a massive 65-megapixel screen. Industrial Light & Magic spent years capturing the band’s “digital fingerprints” to make the avatars look alive.
Finally, the “divorce songs” were written before the divorces. Many fans think “Knowing Me, Knowing You” is about the band’s internal breakups. In reality, the couples recorded the song years before their marriages ended. Thus, the lyrics were hauntingly prophetic.
