ABBA • Waterloo, the 40th Anniversary

ABBA, clockwise: Anni-Frid peaks from behind Agnetha; Anni-Frid and Agnetha; Benny; the band - Anni-Frid, Agnetha, Benny, and Bjorn; and Bjorn.

Forty years ago, a song and a group came out of Sweden and the 1974 Eurovision Song Contest that took the world by storm. Who knew that Agnetha Faltskog, Bjorn Ulvaeus, Benny Andersson, and Anni-Frid Lyngstad would put Swedish Pop music in the forefront, and we are still feeling the aftereffects today. Agnetha, Bjorn, Benny and Anni-Frid, better known by their initials, ABBA, had been together making hits in Sweden, both individually and as a group. But once they decided to try to write some of their songs with English lyrics, they found themselves playing on a much larger stage. And that stage hit pretty quickly, when they represented Sweden in Eurovision, and took top honors with the song "Waterloo". the next thing you know, the song was running up the charts all around the world, including in the United States. The song went to #6 on the Billboard Hot 100, a great achievement for a group that came out of nowhere. But it is easy to understand, as the song was just so damn catchy, so easy to sing along with. Just in case you don't remember, this is the music video for thier first hit, "Waterloo".

It wasn't long before the band had a single to follow up their success. And while it was quite as successful, it still had an impact on the music charts. "Honey Honey" went to #27 on the Billboard Hot 100. Funny enough, I still remember the words, and the minute I started playing the video, I felt the urge to sing along. There was such a wonderful, upbeat, and joyous feeling to much of their music. This si the music video for "Honey Honey".

The third single of the album 'Waterloo' was "Hasta Mañana", a song with more of a big ballad feel. Once again, I could sing the chorus, even though the song did not chart in the United States. However, there was no need to worry about ABBA, for their reign at the top of the charts had really not yet begun. But their hold on the hearts of Americans had, and the charm and sweetness of this song are a pefect example of how they got that job done. This is the group singing "Hasta Mañana".

This album was just the beginning of the thrilling and amazing journey of four Swedish artists who took over Pop music. Early on, Agnetha and Bjorn were a couple, as were Anni-Frid and Benny. By the time the 1980s came, both were divorced, and things changed for them. In 1981, the band released their last album, and in 1982, they made the final public appearance. But it was still not the end, as they continued to make music, just not together. And it wasn't long before movies started reviving interest in the group, with movies like 'The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert' and 'Muriel's Wedding' both using ABBA's music for their 1994 soundtracks. And then there was 'Mamma Mia!', the musical using most of ABBA's greatest hits. The stage show as a huge success, and the film also had international success, with a great cast headed up by Meryl Streep. But it all started 40 years ago, with a single song. You can purchase the album 'Waterloo' on iTunes and Amazon. You can learn more about ABBA from their official website. If you are a fan, you can also 'like' them on Facebook.

ABBA • The Winner Takes It All

Perhaps Agnetha Fältskog, Björn Ulvaeus, Benny Andersson, Anni-Frid Lyngstad were the first signs that soon, the Swedes would be taking over Pop music. For Afnetha, Björn, Benny and Anni-Frid were the supergroup ABBA, ruling the charts in the 1970s and early 1980s. And could there be a more perfect song for the Olympic athletes than their 1980 hit, "The Winner Takes It All". The brooding ballad might speak of love gone bad, but it certainly could apply to the Olympic Games.



"The Winner Takes It All" can be found on Abba Gold: Greatest Hits, available on iTunes and Amazon.

Happy New Year

Top: Daniel Cartier; Bottom: ABBA, Barry Manilow, and Dan Fogelberg.

Every year, I try to bring in the New Year with great music. Daniel Cartier's cover of Auld Lang Syne is haunting and beautiful. The song, a traditional greeting of the new year, is based on a poem written by Robert Burns in 1788. That poem was set to a traditional Scottish melody, and the song was born. Daniel Cartier recorded it, and I just love it.

It seems like I would not be able to bypass the 1980 song from super-group Abba, Happy New Year. It was written by the "B's", Benny Andersson and Björn Ulvaeus. They, along with Agnetha Fältskog and Anni-Frid Lyngstad, make up all the letters in ABBA.



And how about the 1977 song from Pop Maestro Barry Manilow? It's Just Another New Year's Eve was a poignant song released in between the uplifting songs Can't Smile Without You and Daybreak. It was based on a melody from Johann Sebastian Bach's Goldberg Variations.



In 1980, singer/songwriter Dan Fogelberg released Same Old Lang Syne. It was later put on the album The Innocent Age. Like the best of Fogelberg's work, it told a story we could all relate to. It went to #9 on the Billboard Hot 100. It remains a favorite holdiay song for many, 30-some years later.



Here's wishing us all prosperity and lots of love in 2012!

GLEE Redux - Prom Queen

So, Prom is this week, and that means all the hormones and feelings of rejection are running amok at McKinley High School. Principal Figgins had his first choice of a band for Prom, Air Supply. so he wants the New Directions to perform, and get the money for the trip to Nationals. Prom coordinator Sue is not at all happy. She has a list of songs that cannot be performed, which Mr. Schue walks out on. He tells the kids, and Mercedes is saddened, as she doesn't have a date. Neither does Brittany, but she plans on stealing other's dates, so she's happy. Rachel and Mercedes ask Sam to be their date, even if it is a date on a budget, and a threesome in name only - no funny stuff. He happily agrees. Kurt asks Blaine to go to Prom, which throws off our intrepid gay - he and a date were victims of a hate crime in his first dance. Santana can't wait to offer her services as security for the gay couple, hoping to garner some votes for Prom Queen. The girls all want their Pocket-gay to help with picking out their dresses, which Kurt happily does.

Rachel and Jesse sing an awesome version of Adele's Rolling in the Deep.



Jesse is apologetic, and asks Rachel to the Prom. He will join Sam and Mercedes on the budget run. Puck was ambushed by the school press, who intimate that the school thinks Lauren has neutered Puck, which has the young bad-boy on edge. He wants to spike the punch, and needs Artie's help. Puck will dance with Sue while Artie drops the alcohol. Artie resists, for he is still looking to make up with Brittany. Finn complains to Rachel about the return of Jesse, when she steps up and reminds him he is back with Quinn, and Finn has no say in Rachel's life any more. Artie has a plan, and breaks into the home economics class to sing Brittany a song. He sings Stevie Wonder's Isn't She Lovely.



Plans for the festivities are in high gear, including Kurt, who wears a designer jacket and kilt, showing off to Finn, Blaine and his father. Finn is supportive, but his father is concerned about the statement Kurt is making, as is Blaine, remembering his own bashing. Kurt tells them this is what he is wearing, and if Blaine would prefer to not join him, he would understand. Finn goes to pick up Finn, who looks absolutely stunning in her dress. They get to the restaurant, and Finn starts to pick a fight with Jesse, which Mercedes puts an end to when she shuttles Finn and Quinn off. We find out Jesse has failed out of college, and can't find a job. But Rachel is still happy to see him. But it is time for Prom. Puck and Sam do a great job with the rather unfortunate song, Rebecca Black's Friday. They are joined by the resident rapper, Artie.



There is plenty of action with the kids dancing, who have been the focus of the show, thankfully. Rachel sings Christina Perri's Jar of Hearts while gazing across the floor at Finn. Sam asks Mercedes to dance in a sweet moment.



It is time to spike the punch and Sue catches Artie, and tries to bust him and have him turn on Puck by threatening to clean his teeth. We cut to Blaine singing Black Kids' I'm Not Gonna Teach Your Boyfriend How to Dance with You



While the song is going on, Finn picks a fight with Jesse, which Sue has to take a break from her dental torture to toss both boys out. Quinn sees her dream of Prom King & Queen going out the door with Finn. After the song, the candidates are called to the stage, and closeted Dave Karofsky is named King, and in a surprise write-in vote, Krut is named Prom Queen. He is devastated. He runs away. Blaine chases after him, and we hear Kurt telling about how hateful the vote was, and the school's way to spew their hate with hidden ballots, to poke fun of his manhood. Quinn breaks down at Rachel, and slaps her. They have a moment. Santana is hurt cause Karofsky won and she lost. But Brittany tells her she is cool, and they must go out to support Kurt. Artie will be there, cause he didn't spike the punch with Vodka, but with lemonade. He is going out there, because he won't let them win. He goes out to utter silence, and soon has the room applauding for his witty gay ways. All of a sudden, Mercedes and Santana are singing ABBA's Dancing Queen, the song the King and Queen dance to.



Karofsky bolts rather than dance with Kurt, but stalwart Blaine is there to offer his twinkle-toes. Soon everyone is dancing, and Artie approaches Brittany. Life is a disco, after all.