For years ABBA topped the list of much beloved reformations which seemed utterly beyond the realm of possibility. Despite rumours of being offered a billion kroner for a Eurovision return and a tour back in 2000, the four members – Björn Ulvaeus, Agnetha Fältskog, Benny Andersson and Anni-Frid Lyngstad – have always argued that they’re too old to do the songs justice, and too rich to be forced to try.
And now, 35 years after their split, the quartet have reformed, are doing a TV special and will be touring! Sort of!
More accurately, they have had digital avatars of themselves created, which will be appearing in the special and doing the tour looking like the band back in 1979, when their faces were unlined and their sleeves were voluminous.
But they have unexpectedly announced that they’ve physically reunited in the studio where they also recorded two new songs. This was revealed in a statement on Instagram, including the news that one of said songs will be unveiled in December when the show is broadcast.
And let’s not mince words: this had better be the absolute icing on the cake of their career, or it will vomit all over their legacy. For all that reunion shows are fun, bands that refuse to reform despite massive incentives come across as a good deal cooler than those that do.
No-one’s respect for the Sex Pistols skyrocketed when they announced they were doing a money grab so transparent it was entitled The Filthy Lucre Tour, whereas the Smiths’ legacy has remained unsullied – at least, until Morrissey started giving his less-than-helpful opinions about how Britain had too many immigrants.
And sure, some bands have come back and been amazing. The Go Betweens did three reunion albums as perfect as their original six, for example. But most of the time a legendary band risks destroying their legacy by becoming just another touring band making OK-but-not-stellar albums, as the Pixies have recently demonstrated to a generation’s heartbreak.
And just in case you’re hoping that ‘I Still Have Faith In You’ will join the pantheon of ABBA favourites like ‘Dancing Queen’, ‘The Winner Takes it All’, ‘Mamma Mia’ and so forth, maybe manage those expectations via this timeless classic…
