ABBA, the Swedish pop group, has sold 150 million records, making it the best-selling Swedish music artist of all time and one of the top-selling music acts in pop music history. The group, formed in the early 1970s in Stockholm, Sweden, consists of members Agnetha Fältskog, Björn Ulvaeus, Benny Andersson, and Anni-Frid Lyngstad. They rose to fame in the mid-1970s with hit compilations like Greatest Hits, which became global blockbusters, and singles such as Fernando and Dancing Queen, which topped charts worldwide.
Unfortunately, the group took a break from music in 1982 to focus on their solo careers. Almost four decades later, they released ABBA Voyage (2021), their ninth studio album, marking the end of the break.
Regarding accolades, the group has received many. They have been nominated for five Grammy Awards, won the 1974 Eurovision Song Contest, received four Carl Alan Awards, and one Brits Billion Award.
How ABBA Was Birthed
It all started in June 1966 when Björn Ulvaeus, a member of the Hootenanny Singers, met Benny Andersson, a keyboardist for The Hep Stars. The two wrote a song together and built a partnership as composers for the next ten years. In 1969, they met two women, Agnetha Fältskog and Anni-Frid Lyngstad A.K.A Frida, both singers, whom they would later marry and form ABBA with.
Initially, the four collaborated musically on the recordings they made as solo or duo acts before combining their voices for a cabaret act called Festfolk in 1970. By 1972, the group, then known as Björn & Benny, Agnetha & Anni-Frid, recorded a song called People Need Love, which became a hit in Sweden. Following this success, they entered Melodifestivalen, the Swedish selection for the Eurovision Song Contest, with the song Ring Ring, and finished third. Nonetheless, the song and the album of the same name, their first, became the biggest hits of the year in Sweden and other European countries.
1974 was a good year for them. They won the Eurovision Song Contest with their hit Waterloo and released their second studio album of the same name. They also changed their name from Björn & Benny, Agnetha & Anni-Frid to the acronym ABBA, taken from the first letters of their first names. Henceforth, they became known as ABBA, and to celebrate this change, they released an album of the same name in 1975 and had big hits such as SOS and Mamma Mia.
ABBA Became Famous In The Mid-1970s
Between 1976 and 1979, ABBA enjoyed global stardom. During this period, they released three albums: Arrival (1976), The Album (1977), and Voulez-Vous (1979). These albums featured many chart-topping songs, including Money, Money, Money, Knowing Me, Knowing You, The Name of the Game, and Take a Chance on Me.
Additionally, they released several classic chart-topping singles such as Dancing Queen, Fernando, Summer Night City, and Chiquitita. They had major tours in Europe, Australia, and the United States. All these albums, singles, and tours gave them international recognition and cemented their place as one of the most popular groups in the world.
The Group Took A Break From Music In 1982
Despite ABBA’s successes, things started slowing down as Björn and Benny focused on writing the musical Chess, while Agnetha and Frida put their energy into reviving their solo careers. This led to the group agreeing to take a break at the end of 1982.
Before that, they had released two albums: Super Trouper (1980) and The Visitors (1981), and toured Japan in 1980. Unfortunately, their marriages also ended, starting with Björn and Agnetha, who married in July 1971 and divorced in early 1979, followed by Benny and Frida, who married in October 1978 and divorced in 1981. However, the end of their marriages didn’t bring about the end of the group.
ABBA Sold 150 Million Copies To Become Swedish Best-Selling Music Artist Of All-Time
As established, ABBA is the best-selling Swedish music artist of all time, having sold 150 million records worldwide. While the group was taking a break, their music was enjoying a revival.
Firstly, the group’s songs became soundtracks of high-profile films, including successful cover versions by other artists. Secondly, a compilation CD, ABBA Gold, released in 1992, has sold more than 33 million copies. More ABBA Gold (1993), a companion album, sold 3 million copies. The musical Mamma Mia!, based on the group’s songs, premiered in London in 1999, followed by a Broadway show in 2001 that was seen by more than 60 million people in over 440 cities. In 2014, Live At Wembley Arena, a complete ABBA live concert, was issued.
From 2016 to 2023, several of their works, including compilation albums ABBA Gold and ABBA Oro, were reissued, and a new album was released. They also marked the 40th anniversary of albums such as Arrival (1976) in 2016, The Album (1977) and Voulez-Vous (1979) in 2019, Super Trouper (1980) in 2020, The Visitors (1981) in 2021, and the 50th anniversary of their first album Ring Ring (1973) in 2023.
After nearly four decades of doing music as a group, ABBA released their ninth album, ABBA Voyage, in 2021. The album brought an end to the break that started in 1982, as mentioned.
A List Of ABBA's 9 Albums In Order Of Release Year
Ring Ring (1973)
Waterloo (1974)
ABBA (1995)
Arrival (1976)
The Album (1977)
Voulez-Vous (1979)
Super Trouper (1980)
The Visitors (1981)
ABBA Voyage (2021)
Major Accolades Received By The Group
In appreciation of their talents, efforts, and contributions to music, ABBA received several awards, nominations, and recognitions. They have received nine Bravo Otto Awards, consisting of five silvers and four bronzes; one Brits Billion Award; and five Grammy Award nominations. Additionally, they won the 1974 Eurovision Song Contest for the song Waterloo and the 2021 Music Export Prize awarded by the Swedish Government.
Other Best-Selling Swedish Music Artists
Apart from ABBA, there are several other Swedish best-selling artists. They are:
Roxette: 75 million records
Ace of Base: 50 million records
Avicii: 30 million records
The Spotnicks: 18 million records
Dr. Alban: 16 million records
The Cardigans: 15 million records
Alcazar: 12 million records
Vikingarna: 11 million records
Europe: 10 million records
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