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Vemod undercover : boken om ABBA
"Även de gladare låtarna är vemodiga i grunden. Vi gjorde vemod undercover.” Så lyder Benny Anderssons originella beskrivning av Abbas musik, och i Jan Gradvalls bok möter vi Abba uncovered, bortom förklädnader och genomtröskade legender. Det är en bok som låter detaljerna – i musiken, i människoödena, i samtiden – förklara helheten, från bandets första steg som något av en svensk supergrupp i början av 1970-talet, till den sista inspelningen. Vemod undercover är en mosaik av unika berättelser om Abba, men framför allt en osminkad kärleksförklaring, signerad en av Sveriges ledande musikjournalister, som får oss att se bandet och tiden med nya ögon.
341 pages, Hardcover
Published October 14, 2023
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 184 reviews
May 29, 2025
"You can dance, you can jive
Having the time of your life
Ooh, see that girl, watch that scene
Diggin' the dancing queen" - Dancing Queen by ABBA
Calling all dancing queens!!!! The Story of ABBA: Melancholy Undercover tells the story of Agnetha Fältskog, Björn Ulvaeus, Benny Andersson, and Anni-Frid Lyngstad who made up Sweeden's best-selling band of all time!!! Who hasn't found themselves singing along or dancing to one or more of their songs? In 2013, journalist Jan Gradvall was given access to the band members. This book is full of facts about them, where they recorded, the significance of places and relationships for them. Speaking of relationships, I had no idea that there were two marriage couples in this group who did get divorced, but sill made magical music together. This book also provides some facts on Sweden and other musical groups who recorded at studios where ABBA recorded.
"There was something in the air that night
The stars were bright, Fernando" - Fernando by ABBA
ABBA's popularity ebbs and flows around the world and most have seen Mamma Mia the play and movie by the same name. I know I have! This book gives quite a bit of information, some that I enjoyed and some that I wasn't sure was necessary. The most intriguing part for me was that the two couples and how they worked and sang together through marriage and divorce. I was hoping for more juicy bits here as I can only imagine how difficult that must have been. But one thing that was brilliant was learning the history behind the songs and the inspiration behind them.
"I don't wanna talk
About the things we've gone through
Though it's hurting me
Now it's history
I've played all my cards
And that's what you've done too
Nothing more to say
No more ace to play" - The Winner Takes It All - ABBA
Overall, an enjoyable book about ABBA and its members. I must admit this book had me thinking of their songs in a new way and wanting to hear them again. ABBA did have a big impact on music worldwide and through the disco era. They had presence and presentation on their side! I enjoyed learning some new information about them. I do wish that some information was given in a more cohesive manner but overall, this was an informative read. I believe ABBA fans will enjoy this book.
"Mamma mia, here I go again
My, my, how can I resist you?
Mamma mia, does it show again?
My, my, just how much I've missed you?" - Mamma Mia - ABBA
3.5 stars
I had both the kindle and audiobook versions of this book.
Thank you to Macmillan Audio , St. Martin's Press and NetGalley who provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All the thoughts and opinions are my own.
Read more of my reviews at www.openbookposts.com 📖
Having the time of your life
Ooh, see that girl, watch that scene
Diggin' the dancing queen" - Dancing Queen by ABBA
Calling all dancing queens!!!! The Story of ABBA: Melancholy Undercover tells the story of Agnetha Fältskog, Björn Ulvaeus, Benny Andersson, and Anni-Frid Lyngstad who made up Sweeden's best-selling band of all time!!! Who hasn't found themselves singing along or dancing to one or more of their songs? In 2013, journalist Jan Gradvall was given access to the band members. This book is full of facts about them, where they recorded, the significance of places and relationships for them. Speaking of relationships, I had no idea that there were two marriage couples in this group who did get divorced, but sill made magical music together. This book also provides some facts on Sweden and other musical groups who recorded at studios where ABBA recorded.
"There was something in the air that night
The stars were bright, Fernando" - Fernando by ABBA
ABBA's popularity ebbs and flows around the world and most have seen Mamma Mia the play and movie by the same name. I know I have! This book gives quite a bit of information, some that I enjoyed and some that I wasn't sure was necessary. The most intriguing part for me was that the two couples and how they worked and sang together through marriage and divorce. I was hoping for more juicy bits here as I can only imagine how difficult that must have been. But one thing that was brilliant was learning the history behind the songs and the inspiration behind them.
"I don't wanna talk
About the things we've gone through
Though it's hurting me
Now it's history
I've played all my cards
And that's what you've done too
Nothing more to say
No more ace to play" - The Winner Takes It All - ABBA
Overall, an enjoyable book about ABBA and its members. I must admit this book had me thinking of their songs in a new way and wanting to hear them again. ABBA did have a big impact on music worldwide and through the disco era. They had presence and presentation on their side! I enjoyed learning some new information about them. I do wish that some information was given in a more cohesive manner but overall, this was an informative read. I believe ABBA fans will enjoy this book.
"Mamma mia, here I go again
My, my, how can I resist you?
Mamma mia, does it show again?
My, my, just how much I've missed you?" - Mamma Mia - ABBA
3.5 stars
I had both the kindle and audiobook versions of this book.
Thank you to Macmillan Audio , St. Martin's Press and NetGalley who provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All the thoughts and opinions are my own.
Read more of my reviews at www.openbookposts.com 📖
February 28, 2025
3.5 ⭐
I’m an ABBA fangirl!
This is an extremely detailed and highly informative unauthorized biography written by a music journalist who has spent four decades in the industry. While the content is interesting and I learned many new things, the non-linear manner in which it was presented didn’t appeal to me. I was also aware of the jarring flow that comes with translation and was frustrated with the lack of transitions between paragraphs. Many times, I couldn’t see the relationship between one paragraph to the next. These disappointments are personal preferences and in no way reflect the author’s skills or the content.
Disappointments aside, this fangirl learned:
✔️that dansband culture was crucial to ABBA’s evolution
✔️how the Swedish tax law influenced their fantasy costumes
✔️that Thank You For The Music was written in 30 minutes during a house party. He sat down and “started to play and the song was just there.”
✔️that the story of ABBA is more a tale of overcoming adversity than one of success
✔️about the two love stories that gave the group its name, A+B, B+A
✔️that the working title for ‘Dancing Queen’ was ‘Boogaloo’
✔️that Frida was conceived as part of the Lebensborn program between German soldiers and Norwegian women
After thirty years of media silence, the group agreed to the author’s request for an interview. What an honour to be there to learn directly from the source. You’ll get the scoop on everyone who came in contact on a professional level with this group and gain insight into how the lyrics reflected what was going on in their lives. I’d consider this a must-read for any ABBA fan.
I think ABBA Gold is my most listened-to album!
I was gifted this copy by the publisher through NetGalley and was under no obligation to provide a review.
I’m an ABBA fangirl!
This is an extremely detailed and highly informative unauthorized biography written by a music journalist who has spent four decades in the industry. While the content is interesting and I learned many new things, the non-linear manner in which it was presented didn’t appeal to me. I was also aware of the jarring flow that comes with translation and was frustrated with the lack of transitions between paragraphs. Many times, I couldn’t see the relationship between one paragraph to the next. These disappointments are personal preferences and in no way reflect the author’s skills or the content.
Disappointments aside, this fangirl learned:
✔️that dansband culture was crucial to ABBA’s evolution
✔️how the Swedish tax law influenced their fantasy costumes
✔️that Thank You For The Music was written in 30 minutes during a house party. He sat down and “started to play and the song was just there.”
✔️that the story of ABBA is more a tale of overcoming adversity than one of success
✔️about the two love stories that gave the group its name, A+B, B+A
✔️that the working title for ‘Dancing Queen’ was ‘Boogaloo’
✔️that Frida was conceived as part of the Lebensborn program between German soldiers and Norwegian women
After thirty years of media silence, the group agreed to the author’s request for an interview. What an honour to be there to learn directly from the source. You’ll get the scoop on everyone who came in contact on a professional level with this group and gain insight into how the lyrics reflected what was going on in their lives. I’d consider this a must-read for any ABBA fan.
I think ABBA Gold is my most listened-to album!
I was gifted this copy by the publisher through NetGalley and was under no obligation to provide a review.
September 5, 2025
3.5 stars
"When those minutes [of musical inspiration] finally arrive, that's a high I can ride for days. It's a euphoric feeling. You never know when it will end. There might be a day when it all dries up. But the fact that I get to sit here every day and try - it is a pretty wonderful job." -- ABBA composer/keyboardist Benny Andersson, on page 307
Author Gradvall's The Story of ABBA: Melancholy Undercover is a decent book that sometimes suffers from a lack of focus, with narrative detours that distract from attention to the music act of the title. One of those increasing number of 'supergroups' arriving on the scene during the 60's and/or 70's - each member of the quartet had previously been in a successful band in their native Sweden - ABBA first hit it big with their song 'Waterloo,' and thereafter achieved major international success in the mid-70's with 'Dancing Queen.' (From a strictly American perspective, they were a rare non-United Kingdom or Irish group to make somewhat of an impact on the U.S. pop / dance music charts.) This bio of sorts worked best when the author would concentrate on the individual chapters concerning the backgrounds of Agnetha, Anni-Frid, Benny and Bjorn, plus the inspirations for some of their notable songs. A later chapter including their heartfelt speeches during their Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction in 2010 was also very nice, and would have made for a proper finale. However, there were stretches where it felt like it all was distractingly padded with an extended travelogue and sociological / cultural look at Sweden, which might puzzle the fair-weather or 'greatest hits'-only type of fans who are here because of their enjoyment with the 'Mamma Mia!'-based musical.
"When those minutes [of musical inspiration] finally arrive, that's a high I can ride for days. It's a euphoric feeling. You never know when it will end. There might be a day when it all dries up. But the fact that I get to sit here every day and try - it is a pretty wonderful job." -- ABBA composer/keyboardist Benny Andersson, on page 307
Author Gradvall's The Story of ABBA: Melancholy Undercover is a decent book that sometimes suffers from a lack of focus, with narrative detours that distract from attention to the music act of the title. One of those increasing number of 'supergroups' arriving on the scene during the 60's and/or 70's - each member of the quartet had previously been in a successful band in their native Sweden - ABBA first hit it big with their song 'Waterloo,' and thereafter achieved major international success in the mid-70's with 'Dancing Queen.' (From a strictly American perspective, they were a rare non-United Kingdom or Irish group to make somewhat of an impact on the U.S. pop / dance music charts.) This bio of sorts worked best when the author would concentrate on the individual chapters concerning the backgrounds of Agnetha, Anni-Frid, Benny and Bjorn, plus the inspirations for some of their notable songs. A later chapter including their heartfelt speeches during their Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction in 2010 was also very nice, and would have made for a proper finale. However, there were stretches where it felt like it all was distractingly padded with an extended travelogue and sociological / cultural look at Sweden, which might puzzle the fair-weather or 'greatest hits'-only type of fans who are here because of their enjoyment with the 'Mamma Mia!'-based musical.
May 25, 2025
3.5 Stars
I'm not a huge ABBA fan, but do love one song of theirs- "Dancing Queen". Another lesser favorite is "Fernando". I was intrigued enough to find out the nuts and bolts of their existence, especially with the tantalizing fact that it was comprised of two couples who later divorced. It kind of reminded me of the Fleetwood Mac saga, and as a high schooler I lived through the rise and fame of both these groups.
The book began in such an alluring fashion as if you were there in the recording studio, as they recorded their final song in 1982 entitled "The Day Before You Came". I was instantly riveted and paused to cue up the song on YouTube, described as being "chilling and portentous"- a melancholy synthesizer ballad sung by Bjorn's ex-wife Agnetha, with Benny's ex-wife Frida contributing wordless backing vocals. Unfortunately, the rest of the book wasn't quite as engaging. It reminded me of Craig Brown's books such as One Two Three Four: The Beatles in Time and Q: A Voyage Around the Queen. In fact, the author cited this author and his books during this one. All of a sudden I'd be reading about some unknown person and wondering what this had to do with ABBA...but then it would turn out to have something to do with ABBA. In one instance there was a brain surgeon who always listened to ABBA while he operated.
I had hoped for more of an intimate account of these couples, seeing as how the author had opportunities over the years to interview them, but save the first chapter that had lured me in on a deep emotional level, the rest of the book was a little more cluttered and clinical for me with other facts and tangents. However, I was touched towards the end by Frida's full speech when ABBA was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
Thank you to the publisher St. Martin's Press who provided an advance reader copy via NetGalley.
I'm not a huge ABBA fan, but do love one song of theirs- "Dancing Queen". Another lesser favorite is "Fernando". I was intrigued enough to find out the nuts and bolts of their existence, especially with the tantalizing fact that it was comprised of two couples who later divorced. It kind of reminded me of the Fleetwood Mac saga, and as a high schooler I lived through the rise and fame of both these groups.
The book began in such an alluring fashion as if you were there in the recording studio, as they recorded their final song in 1982 entitled "The Day Before You Came". I was instantly riveted and paused to cue up the song on YouTube, described as being "chilling and portentous"- a melancholy synthesizer ballad sung by Bjorn's ex-wife Agnetha, with Benny's ex-wife Frida contributing wordless backing vocals. Unfortunately, the rest of the book wasn't quite as engaging. It reminded me of Craig Brown's books such as One Two Three Four: The Beatles in Time and Q: A Voyage Around the Queen. In fact, the author cited this author and his books during this one. All of a sudden I'd be reading about some unknown person and wondering what this had to do with ABBA...but then it would turn out to have something to do with ABBA. In one instance there was a brain surgeon who always listened to ABBA while he operated.
I had hoped for more of an intimate account of these couples, seeing as how the author had opportunities over the years to interview them, but save the first chapter that had lured me in on a deep emotional level, the rest of the book was a little more cluttered and clinical for me with other facts and tangents. However, I was touched towards the end by Frida's full speech when ABBA was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
Thank you to the publisher St. Martin's Press who provided an advance reader copy via NetGalley.
June 22, 2025
Interesting book for ABBA fans, as journalist Jan Gradvall had pretty much unlimited access to the band members and has done a good job relating much of the behind the scene details of the bands development. If you are looking for a tell-all this is not it. Instead he delves into the early lives and career of the group, as well as giving us a detailed look at Swedish music, as well as the open contempt that the Swedish music pundits had for the group after they won the EuroVision title in 1974. Lots of great stories about Benny and Bjorn and their early musical groups, the Hep Boys and the Hootenanny Singers. Little known facts are also interspersed as we come to realize the Agnetha was a trained pianist and the only person in the group who could read music when they were formed. Also how Waterloo was a last minute change in the Eurovision contest, when they decided not to use their original song. The men have stayed close, no so much the women. Frida seems the most distant from all of the group and Agnetha has had s0lo projects and now enjoys being a grandmother - what she is a grandmother!!!!
I really enjoyed this book but this is a blended rating as I feel the Swedish readers will give this 5 stars, for me it was about a 3.5 stars, but a 4**** makes it ready read for all fans of ABBA!
I really enjoyed this book but this is a blended rating as I feel the Swedish readers will give this 5 stars, for me it was about a 3.5 stars, but a 4**** makes it ready read for all fans of ABBA!
April 22, 2025
You can tell this author cares a lot about ABBA but this was a tough read to get through (I say as a well versed ABBA fan). Each chapter was disjointed and although this was a biography it had no clear motive or arc, instead acting as a collection of random facts. It felt like only 40% of this book was actually about the band, and more anecdotes about the pop scene, Swedish media / political background and random stories about fans who just happen to like ABBA.
Thank you NetGalley for an ARC. All opinions are my own.
Thank you NetGalley for an ARC. All opinions are my own.
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September 28, 2025This is a biography so I will not be rating it. I am a huge ABBA fan and waited for this book for almost four months on Libby. It is well-researched and informative. I learned a lot I didn't already know about the legendary band and its members. The audiobook narration is somewhat dry and the lack of chronological organization was a bit distracting.
July 29, 2025
Thanks to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for the ARC. It hasn't affected the contents of my review.
This was unexpectedly a really informative and fun time. But then, I love ABBA. Perhaps someone who doesn't love ABBA would not appreciate this, though it is clear that Jan Gradvall is clearly very steeped in his subject, eats and breathes the history of music. Also, he clearly loooooves ABBA. This book has a nonlinear structure, but for some reason it really worked for me, in fact, it probably retained my interest more than a chronological structure would have. Maybe because "the story of ABBA" is a much more clearly defined topic than other nonfiction books I have read lately that I thought needed better/more structural organization.
I really enjoyed the audio version of this. The narrator's voice was extremely pleasant. I have listened to ABBA Gold like four times this week. And now I reallllly want to go to London and see ABBA Voyage.
This was unexpectedly a really informative and fun time. But then, I love ABBA. Perhaps someone who doesn't love ABBA would not appreciate this, though it is clear that Jan Gradvall is clearly very steeped in his subject, eats and breathes the history of music. Also, he clearly loooooves ABBA. This book has a nonlinear structure, but for some reason it really worked for me, in fact, it probably retained my interest more than a chronological structure would have. Maybe because "the story of ABBA" is a much more clearly defined topic than other nonfiction books I have read lately that I thought needed better/more structural organization.
I really enjoyed the audio version of this. The narrator's voice was extremely pleasant. I have listened to ABBA Gold like four times this week. And now I reallllly want to go to London and see ABBA Voyage.
June 5, 2025
interesting look at the band ABBA , enjoyed this book in parts
June 14, 2025
The Story of ABBA Melancholy Undercover by Jan Gradvall
Audio Version
Overall Grade: C+
Information: C- (so little about ABBA. More about other people, many random people I would never know.)
Writing/Organization: B
Narration: B
Best Aspect: The beginning.
Worst Aspect: The rest.
Recommend: Sadly, No.
Audio Version
Overall Grade: C+
Information: C- (so little about ABBA. More about other people, many random people I would never know.)
Writing/Organization: B
Narration: B
Best Aspect: The beginning.
Worst Aspect: The rest.
Recommend: Sadly, No.
May 14, 2025
I had to DNF this which breaks my heart. I feel like this has incredibly little to do with ABBA, and more to do with the musical and social reforms in Sweden. I grew up listening to ABBA with my dad, but never really knew anything about the group members and I don't think this book is the one I'd recommend to anyone who also wanted to know.
There's incredibly little chronology. About 40% of the way in, and we've only had the early life of Frida and her humble beginnings; nothing for Agnetha, Bjorn or Benny. One minute ABBA are international stars, the next they're getting ready for their Eurovision performance, but then they're going on an indefinite hiatus, but also they're all first meeting each other. To top it all off, throw in some random paragraphs of the social and political events of Sweden, but also Norway cause that's where Frida is from.
Much too confusing! Audiobooks are good background noise that shouldn't take up so much brainpower. I feel like I need a cork board with red string to understand everything being thrown at me.
Thank you to Netgalley for giving me the opportunity to listen to this audiobook!
There's incredibly little chronology. About 40% of the way in, and we've only had the early life of Frida and her humble beginnings; nothing for Agnetha, Bjorn or Benny. One minute ABBA are international stars, the next they're getting ready for their Eurovision performance, but then they're going on an indefinite hiatus, but also they're all first meeting each other. To top it all off, throw in some random paragraphs of the social and political events of Sweden, but also Norway cause that's where Frida is from.
Much too confusing! Audiobooks are good background noise that shouldn't take up so much brainpower. I feel like I need a cork board with red string to understand everything being thrown at me.
Thank you to Netgalley for giving me the opportunity to listen to this audiobook!
November 19, 2023
Som vanligt briljant av Gradvall. ABBAs roll i populärkulturen behandlas exemplariskt. En väldigt läsvärd bok.
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June 20, 2025Who hasn’t heard an ABBA song? If you weren’t born yet during their chart topping days then you might have seen the movies based around their songs. There have also been plays designed around the band and their music. This is a great book for any ABBA fan. The author had amazing access to this phenomenal pop band and we are able to discover so much more about the member’s of the band, their success, and their evolution. Definitely pick this one up if you are a fan!!
November 28, 2023
Älskar det fantastiska popmusikaliska nörderiet! Alla sidospår som blir viktiga pusselbitar i det som för mig länge varit relativt rörigt att förstå. Gradvalls signum är att inte skriva på näsan utan berätta en god historia, vilket han verkligen gör samtidigt som han uträttar det verkligt stora - att lyfta fram ABBA och människorna som varit en viktig del av deras storhet. Kanske finns det tidigare böcker som också gjort det, men skulle nog säga att det här är årets musiklitterära julklapp. Kan också rekommendera att använda min Spotifylista (Vemod undercover heter den, överraskande va?!) där jag samlat en stor del av musiken. För mig förhöjde det upplevelsen i alla fall.
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May 29, 2025Thank you so much to Macmillan Audio for the complimentary ALC!
Thank you so much to St Martin's Press for the gifted book!
This book will be out on June 17th.
I don't feel like I am in the minority when I say that I love ABBA! Their music is just so much fun and are an earworm. When I saw that there was an opportunity to learn more about the band, I jumped on it!
I felt that the structure of the book was different than what I was expecting. I thought the book was going to be the beginning of the band, height of fame and then after they disbanded. Though the beginning of the book did focus on the start of the band specifically on Benny and Bjorn. The story didn't seem to have any flow and would bounce from one topic to another.
I was really looking forward to learning about the band during the height of the band's fame but unfortunately I did not get there. I was hoping that the book would dive into what it was like to be the biggest band and what life was like for the group. The band members were married to one another - where is the drama from that in the book?! The book did mention how they were pretty much not in the tabloid or known for being wild as they were older with children.
The book mostly focused on the genius of the music and how it was a part of pop culture which I did enjoy. Who knew that so many punk & alternative acts loved Abba! Of course I loved the section on A*Teens who were popular when I was a tween girl. And they did talk about the movie success as well as Broadway. I was also happy to see that the Swedish pop explosion of the later 90s was discussed as even now I am still fascinated by the music that comes from there.
I read this book majority with the audiobook and I thought the narrator Ian Hallard was fine. I thought he did a great job with all the different Swedish names and terminology. The audio is just over 10 hours long and I was able to complete in 2 days so it was easily digestible.
Though I did enjoy this, I just wanted more Abba.
*I do not rate Non Fiction books.*
Thank you so much to St Martin's Press for the gifted book!
This book will be out on June 17th.
I don't feel like I am in the minority when I say that I love ABBA! Their music is just so much fun and are an earworm. When I saw that there was an opportunity to learn more about the band, I jumped on it!
I felt that the structure of the book was different than what I was expecting. I thought the book was going to be the beginning of the band, height of fame and then after they disbanded. Though the beginning of the book did focus on the start of the band specifically on Benny and Bjorn. The story didn't seem to have any flow and would bounce from one topic to another.
I was really looking forward to learning about the band during the height of the band's fame but unfortunately I did not get there. I was hoping that the book would dive into what it was like to be the biggest band and what life was like for the group. The band members were married to one another - where is the drama from that in the book?! The book did mention how they were pretty much not in the tabloid or known for being wild as they were older with children.
The book mostly focused on the genius of the music and how it was a part of pop culture which I did enjoy. Who knew that so many punk & alternative acts loved Abba! Of course I loved the section on A*Teens who were popular when I was a tween girl. And they did talk about the movie success as well as Broadway. I was also happy to see that the Swedish pop explosion of the later 90s was discussed as even now I am still fascinated by the music that comes from there.
I read this book majority with the audiobook and I thought the narrator Ian Hallard was fine. I thought he did a great job with all the different Swedish names and terminology. The audio is just over 10 hours long and I was able to complete in 2 days so it was easily digestible.
Though I did enjoy this, I just wanted more Abba.
*I do not rate Non Fiction books.*
May 24, 2025
Talvez retirasse uma estrela à classificação caso se tratasse de outra banda pois, embora o relato da história e curiosidades sobre os ABBA seja bom, pode ser fastidioso para quem não vibra com o som fo quarteto sueco.
Os ABBA acompanham-me desde os 11 anos, quando a primeira colectânea (decente) foi lançada depois da separação da banda, em 1992.
Desde aí, muitos albums, concertos-tributo (4, pelo menos) e uma ida a Londres para assustir ao espectáculo ABBA Voyage, no ABBA Arena. Faltava um livro.
Jan Gradvall escreve descontraidamente sobre os ABBA mas não só: como conhecedor profundo da cena musical há 40 anos, oferece-nos um retrato dos movimentos e influências em torno da banda sueca nas décadas de 60, 70 e 80.
Os muitos detalhes poderiam ser demasiados se o meu interesse pelos ABBA fosse menor. Só que eu gosto dos ABBA sem perceber nada de música e conhecer muito pouco dessa arte.
As dancebands, o raggare, a cena prog, o perfil de negociante agressivo do agente, Stig Anderson, o nascimento da onda gay em torno dos ABBA e de como esta ressuscitou a sua música, as histórias dos quatro membros ou as críticas ferozes de que foram alvo na Suíça pelos mais puritanos por serem demasiado comerciais, tudo isto é contado pelo autor sem pretensões.
Um livro que entretém, da mesma forma que as harmonias 'Slipping Through My Fingers', 'My Love, My Life', 'Angeleyes' ou 'If it Wasn't for the Nights' me embalam sempre que as oiço. A leitura também se faz destes prazeres.
Os ABBA acompanham-me desde os 11 anos, quando a primeira colectânea (decente) foi lançada depois da separação da banda, em 1992.
Desde aí, muitos albums, concertos-tributo (4, pelo menos) e uma ida a Londres para assustir ao espectáculo ABBA Voyage, no ABBA Arena. Faltava um livro.
Jan Gradvall escreve descontraidamente sobre os ABBA mas não só: como conhecedor profundo da cena musical há 40 anos, oferece-nos um retrato dos movimentos e influências em torno da banda sueca nas décadas de 60, 70 e 80.
Os muitos detalhes poderiam ser demasiados se o meu interesse pelos ABBA fosse menor. Só que eu gosto dos ABBA sem perceber nada de música e conhecer muito pouco dessa arte.
As dancebands, o raggare, a cena prog, o perfil de negociante agressivo do agente, Stig Anderson, o nascimento da onda gay em torno dos ABBA e de como esta ressuscitou a sua música, as histórias dos quatro membros ou as críticas ferozes de que foram alvo na Suíça pelos mais puritanos por serem demasiado comerciais, tudo isto é contado pelo autor sem pretensões.
Um livro que entretém, da mesma forma que as harmonias 'Slipping Through My Fingers', 'My Love, My Life', 'Angeleyes' ou 'If it Wasn't for the Nights' me embalam sempre que as oiço. A leitura também se faz destes prazeres.
June 22, 2025
“Dancing Queen releases things you didn’t know needed to be released.”
This book wasn’t what I expected and I’m not mad about it. (Clearly).
I loved seeing how the songs and their songwriting process were analyzed, not just for ABBA but for any musician. It was fascinating to see how even economic and political events happening in conjunction can affect their music. Also, in general I learned a ton about Sweden and would love to visit one day (especially the ABBA museum).
To think that they’re probably my favourite band with some of my favourite songs, and I learned so much about them. For instance, I knew one married couple in the group but I didn’t know they were two married couples (eventually divorced but details).
The Mamma Mia references made me so giddy. It’s my comfort movie and ABBA is my comfort music.
This book wasn’t what I expected and I’m not mad about it. (Clearly).
I loved seeing how the songs and their songwriting process were analyzed, not just for ABBA but for any musician. It was fascinating to see how even economic and political events happening in conjunction can affect their music. Also, in general I learned a ton about Sweden and would love to visit one day (especially the ABBA museum).
To think that they’re probably my favourite band with some of my favourite songs, and I learned so much about them. For instance, I knew one married couple in the group but I didn’t know they were two married couples (eventually divorced but details).
The Mamma Mia references made me so giddy. It’s my comfort movie and ABBA is my comfort music.
October 25, 2025
Book 38 of 2025 - ☑️! Thank you to NetGalley, Macmillan Audio & Jan Gradvall for an ALC of The Story of ABBA: Melancholy Undercover by Jan Gradvall and narrated by Jan Gradvall.
Millennial, here, with Boomer parents. I’ve been listening to ABBA my entire life + during my Radio Disney-listening pre-teen years of the late 90s & early 00s, I was very into The A*Teens. (For those who don’t know, The A*Teens was actually brilliantly done by the music industry as a way to get younger generations to become aware of and start listening to ABBA by having the young group re-record their songs so the music would capture a younger demographic who might not otherwise have listened to ABBA.) As a musical lover - Mamma Mia! is always a fun time, and with the upcoming Broadway revival of the musical Chess, it felt like the perfect time to visit this book.
The Story of ABBA is a comprehensive look at the history and formation of ABBA, all the way through present day. It includes interesting stories and continually touches on the cultural impact their music has had around the world.
For anyone looking to learn more about the band - both huge fans or someone just getting into their music who wants to learn more, this book allows the reader to do just that. It’s informative, and journalist Jan Gradvall, who also narrates the book in an enjoyable way, had interviewed the band throughout his career, which gave him a unique perspective to write the book.
A solid non-fiction book, I’d give this 3.5/5 stars and recommend it to anyone looking for a comprehensive listening or reading experience about one of the best bands in music history! 🪩 🎶 🎤 #NetGalley #TheStoryofABBA
Millennial, here, with Boomer parents. I’ve been listening to ABBA my entire life + during my Radio Disney-listening pre-teen years of the late 90s & early 00s, I was very into The A*Teens. (For those who don’t know, The A*Teens was actually brilliantly done by the music industry as a way to get younger generations to become aware of and start listening to ABBA by having the young group re-record their songs so the music would capture a younger demographic who might not otherwise have listened to ABBA.) As a musical lover - Mamma Mia! is always a fun time, and with the upcoming Broadway revival of the musical Chess, it felt like the perfect time to visit this book.
The Story of ABBA is a comprehensive look at the history and formation of ABBA, all the way through present day. It includes interesting stories and continually touches on the cultural impact their music has had around the world.
For anyone looking to learn more about the band - both huge fans or someone just getting into their music who wants to learn more, this book allows the reader to do just that. It’s informative, and journalist Jan Gradvall, who also narrates the book in an enjoyable way, had interviewed the band throughout his career, which gave him a unique perspective to write the book.
A solid non-fiction book, I’d give this 3.5/5 stars and recommend it to anyone looking for a comprehensive listening or reading experience about one of the best bands in music history! 🪩 🎶 🎤 #NetGalley #TheStoryofABBA
September 1, 2024
Oli tässä joitakin hyviä kohtia, erityisesti yhteiskunnalliset huomiot kiinnostivat. Esimerkiksi Abban kaupallisuuden ja ruotsalaisen vasemmistolaisuuden aiheuttamasta kitkasta oli mukavaa lukea lisää (tästä aiheesta oli tosin pieni pätkä äskettäin katsomassani Abba-tv-dokumentissa).
Harmillisen usein kirja oli kuitenkin sekava ja poukkoileva ja hetkittäin niin huonosti kirjoitettu (vai suomennettu?), että oli oikeasti vaikea ymmärtää, mitä tarkoitettiin. Luvuissa oli paljon täysin ylimääräiseltä tuntuvia asioita ja jonkin verran myös toistoa.
Irrallisissa kertomuksissa ja epäkronologisuudessa ei välttämättä ole mitään pahaa, mutta näin toteutettuna se ei toiminut. "Ilon ja surun säveliä - Abban koko tarina" -otsikko on ainakin minun mielestäni harhaanjohtava. "Tarinoita Abban liepeiltä" olisi osuvampi.
Harmillisen usein kirja oli kuitenkin sekava ja poukkoileva ja hetkittäin niin huonosti kirjoitettu (vai suomennettu?), että oli oikeasti vaikea ymmärtää, mitä tarkoitettiin. Luvuissa oli paljon täysin ylimääräiseltä tuntuvia asioita ja jonkin verran myös toistoa.
Irrallisissa kertomuksissa ja epäkronologisuudessa ei välttämättä ole mitään pahaa, mutta näin toteutettuna se ei toiminut. "Ilon ja surun säveliä - Abban koko tarina" -otsikko on ainakin minun mielestäni harhaanjohtava. "Tarinoita Abban liepeiltä" olisi osuvampi.
Read
September 9, 2025#TheBookOfAbba – Jan Gradvall
#Faber
#JonathanBall
Humble beginnings.
“I’m nothing special, in fact I’m a bit of a bore
If I tell a joke, you’ve probably heard it before
But I have a talent, a wonderful thing
Cause everyone listens when I start to sing...”
These lyrics could have been uttered by all the members of the iconic Abba, the band from “a geographically remote country spanning the Arctic Circle with a language that nobody outside of Scandinavia understands...” (240) Even the band name is nothing spectacular, simply an anagram comprising the initials of the members, Anni-Frid Synni Lyngstad, Benny Andersson, Björn Ulvaeus, and Agnetha Åse Fãltskog. Known as a Swedish phenomenon, interesting trivia is that Anni-Frid (Frida) is technically Norwegian.
The first song to introduce what would later become known as the very distinct Abba sound, Bara du slog en signal, hit the airwaves in 1973. The English lyrics were by Neil Sedaka. The title: Ring Ring. The year thereafter the intention was to enter the Eurovision Song Contest with Hasta Maňana, but a last-minute change produced the winning entry. Waterloo.
“And I’ve often wondered, how did it all start?
Who found out that nothing can capture a heart
Like a melody can?”
Abba never officially split up, merely took a break that lasted almost four decades. After the last recording, The Day Before You Came, was made in 1982 and the last single, Under Attack, was released in December of the same year, everyone assumed that their swan song had been sung, not knowing that cult status would be afforded to the Mamma Mia! shows and film, and that Voyager would sell 2 million concert tickets.
“I ask in all honesty
What would life be, without a song or a dance, what are we?
So, I say thank you for the music, for giving it to me”
Biographies, per definition, include dirty laundry. Since it is common cause that the Abba members were married and divorced, this expectation would apply. But it is not the case at all. Each of the four members have a single chapter devoted to their respective backgrounds, but gossip and bad mouthing are totally absent. The focus of the biography is Abba itself, the group, the build-up thereto, influences, the aftermath, and the legacy. The execution is thus presented in an impartial and factual manner; cheap sensationalism is avoided throughout.
The general background includes an investigation into the development of their unique style with reference to Swedish raggare and the dance band phenomena, the influence of the synth pop of the 1980’s on the disco phase, and the effect of tourist English on the lyrics. Of particular interest in this regard is the translation of the Swedish word rolight. In English it can refer to either fun or humorous and was intended to be the former in the lyrics of Money, Money, Money and Does Your Mother Know, but was translated as the latter because of Björn’s insistence that the sound of the lyrics was as important as the meaning. Also in respect of the lyrics, Benny stated: “Even the happier songs are melancholic at their core. What we did was melancholy undercover.” (13)
Perhaps this is the true magic of Abba, the ability to address the pensive desolation of humanity with lyrics that could easily be applicable to everyday life.
The author’s conclusion regarding Abba’s legacy is the greatest accolade that any music group can receive four decades after they had all but disappeared from the public eye: “Abba’s current standing is not about nostalgia. Many of those evangelising for the group’s music today were not even born when Abba was active. New generations of Abba fans have taken over.” (221)
#Uitdieperdsebek
#Faber
#JonathanBall
Humble beginnings.
“I’m nothing special, in fact I’m a bit of a bore
If I tell a joke, you’ve probably heard it before
But I have a talent, a wonderful thing
Cause everyone listens when I start to sing...”
These lyrics could have been uttered by all the members of the iconic Abba, the band from “a geographically remote country spanning the Arctic Circle with a language that nobody outside of Scandinavia understands...” (240) Even the band name is nothing spectacular, simply an anagram comprising the initials of the members, Anni-Frid Synni Lyngstad, Benny Andersson, Björn Ulvaeus, and Agnetha Åse Fãltskog. Known as a Swedish phenomenon, interesting trivia is that Anni-Frid (Frida) is technically Norwegian.
The first song to introduce what would later become known as the very distinct Abba sound, Bara du slog en signal, hit the airwaves in 1973. The English lyrics were by Neil Sedaka. The title: Ring Ring. The year thereafter the intention was to enter the Eurovision Song Contest with Hasta Maňana, but a last-minute change produced the winning entry. Waterloo.
“And I’ve often wondered, how did it all start?
Who found out that nothing can capture a heart
Like a melody can?”
Abba never officially split up, merely took a break that lasted almost four decades. After the last recording, The Day Before You Came, was made in 1982 and the last single, Under Attack, was released in December of the same year, everyone assumed that their swan song had been sung, not knowing that cult status would be afforded to the Mamma Mia! shows and film, and that Voyager would sell 2 million concert tickets.
“I ask in all honesty
What would life be, without a song or a dance, what are we?
So, I say thank you for the music, for giving it to me”
Biographies, per definition, include dirty laundry. Since it is common cause that the Abba members were married and divorced, this expectation would apply. But it is not the case at all. Each of the four members have a single chapter devoted to their respective backgrounds, but gossip and bad mouthing are totally absent. The focus of the biography is Abba itself, the group, the build-up thereto, influences, the aftermath, and the legacy. The execution is thus presented in an impartial and factual manner; cheap sensationalism is avoided throughout.
The general background includes an investigation into the development of their unique style with reference to Swedish raggare and the dance band phenomena, the influence of the synth pop of the 1980’s on the disco phase, and the effect of tourist English on the lyrics. Of particular interest in this regard is the translation of the Swedish word rolight. In English it can refer to either fun or humorous and was intended to be the former in the lyrics of Money, Money, Money and Does Your Mother Know, but was translated as the latter because of Björn’s insistence that the sound of the lyrics was as important as the meaning. Also in respect of the lyrics, Benny stated: “Even the happier songs are melancholic at their core. What we did was melancholy undercover.” (13)
Perhaps this is the true magic of Abba, the ability to address the pensive desolation of humanity with lyrics that could easily be applicable to everyday life.
The author’s conclusion regarding Abba’s legacy is the greatest accolade that any music group can receive four decades after they had all but disappeared from the public eye: “Abba’s current standing is not about nostalgia. Many of those evangelising for the group’s music today were not even born when Abba was active. New generations of Abba fans have taken over.” (221)
#Uitdieperdsebek
January 20, 2024
Den första bok som jag läst av Gradvall gav mersmak. Popprofessorn levererar en välskriven bok om inte bara ABBA utan om den svenska musik historien, kulturen och den kontext och de människor som varit viktiga för de fyra Abbornas musikaliska utveckling. Kul att få ta del av Gradvalls kunskap, reflektioner och insikter. ABBA som fenomen är långt större än vad jag har insett - något att vara stolt över som svensk.
December 24, 2024
Less a biography and more a deep dive into the 70s pop scene, post war Scandinavian culture and life, the effects of their proximity to the Soviet bloc on the Swedish psyche and how ABBA's sound influenced so many genres today that we consider to be far removed from pop.
The narration is a little dry, and my ears will never recover from this guy's imitation of an Irish accent, but I really enjoyed this informative and entertaining insight into the band that we derided and mocked until the generation after us made them cool.
The narration is a little dry, and my ears will never recover from this guy's imitation of an Irish accent, but I really enjoyed this informative and entertaining insight into the band that we derided and mocked until the generation after us made them cool.
December 2, 2024
En bok som nästan lika mycket handlar om andra aspekter av svensk historia som ABBA. Intressant och lagom självförhärligande inblick bakom kulisserna, jag hade kanske önskat lite mer fokus på framgångsåren dock!
November 28, 2023
Det är en hyllningssång på alla sätt. Men det är fint. Välskrivet. Initierat. Tesen om hur de påverkat alla drivs hårt men håller nästan jämnt.
December 14, 2024
I think that this is the best book about ABBA that I have read. The author Jan Gradvall puts both ABBA and their music in a cultural context rather than just a musical one. Jan Gradvall explores both the music and society that produced ABBA in Sweden in the late 1960s and early 1970s. It was not a biography as such more of a connection between the band and their surroundings. Yes, Jan Gradvall talks about the music and techniques used by Agnetha, Bjorn, Benny and Anna to produce the uniquely ABBA sounds but it does not get technical, in the way that many music bios seem to do.
Jan Gradvall writes well and keeps our interest in all things ABBA until the end (well personally I think the last couple of chapters, Herrings and Aquavit and The Song Of The Black Throated Loot, could have been left out). The book shows the timelessness of ABBA, but also digs deep to discover why this is so. For the most part it is the sheer simplicity of the music but with the core of talent that makes up ABBA. However, while the music may appear to be simple or easy it is not and that is the sheer genius of both Bjorn and Benny as well as the vocals of Agnetha and Frida A number of musicians have attested to this.
One fact that I did find interesting was that for performers in Sweden in the 1960s -1970s to be able to claim their stage outfits as tax deductions the outfits had to be such that they could not be worn in the street, something that perhaps explains the outlandish outfits worn by ABBA. There was one major issue that I had with this book. ABBA has and still is always spelt as ABBA and yet in the whole book it is spelt as Abba, it might appear to be insignificant, but I don’t think it is. The band, merchandise, album covers everything is always ABBA, so to not recognise this is just baffling.
Jan Gradvall writes well and keeps our interest in all things ABBA until the end (well personally I think the last couple of chapters, Herrings and Aquavit and The Song Of The Black Throated Loot, could have been left out). The book shows the timelessness of ABBA, but also digs deep to discover why this is so. For the most part it is the sheer simplicity of the music but with the core of talent that makes up ABBA. However, while the music may appear to be simple or easy it is not and that is the sheer genius of both Bjorn and Benny as well as the vocals of Agnetha and Frida A number of musicians have attested to this.
One fact that I did find interesting was that for performers in Sweden in the 1960s -1970s to be able to claim their stage outfits as tax deductions the outfits had to be such that they could not be worn in the street, something that perhaps explains the outlandish outfits worn by ABBA. There was one major issue that I had with this book. ABBA has and still is always spelt as ABBA and yet in the whole book it is spelt as Abba, it might appear to be insignificant, but I don’t think it is. The band, merchandise, album covers everything is always ABBA, so to not recognise this is just baffling.
June 6, 2025
Resident Music Nerd reporting for duty!
This is less "the story of ABBA" and more the story of ABBA's immense impact, not just in Sweden but around the world. This book handily demonstrates how ubiquitous and important ABBA's success was and the waves they made that are still being felt today. I went into this reading expecting an overview of ABBA's career -- that arguably changed the course of pop music as the world knew it in the 1970's -- but instead was gifted this reminder of far their reach really was, long beyond their too-short recording career (brief "reunion" notwithstanding). I also learned quite a bit about Sweden and its culture, and as an American, that was also fascinating.
My only real complaint would be the writer often jumped around within each chapter, requiring a bit more focus to keep to the topic at hand. Overall, this was a fun read and inspired me to re-listen to ABBA's entire recording catalogue. If you're curious, 'Voulez-Vous' is my favorite ABBA album and I'll hear no pushback! Recorded long before I was born and still holds up in 2025 if you ask me.
My many thanks to St. Martin's Press for this ARC!
This is less "the story of ABBA" and more the story of ABBA's immense impact, not just in Sweden but around the world. This book handily demonstrates how ubiquitous and important ABBA's success was and the waves they made that are still being felt today. I went into this reading expecting an overview of ABBA's career -- that arguably changed the course of pop music as the world knew it in the 1970's -- but instead was gifted this reminder of far their reach really was, long beyond their too-short recording career (brief "reunion" notwithstanding). I also learned quite a bit about Sweden and its culture, and as an American, that was also fascinating.
My only real complaint would be the writer often jumped around within each chapter, requiring a bit more focus to keep to the topic at hand. Overall, this was a fun read and inspired me to re-listen to ABBA's entire recording catalogue. If you're curious, 'Voulez-Vous' is my favorite ABBA album and I'll hear no pushback! Recorded long before I was born and still holds up in 2025 if you ask me.
My many thanks to St. Martin's Press for this ARC!
August 13, 2025
3.5 Not really a biography of the group though there certainly are biographical sketches throughout the book. Instead it is an in-depth look at the music: inspirations, where and how they wrote, the influences for each of the members, and how their sound evolved. A lot, and I do mean a lot is spent looking at the history of music in Scandinavia in general and Sweden in particular. Some of this is pretty interesting but I thought the author kept coming back to it again and again, rephrasing but basically the same information. I think I mostly enjoyed the parts that came about because he had interviewed them individually and collectively over such a long span of time, that he had lots of interesting information. That and the insight again from the members of the group on their inspirations and aspirations were the best parts for me. Well worth reading, and of course, I had to play ABBA after.
November 30, 2025
This was a very comprehensive detailed book about ABBA. It took me a long time to read and I kept going back to it between reading other books. It is not in chronological order and instead focuses on lots of details about the band members and those who surrounded ABBA. There is lots of talk about Swedish dansbandmusik and its impact on ABBA. Also other musical influences , production information and Bjorn and Benny’s writing style are highlighted in great detail.
I love ABBA but this was a little too technical and dry for me.
I love ABBA but this was a little too technical and dry for me.
September 16, 2025
It's only loosely in chronological order, so it does divert from time to time...but I'll forgive the structure in return for the fascinating information I discovered between the covers. This is more than a tale of ABBA...this is a tale of Swedish history both personal and cultural, and the effect of ABBA's music on the most interesting levels of other nations and societies. It's much more than you will be expecting...
April 21, 2025
En bok som placerar ABBA i svensk musikhistoria och även i världsmusikhistoria. Här får man en lektion i hur svensk populärmusik utvecklats fram till nutid. Man blir påmind om hur det var under tiden tiden ABBA var som mest kända. Och man spelar alla låtarna igen, och ser på dom på ett helt nytt sätt, hur fantastiska dom är. Thank you for the music, verkligen, och for the book.
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