45 Years Ago ABBA Won Eurovision Song Contest & Hearts Worldwide

45 years ago a foursome wearing glittering costumes performed on stage at The Dome in Brighton, England and changed music forever. Sweden’s Agnetha Faltstkog, Bjorn Ulvaeus, ‎Anni-Frid Lyngstad (Frida) and Benny Andersson of ABBA made history becoming the first Swedish group to win at the 1974 Eurovision Song Contest on April 6 1974 with the song Waterloo. Soon afterwards they would win hearts worldwide.

Waterloo has has been described as a song that forged a rocky beat with a catchy pop tune, all wrapped in a package of irresistible energy. It launched the group that would become global music superstars and many international record smashes would follow over an eight year period. Waterloo became a No. 1 hit in several countries. It reached the U.S. Top 10 and went on to sell nearly six million copies, making it one of the best selling singles of all time.

At the 50th Eurovision Song Contest anniverary celebration in 2005, Waterloo was chosen as the best song in the competition's history. Guinness World Records notes the Eurovision Song Contest as the longest running annual TV music international competition.

ABBA had the extraordinary gift to make the most touching songs for your happiest moments and at the same time deeply personal songs for times of heartbreak and pain. And plenty of catchy songs to make one's average day special with such lovely vocals that only the angels in heaven could top.

Today ABBA’s pop music is beloved worldwide perhaps even more now than when the band was actually together. Only the Beatles sold more records than ABBA’s 380 million albums and singles. ABBA is the group who turned down $1 billion to go on tour in 2000.

They’ve been cited as geniuses for making songs that featured the greatest pop choruses, melodies and arrangements. Some critics said they had a supernatural way with melodies.
Rock star Bob Dylan said, “One of my favourite groups of all times is ABBA.” Their songs have been featured in some 38 films including Mama Mia! Muriel’s Wedding, Night in the Museum: Secret of the Tomb, and Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again.

A little known group burst onto the world scene with Waterloo 45 years ago captivating people across continents and borders. Join me in my personal tribute to ABBA’s 45th anniversary of winning the European song contest as I share some surprising ABBA facts, other pop stars’ thoughts of ABBA, as well as those from other ABBA fans, including my own, as part of a special countdown of my 45 favorite ABBA songs. Yes, ABBA easily had 45 great songs! Like a fine wine, ABBA songs age well and find new, enthusiastic fans in succeeding generations.

I am an American ABBA fan of the Greater Seattle area who didn't see his first ABBA music video until some 20 years after the superstar group’s breakup. This is my labor of love about them for the way their music has blessed me.

Continuing my tribute to ABBA, starting April 22 I will share a daily ABBA music video and background song information as I begin my 45 favorite ABBA songs starting with #45 and working up. It will be a musical delight to your ears and you will learn ABBA facts to impress your friends. Agree or disagree with my upcoming song rankings, it will be a fun journey for you. But on this 45th anniversary, please enjoy ABBA’s actual performance of Waterloo which won the Eurovision Song Contest and unleashed their music to a forever grateful world. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3FsVeMz1F5c