ABBA: Thank You for the Music

ABBA: Thank You for the Music

2017, Performing Arts  -   7 Comments
7.98
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Ratings: 7.98/10 from 42 users.

The only thing more impressive than the meteoric rise of the Swedish supergroup ABBA is the longevity they've enjoyed for nearly five decades. Their music thrives through every generation. Originally produced in 2017, the exhilarating documentary ABBA: Thank You for the Music explores the band's origins, resurgence and recent reunion.

Members of the band - including Bjorn, Agnetha, and Benny - discuss the chemistry that produced one hit song after another on their road to international superstardom. Additional interviews with some of the collaborators they met along the way, and one particularly enthusiastic fan, further illustrate their unprecedented staying power.

Originally, they dwelled in covers until they determined they could only soar with their original material. In a small hut in Stockholm, they began to craft their signature sound: an inventive wall of sound accented by surprising melodies and vocals that never failed to uplift.

From "Dancing Queen" to "Fernando", their music felt like freedom and went on to define the era in which they were released. A run a sold-out tours ensued, which effectively garnered the devotion of countless millions across the globe. Over 360 million record sales later, ABBA's popularity shows no signs of waning. This is due in no small part to the release of several tribute and compilation albums, as well as the runaway success of the films "Muriel's Wedding" and "Mamma Mia!". This is particularly stunning considering the band dissolved for well over three decades before reconvening in 2016.

The band members recall their break-up, and the insatiable public appetite that brought them back into the spotlight. The film catches them at a stage of their journey when they're preparing a new album and world tour.

The film is not a typical warts-and-all portrait of a dysfunctional band. There doesn't seem to be any overly destructive addictions or in-fighting to contend with; in fact, each of the band's members come across as authentically humble, reasonably well-adjusted and deeply appreciative of their success. The tone of the documentary is as good-natured and infectious as the tunes themselves.

Featuring a wealth of archived concert footage and wall-to-wall hit songs, ABBA: Thank You for the Music is a worthy tribute to one of his history's most beloved bands.

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Hussain
Hussain
4 years ago

Where is Frida?

Hugh
Hugh
4 years ago

ABBA. Ah yes. they had a massive impact on me....and my friends. I remembered this as a time of discovery of energy in music and the impact it had on the listener.

Ross
Ross
4 years ago

I found Abba, late in life. I remember hearing two songs back in 73, but I couldn't identify who was the band. Now I'm in my 60s and decided to look on YouTube and there were the two girls with the songs that I remembered. So now I started digging more deeply into the bands history and WOW, there isn't a band with two female voices that blend so clearly and together thatI can think of.

Bob Wallis
Bob Wallis
4 years ago

Very good documentary!

vcragain
vcragain
4 years ago

A long time ago - but how lovely to hear this wonderful music again....sometimes it still pops up on radio or TV - and I do a little dance & remember my young life....now I'm 80, it was while my kids were small that this music filled the air....often we sang to this music in the car....lots of lovely memories - thank you again !

AL Syria
AL Syria
4 years ago

Tanks ABBA for the all beautiful times we had with your songs

Susan
Susan
4 years ago

Love this ABBA documentary!