ABBA’s Genius Legacy Is So Perfect It Inspired Pop Legends Like Madonna
Few assumptions are reliable, but it’s fair to assume everyone’s heard of ABBA. The Swedish group quickly rose to fame, becoming one of the most successful acts of the 1970s with their shimmering disco-esque sound and irresistible melodies. Their signature bell-bottomed style helped to secure their place as cultural icons, with the steady return of sequins sure to give them credit along the way. Despite their split in 1982, ABBA continues to embrace new projects and new technologies, ensuring that they continue to connect with younger generations. Their legacy is not exclusively one of nostalgia, but one that is very much alive.
The Timeless Sound of ABBA
ABBA burst onto the scene after capturing the hearts and ears of the world by winning the 1974 Eurovision Song Contest. The group quickly destroyed any risk of being written off as a one-hit wonder and continued to dominate the pop charts for almost a decade. They released hit after hit, made up of lush harmonies and sincere vocal delivery with a disco-coated sheen that made them universally irresistible to dance to. This combination led to, quite frankly, the vast majority of people connecting with them and their music in some way, even if they were too dull to admit it.
ABBA’s sound has never disappeared from the mainstream, even after their split. In 2005, Madonna gave them a boost when she sampled “Gimme! Gimme! Gimme!” in her Confessions on a Dancefloor hit “Hung Up,” honoring the irresistible groove of the band. More recently, though, ABBA’s music is echoed in the pop of Sabrina Carpenter. Carpenter’s Man’s Best Friend hosts the familiar glimmers of ABBA’s disco sheen, embellished with intricate harmonies that make it so inviting to sing along to. There are echoes of ABBA sprinkled throughout Carpenter’s record, but her closing track, “Goodbye,” has particular feelings of “Voulez-Vous” with its “ah-hah’s” and the cheeky, yet sentimental instrumental of the chorus is reminiscent of “Take A Chance On Me.”
Whilst ABBA’s sound took inspiration from and leaned into the conventions of disco, it was never solely disco. This means it can’t be pinned down to one period, and ABBA made their own sub-genre of pop that was solely for them. Their sound isn’t tied to a time period because it’s so defined by themselves, making their presence timeless. Their sonic elasticity is where their strength lies, and why their versatility remains at the heart of pop music today.
ABBA Are Cultural Icons, And They’re Not Going Anywhere
Beyond their records, ABBA are embedded in Western culture as a full-on phenomenon. Yes, their music is iconic, but so is their ability to be so visually commanding. Sequins, pastels, and outrageous flares became synonymous with the band, and their signature look could be recognized by anyone, and is even a common Halloween costume. This flamboyance remains to be imitated by contemporary artists. Benson Boone, for instance, has leaned into ABBA’s legacy, sporting a pastel blue sequined ensemble that channels their energy.
ABBA’s flair for spectacle is not simply enduring the test of time, either. It is evolving most innovatively. The band, all in their late 70s (except one who is eighty, but it seems unfair to single them out), have embraced technology with ABBA Voyage. In case you missed it, it’s a residency in London’s dedicated space, the ABBA Arena, where holographic avatars, ABBAtars if you will, perform an otherwise usual set. ABBA have successfully transcended time by never going out of fashion, but are now transcending space. They are a complete phenomenon that defies all senses of traditional performance, unique in their immersive methods to continue to meld with modern pop.
As well as in holograms, ABBA’s music lives on across all media. They inspired the Broadway musical Mamma Mia! before it was adapted into two iconic movies. The movies are cult classics, and the focal point of many sleepovers. Trust me, I was there and I learned the choreography. Their music continues to provide comfort for generations, with their willingness to embrace involvement in new projects fueling the excitement for the younger ones.
Ultimately, ABBA have demonstrated an incredible ability to bridge music, fashion, theater, movies, and now holograms together to result in a complete phenomenon, not just a band. Their fearlessness to embrace the new means they can recontextualize their creative catalog to feel timeless in a contemporary setting. They defined pop for the new generation, and continue to set the standard of next steps in the long careers the new stars will hopefully have, even over forty years after their official split. As long as pop exists, ABBA’s timeless spirit will be close by.
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