ABBA: Thank You for the Music
Even more impressive than the meteoric rise of Swedish supergroup ABBA is their longevity of almost five years. Their music has flourished through every generation. The exciting documentary ABBA: Thank You For Your Music, originally produced in 2017, explores the band’s origins, revival and recent reunion.
Band members – including Bjorn, Agnetha and Benny – talk about the chemistry that developed during their journey to international superstardom. Additional interviews with some of the staff they met along the way and one particularly loyal fan illustrate their unparalleled perseverance.
Initially they stayed on the cover until realizing they could only soar with their source material. In a small wooden cabin in Stockholm, they set out to create their signature sound: inventive walls of sound, complete with surprising melodies and always uplifting vocals.
From “Dancing Queen” to “Fernando,” their music has a sense of freedom that defined the era in which they were released. A string of sold-out tours followed, effectively attracting audiences in the millions around the world. Going on to sell over 360 million records, ABBA’s popularity shows no signs of waning. This is largely due to the release of several tributes and compilation albums and the huge success of the films “Muriel’s Wedding” and “Mamma Mia!” This is especially surprising considering the band broke up for more than 30 years before reuniting in 2016.
The bandmates recalled their breakup and the public’s insatiable appetite for bringing them back into the spotlight. The film documents a stage in their journey as they prepare for their new album and world tour.
This movie isn’t your typical warty portrait of a dysfunctional band. There don’t seem to be any overly destructive addictions or struggles to contend with; indeed, every member of the band comes across as genuinely humble, at peace, and deeply grateful for their success. The documentary’s tone is as gentle and infectious as the melody itself.
Filled with a wealth of archival concert footage and smash hits, ABBA: Thank You for the Music is a fitting tribute to one of the most beloved bands in history.
