Back in April, ABBA revealed that — after more than 35 years of silence — the Swedish pop legends would reunite to release two new songs and film a television Christmas special. However, group member Bjorn Ulvaeus has confirmed that fans will be waiting a little longer. The TV special now won’t be broadcast until some time in 2019.
When the project was announced in April, things seemed on track. The group’s manager revealed that ABBA had recorded two new songs in the summer of 2017.
The two new songs were to have been debuted on a Christmas special, which would be broadcast on America’s NBC and Britain’s BBC. But now it seems that the show — which has the working title Thank You for the Music — has been delayed to an unspecified date in 2019.
It has now been revealed that the two songs — titled “I Still Have Faith in You” and “Don’t Shut Me Down” — are not yet ready for broadcast.
ABBA member Bjorn Ulvaeus explained the situation to the Daily Star. He said, “It was planned for the end of this year. But I think we are talking about the beginning of next year now.”
The new release date has quashed fan speculation that one of the new songs would be an entry in Melodifestivalen 2019. ABBA last won the national final in 1974 and appear to have no intention of competing again.
Ulvaeus spoke positively of the group’s new recordings. “I am very proud of both songs. One is like a pop song from the Seventies. The other one is kind of timeless.”
Earlier in the year, Ulvaeus shared more details of the new songs. He said, “One of them is a pop tune, very danceable. The other is more timeless, more reflective, that is all I will say. It is Nordic sad, but happy at the same time.”
While fellow ABBA member Benny Andersson suggested that there could be a third new song. But, he revealed, “If we do a third one, it won’t be out until we go on the road.”
ABBA have also been planning a virtual tour with holograms — of “ABBAtars” taking the place of Benny, Björn, Agnetha and Anni-Frid. The tour is likely to happen in either 2019 or 2020.
ABBA won Eurovision 1974 with their song “Waterloo”. It launched their international pop careers, which led to dozens of hit singles and multi-platinum-selling albums. The group eventually disbanded in 1982 and until recently have mostly worked on solo projects.
What do you think? Are you sad that you won’t be spending Christmas with ABBA? Are you looking forward to their new releases? Have your says in the comments section below!
So sad i’m eagerly waiting for this and now it is delayed but still wait for this.
This is good for everyone
I’m sad it’s delayed but thrilled that I didn’t miss it!
I saw Abba live in Sydney in 1977….I love them and look fwd to the new songs but an Avatar tour?…..I cant think of anything worse…..nothing compares to the real thing…Saw Deb Harry live last year and she was amazing and not an Avatar
I’m sad it’s delayed but thrilled that I didn’t miss it!
Waiting for this from long time. I am a huge fan of their music videos. I have been following them from long time.
I didn’t expect this thing and delayed for release this sad news for fans.
Yes you are right bcuz I am also his big fan.
yes I also agree with you because of i also a big fan of this
I am a little sad, but still very excited. I have loved ABBA from the beginning and still love them. Can’t wait to see if their tour comes to Kentucky.
If Abba entered a song in Melfest, it wouldn’t even be fair. They’d trounce everybody else. You really think they’d turn down a chance to send Eurovision’s most famous band, the reason Sweden was put on the map as a pop music paradise? Looks like it’s not happening, but man, what if
Does anybody seriously think that would enter Melfest again? The whole point of the hologram Abba-tar tour is that they don’t want to perform live again. A shame there’s a delay with the new songs, but after waiting 36 years I suppose we can deal with another few months.