Swedish superstars ABBA have said they are willing to write a Eurovision song for the United Kingdom.
Songwriters Benny Andersson and Björn Ulvaeus told the BBC they would be tempted to write the British song contest entry, should the right singer agree to perform it.
The pair suggested Dua Lipa as a potential candidate to represent the UK.
ABBA are willing to write the UK’s Eurovision 2022 song
Benny and Björn were interviewed on BBC Breakfast while promoting ABBA’s new album Voyage, the group’s first release in 40 years.
They took BBC correspondent Connor Paterson on a walk through Stockholm, exploring the city where they recorded most of their music.
The Brighton 1974 champions revealed they never originally intended to record an album, rather just two tracks for their upcoming virtual reunion shows. But as their work continued, they recorded more and more songs, eventually turning into Voyage.
Talk inevitably turned to Eurovision, with Paterson asking: “If you were asked nicely, would you ever consider writing the UK entry?”
Björn was sceptical at first, but Benny seemed intrigued by the idea. He said: “What’s the risk? You can’t be worse than last.”
Björn responded: “No, but it needs to be a really good act.”
His counterpart chuckled and suggested “New Rules” hitmaker Dua Lipa could be the answer to ending the UK’s 30 years of song contest misery.
Benny and Björn concluded the interview by reiterating it is unlikely another ABBA album is on the cards after Voyage. Björn said: “I never say never […] but I think that was our goodbye.”
Perhaps if the BBC find the right artist, more ABBA-penned music could be in the pipeline.
Who will represent the UK at Eurovision 2022?
In October, the BBC announced a collaboration with TaP music to help find the UK’s next Eurovision entry.
TaP music’s roster includes international superstars such as Dua Lipa, Ellie Goulding and Lana Del Rey. Little is known about the selection process, but a number of high-profile artists have declared their support for the move.
Sir Elton John said: “There aren’t many televised events that are as big and global as Eurovision, so it’s a wonderful opportunity for us to remind the world yet again of the depth and diversity of our talent. I can’t wait to see what gems our friends at TaP Music will unearth.”
What do you think? Would you like to see ABBA write a Eurovision song for the UK? Sound off in the comments below.
I’m thinking our singer and song will be chosen internally, but would anyone else like a national final, made from TAP artists? Take five artists from their roster who are hungry for the opportunity, hold it in a proper music venue like the Apollo, no judges or silly montages and treat it more like a music contest than an entertainment show.
And Graham Norton is a funny guy. But maybe he should not have too much with the contest to do…. Because his love for the contest is all the craziness.
Personally I’d love Yungblud to write & perform next year’s ESC entry, but it’s not going to happen. He’s a charismatic, lively perform who who is passionate about his music. He can do bangers, pop punk & ballads & has a great voice live. He’s a recently-established artist but has been tipped for a great career by some the greats. He’s also used to performing & is very comfortable on a large stage. No matter how big the venue, your eyes are always centred on him, he’s like a firework, full of energy & fire. He has a huge, very… Read more »
Bad idea. ABBA are legends, but so are Engelbert Humperdinck, Bonnie Tyler and Stock-Aitken-Waterman, and they all finished at the bottom. There is the exception of Andrew Lloyd Webber, but it is an exception.
The collaboration with TaP seems to me like good Idea because it has the potential of coming up with something contemporary and relevant. Looking for saviors from the distant past, but rather take on a bald new direction.
Agree. Waterman recycled some old Astley or Donovan B-side, it was a disgrace. And God knows how much he was paid. Very unfair on Dubovie. I will be very surprised indeed if Chelcee Grimes does not represent UK.
hold your apetite bjorn, UK is not cyprus or bulgaria, when they decide to take the contest seriously they will be every year in top 3
Well that worked well in 2019
did millenials not get the memo that hashtags aren’t a thing anymore ? pls the second hand embarrassment
Didn’t they already write a song for H & Claire from UK band Steps???
No they didn’t. That song already existed and was originally recorded by another Swedish duo, Gemini.
They were just asked a question, and gave it five seconds thought to be polite. It will never happen.
Probably not. Unsure I could cope with Listen To Your Heartbeat or Take Me To Your Heaven # 2
And we will over analyse their polite answer to a dumb question for hours on end!
You seem to share the BBC approach that relying on old legends is what works for ESC, that people somehow would vote for 70’s stars:)
Nostalgia never works in Eurovision
Hm, this year’s winners were very 1970s in a lot of ways…
Yes, but it doesn’t sound stuck in the1970’s. It obvious they are trying to recreate that sound while giving it a modern spin. ABBA however is 1970’s..
I remember everyone loving the song they did with Aviici for the 2013 contest, they’re not always stuck in the 1970s.
It would still be sad that the UK had to get Swedish songwriters, even if they are from ABBA.
UK already tried the old legends approach, didn’t work out. Doubt ABBA would do better! They might be legends but their music is very much stuck in the 1970’s disco-schlager era. That is not how music sounds today. I do agree that they need a contemporary singer with current sounds, presumably also one who writes the song..
Agnetha is also a good songwriter, I wish she would do it more.
This article omits the main reason the UK fails at Eurovision, according to Benny: you need better songs. I think that’s more relevant than the quip they made about wanting to write one for Dua Lipa.
Abba write a song for UK, UK finishes, oh I dunno 2nd to last.
Eurofans rejoice, counter any criticism with “not as good as waterloo, bad stage presentation”
I believe this is really surprising and nice of ABBA to provide a helping hand for the BBC in case they need it for Eurovision next year. However, I don’t believe relying on music tyrans from anywhere in the world is the key to success, especially not in the long run. The BBC should in my opinion re-establish their broken Eurovision brand (it being a joke and Europe hating the UK), and the best way to do that probably is by engaging upcoming British artists and songwriters. It would also make Eurovision more approachable to mainstream artists. It could let… Read more »
No, it\s not a good idea. Of course it would be iconic but their music is very old school/70s, which is awesome if you’re 60+ and in nostalgia mode but it does not work for Eurovision, otherwise Bonnie Tyler and others stars would have done well. I love their 2 new singles but UK needs to send a contemporary song and fresh TALENTED and charismatic singer. They were right about Dua Lipa, just find a pop songwriter to write a pop banger that sticks to your head with an artist who is charismatic (see Damiano this year). It’s not nuclear… Read more »
Love how they offer to help, but then roast them lol… “What’s the risk, you can’t do worse”.
I’m down! They still know how to write a jam.