Anni-Frid Lyngstad of ABBA fame has revealed she is no longer a fan of the Eurovision Song Contest.
Anni-Frid, 75, who was launched into international fame after winning the Brighton 1974 contest alongside Björn Ulvaeus, Benny Andersson and Agnetha Fältskog with “Waterloo”, said the modern song contest is “not what it was”.
The Princess of Reuss admitted she no longer follows the contest and has no interest in it.
Anni-Frid Lyngstad of ABBA is not a fan of Eurovision
Speaking to Zoe Ball on BBC Radio 2’s breakfast show on Thursday 11 November, Anni-Frid said: “I’m not so interested because it has changed so much over the years and it’s not what it was at that time.
“Now it’s more like a show, it’s very technical and there are some good songs coming out of it, but I cannot say I’m a fan of Eurovision, maybe I shouldn’t say it, but I did it anyway.”
ABBA won the contest in 1974 and have since become one of the most successful Eurovision acts of all time, scoring nine UK number ones over the course of their career.
The group went their separate ways in 1982. Shortly after, Anni-Frid launched a solo career and two new albums under the name Frida. Ultimately, she did not achieve the same chart success she found with her bandmates.
The quartet are back on the scene with their 2021 album Voyage — a long-awaited moment for many Eurovision fans.
She added: “As Benny said in an earlier interview, we don’t have to prove anything so we have just done it for the fun of it and that’s a good feeling actually.”
Princess Anni-Frid said the fan reception has been good and it is ‘wonderful’ that people enjoy the group’s new album, and when quizzed about the possibility of more ABBA tracks in the future, Anni-Frid insisted: “I have learnt to say ‘never say never’.”
Although Anni-Frid’s comments suggest she has no interest in heading back to the song contest stage any time soon, her bandmates could still be swayed.
In an interview with the BBC, Benny Andersson and Björn Ulvaeus suggested they were “open” to the idea of writing a Eurovision song for the United Kingdom.
ABBA’s two Bs said a good act is the key to success at Eurovision. Benny said he saw no risk in the group participating once again, adding: “You can’t be worse than last.”
What do you think? Do you agree with Anni-Frid’s comments about Eurovision? Let us know in the comments below.
Read more Eurovision 2022 news here
she’s a duchess not a princess lol
What’s Swedish for “don’t bite the hand that feeds you”? I’d also be interested to know if there is a Portuguese equivalent
Everyone is entitled to their opinion. She’s not disrespectful and just doesn’t like it. Fair enough
It takes a Swede to suck fun out of everything
So true <3
I mean what did she expect? It’s normal it’s different 47 years later. But the core of Eurovision is still the same. It brings forward AMAZING music and the possibilities with technical stuff and lights is just a cool extra
Different languages? Most of the songs end up in English…
Well this year had a lot of other languages or bilingual songs in it
If it wasn’t for Abba, Eurovision and all the shows and contests and national finals and artists associated with the ESC would not have evolved into the contest we have today. Thank you ABBA for the music. Your legacy lives on. x
your rught but Abba also has succes thanks to ESC
right
I would not state that so loud and proud … The true force that allowed ABBA to be successful worldwide outside of the Eurovision umbrella was the surprising reception towards their music in Australia influencing right afterwards the UK and the rest of the world outside Europe. So, between Eurovision and SOS/Mamma Mia 18 months had passed into such commercial credibility got granted and a career of 10 years laid their ground. So, I don’t see Eurovision, as the true platform for their success … it was just the platform that introduced us to the group not granting, I am… Read more »
she’s not wrong tho, even jon ola sand snake confirmed it is much more about making a tv show than the song contest itself.
yes because people watch it beacuse it is a tv show go watch esc 1980 maybe that is for you
But that’s not true.
She is absolutely right and I salute her.
no she is not
yes she is right
Older people are often very honest and so is Frida. She knows the old ways of the seventies and liked that. But ESC has evolved and she is right in saying that it has changed enormously. These days ESC is as much about the show, the looks of the artist, technology and politics as about the song. It has become a completely different ball game altogether. I personally love today’s atmosphere around ESC. But I can imagine she prefers the “song” part and prefers a little less of the rest. And frankly, although I love today’s ESC, she does have… Read more »
Before her time, the artists used to wear extremely formal wear, the contest was more catered to a radio-listening audience while television was still in its early black-and-white period. ABBA’s period was marked by a time where anyone can now wear and bring anything that adds to the performance, do some choreography, be more than just one person performing (and no more than six), and the band itself benefitted from the temporary lifting of the language rule at the time. So basically, change has always been constant since the beginning. Sad she ain’t allowing herself to go with the flow… Read more »
Great post. Still many winners won more for song than the show – Salvador, Jamala, Duncan and even Maneskin (basically all the most recent sans Netta and maybe even her).
Frida has something we don’t have … she lived those times most of us did not live … when she won most of us weren’t even born … and for that reason, she can speak comparatively in a very assertive way something most of us cannot understand because we didn’t experience it … the same will happen with the kids watching this in 2050, for instance, they will not care to understand who Dana International or Conquita Wurst were… their focus will be on the songs and names playing out on stage before their eyes on TV or online by… Read more »
Not really tho. It brings forward amazing music, and people are bragging too much about politics and the technology stuff. That’s only an extra, the core of Eurovision is the same.
Honestly some of us need to get over ourselves. What we forget about people like Frida, ABBA, Olivia Newton John etc, is they are older people who have had long careers that have taken them all over the world. Their Eurovision experiences were decades ago. It was one week for them decades ago in a life of amazing experiences. Also we are talking about an older person who quite rightly, hasn’t kept up with today’s music trends. Even as a famous performer who has the energy to do so. And speaking of fame, Frida and Agnetha are doing minimal promotion… Read more »
She just stated her opinion in a polite way and haven’t showed any sign of ingratitude, there’s no reason to turn this into a drama. Her advanced age may explain where her opinions come from (though younger people can prefer old times’ Eurovision and older people can prefer the way it is now), but definitly aren’t a reason to offend her.
I agree. Her opinions are her own, and just as valid as any of ours. People should learn to actually be open to different tastes. This is in a way like Maruv not liking Arcade, and people giving her tough time for it. Anni-Frida really didn’t deserve that. She’s a living legend, alongside other ABBA members! We should be grateful that they are still willing to provide us with more music.
Also, in many cases it’s not like the person intended to be negative on that particular subject, they were just asked about it and gave an honest opinion.
so giving critic is offending for you
OK, Boomer’s mum! Ofc it is not the same as in the 70’s and that’s good. I don’t want to see stagnation rather evolution. Music changes, TV changes, people change. Face it
I don’t want to see ageism.
This is her opinion and she gas a right to say so. I also agree with her. Too much politics too much show and countries… Just because she does not like it and so do i is no reason for some comments to be so rude
Oh look another British local okay boomer
Excuse me? Btw I am not British
Just because you do not agree with her is no reason to be so mean.
I do not like it either due to too many countries(especially homophobic ones)too much politics and too many countries viking fir their neighbours…
You can disagree but at leest have the decency to be polite
People like to throw in politics to complain about the contest.if thay was the case, many of Nordics wouldn’t consistently been rewarded with points from non-neighbors.
I’m kinda tired of people talking about politics and Eurovision. Politics after all just play a small role in the contest and it’s actually one of the only events where people from different countries come together to celebrate music, that’s also why a lot o countries participating is cool (and more great music). But you only want to see the negatives. The show elements are a cool extra
Of course eurovision isn’t the same as it was in the 70’s. It would be sad if ESC was stuck in the past. I think we can all agree that there have been some bad changes but the overall direction seems to be good since ESC is more popular than ever. I’m not sure what she meant by saying “it’s more like show and very thecnical” but I at least enjoy eurovision being this huge epic celebration of art. ESC has always been a pioneer when it comes to use of technology so why would that change over the years… Read more »
If thats her opinion you dont have to agree with her but be polite and also she can say whatever she wants. It called freedom of speech
She hasnt said anything mean or offensieve either
Of course she can.
And I can also criticize her opinion.
It’s not strange that this pure musician doesn’t like it so much anymore. In her esc period the artists made music on stage and proved they were artists. Nowadays 75% of the performance is on tape , pre-produced karaoke. That must be terrible for real artists like Frida. You can call it development, but not for the better.
I do not see the probem with ESC getting more moderner
There is no problem with the contest becoming modern. It keeps the show alive and another generation can enjoy the same experience. We can’t expect old people to like it though. That’s unrealistic. Do we think today’s children will like the same things we do?
There are a lot of old people liking it, not only young people. My parents and grandparents love(d) it.
Ehh, that’s not really an accurate perception of music during that time period though. Most TV performances then would’ve been playback or lip sync because that was the standard of the time period (and in many ways remains the case today).
ESC nowadays is certainly more of a production and maybe she’d find that stressful, but she would be no stranger to a backing track.
That’s a ridiculous comment you make. The song is on tape, but they created it themselves before. Live singing is still GREAT. They are great musicians who put a lot of effort in their music, so you calling them not real artists is disgusting. Or did you really think music to be the same as 47 years ago?
As a winner for Sweden, the songs she pays most attention to are probably Swedish. If you look at Sweden’s most recent winner… it’s not hard to understand how she might have formed this opinion.
Most older people have some degree of nostalgia over how it was, and that’s understandable. She is right about the show being way more important than it was in 1974, but it’s a neutral fact, neither positive or negative on its own. What is positive or negative is how modern performers use those staging options, and an entirely subjective perspective of us who are watching it. Every contest is somewhat a product of its time, both musically and visually. For instance, I found it funny watching how static the uptempo songs were delivered in the 60s. They barely move… But… Read more »
Well I’m not a fan of Anni-Frid then
I dont think she cares and nor is she a fan of you.
And how many records have you sold?
Now we know why they divorced.
Well things change they have to become moderner to attract young people and have a lot of vieuwers off course do boomers like her are not liking ESC
Personally, I can see where she is coming from. I’m not that interested in ESC of the past, because I enjoy it more as a fun one-night TV show than some sort of very serious and deep competition, but, maybe, she thinks the other way.
OK! We found ourselves a new Salvador Sobral, and that is coming from a person who is above all suspicion and part of the act that is considered the most important of Eurovision history! And very unfortunately she is absolutely right!!! It is more and more about the show, the staging, the LEDs and effects on stage and less about the music… Fireworks anyone? (Before bashing me as an old kakoon, let me say that I am very much younger than her, the only difference is that I still love the contest, in spite of it…)
I’d still say that musically (listening to the songs with my eyes closed) 2021 contest makes every contest 1999-2004 pale in comparison as a whole. Not every song, of course, but as a whole…
Didn’t get to 1974 yet, though. 🙂
Hurry up, Gigliola Cinquetti is waiting…
Indeed! It was a good year!
If I’d had my way, she would have been the 1974 winner.
That, dear Colin, is absolutely true. I would even say 1999 to 2009 with very few honorable exceptions… That is the dark age of Eurovision, for me. Indeed musically it is a bit unfair to say that there are almost no good songs. . But the technological part has come so much in the forefront that indeed overwhelms the songs.
”But the technological part has come so much in the forefront that indeed overwhelms the songs.” In some cases, it really does. In some, it compliments the song. The teams have to be careful when making that decision. 🙂 Thank you for a kind answer, L’oiseau. 🙂
Yes because people watch ESC because of the show boomer
She is not right. Just watch it. Yes, there are more technical possibilities but that does not take away the great music and artists. This year for example was one of the best. Don’t comment without knowledge
I sometimes don’t like ESC either. It’s become a product, it’s lost its authenticity, it’s political.
It’s as political now as it was 30 years ago. In the end the country that resonates the most with viewer + jury wins however. The other is a valid reason though.
Bro you’re so wrong.
Nobody should judge her. When you are 75, you will probably be saying the same thing.
No I know a lot of old people who like ESC not all old people are boomers like ESC
She can at least be thankful to the contest that made her and her friends worldwide famous, i mean swedes didnt vote them in 1973, you cant say they have a sane way of voting
“Anni-Frid said: “I’m not so interested because it has changed so much over the years and it’s not what it was at that time. Now it’s more like a show, it’s very technical and there are some good songs coming out of it, but I cannot say I’m a fan of Eurovision, maybe I shouldn’t say it, but I did it anyway.”
Said by someone who is planning to cash with a hologram tour.
There are not doing it for the money you know…they are not using their status to cash in money like movie stars or other artists doing commercials for perfume etc
If you want a group thats doing it for money look at the Spice Girls…
Yeah, hologram tour is something people do for the fun of it.
Of course it’s not the same, the years gone by and it’s evolving through time it’s only natural . But I find it odd to say that for a show that they owe the begging of their career.
I wonder if she watched the performances of Loreen and Mans.
Mans??? You are joking, right?
she didn’t hate on Eurovision but i guess for a lady of her age Eurovision does look like very different and modern from what they used to know (70s,80s,90s) and if you look at the demographics, younger audiences watch Eurovision and make it viral on various platforms. So it’s ok that she’s not so interested, Eurovision has evolved throughout the decades and it’s becoming more and more mainstream and relevant with current sounds and interesting performers. I respect her opinion of course! I am not a fan of the new album, i only like the 3 singles but i am… Read more »
Sorry, but it has NOT become more mainstream. In her years and before, Eurovision was super mainstream, maybe too much actually.
I think it is pretty obvious it has become more mainstream. Neither Marija Serifovic nor Eimear Quinn had a chance to perform at the MTV Awards as headliners like Maneskin, and this is just an example of many we could use. But i think you zoom too far, you are right saying that in 1974 and before Eurovision was super mainstream, but it certainly stopped being so during the 80´s, in the 90´s it was on the verge of extinction and on the 00´s it gained more momentum but quality was somehow questionable, so Alex is right, because it has… Read more »
That’s why Eurovision is a great thing. That’s the only place where you see music you’ll never hear on the radio. And Marija won in a time when eurrovision was a bit on a lower point
It is only successful in Sweden and UK
whatever. she has been my least favorite of the ABBA bunch anyways stan agnetha
Fair. It did change. My favorite Eurovision time was probably from 2004 to 2010/11.
Yes it is good that it changed
Sweden too is not anymore the Sweden of the past time especially 1970
LOL,random post. Of course Sweden changes, that is unavoidable as we evolve over time. Sweden 2042 will not be the same as Sweden 2022. You cant really stop change or slow it down, just go with it
Exactly ESC also changes
You can’t expect all former winners to like or keep up with the contest. We all like to think every winner likes it and smiles when talking about it but truth is probably that most of them haven’t even watched it in years. Contest has changed as Frida says, as it should.
I am more surprised that the two B’s talk about it
Lol she and Salvador are the only winners who do not like ESC
France Gall didnt like it. Sandie Shaw avoided talking about it for a long time.
As for others I just dont think they keep up with it. Times are changed.
That’s not because they don’t like the contest but because they are tired of their winning song. Sandra kim likes the contest, Laura Tesoro does, but they only are tired of there song
Tell that to Bucks Fizz…
okay so 5 winners do not like ESC that is not many
Many others have passed away.
Most of the older winners are dead but while they were alive they struggled to keep up with it. Its natural part of life.
How can she not like Eurovision she needs to watch Wiwibloggs early January February she soon get back her back into to it LOL