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ABBA members reunite for knighthood

<p>ABBA has reunited to receive the Royal Order of Vasa knighthoods in Sweden. </p> <p>All four members of the iconic group were handed the honours by King Carl XVI Gustaf and Queen Silvia at the Royal Palace in Sweden.</p> <p>Bjorn Ulvaeus, Anni-Frid Lyngstad, Agnetha Faltskog and Benny Andersson received one of the country's most prestigious awards, establishing them as Commanders of the First Class, for “very outstanding efforts in Swedish and international music life.”</p> <p>The Royal Order of Vasa is an order of chivalry given in recognition of personal efforts for Sweden or for Swedish interests, and was last handed out almost 50 years ago. </p> <p>The pop band were recognised by the King and Queen for their cultural impact, which has taken Swedish pop music to a huge global audience, following their win in the 1974 Eurovision Song Contest with their smash hit <em>Waterloo</em>. </p> <p>Candidates for this year's Royal Order of Vasa honours were nominated by the public and approved by the Swedish government and the King. </p> <p>It has been forty years since the group last performed live together. </p> <p>In 2021 they released a comeback album called <em>Voyage</em>. </p> <p>The group also gathered at the ABBA Arena in London on Thursday to celebrate the second anniversary of <em>Abba Voyage, </em>the avatar show that has been successfully playing at the venue. </p> <p>They have declined to perform at at this year's Eurovision, marking 50 years since their win. </p> <p><em>Image: Henrik Montgomery/EPA-EFE/ Shutterstock Editorial</em></p> <p> </p>

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ABBA star launches solo career

<p>ABBA fans around the world are rejoicing after news broke that one quarter of the Swedish pop group is set to relaunch their solo project. </p> <p>On her newly-created Instagram page, Agnetha Fältskog announced that her new single, titled <em>Where Do We Go From Here?</em>, will air on August 31st at 8.30am (UK time), on BBC Radio 2.</p> <p>Fans were delighted by the news, as many flocked to the comments to express their excitement.</p> <p>“If it’s anything as amazing as <em>Don't Shut Me Down</em> I’ll be VERY happy!!” commented one fan, referring to one of ABBA’s 2021 comeback singles.</p> <p>Another person wrote, "We’re SO ready for wherever she takes us!", while another simply said, "The queen is back."</p> <blockquote class="instagram-media" style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/CwiVmbroCdK/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="14"> <div style="padding: 16px;"> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="padding: 19% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"> </div> <div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div> </div> <div style="padding: 12.5% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; margin-bottom: 14px; align-items: center;"> <div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(0px) translateY(7px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; height: 12.5px; transform: rotate(-45deg) translateX(3px) translateY(1px); width: 12.5px; flex-grow: 0; margin-right: 14px; margin-left: 2px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(9px) translateY(-18px);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: 8px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 20px; width: 20px;"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 2px solid transparent; border-left: 6px solid #f4f4f4; border-bottom: 2px solid transparent; transform: translateX(16px) translateY(-4px) rotate(30deg);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: auto;"> <div style="width: 0px; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-right: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(16px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; flex-grow: 0; height: 12px; width: 16px; transform: translateY(-4px);"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-left: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(-4px) translateX(8px);"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center; margin-bottom: 24px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 224px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 144px;"> </div> </div> <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;"><a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CwiVmbroCdK/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A post shared by Agnetha Fältskog (@agnetha_official)</a></p> </div> </blockquote> <p>Reports from <a href="https://www.thesun.co.uk/tvandshowbiz/23644664/abba-agnetha-faltskog-solo-career-record-deal-bmg/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><em>The Sun</em></a> revealed that the ABBA member has just signed a deal with Kylie Minogue’s record label BMG, meaning that more new music could be on the way.</p> <p>“Agnetha loved being back in the studio with ABBA and it inspired her to relaunch her solo career,” an insider claimed, as they went on to say she has been in regular contact for months with the team at BMG in London and they have helped develop her new sound.</p> <p>“After a long time working on new music, there is finally a body of work which she loves and which is ready for release.”</p> <p>Fältskog’s first solo release, a self-titled, Swedish-language debut, came out in 1968 before the formation of ABBA in 1972.</p> <p><em>Image credits: Getty Images</em></p>

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"Never forgotten": ABBA pay tribute to fallen bandmate

<p>Lasse Wellander, long-term guitarist for ABBA, has passed away at 70 after a short battle with cancer. </p> <p>Lasse’s family made the heartbreaking announcement on social media, writing that it was “with indescribable sadness that we have to announce that our beloved Lasse has fallen asleep. </p> <p>“Lasse recently fell ill in what turned out to be spread cancer and early on Good Friday he passed away, surrounded by his loved ones.</p> <p>“You were an amazing musician and humble as few, but above all you were a wonderful husband, father, brother, uncle and grandfather. Kind, safe, caring and loving... and so much more, that cannot be described in words. A hub in our lives, and it's unbelievable that we now have to live on without you.</p> <p>“We love and miss you so much.”</p> <p><iframe style="border: none; overflow: hidden;" src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/post.php?href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Fverywellander%2Fposts%2Fpfbid0TSYwXc842w9nvLQe2FDhjCPK4RpgNH9zqxMQuWgMibi582Fn9vxyWMYmREj3f5Wkl&show_text=true&width=500" width="500" height="680" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe></p> <p>Shortly after, ABBA released a statement of their own, paying emotional tribute to their late bandmate. Lasse played an “integral role” in the group’s success through the ‘70s and ‘80s, and featured on 24 recordings, including a number of their greatest hits - from the likes of ‘Knowing Me, Knowing You’ to ‘The Winner Takes It All’, ‘Crazy World’, and ‘Thank You for the Music’.</p> <p>“Lasse was a dear friend, a fun guy and a superb guitarist,” the band wrote on Facebook. “The importance of his creative work in the recording studio as well as his rock solid guitar work on stage was immense. </p> <p>“We mourn his tragic and premature death and remember the kind words, the sense of humour, the smiling face, the musical brilliance of the man who played such an integral role in the ABBA story. </p> <p>“He will be deeply missed and never forgotten.” </p> <p>The tribute was signed off by Agnetha [Fältskog], Björn [Ulvaeus], Anni-Frid ‘Frida’ [Lyngstad], and Benny [Andersson] - the same bandmates that Lasse began recording with in October 1974. </p> <p><iframe style="border: none; overflow: hidden;" src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/post.php?href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Fphoto.php%3Ffbid%3D762709755212655%26set%3Da.274452710705031%26type%3D3&show_text=true&width=500" width="500" height="397" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe></p> <p>As well as playing on all eight of ABBA’s albums, the late musician also experienced touring with the group, performing to sold-out crowds all over. In 2007, he even had the honour of working on the soundtrack for Mamma Mia!, a movie based on some of the band’s most popular songs. </p> <p>And in 2021, Lasse contributed to ABBA’s <em>Voyager </em>album, a reunion work that saw all four key members return with 10 new tracks to share with fans. </p> <p>Fans that have joined the band - and Lasse’s family - in paying tribute on social media, honouring his work and his vast contributions to the world of music. </p> <p>“Such sad news,” wrote one. “My condolences go to his family, friends and all his fellow musicians. RIP Lasse … Thank You For The Music Lasse.”</p> <p>“Such a sad loss. I still remember him on stage in Dortmund 1979, what a great concert, what a great musician,” shared another. “May he rest in peace.”</p> <p>“Thank you for the music Lasse. Your music will live on,” promised one. “Deepest condolences to you all and his family. We are mourning all around the world with you.”</p> <p><em>Images: Getty</em></p>

Caring

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Gimme! Gimme! Gimme! ABBA’s Florida mansion hits the market

<p dir="ltr">A mansion built specifically for ABBA is up for sale, and its new owners will also walk away with a collection of memorabilia, recording equipment, cassettes, and even a stereo that once belonged to the iconic Swedish pop band - as long as they can afford the $US 3.9 million ($AUD 5.59 million) price tag.</p> <p dir="ltr">The sprawling home was designed by the stars themselves in the style of a Swedish longhouse and built in 1982 - just before the band officially broke up.</p> <p dir="ltr">Bandmates Agnetha Fältskog, Björn Ulvaeus, Benny Andersson and Anni-Frid Lyngstad were believed to have lived in the house until 1986, when it was purchased by an unnamed couple who lived there until they passed away earlier this year.</p> <p dir="ltr">Even after all these years, the band’s recording equipment and tapes remain completely untouched inside the home.</p> <p dir="ltr">Lisa Farmer, the listing agent with Premier Sotheby’s International Realty, revealed that the architect who worked with the band to design their home had no idea that the two Swedish couples were actually the people behind <em>Waterloo </em>and <em>Dancing Queen</em>.</p> <p dir="ltr">“We found the architect and spoke to him on the phone. He said he was in a trailer on the site before the home was built with both couples, all four members of the band, face to face, designing the home,” Farmer said.</p> <p dir="ltr">“At the time, he didn't realise it was ABBA until a few days later when he got a call from a reporter in London who apparently got wind of it.</p> <p dir="ltr">“He said he met with two Swedish couples and that's how he found out it was ABBA.”</p> <p dir="ltr">Farmer added that it was “super cool” that there were things left behind from the band that were never even used.</p> <p dir="ltr">“There's some stereo equipment that the people who bought the house never even used,” she said.</p> <p dir="ltr">“It's in this one area where [ABBA] might have done some recording. There's an actual ABBA cassette that was left inside the cassette player.”</p> <p dir="ltr">The six-bedroom home on the island of Tierra Verde features a “community space with two-storey vaulted ceilings” according to the <a href="https://www.sothebysrealty.com/eng/sales/detail/180-l-3357-7xnejq/873-2nd-avenue-s-south-bay-st-pete-pinellas-point-tierra-verde-fl-33715" target="_blank" rel="noopener">listing</a>, as well as two identical wings on each side, complete with a master suite, loft area, and two bedrooms with jack-and-jill bathrooms.</p> <p dir="ltr">Recent upgrades include a new roof with skylights, battery-ready solar panels, renovated guest baths, and a fresh coat of paint.</p> <p dir="ltr">'[The band] specifically requested a Swedish longhouse design. It's got a really neat central, common living area that's big and open with a really nice stone fireplace,” Farmer said.</p> <p dir="ltr">“What's kind of unique is that the two wings on both sides of the house are exactly identical and symmetrical.</p> <p dir="ltr">“The layout of the home is pretty special and just makes for a great house for somebody who would like to entertain or has a big family.”</p> <p><span id="docs-internal-guid-b898f197-7fff-fd60-62e7-5de8234a0133"></span></p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Images: Getty Images / Sotheby’s International Realty</em></p>

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“This is it”: ABBA will retire after their comeback

<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">After an almost 40 year hiatus, ABBA is set to release a new album, which will be their last. </span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The Swedish pop band will bow out officially after their upcoming record </span><em><span style="font-weight: 400;">Voyage</span></em><span style="font-weight: 400;"> is released, which features a range of new music including their first single in 39 years </span><span style="font-weight: 400;">I Still Have Faith In You</span><span style="font-weight: 400;">. </span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Benny Andersson told </span><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/music/2021/oct/27/abba-reunion-interview-voyage-younger-selves"><span style="font-weight: 400;">The Guardian</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><span style="font-weight: 400;">“I never said myself that ABBA was never going to happen again. But I can tell you now: this is it.”</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">He added, “This is it. It’s got be, y’know.”</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The </span><em><span style="font-weight: 400;">Dancing Queen</span></em><span style="font-weight: 400;"> hitmakers have launched the new ABBA Voyage concert experience, which will open in May 2022 at Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park in London. </span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">ABBA will be performing digitally with their ‘ABBAtars’ with a live 10-piece band, which Bjorn endorsed as a form of live concert that could technically live forever. </span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">He said, “ABBAtars never tire. They can do 10 shows a day. No private jets. No riders. No worries about voices."</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Agnetha had previously admitted that the future of ABBA was “uncertain” due to their “minor ailments” after performing for so many years. </span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">She said, “I don't really dare to say ... We're a bit older now and have our minor ailments. We struggle on. But I don't dare say, because it's a bit uncertain.”</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“At the moment we feel happy that we got this together and let's hope everything goes well in London at the premiere over there.”</span></p> <p><em><span style="font-weight: 400;">Image credits: Getty Images</span></em></p>

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Dave Grohl admits he wants to play drums for ABBA

<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Nirvana drummer and Foo Fighters frontman Dave Grohl has admitted he would love to play drums for the iconic Swedish pop group ABBA. </span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">After listening to their comeback single </span><span style="font-weight: 400;">I Still Have Faith In You</span><span style="font-weight: 400;">, he admits he </span><span style="font-weight: 400;">"wept like a baby" after being a fan of the band since their genesis. </span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">While appearing on BBC Breakfast, Grohl said, "Oh my god, I'm such a big ABBA fan. When I saw that they were coming back and they had a record, I shot that link to 100 people I knew, then listened to the new song and wept like a baby. I cried like a baby. Oh man!"</span></p> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> <p dir="ltr">“Yes, I would play with ABBA” 👀 <br /><br />Dave Grohl + ABBA = the supergroup we’ve all been waiting for?! 😮😍 <br /><br />The Foo Fighters frontman tells <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/BBCBreakfast?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#BBCBreakfast</a> he ‘wept like a baby’ listening to ABBA’s new song for the first time.<a href="https://t.co/VEaGalQYNt">https://t.co/VEaGalQYNt</a> <a href="https://t.co/7mMGsgWRuL">pic.twitter.com/7mMGsgWRuL</a></p> — BBC Breakfast (@BBCBreakfast) <a href="https://twitter.com/BBCBreakfast/status/1443461356343209991?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 30, 2021</a></blockquote> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The rockstar said he became emotional at the new tune, saying, "It almost sounded like time hadn't passed. Plus it was such a beautiful, romantic, melancholy, bitter-sweet retrospective. Ugh, it's amazing. ABBA can do no wrong."</span><span style="font-weight: 400;"></span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">When asked if he would be willing to perform with the global hitmakers, he said, "Listen, I will get up and play drums at the opening of an envelope.” </span><span style="font-weight: 400;"></span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“Show me a drum set and I will sit down to it. So yes, I would play with ABBA."</span><span style="font-weight: 400;"></span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">In 2018, Grohl sported an ABBA t-shirt when appearing on </span><span style="font-weight: 400;">Jimmy Kimmel Live </span><span style="font-weight: 400;">to profess his love for the band and his excitement over their highly-anticipated return. </span><span style="font-weight: 400;"></span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">When Jimmy asked if he is a fan, Grohl replied, "Who doesn't love ABBA?! Everybody loves ABBA!"</span><span style="font-weight: 400;"></span></p> <p><em><span style="font-weight: 400;">Image credits: Getty Images</span></em><span style="font-weight: 400;"></span></p>

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Bjorn from ABBA sets out to fix $900 million problem

<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">ABBA’s Bjorn Ulvaeus has launched a campaign to fix the over $900 million problem in the music industry.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The project has been called Credits Due, and aims to ensure all musicians and songwriters are correctly identified when a song is recorded. </span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">This proper confirmation allows royalty payments to be accurately distributed within the competitive music industry. </span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">This incomplete and missing data has resulted in roughly $900 million left unallocated globally each year. </span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">"It happens frequently," Ulvaeus told the </span><a href="https://www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-58643787"><span style="font-weight: 400;">BBC</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">. "Which means that streaming services don't know who to pay."</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The new scheme will also ensure that music fans can see the correct credits for everyone who worked on their favourite songs, from the writers and producers to the session musicians and engineers.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">"We want to get back to that experience we had when we opened a double-sleeved LP and listened to the songs while reading the liner notes," Ulvaeus explained. </span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">"I think that's a very valuable experience that young listeners today are missing."</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The scheme will be able collate a more extensive catalogue for everyone involved in a track, as engineers and producers alike will be linked to "clickable in the digital liner notes".</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">"Every new person that walks into the recording studio will be registered," Ulvaeus said. "So, even in a symphony orchestra, every member will be clickable."</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">After launching the idea in London at the Ivor Novello Awards, which recognises the contribution of songwriters in the music industry, there was widespread support.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">"I think it's really important because there's lots of people behind the scenes that don't get the credit they deserve," said singer Emeli Sande.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">"You've got musicians that have practised and refined their art for their whole lives - so yeah, I'm very happy to support Bjorn."</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">British songwriter MNEK, who has written for pop stars around the world, agreed with the campaign, saying, "I think it highlights that more that goes into making music, than just being a pop star."</span></p> <p><em><span style="font-weight: 400;">Image credits: Getty Images</span></em></p>

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ABBA break their 39-year hiatus to release new music

<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The Swedish pop band ABBA are rumoured to be releasing new music this Friday, breaking their 39-year hiatus. </span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The global hitmakers are preparing to make their comeback with a show called Abba Voyage, which will see hologram projections </span><span style="font-weight: 400;">of their younger selves beamed on stage to perform their songs. </span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">A source reported, 'ABBA are finally making their comeback and plan to release their first new music in 39 years next Friday — it's huge.'</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The Abba Voyage will follow the group’s highly-anticipated comeback in a high tech show that will reportedly open next month in an East London theatre. </span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The insider added. “Bjorn, Benny, Agnetha and Anni-Frid will all be there on the opening night. And they will finally unveil their Abba-tars, which are like holograms of themselves.”</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“The show will feature the Abba-tars performing and speaking to the audience. It will be like taking a step back in time for those watching.”</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Plans for the band’s return have been in place since 2019, but were delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. </span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The comeback comes after reports surfaced on Tuesday that the group were set to hold a press conference in Stockholm, leading to a flurry of speculation that a huge announcement could be on the cards. </span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">In 2018, the Swedish quartet announced that they were recording new tracks, and that they have more songs than originally planned. </span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">In a statement announcing the new songs, ABBA said at the time,”'The decision to go ahead with the exciting ABBA avatar tour project had an unexpected consequence.”</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“We all four felt that, after some 35 years, it could be fun to join forces again and go into the recording studio.”</span></p> <p><em><span style="font-weight: 400;">Image credits: Getty Images</span></em></p>

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7 iconic songs that will transport you back to the '70s

<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The 1970’s was a simpler time for some, and with hits like these, it’s easy to see why.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Listen to the top 7 songs of the 1970’s and take a journey back in time.</span></p> <p><strong><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I_izvAbhExY">Stayin’ Alive by the Bee Gees</a></strong></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">This song was made iconic as it played over the opening credits of 1977 film </span><span style="font-weight: 400;">Saturday Night Fever</span><span style="font-weight: 400;"> as John Travolta struts through the streets of NYC. The song was written specifically for the film and quickly climbed through the charts.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The band was well aware that they were creating a heart-thumping rhythm with the song.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">"We thought when we were writing it that we should emulate the human heart," Robin Gibb explained in Daniel Rachel's </span><span style="font-weight: 400;">The Art of Noise: Conversations with Great Songwriters</span><span style="font-weight: 400;">. </span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">"We got Blue Weaver who was the keyboard player at the time to lie on the floor and put electrodes on his heart and put it through the control room. Then we got the drummer to play the heartbeat. We were the first people in the world to do a drum loop based on that."</span></p> <p><strong><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0CFuCYNx-1g">Superstition by Stevie Wonder</a></strong></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Believe it or not, Stevie Wonder wrote this song about the dangers of believing in superstitions.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The song incorporates many elements of rock music, which was ideal for Wonder at the time as it helped extend his appeal to a white audience.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">It worked as it was his second #1 hit in the U.S.</span></p> <p><strong><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xFrGuyw1V8s">Dancing Queen by ABBA</a></strong></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">ABBA had recorded this song a year before it was released, and it was written around the same time as “</span><span style="font-weight: 400;">Fernando</span><span style="font-weight: 400;">”. However, they chose to release </span><span style="font-weight: 400;">Fernando</span><span style="font-weight: 400;"> as the single as they knew they were onto something big with </span><span style="font-weight: 400;">Dancing Queen.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">This song was the only one of ABBA’s 14 US Top 40 hits to make it to number one and it’s easy to see why.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The song also reached number one in Australia, Belgium, Brazil, Ireland, Mexico, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Rhodesia, South Africa, Sweden and Germany.</span></p> <p><strong><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kgl-VRdXr7I">Killing Me Softly With His Song by Roberta Flack</a></strong></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The story goes that the inspiration for this song is Don McLean, who was famous for </span><span style="font-weight: 400;">American Pie</span><span style="font-weight: 400;">.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The songwriting team of Charles Fox and Norman Gimbel intimately wrote the track back in 1973, and it wasn’t until Roberta Flack heard the original artist sing the song that she decided to record it herself.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Charles Fox first heard from Flack after Quincy Jones gave her his number.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“I was at Paramount Pictures one day walking through the music library, and someone handed me a telephone and said, 'This is for you.' And the voice on the other end of the line said, 'Hi, this is Roberta Flack. We haven't met, but I'm going to sing your songs.'</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“So it was kind of magical at that - that thing just doesn't happen to people. She had just won the Grammy Award for '</span><a href="https://www.songfacts.com/facts/roberta-flack/first-time-ever-i-saw-your-face"><span style="font-weight: 400;">First Time Ever I Saw Your Face</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">.' Beautiful record. So it's kind of remarkable to get a call from her in the first place. And she did go on to sing other songs. And actually, she sang on the main title for me of a show that was called </span><span style="font-weight: 400;">Valerie</span><span style="font-weight: 400;"> after Valerie Harper."</span></p> <p><strong><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mQZmCJUSC6g">You’re So Vain by Carly Simon</a></strong></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">It looks like no one apart from Simon herself will know who she’s singing about, although this hasn’t stopped people from trying to figure it out.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Rumours include Warren Beatty, Kris Kristofferson, Cat Stevens and Mick Jagger.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">However, Richard Perry, who produced the album, has his own ideas about who the song is about.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">He said in the book </span><span style="font-weight: 400;">The Record Producers</span><span style="font-weight: 400;">: "It's about a compilation of men that Carly had known, but primarily Warren Beatty."</span></p> <p><strong><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fJ9rUzIMcZQ">Bohemian Rhapsody by Queen</a></strong></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">It seems like no one will know what this song is about either, apart from the band and Freddie Mercury himself.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">When pressed, Mercury remained tight-lipped.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Mercury himself stated, "It's one of those songs which has such a fantasy feel about it. I think people should just listen to it, think about it, and then make up their own minds as to what it says to them."</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The band has always been very keen to let listeners interpret the music in a way that’s personal to them instead of imposing their own meaning on the songs.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The song was Queen’s first Top 10 hit in the US. In the UK, the song shot up to #1 and stayed there for nine weeks, which was a record for the time. </span></p> <p><strong><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WrcwRt6J32o">Bridge over Troubled Water by Simon and Garfunkel</a></strong></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Paul Simon wrote this song about providing comfort to a person in need. </span><span style="font-weight: 400;">He revealed this in the documentary </span><em><span style="font-weight: 400;">The Marking of Bridge Over Troubled Water</span></em><span style="font-weight: 400;">.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“I have no idea where it came from,” Simon said.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“It came all of the sudden. It was one of the most shocking moments in my songwriting career. I remember thinking, 'This is considerably better than I usually write."</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Upon its release, it was one of the few songs to top the US and UK charts at the same time. It was #1 in the US for six weeks and #1 in the UK for three. </span></p>

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Swedish pop stars ABBA announce they’re releasing new music

<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">ABBA, the Swedish pop group that stole the hearts of Aussies across the nation are set to release new music in September or October of 2019.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">ABBA member Bjorn Ulvaeus has revealed that fans can expect new songs “in September or October” from the group, who broke up 37 years ago.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The new songs are </span><span style="font-weight: 400;">I Still Have Faith In You </span><span style="font-weight: 400;">and </span><span style="font-weight: 400;">Don’t Shut Me Down</span><span style="font-weight: 400;">.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Ulvaeus told Denmark’s </span><span style="font-weight: 400;">Ekstra Bladet</span><span style="font-weight: 400;"> newspaper that the music takes “an extremely long time” to make the video with the avatars of the group members.</span></p> <p><iframe width="633" height="356" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/JAeDoZMZ7ME" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The avatars that he is referring to is the group reuniting for a virtual tour featuring digital avatars, but unexpected legal issues got in the way of that. </span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The virtual tour was first announced in 2016 and was expected to premiere this year, but legal complications have delayed the tour.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Benny Andersson, another ABBA band member, said in an interview on the fan site IceTheSite that things were running smoothly until they weren’t.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“When that press release [about the TV show and recordings] came out, everything was up and running smoothly, then it didn’t run as smoothly,” he said. </span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“We are still trying to establish the agreement that needs to be done to be able to continue. We are good.”</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;"> “It’s the other side, everything that has to be done, everything that has to be drawn. It’s delayed. It’s not our doing.”</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Andersson also teased a potential third song from the group.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“We may do another one when the show [launches],” he said in an interview posted last month. “And that’s gonna take another 6-8 months. The reasons we did the new songs was to put them in the new show. </span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“Now when this show comes up these songs will be old because they [will have been released when the show launches]. So we said we need to do another one for the show.”</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">He also mentioned that no time had passed at all for the group and explained the joys behind recording together again.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“We had such a good time, we really, really did, we were all back to where we ended, having fun. It was just like no time had passed, we all felt that and we were all happy about feeling that.”</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Are you excited for new ABBA music? Let us know in the comments.</span></p>

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ABBA fans rejoice! Two new songs set to be released

<p>Swedish disco group ABBA have reunited to release two new songs, 35 years after the release of their last single, sparking joy amongst the band’s many fans.</p> <p><a href="https://au.news.yahoo.com/" target="_blank"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em><strong>Yahoo 7 reports</strong></em></span></a> the group will release two new songs called “I Still Have Faith In You” and “Don’t Shut Me Down” which were recorded last year on the sly.</p> <p>“We all four felt that, after some 35 years, it could be fun to join forces again and go into the recording studio. So we did,” the group said in a statement.</p> <p>The legendary group split up in 1982 after a legendary run of hits with songs like, “Waterloo”, “Dancing Queen”, “Mamma Mia” and “Super Trouper”.</p> <p>“It was like time had stood still and that we only had been away on a short holiday. An extremely joyful experience!” the band members added.</p> <p>Fans are now waiting with baited breath for the release of the songs, and music expert Carl Magnus Palm, who has written several books about the group, sees no reason why the new music won’t be a hit.</p> <p>“I think it’s going to sound pretty much like their last songs from 1982, with quite a mild tempo, not like ‘Voulez-Vous’ or ‘Gimme Gimme Gimme’,” he told AFP.</p> <p>“Frida’s and Agnetha’s voices are the same, so it won’t be a huge difference,” he said</p> <p>What are your thoughts?</p>

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ABBA to reunite for “entertainment experience”

<p>After almost 35 years since their final public performance, iconic Swedish pop group ABBA are set to reunite once more for “a new entertainment experience” that will allow fans to “see, hear, and feel ABBA in a way previously unimagined”.</p> <p>The digital project will be helmed by music mogul Simon Fuller (the man behind the Spice Girls and <em>American Idol</em>) and will reportedly utilise “the very latest in digital and virtual reality technology,” designed to bring Benny Andersson, Agnetha Fältskog, Björn Ulvaeus and Anni-Frid Lynstad’s music to a whole new generation – as well as to their decades-long fans.</p> <p>“The members of ABBA will be involved throughout the creative process maintaining the authenticity and integrity of the bands original vision within this exciting new realm of entertainment possibilities,” a representative for the band wrote in a statement posted on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/ABBA/posts/1645651982127174:0" target="_blank"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Facebook</span></strong></a>.</p> <p>While details are rather scarce at the moment, it’s safe to say the world will be watching closely! Tell us in the comments below, are you excited for ABBA’s new project?</p> <p><strong>Related links:</strong></p> <p><a href="/news/news/2016/10/the-actor-who-was-supposed-to-play-indiana-jones/"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em><strong>The actor who was supposed to play Indiana Jones</strong></em></span></a></p> <p><a href="/news/news/2016/10/pop-icon-bobby-vee-passes-away-aged-73/"><em><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>Pop icon Bobby Vee passes away aged 73</strong></span></em></a></p> <p><a href="/lifestyle/beauty-style/2016/09/abbas-most-fabulous-outfits/"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em><strong>10 of ABBA’s most fabulous outfits</strong></em></span></a></p>

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10 of ABBA’s most fabulous outfits

<p>From sequin jumpsuits to go-go boots, and even garments made entirely out of aluminium foil, ABBA sure have come out with some ridiculous outfits of the years. The Swedish popgroup’s collective efforts to remain weird and wonderful earned them a spot in both music and fashion history.</p> <p>Interestingly enough, there’s a very business savvy reason behind the bands creative wardrobe choices. As revealed in the documentary <em>ABBA: The Official Photo Book</em>, they exploited a Swedish law that rendered all work clothes tax deductable if you could prove that they were never used for daily wear. So, unless Anni-Frid did her food shopping in that snake-skin one piece, they claimed back quite a lot of expenditure over the years.</p> <p>Scroll through the gallery above to see some of the most brilliantly bizarre ensembles donned by Gnetha Fältskog, Björn Ulvaeus, Benny Andersson, and Anni-Frid Lyngstad.</p> <p>What’s your favourite ABBA song? We don’t think we’ll ever be able to get past “Dancing Queen”. Let us know in the comments below.</p> <p><strong>Related links:</strong></p> <p><a href="/lifestyle/beauty-style/2016/08/10-best-photos-of-lucille-ball/"><em><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">10 best photos of Lucille Ball</span></strong></em></a></p> <p><a href="/lifestyle/beauty-style/2016/06/favourite-looks-from-paul-mccartney/"><em><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Our 10 favourite looks from Paul McCartney</span></strong></em></a></p> <p><a href="http://www.oversixty.co.au/lifestyle/beauty-style/2016/02/best-elizabeth-taylor-looks/"><em><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Our favourite Elizabeth Taylor looks</span></strong></em></a></p>

Beauty & Style

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The sad meanings behind these happy-sounding songs

<p>They’re the songs we turn to when we need a pick-me-up after a lousy day, but have you ever had a proper listen to some of your favourites? They may be darker than they seem! Here are 7 happy-sounding songs with surprisingly grim lyrics.</p> <p><strong>“You Are My Sunshine” by Jimmie Davis</strong></p> <p>The title alone is enough to stir up the warm and fuzzies, but if you listen beyond the sweet chorus of this classic 1939 song, you’ll find it’s actually quite dark, referring to themes of death and loss quite often throughout.</p> <p><strong>“Maxwell’s Silver Hammer” by The Beatles</strong></p> <p>With its jaunty piano rhythm and Paul McCartney’s cheerful vocals, you’d never know that “Maxwell’s Silver Hammer” actually dealt with some seriously sinister subject matter – namely, a schoolboy named Maxwell who murders people with his silver hammer.</p> <p><strong>“99 Luftballons” by Nena</strong></p> <p>You’d be forgiven for not realising the depressing lyrics behind this song, given it’s in German, but you may be surprised to learn it’s not as cheery as it may sound. It tells the story of 99 red balloons released into the sky being mistaken for UFOs and causing 99 years of war.</p> <p><strong>“I Don’t Like Mondays” by The Boomtown Rats</strong></p> <p>On the surface, this song penned by front man Bob Geldof sounds quite lovely, but its lyrics were actually inspired by a 16-year-old girl who went on a shooting spree at her school. Her explanation? "I don't like Mondays. This livens up the day."</p> <p><strong>“It’s My Party” by Lesley Gore</strong></p> <p>This Quincy Jones-produced hit definitely has an upbeat tune, but did you know why the protagonist was crying at her party? As it turns out, the song is about a girl who’s crush brings another girl to her party without asking. Poor lass!</p> <p><strong>“Mamma Mia” by ABBA</strong></p> <p>Released in 1976, “Mamma Mia” became one of ABBA’s most recognisable hits, but behind the catchy lyrics and fun beat lies a sad meaning. It tells the story of a girl who is cheated on by her lover, but can’t resist taking him back.</p> <p><strong>“Electric Avenue” by Eddy Grant</strong></p> <p>Fun, funky and reggae-inspired, this hit 1982 song is actually a take on the 1981 Brixton riot – particularly Electric Avenue, named for its status as the first electrically lit street in Brixton. The riots began after tensions rose among the area’s Caribbean immigrant community.</p> <p>What other happy-sounding songs have you found hidden meanings in? Let us know in the comment section below.</p> <p><strong>Related links:</strong></p> <p><a href="/entertainment/music/2016/06/original-names-of-famous-bands/"><strong><em><span style="text-decoration: underline;">The surprising original names of famous bands</span></em></strong></a></p> <p><a href="/entertainment/music/2016/05/1970s-songs-that-defined-a-decade/"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em><strong>1970s: songs that defined a decade</strong></em></span></a></p> <p><a href="/entertainment/music/2016/04/heartbreaking-meaning-behind-songs/"><em><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>The real meaning behind these songs is heartbreaking</strong></span></em></a></p>

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ABBA reunite for first public performance in 30 years

<p>The four members of everyone’s favourite Swedish pop group ABBA have reunited onstage for their first public performance together in more than 30 years.</p> <p><span>And as you can probably imagine just looking at the pictures in the gallery above, it was a memorable performance that thrilled the crowd in attendance.</span></p> <p>The unexpected performance took place at a private gala in Stockholm, celebrating the 50th anniversary of Björn Ulvaeus and Benny Anderson meeting for the first time. The song-writing duo’s meeting would pave the way for ABBA’s global success.</p> <p>Towards the end of the evening, ABBA’s female members Agnetha Faltskog and Anni-Frid (Frida) Lyngstad, took to the stage to perform the group’s 1980 hit <em>Me and I</em>.</p> <p>To the delight of the small group in attendance, Benny and Björn unexpectedly joined Frida and Agnetha towards the end of the performance, reuniting the group in their first public appearance since splitting at the peak of the fame in the early eighties.</p> <p>Many believe such a reunion was impossible, even as the group <a href="/news/news/2016/01/abba-reunited-at-opening-of-mamma-mia-themed-restaurant/" target="_blank"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>reunited earlier this year</strong></span></a> to celebrate the opening of a Mamma Mia-themed restaurant in Sweden.</p> <p>To see pictures of the reunion scroll through the gallery above.</p> <p>Isn’t it amazing to see them back together onstage again? It’s a tough call, but what’s your favourite ABBA song of all time?</p> <p>Let us know in the comments. </p> <p><em>Image credit: Instagram / perurban, Instagram / kandis_tv</em></p> <p><strong>Related links:</strong></p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em><strong><a href="/news/news/2016/01/abba-reunited-at-opening-of-mamma-mia-themed-restaurant/">ABBA reunited on stage for the first time in 30 years</a></strong></em></span></p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em><strong><a href="/entertainment/music/2016/05/1970s-songs-that-defined-a-decade/">1970s: songs that defined a decade</a></strong></em></span></p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em><strong><a href="/health/body/2015/11/feel-good-playlist-according-to-science/">The feel-good playlist, according to neuroscientists</a></strong></em></span></p>

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1970s: songs that defined a decade

<p>It was the decade that brought us lava lamps, Farrah Fawcett’s enviable hair and <em>Saturday Night Fever</em>. The ‘70s also brought us some incredible tunes, thanks to ABBA, David Bowie, Queen and more. In this article we take a look at the songs that defined a decade.</p> <p><strong>“Go Your Own Way” by Fleetwood Mac</strong></p> <p>Released in 1976, “Go Your Own Way” was written by Lindsey Buckingham about his failing relationship with Stevie Nicks. It has since become an anthem of independence and self-confidence.</p> <p><strong>“Imagine” by John Lennon</strong></p> <p>The best-selling single of his solo career, John Lennon’s 1971 song “Imagine” speaks to his anti-war beliefs, imagining a world free from the barriers of religion, nationality and class.</p> <p><strong>“Stayin’ Alive” by The Bee Gees</strong></p> <p>It’s hard to think about the ‘70s without thinking of The Bee Gees. The quintessential disco track, “Stayin’ Alive” was one of the band’s biggest hits off the back of the 1977 film <em>Saturday Night Fever</em>.</p> <p><strong>“You’re So Vain” by Carly Simon</strong></p> <p>One of the most talked-about songs of all time, Carly Simon’s Grammy Hall of Fame-winning 1972 “You’re So Vain” was reportedly a profile of three self-absorbed ex-lovers, one of them Warren Beatty.</p> <p><strong>“Superstition” by Stevie Wonder</strong></p> <p>He originally wrote it for Jeff Beck, but in the end Wonder himself took “Superstition” and made it a funk classic in 1972. Who could forget that incredible bassline?</p> <p><strong>“Tiny Dancer” by Elton John</strong></p> <p>This beautiful 1971 song written by Bernie Taupin is one of Elton John’s most beloved hits. It never reached higher than 13th on the charts at the time but has since become one of his most popular songs.</p> <p><strong>“Bohemian Rhapsody” by Queen</strong></p> <p>Released in 1975, this epic song with the music video to match is one of the highest-selling songs of all time. Campy and outrageous on a grand scale, this song is an icon of the 1970s music scene.</p> <p><strong>“Dancing Queen” by ABBA</strong></p> <p>Surprisingly the only ABBA song that made it to number 1 in the US, “Dancing Queen” is widely regarded as one of the best pop songs of all time. Catchy and well-written, we can see why.</p> <p><strong>“Stairway to Heaven” by Led Zeppelin</strong></p> <p>It’s been the subject of <a href="http://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/led-zeppelin-heading-to-court-over-stairway-to-heaven-20160412" target="_blank"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">recent controversy</span></strong></a>, but “Stairway to Heaven”, released in 1971, is one of the 1970s’ most recognisable hits, thanks to some stunning guitar work from Jimmy Page.</p> <p><strong>“Heroes” by David Bowie</strong></p> <p>Though he sadly passed away not long ago, David Bowie has left us an incredible catalogue of hits. “Heroes” is by far one of his most popular, due to its celebration of the uniqueness and spirit inside us all.</p> <p><strong>Related links:</strong></p> <p><a href="/entertainment/music/2016/04/the-surprising-real-names-of-singers/"><strong><em><span style="text-decoration: underline;">The surprising real names of famous singers</span></em></strong></a></p> <p><a href="/entertainment/music/2016/03/rare-photos-of-famous-musicians-by-michael-putland/"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong><em>Never-before-seen photos of famous musicians</em></strong></span></a></p> <p><a href="/entertainment/music/2016/03/rock-and-roll-hits-banned-from-being-played/"><strong><em><span style="text-decoration: underline;">6 rock ‘n’ roll hits banned from being played</span></em></strong></a></p>

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ABBA reunited on stage for the first time in 30 years

<p>All four former members of Swedish pop sensation ABBA have reunited on stage for the first time in three decades. Sadly, however, it wasn’t to perform but to celebrate the opening of a Mamma Mia-themed restaurant in Sweden.</p> <p>The four members of ABBA — Benny Andersson, Anni-Frid Lyngstad, Agnetha Fältskog and Bjorn Ulvaeus — posed for their first photo together since 1982, which was then uploaded to the band’s Facebook page.</p> <p><img width="526" height="296" src="http://cdn.newsapi.com.au/image/v1/d0b33e9a4390d10f1936c8788e2570de" alt="Thank you for the music ... ABBA reunite for a photo in Stockholm last night." style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"/></p> <p>The venue is owned by Ulvaeus and is based on the Green tavern depicted in the 2008 musical film, Mamma Mia!, which features the group’s classic hits.</p> <p>The most famous band ever to emerge out of Eurovision were last seen together at the film premiere of Mamma Mia!. This is believe to be the first time they’ve come together in the eight years.</p> <p>The photo has sparked fresh rumours about the possibility of a reunion, a claim that all members have consistently said will never happen. </p> <p><strong>Related links: </strong></p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong><em><a href="http://www.oversixty.co.nz/entertainment/music/2015/12/top-tracks-by-the-doors/">Top tracks by The Doors</a></em></strong></span></p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong><em><a href="http://www.oversixty.co.nz/entertainment/music/2015/12/what-classical-music-does-to-your-brain/">The surprising effect classical music has on your brain</a></em></strong></span></p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong><em><a href="http://www.oversixty.co.nz/entertainment/music/2015/12/beach-playlist/">The perfect beach playlist</a></em></strong></span></p>

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