Introduction
In a heartfelt interview with ITV News, ABBA’s songwriting duo Benny Andersson and Björn Ulvaeus opened up about a deeply meaningful moment during their unanticipated reunion—an event that has reignited both nostalgic and creative flames for the group.
After more than three decades apart, Benny, Björn, Agnetha Fältskog, and Anni‑Frid Lyngstad reunited to record new music for the first time since their 1982 split. That in itself was remarkable, but it was a moment of pure, unfiltered connection in the studio that truly surprised the two men. As Björn recalled, standing in the room with all four members plus the sound engineer, he was suddenly transported: “I remember this, this is so familiar.” It was like stepping back in time—an instant recognition of the chemistry that defined ABBA’s earlier work
Benny echoed this sentiment, reflecting on the surreal nature of being back together after 35 years. “It was like yesterday,” he said. Despite the decades that had passed, the ease and flow of working together felt remarkably immediate, as though no time had lapsed .
For both men, that moment in the studio was more than nostalgia—it validated that their shared creative energy remained intact. Björn’s phrase “so familiar” speaks volumes about the enduring nature of their musical bond, one that doesn’t fade even when individual paths diverge. Benny’s observation—“we all four felt … it was like yesterday”—further emphasizes that this reunion wasn’t contrived or tenuous. It was authentic, heartfelt, and deeply rooted.
The ITV News interview, led by Entertainment Editor Nina Nannar, highlighted not only this emotional reconnection but also the broader wave of ABBA’s cultural resurgence. Alongside Benny and Björn was celebrated lyricist Sir Tim Rice, with whom they discussed the revival of the musical Chess. It was fitting that the conversation touched both their past achievements and their present creative vitality
What makes this story especially poignant is the context: ABBA, as one of the world’s most iconic pop groups, hadn’t recorded new songs as a quartet in over 30 years. Their music, once so omnipresent, seemed frozen in time. But this surprise reunion—unexpected by fans and band members alike—offered a bridge between eras. It showed that the spark which led to chart‑topping hits like “Dancing Queen” and “Mamma Mia” hadn’t dimmed—it had simply paused.
The quality of that “moment” in the studio is emblematic of how ABBA’s reunion felt more natural than manufactured. The fact that they could all walk in, sit down, and instantly fall into their collective groove speaks to the power of genuine musical connection.
In sum, Benny Andersson and Björn Ulvaeus’s revelation about this “special moment” gives us a rare, behind‑the‑scenes glimpse into what made their reunion so meaningful. It wasn’t about nostalgia alone—it was about rediscovering a timeless creative chemistry, as if those decades apart had never happened. ABBA’s return, then, isn’t merely a nostalgic callback—but a true continuation of their artistic journey