Introduction
In a recent interview with BBC News, ABBA co-founder Björn Ulvaeus opened up about the enduring presence of the iconic Swedish band in his daily life. At 79, the celebrated songwriter and musician reflected on how, even decades after ABBA’s heyday, the group’s legacy continues to shape his world — both personally and professionally.
“I am reminded of ABBA every single day,” Björn told the BBC with a warm, thoughtful smile. “Not just by the music, but by the people. The way it still touches lives, the way it brings generations together — it’s humbling, really.”
From shopping in a supermarket and hearing “Mamma Mia” over the speakers, to receiving letters from fans across the globe, Björn says ABBA is never far from him. “It might be a stranger on the street saying how a song helped them through a difficult time. Or a grandparent introducing our music to their grandchildren. These small moments happen all the time. And they remind me that ABBA has never truly left — it just lives on in different ways.”
Björn, along with Benny Andersson, Agnetha Fältskog, and Anni-Frid Lyngstad, formed ABBA in the early 1970s. After winning the Eurovision Song Contest in 1974 with “Waterloo”, the group soared to global fame, producing hit after hit and shaping the sound of pop music for generations to come. Though the group disbanded in the early 1980s, their music never faded — and neither did the love from fans.
With the release of the Voyage album in 2021 and the launch of the groundbreaking ABBA Voyage digital concert in London, ABBA returned to the spotlight in a way few could have predicted. Björn admitted to the BBC that he never imagined such a late-career resurgence. “If you had told me ten years ago that ABBA would release new music, and that we’d be on stage as digital avatars performing for sold-out crowds night after night — I would have laughed,” he said. “But here we are. And it’s extraordinary.”
Despite the success, Björn also spoke of the emotional side of ABBA’s continued relevance. “Some songs — like The Winner Takes It All or Slipping Through My Fingers — still hit me deeply. Writing them came from a very real place, and when I hear them now, I’m reminded of those moments in my life, those feelings. Music is powerful like that. It never lets you forget.”
Björn’s reflections are not just about nostalgia, but about gratitude. “We never expected the music to last this long. And yet, here it is — still playing, still being sung, still meaning something to people. That’s the greatest reward any songwriter could hope for.”
As ABBA’s songs continue to top playlists, inspire musicals, and bring generations together, Björn Ulvaeus remains quietly proud — not of fame, but of connection. “It’s not about reliving the past,” he said. “It’s about celebrating what music can do — yesterday, today, and always.”