The Sound Board

Guy Rowland wrote: ↑Apr 07, 2026 3:13 pm how it was dismissed as popcorn back in the day, and Ford didn't start any "proper' acting until later in his career. I feel the same about Abba - now the world appreciates the songwriting and the production, but back then it was all just pop pap.

For me ABBA is one of those examples where only time tells the genius behind it.
Mama Mia was a surprise for me too. Would never have watched it if my lady wouldn't have insisted. It was the first time for me listening to it more or less with attention as the film forces you to it. Such a revelation.

You can use ABBA tunes totally independent from their original sound and they work beautifully which is for me a sign of great musical songwriting. In that regard they are in a similar ballpark as the Beatles imo.

Interesting to read about their production techniques too.

And btw. a late Happy Birthday to you Guy!

Thanks Markus!

I should say that a lot of Abba is, imo, awful. We tend now to only remember the good stuff. But that's true of everyone pretty much - not every Lennon/McCartney song was pure gold.

Unklike Abba, The Beatles did get critical appreciation in their own time, but it was only after they started making "serious" music. Abba pretty much stayed pop throughout. Famously in 1964, no less an authority on impeccable taste as 007 himself, opined " My dear girl, there are some things that just aren't done, such as drinking Dom Perignon '53 above the temperature of 38 degrees Fahrenheit. That's just as bad as listening to the Beatles without earmuffs!"

What a dick.

It might be time to revive or renew our perfect pop thread....

AHA! So that's what inspired you...