ABBA on Friday scored their first top 10 single in the UK for almost 40 years after thrilling fans with the announcement of a new album and a virtual concert.
One of two new songs released by the legendary Swedish pop band this month, “Don’t Shut Me Down”, reached number nine in the Official Singles Chart, which is based on sales and streaming.
ABBA last appeared in the British singles charts with a song called “One Of Us” in January 1982, according to the chart company.
Now in their 70s, the quartet has just released their first new music since 1982, ahead of an album release in November.
The group’s second single, “I Still Have Faith In You,” entered the British charts at number 14.
The comeback also sparked a return to the album charts for their greatest hits compilation from 1992, “ABBA Gold”, which appeared at number five.
The group has premiered new material while publicising a virtual show called “ABBA Voyage”, which aims to recreate a concert by the band in their heyday in 1979.
“At first it was just two songs, and then we said, ‘Well, maybe we should do a few others,’” Benny Andersson said when making the announcement last week.
He, Bjorn Ulvaeus, Agnetha Faltskog, and Anni-Frid Lyngstad ended up recording 10 tracks together.
The new songs will also be played by virtual versions of the band members at a set of concerts next year in a specially-built arena in east London.
Playing six nights a week, the “live” show – also titled Abba Voyage – will feature the “Abba-tars” accompanied by a 10-piece live band put together by Klaxons keyboardist James Righton and including pop star Little Boots.
Greatest hits album Abba Gold also went back into the top five of the album chart this week, where Drake’s new album Certified Lover Boy went straight to number one, deposing rival rapper Kanye West.
Follow our socials Whatsapp, Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and Google News.
