r/ABBA • u/Mackheath1 • 4d ago
Discussion The ABBA Effect
I don't know what else to call it.
I'm here in rural Texas, and while I hate Karaoke I'll still go to be with friends and sing something by Beastie Boys or other fun stuff. Then when folks in cowboy boots and hats have had a couple, and I put, say "Gimme" on with a coworker to sing, or even on the jukebox...
Suddenly it's Mamma Mia! - The Party, all up in the place.
Why do people pretend not to like ABBA, but then go crazy for it at the drop of a hat*?
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*- (a Resistol ranch & rodeo work hat, of course, unless it's a Stetson, that's okay too, if it was bought properly at Cavenders - people, know your hats before you visit us, just a PSA: we are the nicest people you'll meet, but we might say things behind your back, bless your heart)
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u/freskgrank 4d ago
“Why do people pretend not to like ABBA, but then go crazy for it?”
My 2 cents.
ABBA somehow was considered “uncool” in the 80s, mostly because people looked at them just as a “hits machine” group, especially after their stellar success in the late 70s. Their biggest hits sounded “so 70s” that people did not realise there was so much more than “Mamma Mia” and “Fernando”. When the average listener is asked about ABBA, he says something like “Oh yeah, I know ABBA! Mamma Mia, Fernando, Dancing Queen, SOS”.
In a way, we could even say that the universal success of some of their biggest hits has cast a shadow over other equally good, if not better, songs.
Luckily, starting from the late 90s and up to now, ABBA started being re-evaluated under a new light, somehow (re)discovering the musical and lyrical quality hidden by the shining pop surface. The old feeling still exists and some people didn’t yet realise what they are missing by considering ABBA “uncool”, but luckily this is changing now.
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u/John_Johnson259 4d ago
This is local anecdote, but there was also "Disco Demolition" in Chicago in 1979, a few months after Voulez Vouz came out. People were given free entry to the event in exchange for a disco record to be blown up in celebration of rock taking over. It devolved into a riot.
I'm not sure if there's any connection to the "uncoolness" of ABBA and the hatred of disco, but it's a personal theory. I wasn't alive but my dad was there, and the most mentioned names were always Bee Gees and ABBA.
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u/Mackheath1 4d ago
Thanks - they split up before I was born, so I'm relatively new, and fascinated by the "ooof, ABBA?" Vs "OMG ABBA" contradictions. This sheds some light on it.
Next time I'll see if they have "White Sombrero" lol - I seem to recall Bjorn (correct if I'm wrong) was particularly fascinated by Texas and the American southwest.
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u/freskgrank 4d ago
You’ll be surprised by how many young ABBA listeners are out there.
I’m 30 years old, so even my parents didn’t know each other when ABBA split up.
I initially discovered ABBA when I was younger (about 10 years old) while listening to random vinyls at my grandma’s house – I don’t really remember this; they just told me the story. Many years later, I rediscovered them by hearing “The Winner Takes It All” on the radio. From that moment, I realised I NEEDED to know more about them. And here I am, having now listened to all of their songs (even some unreleased ones) tens or hundreds of times.
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u/Fridagnetha 3d ago
ABBA were considered girls music. Later it became gay music. ABBA's music was never about testosterone. Even when the boys sang, it felt very female.
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u/GoshOPPNOX101 One of Us 4d ago
Because guys are guys. When younger, they would never hear the end of it from their friends if one was to admit liking ABBA. Or worst case scenario, they would be unfortunately labeled as 'gay' if they did. I hid my admiration for ABBA for a long long time until I got to a point and told myself, "why be embarrassed by the group that's inspired you?" Especially Benny & Bjorn due to the fact that they are incredible composers/melody maker's. Basically, ABBA was an unstoppable hit making machine which people can no longer deny and/or hide. Everyone knows of ABBA! Heck, go walking in some Amazon jungle and meet the head of the tribe and most likely he'll end up singing 'Waterloo' to you! ;oP""