Benny Andersson, member of the legendary pop group ABBA, has commented on the modern Eurovision Song Contest. In an interview with UK newspaper Metro, he says the contest is “no fun anymore”.
Benny Andersson: “It’s too much”
In an interview with Metro’s Paul Simper, Benny answers a question on the current Eurovision Song Contest. Simper asks him whether he still watches Eurovision nowadays and the answer is clear:
I try not to. It’s too much. It’s too many countries. Everyone sings in English. It’s no fun anymore.
Benny Andersson
Interestingly, Benny Andersson and ABBA entered the Eurovision Song Contest when English was also an option for all countries. Sweden themselves sang in English, as did Finland, Norway and the Netherlands – aside from the United Kingdom and Ireland. The national language rule was abolished for the 1974, 1975 and 1976 contests. It then returned and only ended for the Eurovision Song Contest 1999. Since then, Sweden have not sent an entry in Swedish.
Benny Andersson does however still watch Melodifestivalen, which he enjoys. He adds that he did watch Eurovision this year and liked Sam Ryder from the United Kingdom, stating they would’ve won “if Ukraine hadn’t been at war”. He also revealed he placed a bet on themselves to win Eurovision back in 1974.
ABBA Avatars hitting London
The interview takes place just before ABBA’s live London residency premieres. They announced the show last year, which will take place at the ABBA Arena in Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park in the English capital. Anni-Frid Lyngstad, Agnetha Fältskog, Björn Ulvaeus and Benny Andersson won’t actually take to the stage themselves, though. Four digitally created avatars will be on stage to perform ABBA’s hits.
Part of the digital ABBA comeback was also the new album “Voyage”. The album included the hit “Don’t Shut Me Down” as well. ABBA won the Eurovision Song Contest back in 1974 with “Waterloo”. What followed was worldwide and immense success. Songs like “Dancing Queen”, “Mamma Mia” and “The Winner Takes It All” will still be sing-along songs for all generations. ABBA split in 1983 after a decade in the spotlights to pursue solo careers.
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Kind of ironic since they sung in english themselves in 1974 …
Worth pointing out that the UK has only ever won when the national language rule was in force. I think we have twice come second when it wasn\’t, both this century.
Not entirely true, John… As we said in the article, the language rule was not in force in 1974, 1975 and 1976. United Kingdom won the contest in 1976. The Netherlands (my country) were one of the few to sing in English all throughout those three years. Norway and Finland were the other two.
This is one of very few videos where you can actually hear Anna-Frid and Agnetha’s voices separately….it’s usually difficult to hear their individual voices, since they’re always very much in-sync.
I hope I live long enough to see the day when technology will allow past contests can be re-staged holographically. I\’d start with 1975.