Just over a week after the announcement of “Voyage”, ABBA have returned to the UK Singles Chart, scoring their first Top 10 single since 1981. “Don’t Shut Me Down”, one of ABBA’s new singles, has gone straight in at number 9 with “I Still Have Faith in You” charting just a few positions lower at number 14.
Despite less success in the streaming chart, ABBA pulled through on the sales chart where they charted at number 1 and number 2. This success, along with relative streaming traction, meant the group stormed into the official charts. The Eurovision winners will also be looking for similar success when they release their new album “Voyage” on 5th November.
ABBA still popular 40 years on
Entering the charts at number 9, “Don’t Shut Me Down” is ABBA’s first UK Top 10 single since “One of Us” in 1981 – the last of ABBA’s 18 consecutive top 10 singles. “I Still Have Faith in You” has entered at number 14 – two positions higher than the re-released of “Dancing Queen” in 1992.
Over the past week, “Don’t Shut Me Down” was streamed 2.3 million times, which helped it become ABBA’s 20th UK Top 10 single. In a week full of ABBA, the group’s greatest hits album “Gold” also returned to the UK Top 5 for the first time since 2008.
Earlier this week, ABBA also broke Universal Music UK’s record with “Voyage” become the most pre-ordered album, with over 80,000 pre-orders recorded just three days after the album’s announcement.
“Voyage” – the story
Last week, ABBA announced that, for the first time in 40 years, they are back – with a revolutionary new concert that will see the group perform digitally with a live 10-piece band, in the purpose-built ABBA Arena in London’s Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park from 27th May 2022.
The digital versions of ABBA have been created following weeks and months of motion-capture and performance techniques with the four band members and an 850-strong team from Industrial Light & Magic, the company founded by George Lucas, in what is the company’s first foray into music.
ABBA will also release their first new album in 40 years with “Voyage” being released on 5th November. The album will feature both the new singles “I Still Have Faith in You” and “Don’t Shut Me Down” as well as eight new songs. The album was recorded at Benny’s studio Riksmixingsverket in Stockholm and will be released later this year via Universal Musical Group.
Are you glad to see ABBA back in the UK charts? Are you excited for the release of “Voyage” and the new concert next year?
Let us know in the comments below and on social media @ESCXTRA.
