Even though they had an intense burst of popularity in Australia for a couple of years, they actually had far more sustained popularity in places like the UK.
Germany & The UK were the only two countries that stayed loyal to ABBA right up to the very last single. Yes they were incredibly popular in Australia but only for a short time, Australia fell out of love with ABBA pretty quickly whilst they were still at the top of their game.
The UK singles market was massive in the late 1970s-most of Abba's UK number 1 singles each sold close to a million in this period. Greatest Hits album from '76 sold over 2.5 million.
Imagine if the song Don’t Shut Me Down had come out as well at the time of Money Money Money. Wow. Surprised Super Trouper wasn’t a bigger hit, it’s one of their best.
There was a sudden turning against Abba in Australia straight after their March 1977 tour, even though that caused a Beatles-like frenzy while they were here. The album Arrival sold 960,000 copies in 1976/77, The Album sold 50,000 in 1977/78. I can’t help thinking their big mistake was not appearing on the all-powerful TV music show Countdown while on tour. Everyone else would do that. The host, “Molly” Meldrum would have been offended, especially as he pushed Mamma Mia in 1975 which broke them here and travelled to Sweden to interview them. If Molly didn’t push an album, it had little chance, and I suspect he ignored The Album. He did give a favourable review of Super Trouper in 1980, which sold better.
I must say I was under the impression ABBA was a lot bigger in Australia (than in South Africa) during the 1970's and 80's. However, they certainly had more number one singles in South Africa, where we only had a Top 20. Also interesting that "Happy New Year" didn't chart in Australia, whilst it was number 1 in SA.
Totally agree, I was surprised how quickly their popularity seems to have tailed off in Australia although maybe their album sales held up. I never quite understood people buying singles when both the A and B side were on the album, but every Abba album from 'Greatest Hits' onwards went to Number 1 in the UK and they still had great success in the singles chart with 9 Number 1s. 'Happy New Year' wasn't released as a single in the UK so probably not in Australia either. Think we need a South African video next!
You have wonderful music out there and the various music should fit into most people’s needs including you. I know there are those that put tears in my eyes at certain times depending on the day. I maybe thinking very deeply about a certain person or activity and either tears flow or a big smile breaks through. You have the talent to do that, I know. ❤
And when music changes then people no longer want what they loved yesterday. Isn’t it a never ending battle to keep people buying any music? I love your style of music because I want to be able to listen to your words, they mean a lot and your soft and gentle style puts one into a loving mood. 😮yes I know!
@@RubberBallMan these videos should be blowing up with 100k views . I think Agnetha Faltskog is the prettiest women in the history of the universe !!!!!!!!
