‘What the hell have we done?’: Bjorn Ulvaeus reveals true feelings about ABBA’s reunion

ABBA’s Bjorn Ulvaeus has admitted the group’s highly anticipated reunion is an “immense risk” for the famed super band.

Speaking to The Times, Ulvaeus admitted the reality of ABBA’s comeback often haunts him in the early hours of the morning.

“It’s an immense risk and most people I talk to don’t appreciate that,” said Ulvaeus.

“They say, ‘Oh, it’ll be fine.’ Sometimes I wake up at four in the morning and think, ‘What the hell have we done?'” 

Ulvaeus went on to reveal he knew of a number of musicians who would be watching the band’s dynamic closely upon their return.

“Lots of artists are going to be studying us, definitely. I won’t name names, but I can think of a few,” said Ulvaeus.

“I wonder who’s going to be first. I couldn’t possibly comment.”

In the interview, Anni-Frid Lyngstad admitted ABBA’s long tours had become a burden on the band members, revealing they often felt like “prisoners”.

“Our situation was so odd. Not in the studio, which was our second home, but going on tour, where we were more or less prisoners in our hotel,” she said.

ABBA released their ninth and final studio album, Voyage, in November, 2021. The release came as one of pop culture’s most anticipated comebacks. The 10 track album was recorded alongside an immersive digital concert stage show in a custom-built arena in London and featured digital avatars of band members, Anni-Frid Lyngstad, Björn Ulvaeus, Benny Andersson and Agnetha Fältskog alongside a 10 piece band.

According to NME, ABBA’s upcoming concerts “will see a “digital” version of ABBA performing alongside a 10-piece live band (put together with the help of Klaxons’ James Righton and featuring Little Boots) at the new purpose-built 3,000-capacity venue called ABBA Arena”. The series of new “digital” concerts are set to take place at London’s Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park from May 27, 2022.

 

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In a statement to Variety last year, ABBA joked about the unorthodox break between their eighth and ninth albums.

“A Grammy should be mandatory for those who dare leave 40 years between album releases,” they said.

Considered one of the greatest musical groups of all time, ABBA became one of the most successful acts in the history of popular music, topping the charts worldwide from 1974 to 1983. They have achieved 48 hit singles. In 2015, their song “Dancing Queen” was inducted into the Recording Academy’s Grammy Hall of Fame.