new interviews in paris of Björn Ulvaeus

the new interview of Björn Ulvaeus in paris for the premiere of Mamma mia in france

picture not included in the original article (just to illustrate)

here is an english translation :

Björn Ulvaeus : “The success of ABBA remain a mystery”

The former member of Abba was thursday in paris to launch the musical "Mamma mia !" at the "mogador" theater

1 ) how did the producer, Judy Craymer, convince you tu use the songs in the musical ?

In the eighties , Judy had already made a project of a TV program using the songs but it wasn't achieved. some few years later, she suggested a musical, written by Catherine Johnson, a very talented auteur. i accepted to the condition that she could use any song, but without changing the lyrics. then the scenarist Phyllida Lloyd went on board, to "give birth" to the musical, eleven years ago in London.

2 )what is,in your opinion, the key to the success of "Mamma Mia " ?

All great musicals have a wonderful story as a plot. Les Misérables, My Fair Lady, West Side Story...

In this case ("Mamma mia !"), i think the success is due to the fact that the songs blend naturally to the story line.

3 )All these songs that remain popular, all these years ?

i never understood why ! . everywhere i go around the world people know them and it's ,i feel,a wonderful feeling.

4 ) French fans will be surprised to hear them in french. was it necessary to translate them to french ?

Yes it's the only way to be carried by the story. and even if you think you know them in english, it's only when you hear them in your native language that you really understand the true meaning . how many times did I hum a Beatles song without knowing the real meaning of it ! (smile).

5 )what do Abba mean in your every day life actually ?

ABBA never leave me. there is not one day without something reminds me of it.and we are very careful to the use of our songs,in the media.

only if one of us four is against ,it's definitively no!

6 )the right wing Danish party used one of your songs (Mamma mia ) without your approval...

This party , that I already knew, transformed it to "Mamma Pia" !, (in tribute to their leader Pia Kjærsgaard,ndlr). we made it clear and they stopped it immediately.we will never let our songs used in a political meaning.the same happened with John McCain. he wanted to use "Take a chance on me" in his campaign against Obama and we refused !

7 )is there a 1 per cent to see you on stage one day with Benny, Frida and Agnetha ?

0% ! if we did it, it will destroy that image of four young ambitious people that you adored in videos !

I would never let that happen!

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recent picture of Björn

(well said Bjorn ,own comment)