Interview
ABBA star, Bjorn Ulvaeus, on Mamma Mia and Brexit sadness
- Mamma Mia! The Movie Release Strategy: Universal Pictures initiated discussions for a sequel a decade prior, but the project was only greenlit after Ol Parker and Richard Curtis proposed a dual-narrative script that convinced the band to proceed.
- Creative Control and Casting: Decisions regarding ABBA projects require mutual consent from Benny Andersson and Björn Ulvaeus, with consultation from Agnetha Fältskog and Frida Lyngstad; the film casts actors with strong vocal capabilities, including Lily James (young Donna) and Amanda Seyfried (Sophie), who are noted for singing better than in the first film.
- Digital Avatar Technology: For the first time since 1979, the group has created digital avatars of themselves to perform on-screen; the project involves recording two new songs while using these avatars to simulate their 1979 appearances, though the vocals are the current recordings of Fältskog and Lyngstad.
- New Musical Content: Two new tracks, titled "I Still Have Faith in You" (described as existential) and "Don't Shut Me Down," were recorded approximately one year ago; while originally planned for late 2023, their release has been rescheduled to early 2024.
- Lyrical Evolution and Themes: Ulvaeus maintains a focus on interpersonal relationships rather than politics, noting that while he would not replicate certain past themes like the potentially exploitative dynamics in "Does Your Mother Know" due to modern social awareness, he asserts that the band operated on equal terms and holds a "clean conscience" regarding their legacy.
- Personal Ideology and Identity: Ulvaeus identifies as a humanist and social liberal, emphasizing individual responsibility and describing his worldview as deeply European; he expressed profound sadness regarding Brexit, viewing it as a rejection of friendship and an act of populism that threatens liberal democracy.
- Cultural and Artistic Influences: The band's sound is characterized as "happy-sad," reflecting a Nordic tradition of melancholy beneath pop exuberance; their musical foundation includes a diverse blend of French chanson, German schlager, Italian ballads, Nordic folk, and classical structures like Bach fugues.
- Trivia and Easter Eggs: In a specific change to the Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again soundtrack, the name "Marilyn French" in the song "The Day Before You Came" has been altered to "Margaret Atwood."
- Personal Reflection: At 73, Ulvaeus notes increased bravery and a broader perspective compared to his younger years, advising his past self to worry less; he states he would take Beethoven's symphonies rather than an ABBA song to a desert island, citing the band's musical development from teenage-oriented tracks to more mature compositions.