Eurovision fans went wild as ABBA teased their return in a social media clip on Thursday.
They dominated the music scene throughout the 1970s, but after just 10 years – and two divorces – they called it quits in 1983.
But since Eurovision 2024 kicked off, rumours that the band are set to reunite for a performance on the singing competition have started to spread, as they prepare to mark 50 years since they won with hit track Waterloo.
The band – made up of Benny Andersson, Anni-Frid Lyngstad, Agnetha Faltskog and Bjorn Ulvaeus – shared a clip to their TikTok page popping out from behind a bush.
The sound playing over the video said: ‘Ok guys we’re back, did you miss us? Because we missed you’
Eurovision fans went wild as ABBA teased their return in a social media clip on Thursday
Fans rushed to the comment section to share their excitement, with one penning: ‘Omg if they appear at Eurovision I’ll absolutely explode’;
‘Stop they are so iconic’; ‘We need ABBA at Eurovision’;
‘The best and most important comeback in history? We’re ready’
It comes after ABBA thanked fans in a rare statement as the band celebrate the 50th anniversary of their Eurovision Song Contest victory.
The iconic 70s pop group remain the show’s most famous and successful exports after they were crowned winners in April 1974 with their song, Waterloo.
Reflecting on the milestone, the group issued a joint statement as they expressed their gratitude for fans ‘steadfast loyalty and support through the years’.
To mark the anniversary, several pianos across Europe will play a pre-recorded by Benny simultaneously to make it sound as though he is playing live.
Sharing a picture of the foursome winning the accolade, they wrote: ‘It’s slightly dizzying and deeply humbling to think that millions of you who saw us for the first time in the Eurovision final 1974 have passed our music on not only to one generation, but to several.
‘We see evidence of that every time one of us visits Abba Voyage in London, and it’s because of this we can celebrate the 50th anniversary of that event in the knowledge that our songs still resonate around the world.’
They continued: ‘It’s difficult to comprehend that 50 years have gone by since the four of us waited backstage for the verdicts of all the juries around Europe at the Dome in Brighton.
‘So what were out dreams during those suspenseful moments or in the chaos in the aftermath of the victory we had secured with the smallest margin in Eurovision history?
‘Four different dreams, no doubt, but whatever they were, however grand, reality has surpassed them, that’s for sure.’
They dominated the music scene throughout the 1970s, but after just 10 years – and two divorces – they called it quits in 1983
The band – made up of Benny Andersson, Anni-Frid Lyngstad, Agnetha Faltskog and Bjorn Ulvaeus – shared a clip to their TikTok page popping out from behind a bush
Fans rushed to the comment section to share their excitement, with one penning: ‘Omg if they appear at Eurovision I’ll absolutely explode’
The group went on to have a huge repertoire of hits including Dancing Queen (1976), Gimme! Gimme! Gimme! (1979) and Super Trouper (1976) to name a few.
Since their split their catalogue of music has inspired the Mamma Mia! film franchise and theatre show, and more recently the incredible ABBA Voyage.
The iconic hologram show has pumped £322million into the British economy – with more than a million tickets bought at up to £181.50 each.
The gig five years in the making takes the audience back to Abba’s 1970s and 1980s prime and allows fans to experience them in concert, despite their split back in December 1982.
Thanking fans for their continued support they added: ‘Many of you were there from the very start and have followed us ever since – for over half a century!
‘Music you discover and learn to love when you grow up or even later in life has a way of staying with you forever.
‘We share that experience with you and to know that our music has become a constant in your lives is a wonderful thing.’
They concluded: ‘Throughout the years we have been blessed with the outpouring of love from you, our fans.
‘We feel it and we want to know that hardly a day goes by when we’re not reminded of it. To say thank you for what you’re giving us without sounding trivial is not easy and this is not a moment of triviality.
Since their split in 1982 their catalogue of music has inspired the Mamma Mia! film franchise and theatre show, and more recently the incredible ABBA Voyage.
The lengthy statement thanked fans for their continued support they added: ‘Many of you were there from the very start and have followed us ever since – for over half a century!
‘It is a happy and, at the same time, solemn moment and we can only hope that you understand how deeply grateful we are for a long, successful career and for your steadfast loyalty and support through the years. Thank you!’
The foursome broke up in 1982, and whilst they came together for a one-off occasion to mark the debut of ABBA Voyage in 2022, there hasn’t been a ‘proper’ reunion with all four on stage singing together again.
Last year, a spokesperson for the band Görel Hanser issued a ‘clear denial’ of a Eurovision reunion, saying there were ‘no such plans’ and it was ‘definitely wishful thinking from fans.
Benny added: ‘I don’t want to. And if I don’t want to, the others won’t. It’s the same for all four of us – someone says, ‘no’ – it’s a no.’
On Sunday, performers representing 26 countries from across Europe and beyond take to the stage at the final of the 68th Eurovision Song Contest.
On Tuesday, the annual music competition kicked off with its first of two semi finals in the Swedish city of Malmo – with ten of the 15 acts performing voted through to Saturday’s finale by viewers.
The second semi final on Thursday will further narrow the original field of 37 competing nations to 26 for the highly anticipated final, where frontrunners include Croatia’s Baby Lasagna and Switzerland’s Nemo.
Ireland’s entry also left viewers predicting the country could win the contest after non-binary artist Bambie Thug, 31, from County Cork, delivered a sensational performance of their song Doomsday Blue for the crowd on Tuesday.
The band pictured in 2022 arriving at the Abba Voyage concert in London
It comes just ahead of a new film about ABBA ‘s rise to global stardom, which features never-before-seen footage of tense encounters between the iconic Swedish band.
Documentary ABBA: Against The Odds will tell the epic story of the band’s domination of the pop charts – as well as the personal relationships that led to its demise.
A new trailer of the upcoming documentary, which drops on BBC iPlayer on May 4, includes previously unseen clips of Agnetha Fältskog, Björn Ulvaeus, Benny Andersson, and Anni-Frid Lyngstad.
In one clip, Benny and Bjorn are seen rehearsing on stage together before all the lights go out at which point they are left looking concerned.
While another hints at some of the tensions felt within the group, as Agnetha is spotted looking annoyed on stage as she appears to shout at one of her bandmates.
What made ABBA unique was not only their beloved sound, but the fact the band was made up of two couples.
When the band formed, Agnetha and Bjorn were already married while Benny and Anni-Frid were dating.
