Ms. Fältskog: 1985

© 2009-2010 (original portions)

Blog note: Some of the following entries appear elsewhere, at the end of my lengthy, 5/21/09 summary post :
http://star4abba.blogspot.com/2009/05/agnetha-what-happened.html

That posting is so long that I decided to break out the three featured You Tube videos in this separate entry. They are all from around 1985, and I hope that they will remain available on YT. And please note that I've also added some additional, significant information below about other important goings on in Ms. Fältskog's life from that time period. (Suggestion: Please consult more in-depth sources (link) for detailed information on that subject matter.)

The first two interview tapes are pleasing for Agnetha [aŋˈneːta] fans, as we learn a bit about her life at the time, and she is often charming. (Links are below.) Particularly so, in the laughing second appearance from Belgium TV.(She's nervous for awhile in the longer, in-depth "Guest at Hagge's Place" appearance (Gäst Hos Hagge). A little more guarded at times, too.)

And the last link below, apparently a promo video for her "Eyes of a Woman" album, is both funny in spots and charming. It clearly was meant to show her favorably (read: down-to-earth), and was successful. (Thanks to http://www.youtube.com/user/modernmillie for posting it.)

Attractive, in good voice, and often charming in these 1985 appearances:  Agnetha's on top of her game. (Even though "down" in the screen cap below.)

(Copied from this blog's 5/21/09 summary post:)

One more "must see" for fans of Ms. Fältskog: Get to know Agnetha from 1985 via this charming and quite in-depth six-part interview, recently posted on You Tube. Lovely woman, lovely voice. Consistent in her outlook and views. Honest. And endearingly nervous at the show's beginning (despite being a world-famous star). Although her apparent comment about "having nightmares for six months" prior to the appearance could be one clue as to why she limited such activities: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h6ycR3mzz_c&feature=related

Even more: Another charming interview form May, 1985. The Belgian audience is in love with her, and her musical voice is mesmerizing. And sharp English speaking (and listening) skills here too! Agnetha's somehow more "up" for this little chat; less nervous. The somewhat awkward interviewer might have been less intimidating...she's actually kind of laughing at him. (I've noticed that back then at times, she occasionally seemed to be "putting the interviewer on" a bit, at points. Interesting. One reason might have been that she got the same questions over and over. 11/09 blogger update: Impression (re interviewing) partly confirmed, per page 104 of 1996's "As I Am" biography.) At any rate for whatever reason, she's having fun, is really charming and at her best here:  2010 update: It is our loss, but the YouTube video of this interview has been pulled. (Who knows? Perhaps we will see it again someday, released as part of an 'Agnetha solo' retrospective collection ....(That's a un-subtle hint, record companies.).) Substituting this link which briefly describes the show, provides good comments and has a few thumbnail photos to view: http://www.abbaontv.com/1985/description-mike-an-zee.html 
Update: Only God and various multimedia companies know how long it might remain available, but here is a current YT link to the entire, 1985 'Mike aan Zee' TV appearance, ref. above. (Thanks to 'Brightnights1' for posting.): (link) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2sTl0wAUDWQ

Yet more from 1985? Here's a link to a pleasant TV show (Sweden, promoting her album) where Agnetha talks about her current life, Sweden, etc.  And in about the most musical-sounding voice possible (at moments. She's reading from a script.). Enjoyable.  (Especially like the fall in the snow with the dog. Though perhaps staged for the show.) And she again shows consistency in her views: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iMK5C9Mx_RE&feature=related

Still more from 1985?? One of the star's better solo song/video efforts: Underrated Eyes of A Woman's  edgy "Click Track":

(Link to YT video; no guarantees re such unofficial links: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NpaOA5GkaFw&fmt=18)

From 1985 however, it's important to also note this interview with Expressen from the time, as chronicled at "The Agnetha Fältskog Archives" web site. Though it wasn't a complete withdrawal from public life (yet), she indicates that she would be focusing upon raising her two children. And much else is confirmed/came out in the story,as Agnetha had clearly had enough. Very candid with interviewers at times.... But I've yet to find out exactly why she didn't continue her acting career. (Which she talked up a lot in her mid-80s appearances. She was a good performer in ABBA promo videos, as noted many times here, also.) There are hints in this interview and elsewhere about the likely need to move to the United States (for acting), which Ms. Fältskog was clearly reluctant to do.. http://www.agnethaarchives.com/articles/ced_id23.htm

(Update: Currently posted on YouTube, an example of "la Fältskog" being alluring in the 1983 (another vintage year for solo Agnetha) Swedish film, Raskenstam. (Not certain, but it seems to be mainly about an old guy somehow irresistible to many women. More info. here.) There's nothing out of character in captivating Agnetha's brief appearances ....as ABBA or Agnetha music video fans will attest. Though I still think her sweet voice was the winning feature of her first (and last) film effort. (If interested, skip to around the 8:30 mark of the linked segment to see the scene liked best: Her character's introductory moments in the film. I've included a 'deep link' to there:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TOupFgnZBpc#t=8m30s))

More: In addition to talking interestingly about her 1985 solo album and other goings on in her life, she's attributed to a tantalizing comment about her hopes for acting, at the end of this "Dutch TV-Guide" article from the time. A link to the vintage story via the "ABBA the Articles" site: http://abbaarticles.blogspot.com/2008/08/veronica-1985-you-never-get-used-to.html

Blog note: This post is backdated to better fit within the order of entries here.

Link to my full blog: http://star4abba.blogspot.com/

So why did I write all of this....

© 2009-2014 (original portions)

There are a lot of words written here (in this blog). Why bother? The "retro-fascinated" explain it a bit:

#1) What is Twitter? What's this 'microblogging'...?
  

#2) Any idiot with a web connection (+ free speech) can do this now, right??

- End of lame humor section -

The 'real' reasons, for those who may have interest: 

1. As should be apparent from the posts here, I'm pleasantly surprised to discover that 'supergroup' (i.e., exceptionally successful) ABBA was so good at what they did. It is a much-belated find for me, mainly through videos currently out on You Tube. (Record companies: I've been motivated to purchase your products after initial discovery via You Tube....) Like many I didn't pay them much mind in their day. Like others, I've learned that while it's not Beethoven, close to 400 million record sales (by ABBA) have occurred for some good reasons. (E.g., four talented members plus other important individuals/occurrences.)

And also that iconic front singer Agnetha (äng-NĒ-ə-tä) Fältskog was/is an all-around accomplished performer. Her partner Anni-Frid Lyngstad is, too. Catching up with (most of) the rest of the world has been an enjoyable experience, especially for a person who appreciates music. So much so that it provided motivation to research/write about it. (Sometimes of course with ABBA on the headphones...) If you look a bit, there is much public information available -- good or suspect -- about the legendary music group and the popular Ms. Fältskog. I've tried to link/credit my various sources.

1a. It's often a good exercise to try writing about things or people that interest you, are inspiring, etc. That is part of the effort here: To try an describe things that are not easily put into words. E.g., great popular music songs, a beautiful voice, etc. It certainly helps to also have the opportunity to link to available video performances and to include a few photos. Sometimes words are best however, to fully express comments, reactions, analysis, insights.  

And, as an additional point, I believe that Ms. Fältskog is both an underrated singer/performer, and not widely known (in much detail) in the United States. It's been enjoyable (for me, anyway) to learn a little more about her music-related efforts and to write (publicly) about them. (A blog obviously allows planned integration of descriptive links, videos, etc.)  I know I'll never meet the Swedish singer and that she also does not look at websites such as this. But finding out more about the artist through research (of her public career) possibly brings us all slightly closer to the person. Provides us with a (long-distance) way to "meet" the singer, and/or perhaps offers insight and understanding about this performer.

(One more brief - "old dude" - aside possibly for a younger reader or two. (Thank you for taking a look (back) here...): Finely-crafted popular music from the 1960s and '70s was followed seriously by many listeners (at the time). (Including young Agnetha Fältskog, BTW.)     
(Insert: Back then you sometimes were identified or even defined  - to a degree - by your (vinyl) record collection...)

 Lighter "fare" such as (early) ABBA songs had plenty of competition 'back in the day' but still received much (radio) air-play.  (AM radio play: A reason why non-progressive/rock ABBA may have been unfairly dismissed during that time period, by some...) 
Money surely was one motive then, but contrast that with many of the "ka-ching"-first, video-centric "products" passed off as music entertainment today.  (One notable exception: Grammy-winning Adele, a singer with "the goods". (A voice.))

In short, especially for certain older people the art of popular music was/is a passion. We admire those who really worked at producing outstanding music... and particularly those whose efforts seem to stand the test of time.  
(In a very real way popular artists from the period almost HAD to create something first-rate. Competitors were many, and often capable. If you did not produce (quality) someone else would. (Competition was (also) fierce for listeners, etc.) 
Plus the whole video performance aspect ("requirement") was only starting to emerge...)
 
We (all) now know those 20-25 years offer(ed) a treasure of finely-written and -performed music.) 

(Continuing previous text:) "Mea culpa": A few of the earlier entries in this blog are a bit over the top with the "discovery" of alluring Agnetha. It's a little embarrassing at times, in retrospect. (I.e., I'm 'owned'  (was)....by a lady I never met?!?) But I'll endure that (and leave most posts intact) : Her natural star power was enough to unleash those, even as a 30-or-so-year echo from the past. (Huh?? OK; try this link to a 1979 YT vid. to see a little of what I'm talking about. (Note: Nearly three million views for this long-ago video performance, now...) Both ABBA ladies are fantastic here. (To playback & somewhat blurry.) But check out multiple-camera-tracking Agnetha's sexy "pounce", from around the 4:18 mark. (I.e., right at the "take it now or leave it" line...(Just slay me right now...))  Likely no one told or directed her to do that for us. Looked good from any angle. 
For me - once again - (and for others), Agnetha (has the unusual ability to)  "get through the (viewing) screen" (throughout this video).
 Update: Link to a much clearer version of this performance, presently on YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uzwYcn1N9-c&fmt=18)

(With that keyboard pic....Can't resist throwing in this YT link to an edgy 1985 song/video from Agnetha's TV special: 'Click Track' (link). Decent '80s video actually. Agnetha pulls it off....)

Readers can decide how well that I did. I think that my efforts improved a bit as I learned more and got used to writing the entries. The initial enthusiasm in early posts is good, but some actual knowledge works its way in later in the more recent entries. BTW: If someone able to foretell the future had informed me back a year-plus ago that I would produce a 60-post blog about ABBA ("nooo...") and Ms. Fältskog ("who"??)....I would have inquired as to which alternative reality they just warped in from. Would probably have also questioned their ancestry.

(YT video link)


Last note: I have much to say about certain things, and (clearly) will "go the long way around (the barn)" to do it at times. Not sure this blog effort helped much with that, but I actually did try to "reign it in", occasionally. At least a few sentences here and there did get edited out. I mean....can you imagine.... (i.e., otherwise; without those feeble edits)?? And, there's even a summary post.  And a condensed summary. 
   
Thank you to any readers, for taking the time.




Link to full blog: http://star4abba.blogspot.com/


Note: This post entry is backdated to better fit within the order of posts. It's actual creation date is 6/21/09. - Mr. D. Tails