Songwriter Agnetha Fältskog: Elva kvinnor i ett hus

Brief commentary: A link follows to a "wiki" (encyclopedia article) providing good information about the making of Agnetha Fältskog's  Elva kvinnor i ett hus album. ('Eleven Women In One House'. ) As I continue to become more familiar with the singer's extensive Swedish recording catalog, I may add a few (additional) observations of my own. But for the time being a link to the present Wikipedia article is here.

Included further below are (YouTube) links to a couple of current favorites from the 1975 album. It is notable that Agnetha composed many of the songs and produced the album (with Michael Tretow's overall guidance) - as a young woman in her early-to-mid twenties. (Bosse Carlgren supplied (interesting) lyrics for most...) That (still) was not commonly done by female singers at the time....

There are some appealing melodies on "Elva Kvinnor..."  And an array of them.

Per the article linked above the demands of rising super-group ABBA (and also new motherhood) prevented Agnetha from fully realizing this album project. Her songwriting abilities - (ironically) perhaps improved by working with ABBA's burgeoning songwriter/producers (B. Ulvaeus and B. Andersson) - were not developed further (at the time), as focus narrowed to her primary role with ABBA.

It is difficult to glean the full meaning of the songs unless you are familiar with (the) Swedish (language). Agnetha's sweet, feminine voice is beautifully on display however, as she was further improving in this area as well....The singing star is in fine voice for this entire album. It is subjective but I detect confidence, even happiness and enthusiasm in that voice (here), at times. (Aside from "the usual" sweetness, clarity, brightness, etc., etc.) Plus - it seems - a bit of a "sense of urgency". I.e., perhaps a solo album project that already-very-successful-and-capable, age 'twenty-something' Ms. Fältskog really wanted to create and produce, at that stimulating time within popular music. In short, via vernacular: She's "up for" this album (project). (Agnetha also was pregnant/a new mother during its recording (1973-75). And she reportedly took some singing lessons around this time, as well.)) But various demands upon her probably made it difficult (to achieve her goal, or "vision")....(Note: Ref., C.M. Palm, Bright Lights, Dark Shadows, pp.280-284.)

YouTube video posters 'Ljus85' and 'ji61m' (respectively) have included English lyrics for the two album tracks linked below. Focusing upon the singing and the songwriting: To my ears these are first-rate songs (below) composed by young Agnetha, from an overall 'decent' 1970s album. Please enjoy as a sample - as long as they remain posted. (Some YT song/tribute videos include English translations of lyrics.) :


(YT link, new window) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5cWH3JBoNzw

 (YT link) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vRL1XBH8DLE

"Bonus": Current link to a third song....Happy tune; absolutely beautifully done: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NGKM8L5s5gI 

More about this bright song is offered via a recent post (link, new window).

Plus: Another excellent (in-Swedish) effort (from this album, written by Agnetha) is briefly noted/linked via this post (link, new window)....

A somewhat more detailed review of this album is linked here: http://felpin80.tripod.com/ata/id35.html

Additional, worthwhile fan/expert commentary (etc.): http://www.iphpbb.com/board/ftopic-30652567nx61610-9720.html ....AND an in-depth interview with Bosse Carlgren re the making of Elva kvinnor... plus more is detailed in this well-worth-it forum post. (Comments are interesting, too...)
(link, new window) http://www.iphpbb.com/board/ftopic-30652567nx61610-6692.html

And an iTunes link to songs from the album: http://itunes.apple.com/us/album/elva-kvinnor-i-ett-hus/id290169064

(Note: A couple more links to excellent, additional songs from "Elva Kvinnor..." are included in the previous post here: http://star4abba.blogspot.com/2009/06/agnetha-selected-songs-in-swedish.html)



Note: This post is backdated to better position within the order of entries here. Its actual creation date is November, 2010. Updated, 2011.

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

A fantasyland farce: ABBA movie idea?

(Caution: Slightly humorous sections evolved and developed in the wind-up, below .)

Nah.....It would probably play out too "nice" and/or wholesome for today's Hollywood. And it might be more difficult than it seems to produce a good, authentic movie about the subjects. However:

I sincerely think the highlighted life stories of both ABBA singers would make an interesting movie (and/or a book). A "true-life" drama/depiction, perhaps focusing upon their journeys and key experiences up through the ABBA years, and maybe glimpses afterward. (But detailed post-ABBA adventures might have to be a "part two", or another story entirely.)

Maybe it's been covered in other publications as well, but I know Carl Magnus Palm's "Bright Lights, Dark Shadows" delved into Anni-Frid Lyngstad's and Agnetha Fältskog's upbringing. And further provided interesting information about their early careers, etc. Glimpses of their on- and off-stage lives during ABBA (and beyond), too.

We also have 1977's "ABBA - The Movie" and other films showing the ladies performing with ABBA, looks from behind the scenes, etc. Plus the many pioneering ABBA song promo videos, and filmed and print interviews with the singers, etc. (There's probably even more that I don't know about it....)

Both fronting females have interesting upbringings. Anni-Frid's saga in particular is a true "rags-to-riches" story.  Agnetha's rapid rise as a young singer is also compelling. (Must leave the details to Mr. Palm's book, etc.....) Plus - if someone could get them to talk about it more - I'm sure they each have fascinating anecdotes and stories from their whirlwind days with ABBA. (Happy, and not-so.) I imagine that even a movie about just one of the popular singing stars would be interesting, but covering both (and their interaction) would be better.

In addition to their singing and presenting talent, both women just happen to be memorably attractive. And that's where one problem making such a movie comes in: The two ladies are very well known, especially in Europe and Australia. (Where I think such a movie would be most popular.) They were photographed incessantly.  Committed to film many times. (Agnetha even did a feature film. Link to a snippet.) Thus, for an authentic depiction I think it is a "must" to try and find a couple very similar looking women. Otherwise, it won't play well; there are too many of us around who distinctly remember much about the fronting ladies. So good luck there: Both actors selected would need to be nicely tall; almost the exact same height. Long legs. (I.e., no petites this time.) Plus each original ABBA singer had a unique smile (in my opinion, but also that of others). How would someone come close to replicating those?

I'm biased, but Agnetha in particular would have to be "done right" (in appearance). (Per above Frida really has to be, also.) To many but not to all, the blonde was ABBA' s primary focal point. (Band management seemed to know this.)

Funny though, I can recall an actor/role that came close to what Agnetha showed during ABBA's peak: Supergirl(!)  Ms. Fältskog had to essentially be that anyway, balancing motherhood (etc.) with....well, ABBA.

Helen Slater in 1984's "Supergirl" would be my choice....if only we could somehow travel back for her portrayal. I can't show her photos from then as it's all copyrighted, but here's a link that includes a couple. (More can be found in Google's images, etc.)

So Agnetha's potential "depict-er" wouldn't be too difficult to locate: All she needs to be is Supergirl.

Yeeahhhhh......my 'vision' for a portion of this role seems to be coalescing.....(itsa link, below):

(Update: Just thought about it a tiny bit...Catherine Zeta-Jones might make a very nice-looking Frida....I think she's rather tall, too. (Update: Yes; of course: There is a similar topic re Frida look-alikes at 'abba4ever.com'. (There's one for Agnetha there as well.)  Link: http://www.iphpbb.com/board/ftopic-30652567nx61610-5738.html )

There are other potential problems with finding convincing actors to portray the two stunners from ABBA. Singing would need to be dubbed in, and obtaining ABBA's permission (to use their music and recorded voices) would be a feat. I'm sure ABBA might approve -- with input and control over aspects of the film -- for only a memorable, first-rate cinema production.  To do the job right you'd really need to involve both original singers in the making of the movie, and probably one or both of the men songwriter/producers, too. That starts to get into several complications.... Plus, you'd likely need to film a great deal in Sweden/Europe (close to your ABBA singer/advisers); and we start to see more issues surface. Although Scandinavia would probably be a decent place to hunt for certain beauties (like above) who might just "fit the bill". But they'd also have to be able to properly lip-synch the singing (not so easy to do well), and -- of course -- dance (in outlandish outfits) pretty much like they're making it up as they go along.....Plus there'd be this minor, overall job called "acting", too.  (And must be able/willing to interact with shaggy guys wearing white jumpsuits, leisure suits, etc. That includes occasional touching.)

There are other issues, of course. But if someone just wants to churn out another Hollywood schlock biopic or similar, several of the items noted above could sort of be glossed over, I suppose. Be prepared to most likely then be sued by various members of ABBA. And best of luck getting many older European, Australian and other knowledgeable fans to attend your flick. (Americans might buy in....many will watch anything once.) Etc.

So it doesn't appear that I'll be submitting any script-work for such a silver screen masterpiece any time soon. A shame. A well-done, serious effort would be eminently watchable.

But if any dedicated, creative-types want to "cop" my vision here and run with it, drop a comment on this *copyrighted* blog.  I'll have my machine get back to your machine....Oh, and if Agnetha can't be coaxed to oversee things, I'll gladly stand in as a second-rate technical adviser for your epic. Reasonable rates, uhh... by Hollywood standards.....

(Old image from Google/LIFE archives (1955). "Director George Stevens lining up shot in camera for the movie "Giant."")

This post is backdated. It's actual creation date is December, 2009.

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

A picture of Ms. Fältskog worth a thousand words

© 2009-2011 (original portions only)

Not to worry... not going to write 1000 words...this time. (Close.)

And be warned: I'm far from alone re this, but a bit of "retro-worship" is going to follow here. I obviously think that this singer was special in more ways than one. If you don't want to engage in any of that, please try some other, music-related posts here (link). Plus, it's further noted that Ms. Fältskog once stated that she didn't have any need or desire for people to "worship" her. (That said, she had lots of photos taken, back in the day....Possibly just "part of the job" though.)

(Proceeding:)

This blog has many words attempting to describe the difficult to describe: An inspiring performer, outstanding popular music, etc. Too many of those words at times.

Thankfully, many great (yes; nostalgic) photos exist of photogenic/telegenic/cybergenic Agnetha Fältskog. E.g., You Tube abounds with them inside tributes, etc.(Plus a link to "Andy's ABBA images"; picture web site; includes an excellent story about meeting Ms. Fältskog.)

With much to choose from I still really like this simple, black and white one from 1977. (Below.) I like it because I feel it 'says' much about the performer. As written elsewhere here, both ABBA front singers were excellent presenters and performers whenever the lights came on.

 Rarely "holding back" (video link to a quick take of her pure voice); doing what she does best: Singing. "Living" the song....as she often did.

This photo currently graces the "Wikipedia" entry for Agnetha Fältskog:
("...She was blindingly beautiful...")

(Agnetha Fältskog, ABBA, Ekeberghallen, Oslo, Norway, January 28th 1977. Author: Helge Øverås (This file is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Unported License. In short: you are free to distribute and modify the file as long as you attribute its author(s) or licensor(s). It's inclusion does not constitute an endorsement of this website, expressed or implied.)


As always, a bonus: So many great pictures to choose from but here are a couple more faves. An attractive woman, at different ages.... and, will leave the rest to the (various-sized) pics.

By gburris1

OK; even more beauty follows:  I mean, are you kidding me? Just exactly how did many of us in the USA (hailin' from the '70s &'80s) somehow miss this lady.... at her utmost...? Agnetha slipped by some of us.  (OK, I'm 'owned' (a bit) -- via echoes of the past no less (of this lady).
Not alone....
(Aside: While we're on it, cant' resist this either: "Oowwnzz! Oowwnzzz!" (link))

Of course this blog includes some suggestions about that, e.g.; posts here and here. If anyone cares I myself would not go near (an) ABBA (song); intent upon exploring various rock music genres at the time -- like many of my peers. (ABBA didn't fit that.) And obviously -- for a few reasons -- not enough (or ineffective) "promo" was done in the U.S. (for ABBA). (Ref.:"Bright Lights, Dark Shadows" by C.M. Palm, pages 380-81, 384, 387.) Also, with proper promotion, the "right" songs, etc., Agnetha (herself) likely could have been as "big" as she wanted to be in North America. (Maybe all the Americas...)  Home, family and privacy (apparently) took precedence, however.  
Aside: One interesting observation re ABBA (not) 'conquering' the American market is linked here.

(2011 comment: An intriguing photo, above from long ago. (Screen cap; source.) Apparently from a 'bare shoulders(?)' session Agnetha did, but this particular photo is different from others (published from it). Almost seems 'backstage'; candid. 
One interpretation:  Agnetha is posed (poised?) for a kiss...What is on her mind here?....And what might her eyes be 'saying'? (Hint: Not much?? Those dewy lashes 'speak volumes'... Agnetha: Once again showing an ability to "come through the screen" - whether in video or via photographs.)
A fetching photo. (How did the photographer manage to hold on to the camera?  I think a lot of us would not have been able to...☻ ) Sultry/sexy (of course), but vulnerability seems to show too. 
Actually, this pic. might be a poster for sexy/vulnerable....

Anyone know more about it? Pls. comment below. (Note: A sharper version of the photo above is available via this forum link.)

Last pic. source, edited: http://www.abbafanclub.nl/about_abba/the_band.html

Source for most (other) photos: http://www.iphpbb.com/board/ftopic-30652567nx61610-3747.html and http://www.iphpbb.com/board/ftopic-30652567nx61610-1512-3090.html

A few more old-but-sensational shots, from the "abba4ever" forum (link, right-click): http://www.iphpbb.com/board/ftopic-30652567nx61610-3747-2400.html

And I've only scratched the surface. (Lots of pictures were done...a photogenic subject ...) Go here (link below) if you'd like to: a) torture yourself more or, b) enjoy "retro"-rapture (I guess). Many images submitted there. (Plus here is another source for many pics; an excellent site.) And, remember:  The lady (originally) from Jönköping is really talented also.  (Plus: She even played some hoops once in awhile...)

Ms. Fältskog is a proud grandmother nowadays.....(And makes public appearances now and then.)

Link: http://www.iphpbb.com/board/ftopic-30652567nx61610-1512.html

(By the way, as incredible as it may seem this amazing lady might not have thought herself beautiful. I have not verified the quotation nor the date of it, but included is a link to a web page that ends with the following, attributed to Agnetha: 

 "I am not beautiful and not sexy", says Agnetha in the book "Forebilder". 

On the contrary. I have a complex about my body..."

A link where the full quotation may be seen: http://www.fortunecity.com/meltingpot/huntington/108/id18.htm

Much of the rest of the world would disagree...

 (Ms. Fältskog: Often a pragmatic, self-effacing person, but one who might have been a little less hard upon herself -- at least in the younger days. Her too-harsh (attributed) observation also - of course -  ignored other attributes. (And the fact that endless photos were requested/taken of the beautiful singer...) E.g.: Men tend to prefer a pretty face (link). They really can't help themselves (link)!
Though Agnetha herself might not necessarily agree with such words, have another beauty - Vanessa Angel - sum things up nicely from the 1996 movie Kingpin:
YouTube video snippet... bad language soon after the 1:07 mark - after Vanessa's aphorism (link) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zrt2dMocQ5g&#t=55s)

(Continuing) One additional link, showing the natural beauty looking good with no "slap". (Make-up.)
http://img9.imageshack.us/i/notd.jpg/

Bonus: "Devastatingly beautiful" is how one Internet commenter referred to Agnetha from the earlier days. Interesting. An attractive person over many years, my favorite "Agnetha look" of all (thanks for asking!) is from the mid-1970's with her magnificent long blonde hair and nice,straight eyebrows. (Furrowed, as appropriate. Note: You can even enjoy a "favorite Agnetha look" poll, here.) The screen cap/YT link below is from 1975, (camera-shot "dissolve" mode), as she also sings my favorite ABBA song (where she leads). Plus: Another good example (video) of how Ms. Fältskog often looked for and "played to" the live camera. Along with her great gaze and smile, she could connect with viewers this way. Note: Both ABBA singers regularly achieved this....

(low-res screen cap/edit)

February, 2010 update: An amazing picture is here, at "Mikory's ABBA blog" (link, right-click). Don't think that (pregnant) Agnetha was a trouper? How high is that ladder (look at the man holding it for perspective)? What exactly were they all thinking? (If there was any thinking....) Why didn't they just lower the "elevator" (it's on a forklift or something)? Think soon-to-be-ex-husband Bjorn didn't hear about this stunt a bit when poor Agnetha reached the top?

Another bit of humor, more recent:  "That's what happens when you sit next to her ... you look dumb in comparison..."  -- Quip from the 'abba4ver' fan forum on an ABBA-era photo featuring beauty Agnetha. (From 'TheNumberOneJumpJack'.) Link (new window) to the forum page/comment (to enjoy). 


Aside: Notice the watch(es) in many of Ms.Fältskog's photos (above)? I'm sure watch companies were happy to provide her with some, but one report long ago insisted that this performer also liked to be punctual for rehearsals, engagements, etc. (Ref. page 321.)

 
 Image source: http://imageshack.us/f/39/89693806uj6cpia.jpg/

(Blog note: This post entry is backdated to better fit within the order of posts as displayed here. It's actual creation date is 7/8/09. Updated: 10/20/09, Feb., 2010, Nov., 2011 and March, 2012. - Mr. D. Tails) Link to my full blog: http://star4abba.blogspot.com/



(YT video link)