With “A+”, Agnetha Fältskog has released a new solo album: a remix of her “A” album from 2013, including the new song “Where do we go from here?”. It is the 73-year-old’s first record since 2021’s “Voyage,” which reunited her with Abba colleagues Frida Lyngstad, Björn Ulvaeus and Benny Andersson. A conversation with the Swedish singer about her artistic heritage and confidence in her own abilities.
For “A+” you rearranged the “A” album. What are the benefits of seeking a contemporary sound rather than leaving a song collection as is?
I wouldn’t say it was advantages that made me do it – I was just curious. I love the old “A” album in its original form, but something in me wanted to know it again. So we tried it out on one song, and then I liked it so much that we did the rest of it that way too.
After you have re-sung all the pieces for Abba’s “Voyage” shows, you are now presenting your solo songs in new instrumentations. Do you see both works as artistic legacy or as milestones in a long career?
This is an interesting question. I would say milestones rather than legacy. The legacy must be judged by other people.
Do you still sometimes think in songs? Do you still have the desire to translate experiences into music?
Not anymore these days. It’s hard for me to find the energy I need. I did this many years ago when I was writing the songs for my pre-Abba albums. At this stage of my career, I prefer to look outside of my own life for ideas. I love interpreting texts, making them my own and telling the story. They don’t have to have been written by me.
“I keep them on the floor next to my bed” is your first self-written song in many years. Why do you compose so rarely?
When we were almost finished with the “A” album, my producer Jörgen Elofsson asked me if I wanted to write something for it myself. I hesitated, not sure if I could do it anymore, but he kept asking. I started looking through my old ideas and found something I really liked. I sat down at my piano and worked it out. Jörgen also helped me finish the text.
What modern music do you listen to?
I listen to a lot on YouTube and the radio. I love pop songs, both uptempo and ballads.
When you look at the ten-year-old pieces from “A” – do you sometimes wish you had done things differently back then?
I’m not one of those people who regrets things. Once I’ve done something, I move on. Hearing how the songs developed this time was fun.
“A+” marks the renewed collaboration with Elofsson. Before that you went into the studio with producers like Anders Neglin, Peter Cetera and of course Benny and Björn from Abba. At what point does it become clear whether a cooperation is working?
For me it’s a question of chemistry. First and foremost, I have to like the people I work with. We need to be able to talk about music and we also need to like the same music so we have something in common. We also need to have fun in the studio together.
They have hardly recorded any duets over the course of their solo career. How did “I Should’ve Followed You Home” with Gary Barlow come about?
That was an idea from my producer Jörgen. They wrote the song without me knowing about it. I think he wanted to surprise me, and that’s what he did. Gary’s voice is so rich and warm. I knew immediately that we would be a perfect match.
Is the Abba singer Agnetha different from the solo artist Agnetha Fältskog?
There’s no real difference, and the topic isn’t really important – but I have to connect with the words somehow. I have to understand them and what they mean before I can sing them. This is very important to me.
They live in seclusion. Surely you could communicate on social media and still remain within your own privacy?
I’m actually not a social media person at all, but of course I understand its importance in today’s media world.
They have been in business for more than 50 years. What advice would you give to young women aspiring to pursue a singing career today?
Stay who you are, no matter what happens. Take your time, think about everything and don’t let anyone force you to do anything you don’t want to do. And when you sing, practice, make sure you hit the notes, and use your voice carefully and respectfully. Because she is the only one you have.
And if you could go back in time to Agnetha, who began her career in 1967, what advice would you give her?
Same!