MANIA: The ABBA Tribute

February 14, 2024 10:42pm

ABBA hasn't performed since they disbanded in 1982 (if you don't count their 2021 "Voyage" studio album, for which they didn't tour but instead played in London as digital holograms). But my wife and I just got home from the next best thing. We enjoyed "MANIA: The ABBA Tribute" at Pensacola's Saenger Theatre. This show originated in London's West End in 1999 and has since toured all around the world. I could tell it wasn't really ABBA by looking at them (because all four ABBA singers are now in their 70s, and these singers were young). But by listening, they sounded just like the original group.

Agnetha Fältskog, Björn Ulvaeus, Benny Andersson, and Anni-Frid Lyngstad formed the Swedish supergroup in 1972. 2024 is the 50th Anniversary of "Waterloo," which was the group's first single to chart in the U.S.

They never sang "Thank You for the Music," which is my favorite ABBA song. But because it was never released as a single in the U.S., I'm not surprised it wasn't included in the concert. Even without it, it was a great show for which I say:

"Thank you for the music, the songs I'm singing

Thanks for all the joy they're bringing

Who can live without it? I ask in all honesty

What would life be?

Without a song or a dance, what are we?

So I say thank you for the music

For giving it to me!"