(Note: This site is only occasionally being updated (for the time being)...Links are not maintained.)
Welcome. (Bienvenue. Välkommen. Wilkommen.)
Straight to it: If you don't know her (or remember), ex-ABBA singer Agnetha Fältskog possesses a sweet and expressive voice. (Rangy too.) It's a euphonious delight, and it's helped sell 375 million+ records worldwide (for the '70s pop 'supergroup').
...Whether your particular "genre" or not, solo Agnetha is worthy of a listen:
Please don't take my word. Enjoy the following YouTube (unofficial) sample playlist: (These songs sound even better on CD/DVD/vinyl recordings.)
(Note: If the playlist (above) does not correctly auto-play; please click on the following for a direct link:) https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLF1E367911859E577
2014: Agnetha's "A" earns a bit of recognition here...(Screen capture/image (below) is an off-site link to the website/story. A new window opens:)
June 2013 update: Reasonably respected author, poet, critic, etc. Clive James has a word to say about ABBA -- and Agnetha's 'angelic' voice. (Plus more...) Off-site link to a 6/20/13 article, new window opens. No affiliation: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/tvandradio/10130473/Clive-James-Why-I-was-wrong-to-scorn-Abba.html
A 2013 photo:
(Image source: Getty Images. Non-commercial use. No endorsement(s) expressed or implied.)
(Continuing; previously written text)...May, 2013 update: For fans who may not have seen it, an interesting - and revealing - (mainstream media) interview with the Swedish star. (...Nice photos as well). From the Daily Mail (U.K.), off-site link, new window opens: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/home/you/article-2318894/Abbas-Agnetha-Faltskog-gives-interview-decades-I-tired-Abba-over.html
Also: A fantastic BBC Radio 4 interview with John Wilson from early May '13 (it appears). Agnetha's English (language) skills are wonderful, and fine resonance in that speaking voice. (...A bit more about the singer's speaking voice is further below.) Several 'standard' ABBA-related questions (and answers) are in it, but...an off-site link to the BBC radio interview (first 16+ minutes w/Agnetha), new window opens: http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b01s4vfn
(....An official Facebook page link for the singer is further below...)
(Returning to items previously written:) It's mainly about the (critically-acclaimed) voice and music here... but photogenic/videogenic Agnetha is an attraction too. So thank you to the included tribute video creators, especially '2Shaymcn'. And note: One of the latter music videos (in the playlist, #14 ) features a solo song from 1974 that Ms.Fältskog may want to forget. But there's no denying she was (also) a sexy performer at times. (One YT video featuring well-known 1970's clips is linked at right (via the screen cap).)
A singing example: Young Agnetha's playful "buh-buh's" and (other) voice antics in 'Golliwog'....fascinating. (BTW: Outstanding YT video compilation/edit for Golliwog by 'Sinny1992'. Used with (the producer's) permission in the playlist.) Here (below) is a direct link provided (new window) to that original video song/compilation (...watch out for record company bans): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fovue12GyZU
A quick 'bonus' via YouTube:
Hear snippets of every Agnetha solo song, plus photos and clips via the following link (below). The prolific singer's voice matures beautifully over time...(Brief comment: Upon close listening (to this song sampling), it is intriguing to note the fairly distinct "upgrades" - i.e., general improvement - in Ms.Fältskog's voice.. and singing. (Note: Agnetha worked on this; taking singing lessons.) One of these seems to occur around the mid-1970s (song examples: "Dom Har Glömt" and certain others from 1975's "Elva kvinnor i ett hus" solo album. (E.g., "Och Han Vantar Pa Mej".) Another, in the early/mid-1980s, as a mature '30-something'. (Example: Several songs from Agnetha's 1985 Eyes of a Woman solo album.) I may not be describing this aspect fully...but part of the perceived improvement is that the singer's voice seems to become more 'womanly'. (Perhaps not surprising. Also note that 1980s+ solo Agnetha displayed her strong and appealing "lower voice" (her term, I once read) more frequently (than with ABBA). Although this singer (apparently) had an impressive lower voice component even when younger. (Link to one YT example: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KA4g76iSqgM&fmt=18))
-> Clips of every Agnetha song (prior to 'A', 2013): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aI6yhNalm-0
...UPDATE: Want a finer appreciation of Ms.Fältskog's wide vocal range? Link to a helpful YouTube video analysis (new window opens): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N4lNdora_PU
ALSO: One long-time fan/expert's comprehensive listing and appraisal of 134 solo Agnetha songs. Fans will enjoy it: (link) http://www.iphpbb.com/board/ftopic-30652567nx61610-9932.html
Have an open mind? Want to learn more (link follows) about this (no-longer?) self-limited star's music and beyond? (The artist is mainly a private citizen nowadays....and a proud grandmother.) Can't seem to get enough of the captivating singer (originally) from Jönköping, myself. If there is a popular music artist from the time period who should consider releasing a DVD/Blu-ray of her best performances (incl. Agnetha's commentary and insights), this is the one....
Much more about Ms. Fältskog's special voice (and more) starts here (off-site link). An enjoyable alternate introductory post is linked here.
Also, a few suggested links: (There are now official websites dedicated to the bright-voiced singer! Many excellent unofficial ones also exist:)
- Nicely done reviews of all of Ms.Fältskog's solo efforts: http://felpin80.tripod.com/ata/annasolo.html
- Useful for all ABBA fans; Ian Cole's "Ten ABBA websites I visit ...": http://abbaomnibus.wordpress.com/2010/12/05/ten-abba-websites-i-visit-regularly/
(Note: Attribution for the black-and-white photo of Ms. Fältskog at the top-left of this blog: "Agnetha Fältskog, ABBA, Ekeberghallen, Oslo, Norway, January 28th 1977, Author: Helge Øverås". No website endorsement implied.)
Note: Most of this website's original content was created in 2010-2011. (As official sites for the artist now exist, this website is only occasionally updated.)
Disclaimers:This blog and its author are not associated with Ms.Fältskog or her recording companies in any way. This web site is for entertainment and enjoyment purposes only. It is not official. No guarantees re off-site linked material. Music/videos linked or featured here are not mine; the rights to these songs do not belong to me. No copyright intended.
The original portions of this tiny, 'free' blog are copyrighted, 2009-2015. No revenue is earned by the author via this web site. Updated/edited occasionally, as warranted. Except for the weather-related post, this introductory research/information effort focuses upon Ms.Fältskog's voice, music, interviews and (mainly solo) performances, as an adult singer. Use of (linked) example/sample videos in this context may constitute "fair use". Thank you for reading.
>>> Off-site link to the official Agnetha Facebook page (new window):
https://www.facebook.com/AgnethaOfficial
((Off-)site links on this website are not actively maintained. Please follow all links at your own risk.)
More Agnetha:
FWIW: A close approximation of the pronunciation of the Swedish singer's first name is: ahng-EH-tah. Better yet...hear young Ms. Fältskog pronounce it in this short, funny clip (link): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-AAnelxqJ5M&fmt=18
Agnetha the "Ace"?? Along with her "impressive pop instrument" (ref. her voice, subscription required for full article), Agnetha at her utmost: A stellar and winsome performer. A singing siren (definition #2 via link). An appealing, early example is linked here. An apropos one is here. And a later one is here. There is more here....as well as via this post, below. (Plus there is this intriguing old video....an 'ace' in a different sense -- at least that day... (link, new window).)
As can be seen (now, by many) via "time machine" YouTube: Captivating (an enjoyable ABBA example - both ladies)... and engaging in front of the camera. Starting with the 'more mature' crowd (incl. me): It is easy to forsee lasting - even increasing - (nostalgic) acclaim for the charming (but private) Swedish star. (Link to a winning (1988) TV interview.) BTW: My wild guess is that the singer herself would (generally) deny that she was an "ace" performer. Please see the following post here for some reasons why that might be.
Plus, a wonderful, multi-component speaking voice....Hear more of it in this rare, 1976 Swedish radio interview of a - for once - open, unwary Agnetha. (Demo song playing (in background) is 'Monsieur, Monsieur': Agnetha's beautiful soprano voice (although in a bit of a high key here)...contrasting with the prominent, lower resonance within her speaking voice.) This is the current You Tube link, pls. watch your volume.
(photo is an off-site link to the singer's 1983 solo album)
A bonus:An angel sings? Why more than a few say that about this (former) artist. One example: Have 1973 Agnetha "tuck you in" (so to speak) with this angelically-sung one (in Swedish, YT link): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LiQkfs6WMRQ&fmt=22
-- Like more sweetness?? I don't think it can get any more (sweetly sung): (link) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MG4zeI-yPeg&fmt=22
-- I think the Swedish star has a sweet voice...is that noticeable?? Agnetha composed this one (link): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Dtp-0-KdUI&fmt=18
-- More samples: "Where are those happy days..." Agnetha's exquisite, first top-charting lead vocal with ABBA: Pop song extraordinaire, 'S.O.S.' (English version, embedded below. Link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cvChjHcABPA) (Update: A good background article about the making of ' S.O.S.' is linked here (new window opens).) Also worth a look: Stunning Agnetha performing S.O.S. in this 1975 gem (link, new window): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6OOrleE6wfc&fmt=18 (Young Ms. Fältskog displaying an unusual ability to "get through the (viewing) screen" at moments. )
;
(YT video link)
-- Even more: Ms. Fältskog's Swedish version of "S.O.S." is sweetly done, also. As beautiful-in-Swedish as it is, I believe that this effort also reminds us of the superb combination of Frida's and Agnetha's voices within ABBA. One higher-quality YouTube sample follows of Agnetha's S.O.S. in 'Svenska' . (Note: Volume is high.):
(Video link. Thank you to YT's "Fafner888" for posting.)
-- "Some" 22-year-old Swedish soprano 'builds it up' nicely for us (link follows below). A distinct voice: Crisp...clear...plenty of power....angelic sweetness....shiny brightness....emotion (at the expense of perfect control once in awhile; love it!). A voice of distinction. There's only one popular singer (i.e., not classically trained) who sounded like this: (link) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X_nX8xFfPn4 (Extra: She "did alright" on this familiar one from the same (Swedish) production. (Excellent job...also by producer B. Ulvaeus)) (link) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=leUyMJJT3qA
-- (One more:) What is plaintiveness? (Another tremendous (solo) example of this special capability ofMs. Fältskog's is here (link)...) What is wailing lament...via the shiniest voice? (Ref.: Chorus.) Please have a listen....a stellar 1975 effort. (Agnetha also composed this one.) (link) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5retRoHsupg&fmt=18
-- Can't stop: Any time Agnetha hums, la-las, buh-buhs (etc.) in her songs...pretty close to heaven on earth. (Link to another (in-) Swedish beauty:) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C5T5TaQCCV8 And yet another, Agnetha-composed winner: (link) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NGKM8L5s5gI
-- More: A mesmerizing song/performance (from 2004). Also incl. in the playlist above:
(YT video link)
(If you care to, there's much more here (link)....here (incl. an Agnetha "top ten+")....and here.)
Plus, information about ABBA: Let the Music Speak -- a well-written book by a professional musician that includes detailed facts/impressions about the two wonderful voices of ABBA -- may be found here (link).)
5/20/13: Copying in a fan's comment seen on Agnetha's official Facebook page (if not seen there). It is well expressed and may 'speak' for numbers of fans, I believe:
"i dont usually believe that Agnetha reads or even hears about comments on here ,,,,but ,,,,,,i am compelled to do this ,,,,i am at home now after being in Sweden for 2 weeks ,,,and listening to "A" the first time properly...and ,,well i am just in love with it ,,,,its just fantastic ,,,,,i cant explain ,,,,every song has its magic ,,,,,
I dont know if you know that you have all created a masterpiece ..
I am so happy ....."
--- from Djohn Hewes
(Agnetha's official Facebook page URL: https://www.facebook.com/AgnethaOfficial?hc_location=stream)
Posted by: U.S.Aficionado | 05/20/2013 at 06:21 PM