Radio interview for a local radio station on Ekerö, Sweden.
Interviewer :  Fredrik Torping.

Song: If I Thought You’d Ever Change Your Mind

FT: Hi and welcome, Agnetha Fältskog.

AF: Thank you, Fredrik.

FT: How does it feel like being on Radio Viking?

AF: It feels real good.

FT: When I talked to you earlier this week, because we have talked a number of times the past week, you asked me which songs I would be playing during this interview and then I asked you a bit about the ABBA-days. Then you said you’d rather not hear Waterloo. Why don’t you want to hear the old songs you made?

AF: Sure, I want to hear them, but Waterloo isn’t really my favorite, I think. If I would pick one or a few songs from the ABBA-days, I probably wouldn’t pick Waterloo. I think it’s always been that way.

FT: Why not Waterloo, is there a specific reason that that it would…?

AF: I personally don’t think it’s one of our best songs but you can say despite everything that it all began with it. So of course we can play it.

FT: It was the one who started the ABBA-days, can you say that?

AF: Yes, we didn’t start recording... It wasn’t the first one we recorded, there were a few ones before it, for example Ring Ring etc. but Waterloo started it all since we won with it in Brighton back in 74.

FT: How come you won with that one in Brighton 1974? There were huge crowds when they found out that Waterloo won in Brighton in 1974. ABBA and Agnetha. There was a lot of excitement. Why did Waterloo become so popular?

AF: That’s something you may really ask yourself, but I think there was a combination of things, that it was a fresh song, the four of us, and these clothes and everything. So it was probably a combination of things, I think.

FT: When you were on TV a while ago, then it was Lotta Bromé who you sat down and talked with. Had she contacted you, was it exactly when the CD had been released on the market or…?

AF: No, it wasn’t Lotta who contacted me, instead it was these people who made this TV-program, this film production, who wanted someone who interviewed me at the same time. Then they suggested Lotta and I said she’s a nice woman so let’s try it with her, so we picked her.

FT: But one day when I received one of your albums, in other words my first album I was given and which I still listen to today, and when I hear your voice I feel warm, why is that? As a listener I mean.

AF: How fun to hear that. Well, it’s hard for me to answer that. It could be that you have a special voice and maybe there’s some truth to that, because I myself can shiver when I hear certain songs and certain artists, and it’s when everything fits right somehow and it feels genuine, and it really is because you try to share yourself when you record an album. So that’s probably why.

FT: You try to give and take of yourself. Before we continue, Agnetha, we’re going to listen to a song with you and you’re not the only one in this song, it’s actually your daughter, Linda, who sings on the same song, you could say you sing a duet here. So I’ve chosen this one.

Song: Bjällerklang (with Linda)

FT: Agnetha, what’s the name of this song we heard with you and Linda?

AF: Hmmm, what’s it called... is it called Bjällerklang. A winter song in the middle of the summer?

FT: Yes, can you imagine. That I found it, and it’s the only song that you and Linda sing, how come?

AF: It’s on a CD we made. A Christmas-CD, with a few more songs.

FT: Yes, but how come just you and Linda recorded this duet, have you thought of singing more duets?

AF: Well, I felt that it would be fun to make a CD with my daughter and a CD with my son and the one with Linda became a Christmas-CD. I’ve also recorded a CD with Christian.

FT: Ok, how many songs are there on that CD, only one or...?

AF: No, on this Christmas-CD there are, well… There’s a medley I know, and then there are 8, 9, 10 songs. Something like that.

FT: Ok, I know I and many more like ABBA. But it’s also fun to invite you to Radio Viking. Because we’ve talked about it several times and today you finally decided to stop by and it’s fantastic.

AF: Yes, it’s fun for me to be here too.

FT: It brings me joy. Now we continue with an AF song and I’ve chosen this one.

Song: Snövit

AF: Yes, I can talk to you now.

Listener: Yes, hi, my name is Christer. Hi, I’ve admired you for a long time, ever since the ABBA-days you can say, and I still do. And I think you are very good. I think your new CD is quite incredible.

AF: Yes, how fun.

Listener: It’s very good. I wonder: will we ever get to see you live again? Performing your songs.

AF: It’s very difficult to say right now, because I have worked for a while on this CD but mostly on the productive side. I have also worked as a producer as well and it’s taken a few years to record it and then I did this TV-documentary a while ago. I hardly think there will be any live performances.

Listener: It would be fantastic to see you. I know many others think that as well.

AF: I personally think it would be fun but I have my limitations as an artist. Nowadays I feel that I want to do what I’m the best at and being on stage has never been one of those things.

Listener: But I think so, I think you’re very good, and others also agree.

AF: Well, thank you.

Listener: Will you make any more CDs?

AF: I don’t know that either right now, I’m quite busy with this one. But we’ll see, one should never say never, instead you should be open to everything. Suddenly I may get a lot of ideas, so we’ll wait and see.

Listener: Ok. That’s what I wanted to know. I have many other questions but I can’t think of one right now. It’s wonderful to talk to you, I like you a lot.

AF: Thank you!

Listener: Thanks and goodbye!

FT: Well, that was a good fan, wasn’t it?

AF: Yes, it was. He was very nice.

FT: And now we’re going to play the next song with you, here it is.

Song: When You Walk In The Room

FT: Well, Agnetha. Are you ready?

AF: Ready for what?

FT: For a chat.

AF: Sure.

FT: Good. Well, you’ve received a call and some questions here at Radio Viking. How do you think they have been, were they difficult or easy?

AF: It’s going well. It’s always like that, you have to think before you reply.

FT: And also when asking, because it may be a sensitive issue. If you ask about sensitive issues, things can go wrong.

AF: Yes, they can.

FT: In itself, even for me they can.

AF: Yes it can for everyone.

FT: But let’s go back to the ABBA-days for a while. We talked about Waterloo before and Brighton 1974 and that it wasn’t your favorite. Many people along with me can’t understand why. Can you clarify why exactly that song isn’t your favorite.

AF: It’s not that I dislike it in any way, but it’s probably just that I like songs that are a bit slower and it has almost always been that way, that I prefer those who express a bit more and some people prefer when they’re a bit more upbeat and so on. But it is a very catchy song which I know many like a lot, so there’s nothing wrong with it. But if I myself were to pick 5-10 of the best ABBA-songs that we’ve done, then Waterloo wouldn’t be one of those, I think.

FT: Which ABBA-song has meant the most to you and that you’ve been passionate about?

AF: It’s "The Winner Takes It All", I like it the most, and then there’s another which Frida mostly sings the lead on, it is "Our Last Summer", which I also think is very good.

FT: I’ve also heard that one. It’s one that gives you shivers. And it’s probably because it’s mellow.

AF: Yes, and beautiful lyrics.

FT: Yes, peaceful and harmonious in the lyrics.

AF: Yes, absolutely.

FT: But before we continue I think we’ll listen to the next song with AF.

Song: Snövit… again

FT: Unfortunately it’s the same song we listened to earlier, but I think it’s so good that I wanted to play it again. What do you think about that?

AF: It’s quite ok with me. It was such a long time ago that I recorded it, so I had almost forgotten about it.

FT: How many years ago was it?

AF: Well, how many years ago… It has to be.. Well, I almost don’t dare to guess when I made this one. Hmm. I started out in 68… Well… What year could it be? Sometime between 1970-75, that’s how old it is.

FT: How many years have you been an artist?

AF: If you keep in mind that I made my first record in 1968, then how many would that be? We almost need a calculator here.

FT: Well, it’s almost thirty… thirty years, huh?

AF: Yes, it’s 30 years ago that we won with Waterloo. That was in 74 and this was six years before that, when I started as a solo artist. So 36… Yes, I’ve almost been an artist for almost 40 years.

FT: That’s good and your voice still sounds good today. That’s great.

AF: Yes, it’s fantastic, huh? We didn’t know that when we began working on the new CD, that the voice would still be there. It was during one year when we made these demos that I trained my voice and sang and tried, because it was a bit difficult before I had warmed it up so that I could sound like I used to. It’s like a machine that you have to add oil to and keep it going.

FT: Yes, I understand. But now I think we’re going to listen to this one that ABBA actually won with in Brighton in 1974, ladies and gentlemen. I’m talking about "Waterloo". Please help yourself with "Waterloo"!

Song: Waterloo

FT: That was "Waterloo" with AF. Well, what do you think about that song? I know I have asked you several times.

AF: Well, if I’m going to contribute, it was "Waterloo" with ABBA.

FT: Yes, but you were a part of it.

AF: I was a part of it. Absolutely.

FT: And you were the one who wore that blue suit.

AF: Yes, and that little cap.

FT: Or maybe it wasn’t you?

AF: Yes, it was me. Don’t you remember that? How old were you then? You probably weren’t born then.

FT: I was one year old.

AF: You were one year old then? There you go.

FT: One year old, and you wore a blue dress, quite narrow. Was it back then? And then you wore something blue, almost like a beret.

AF: Yes, almost like a small baby cap. But I wore pants, which were widened at the bottom. That’s what it was.

FT: How come it was a suit like this one, was it that it would fit you or the song? How was it?

AF: We had a few guys and girls who helped us to sew then, or who sewed our clothes. It just happened that I wore it. And we got to choose a bit, and they had good ideas and so on. And I think Frida wore a skirt so there was a mixture.

FT: A lot of things have happened during these years as an artist?

AF: Of course a lot has happened, and most of all it’s a lot of fun that things have gone so well. You don’t know that in the beginning. At first it was only my hobby. I knew really early on what I wanted, I was so fond of writing songs and most of all listen, and I had a lot… Now I suddenly have a tone in my ear.

FT: Well, we’re going to figure out what it is.

AF: What tone it is.

FT: Ok, while I find out, we’re going to listen to a song with AF, and it’s coming here.

Song: If I Thought You’d Ever Change Your Mind

FT: That was "Ever Change Your Mind", with Agnetha. Do you think I’m good at English?

AF: Yes.

FT: "Evverr change yourr majnd".

AF: The title is so long. It’s quite difficult to pronounce it.

FT: Yes, but what did my mouth look like when I said it?

AF: Well, it looked good.

FT: Do you give it good marks?

AF: Yes, absolutely. You make an effort, I see.

FT: Great! Well, in itself it’s a difficult title but what do you do. Make a bit of an effort.

AF: Yes, you do.

FT: But I also know that when you made this CD you thought it was fun, is this an album you’re passionate about?

AF: Yes, absolutely. We’ve been working on it for such a long time that it… And I got the idea a very long time ago, that I wanted to record these kind of songs from the 60s or the 50s or a bit mixed. So it feels great when it’s finished and I feel that I’m finally satisfied after all these years.

FT: Yes, I can imagine. And before I ask a few more questions, if that’s ok… Is it?

AF: Yes, it is.

FT: Before we take any more questions we’re going to play a few more songs with Agnetha. I have chosen a beautiful song which I personally like very much and it’s this one.

Song: Love Me With All Your Heart

FT: That was AF that you just heard, from her new CD which I think is called “Kalar in tha bock”. Or as it’s called in Swedish: Målarbok. And we’re going to continue for a little while longer. How do you think it’s gone so far?

AF: I think it’s gone well.

FT: Are you relaxed?

AF: Oh yes. Absolutely. It’s always a little bit tense when you’re doing something at first but then it goes better.

FT: Which interview has been the most fun one throughout the years?

AF: Oh, it’s very hard to say. Each interview is special in it’s own way. This one is special in it’s own way. The one I did in the TV-program is special in it’s way so it’s difficult to mention a particular one, so it’s just a nice feeling when you can think of what you want to say.

FT: You don’t have a favorite interview that you really enjoyed and think “this one was the most fun in my life and I’ll always remember it”?

AF: No, but I said that in the TV-program when we finished, that this was the most fun interview because something happened which made me react that way. But then when you look back, of course we’ve done lots of very nice interviews throughout the years. And like I said, this one is also special.

FT: It is also very special. And it’s actually the most fun interview I have done since I started here at Radio Viking.

AF: Thank you.

FT: I will remember it for the rest of my life.

AF: That’s great.

FT: But maybe there’ll be a retrospect sometime.

AF: Yes, you never know.

FT: Maybe we’ll sing on the same album sometime, who knows.

AF: Yes, sing a duet.

FT: Yes, maybe sometime. Fredrik and Agnetha on the next album.

AF: Yes, you never know what will happen in the future.

FT: Fredrik and Agnetha on the next album. Agnetha’s second comeback.

AF: Yeah, maybe. And Fredrik’s first.

FT: Fredrik’s first singing comeback together with AF. Joking apart. We have another caller who wants to ask questions.

Listener: Yes, hello?

FT: Hello!

Listener: Hi, my name is Nico and I also think it’s a lot of fun that Agnetha came back with a new CD, "My Colouring Book", and I wonder, Agnetha, if you would pick a favorite on the new album, which one would it be?

AF: Then I would probably pick “Sometimes When I’m Dreaming”, because I think it’s very good.

FT: Excuse me for interrupting. Can I ask you to turn down the volume on your radio because it’s echoing.

Listener: Of course. I’m sorry. I’ve done it now I hope.

FT: Yes, now you can continue.

Listener: I wonder if you have any other favorites from before the ABBA-days as well.

AF: Before the ABBA-days you mean?

Listener: Yes, exactly, from your solo recordings. From your own songs.

AF: It’s always very difficult to think of one right away. There are quite a few I like. It’s always like this, that when you work on a production, then you like all the songs while you’re recording them. But then you get a perspective and a few years go by and I may even think why did I record that song. That’s the way it is.

Listener: Yes, I understand. Well, most of the time it’s maybe your latest songs that mean the most.

Af: Yes, it probably is. It’s difficult to just pick one. It is.

Listener: But thanks for taking my call and letting me ask the questions and I wish you good luck, it’s a lot of fun that you’re on this funny radio program as well.

AF: Yes, thanks for calling.

Listener: Yes, thank you very much. Bye.

AF: Bye.

FT: And he was very positive towards this radio program, and it’s wonderful that people are so fascinated with this program. And I’m afraid I’m about to run out of my two hours. And you have been fantastic and called during these two hours. Yes, I think this is the most fun broadcast I’ve done in my whole career down here, and I have to say that you have been diligent and called today. I can’t find any other word for it. So far I’ve received 22 calls today. And we’re going to play one more song, it’ll be the next to last song and it’s this one. And this one is also with AF. But like I said, before we… We’ll play it first and then we’ll say thanks. Here’s AF.

Song: Jag var så kär

FT: That was “Jag var så kär” with AF. And her and I almost sang a duet here in the studio. Right?

AF: Yes, that was also a golden oldie.

FT: Yes. What went through your mind as you were writing it? I have to ask you before we bring it to and end and I also think the listeners want to know.

AF: It was such a long time ago, it was 1968 or 1967 and I was only 17-18 years old and I was unhappily in love, you know, with a guy. And it’s often then that you come up with such material, you come up with a lot of melodies and then you’re in a state of mind, or were, which is… Often it’s like that nowadays as well that I write when I’m a bit depressed like that.

FT: And read.

AF: Yes, that’s when you come up with something.

FT: And there’s one more thing I wonder, and I’m sure the listeners do too. Who discovered you? I think that when you worked at a car dealer in Jönköping, someone called Little Gerhard called you.

AF: Yes, a king of rock.

FT: And you were so surprised that you hung up on him several times.

AF: I couldn’t believe that it was him.

FT: And you didn’t realize at first that it was him.

AF: No, I didn’t dare to think it was. Because it was my biggest wish that someone would be interested in my voice and would like to have me make a record, so I didn’t dare to believe it was him calling. But it turned out it was him.

FT: And he wanted to make a record with strings and so on and you and your dad went up to Stockholm.

AF: Yes.

FT: It must have been fantastic for a 17-18 year old girl from Jönköping to go up to Stockholm.

AF: Exactly, and I’m still here.

FT: Yes and you’re sitting across from FT at Radio Viking.

AF:Yes!

FT: Yes, but I didn’t believe my eyes that I sometime would get to do an interview like this.

AF: Yes, how fun. It’s a lot of fun for me also to see that you’re happy as well. And it’s fun to get to talk to a few people like that too. I listen to 101.4 quite often.

FT: Ok, and before we end, we’re going to take the opportunity to say thanks to your driver who actually drove you here just for this interview.

AF: Yes, he’ll probably appreciate the greeting. His name is Lasse.

FT: And then we send a greeting to Lasse and say that Fredrik personally greets you and says thanks for having driven AF down to the studio. A big, big, warm thank you. And there’s probably not much more to say than Agnetha and I wish you a nice summer.

AF: Have a nice summer!

FT: And that’s all from Ekerö FUB and Fredrik and Agnetha. And Fredrik says once again, have a nice summer! Goodbye to all you spirited and happy people.