Fifty years since Abba won with Waterloo, fans are paying tribute to a pop classic. Its status is a far cry from its origins in a celebration of weedy pop and dodgy lyrics – and, whisper it, ‘nul points’ from Britain
‘The solitary entrants who look like they belong on Top of the Pops rather than in Batley Variety Club’ … Abba win the Eurovision song contest in 1974.‘The solitary entrants who look like they belong on Top of the Pops rather than in Batley Variety Club’ … Abba win the Eurovision song contest in 1974.
song contest is very familiar indeed: the conductor dressed as Napoleon, Agnetha’s blue satin knickerbockers, Björn’s star-shaped guitar. It’s been endlessly repeated on TV shows and documentaries: the moment that unexpectedly launched the career of one of the biggest bands of all time, pop history in the making. But it’s rarely, if ever, shown in context.
Immediately, the setting plunges you back into what feels like a very distant past indeed. Here is Eurovision from a time before anyone watched it for camp value – you can’t imagine any gay bar in 1974 clearing its schedules to screen this; a Eurovision that takes itself rather seriously, a brief appearance by the Wombles notwithstanding. It’s Eurovision that predates even Terry Wogan’s presence: in 1974, his famously sardonic remarks were still confined to radio coverage of the event.
In fact, cabaret was Eurovision 1974’s watchword. In 2024, we might occasionally raise an eyebrow at Eurovision’s galumphing attempts to keep pace with pop culture – a bit of awkward rapping here, a clumsily deployed trap beat there, a smattering of disco-influenced pop-house that Dua Lipa or even Kylie wouldn’t give houseroom to – but it’s as hip as Saturday night at Berghain compared with what was happening 50 years ago.
But you’ll strain your ears trying to find even its vaguest reflection inside the Brighton Dome that year: closest is Finland’s entry, a piano ballad by Carita called Keep Me Warm that bore the influence of, albeit a track from Tapestry that had been subjected to some kind of process that removed every last shred of its character. Twelve years after the Beatles, the beat boom and the British Invasion, the appearance of a “pop group” is still a novelty considered worthy of comment from Vine.
Australia Latest News, Australia Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Rose Dugdale, English heiress turned IRA bomb maker, dies aged 83Dugdale also involved in 1974 art heist and attack on police station using hijacked helicopter
Read more »
Aussies cruise to series victory after Wareham blasts career-best fifty in T20 experimentCricket: Georgia Wareham was the star at her new batting position with a huge 57 off 30 deliveries in Australia's win against Bangladesh.
Read more »
Aussie star blasts 18-ball fifty in highest-ever IPL total as 11-year record topplesCricket: Australians Cam Green and Glenn Maxwell failed to provide runs in the Royal Challengers Bangalore's first home game in the IPL.
Read more »
Fifty Years of Rebel: The Success of The Rocky Horror ShowThe Rocky Horror Show, a musical that made its stage debut in 1973, continues to be successful after fifty years. Despite its age, the cast of the show keeps the audience entertained and cheering. Directed by Jim Sharman, who also directed the film adaptation and its sequel, the show holds a special place in Australian theatre history.
Read more »
Fifty missing as Taiwan 7.2 magnitude earthquake kills nine and injures 9007NEWS brings you the latest local news from Australia and around the world. Stay up to date with all of the breaking sport, politics, entertainment, finance, weather and business headlines. Today's news, live updates & all the latest breaking stories from 7NEWS.
Read more »
Fifty years after they declared war on music, the party continues for punk icons The DamnedAt nearly 70, Captain Sensible sees no reason to hang up his guitar, especially as he’s actually learned how to play it now.
Read more »