ABBA - The Iconic Bench Photo | History & Real Location 4K
Vložit
- čas přidán 2. 06. 2024
- It was an Autumn’s day in 1975, when ABBA took one of their most iconic photographs: the famous picture on a park bench. Let’s explore the history and creation, and visit the real location of that bench.
0:00 Intro
1:07 ABBA in the Park
1:42 The Location
3:01 The Creation
4:10 Alternate Takes & Legacy
5:48 Voyage
8:20 Appendix: Heavenly Apparition?
8:52 Outro
---
Written, narrated, recorded & edited by Bobby’s Brother.
Music by Europaweite Aussichten: • Europaweite Aussichten...
Bobby's Brother on Instagram: / bobbysbrother72
#abba ##voyage #location - Hudba
*WATCH ABBA IN THE PARK!* czcams.com/video/ZBwrnmXMAaE/video.html
The park bench photo was used as main artwork in 1976 in many important countries for ABBA's "Greatest Hits". The surrealistic painting was gone, and the inner sleeve showed ABBA under the tree. It became the most successful album of 1976 in the UK, and the UK's 2nd most successful album of the 1970s, only beaten by Simon & Garfunkel's "Bridge Over Troubled Water".
I'm a great fan of ABBA, since I was a child and today I'm 56 and still enjoy all ABBA's music. Thank you for all the stories you bring about ABBA.
Growing up in th '70s ABBA was like oxygene for us.They made us believe this is a safe,happy beautiful world to live in which wasn't actually a reality but might have been.Abba was our fantastic dream.The sweetest drug to wash away depression and misery.for us to carry on our journey to life.
I completely agree with your deception of ABBA’s unique and empowering effect on our well being.
They provide a safeguard against the darkness in the world.
Hello Bobby’s Brother, I don’t remember when or how I bought this album as I was young. As soon as I heard ABBA, I fell in love with them. I live in Massachusetts in the United States. I don’t remember what year that came out but I was happy to see who ABBA was! And when I heard they were making new songs, and last year they made their album voyage I couldn’t have been happier! I wish I had someone to go to their concert with in London at their special arena, but I am and always have been a loner so ABBA was everything to me when I met their music Wayback then in the 70s!❤
Hi Bobby. I took my wife to Stockholm in September of last year. One of the things we did was search out THE bench. We managed to find it from various reports of its location. We took our own photos of course. We are half of an Abba tribute- The Björn Identity and recreated our own version of the iconic photo which turned out pretty well with various original items of the same clothing, even had our own bench made so we could transport it to a suitable location to take our photos. On the trip to Stockholm we searched out Mono Music Studios so we could see where the more recent Voyage press release photos were taken. Totally by accident Benny was working in the studio that day and we were overwhelmed to actually meet him there and get some truly precious photos with him and have a great chat with him! It was truly a memorable trip to Stockholm!
Wow. I went right past that bench and that location when I visited the Abba Museum in 2001. I didn't realise that was where the photo was taken. Thank you BB. You bring back the memory of my day at the ABBA Museum.
The greates hit album and just at the beginning, never forget buying it . Memories so great from childhood I was 12, these songs made me feel so happy. This bench picture reflects all those good times from loving ABBA from the start and until now. Love them ❤
Two years ago history was made and all our dreams became true who could have imagined what wee would receive from ABBA more than any of us could ever possibly imagine ❤❤❤❤ The iconic bench picture does indeed truly represent ABBA One OF Us comes to my mind 😊
I remember a friend playing the record and just loving every song. Even as a child around 1977/78 the sound of Abba made me feel I was hearing and being a part of a special energy, music and presence that beamed positive rays, yes sad emotions that we all connected with. Thank you B.B for showing us the location of the much loved, iconic photograph. I could really imagine you being able to talk to Agnetha in that image that appears at the end. 🌟💖 Thank you 🌿
After the image of all four in the iconic blue satin suits, the park bench picture is my favourite (then the Arrival 'white jumpsuits' picture of all four stood against the helicopter). As a child, I was fascinated by it. Why were one couple embracing and the other in stark contrast? I was most captivated by Agnetha- her little cap, her blonde hair cascading over her shoulders like a waterfall, her melancholic expression...even the way her toes pointed inward! It all seemed so mysterious to me. An iconic image of ABBA for sure.
That photo series has long been a favourite of mine. You get the passion of Frida, the emotion of Agnetha, and the happy/sad vibes that are in many of their lyrics. It’s interesting too in the colours of their clothes. Benny’s red jacket and Frida’s red hair symbolize love, heat, desire and Agnetha and Björn in blues show coldness and sadness, and generally deep emotion.
the album is great and so are your videos so excited to see a new video from BB . this video is so so so cool ! great job ! In that photo Agnetha she takes my breath away she is so pretty . I love the end of the video BB your awesome you look so cool sitting there with Agnetha ! The ending my favorite part ! Awesome !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
the ending shot...isn't it what we all dream to do. Congrats BB, the best ABBAtective around. I imagine that sequence continuing years later, as Agnetha recognizes you at the train station in The Day before you Came.
Ah!that's a fine sequence indeed.
Agnetha in the iconic photo ,is a reflection of a heart breaking at losing someone they love and will never get back ..
Masterful in the pose of a broken heard.....Wonderful shot .
The park bench photo sums up so many of their songs and is one of ABBA most memorable images. I always felt sorry for Agnetha in this photo and that's a fun and lovely touch at the end of the video BB - at last she gets someone to notice her!
What an amazing closing 😮!
Your most heartwarming video yet-and you had so many!
The park bench picture is my favorite image of ABBA along with the one in the wintry window and the cover art for The Visitors album-but I never really pondered why I liked it so much.
But you explained it so well in your usual succinct yet informative way.
And the fact that you were also able to connect this image to Voyage and Shapes made it even more special.
Simply put : your wonderful video gave us all a perfect platform to celebrate the 2nd anniversary of Voyage AND ABBA.
TAK ❤
Thanks for doing a video on this my favourite Abba photo!! I thought I was the only one who loved the album cover, growing up as a child. The picture of the beautiful Agnetha, looking so sad and lonely, it is still very moving to see today. Please, please someone re-release this Greatest Hits album!! 💙💛💙
I’m so glad here in the UK we had the iconic tree cover the album went straight to number 1 and out ABBA on the map . If we had had the Swedish cartoon cover that really wouldn’t have gone down well here at all
Yes indeed ! always loved the park bench photo and still to this day one of my all time fav album covers. During the time of this LP release I had two copies and I cut out one of the inner gatefold photo and taped it to my bedroom wall where it stayed for a few years. Love the vlog ending, Agnetha still waiting on her kiss
Спасибо за этот выпуск!
Меня всегда тревожила эта фотография. Она выглядит очень реалистичной и совсем не постановочной. Кажется, там схвачены реальные эмоции, в которых находились обе пары. Видимо, уже на тот момент между А и В были недопонимания, которые и стали началом конца!
Песня Джозефин, которую Вы упомянули, была абсолютно АББАвской. Её написали для несостоявшегося альбома АВВА ( который мог бы случиться, если б не Агнетта) Песня пронзительная- 100% хит АВВА( хотя и спета другой исполнительницей)
Спасибо за Вашу проделанную работу! Вы делаете счастливыми многих людей!
This was absolutely fascinating BB, thank you so much. You mentioned on the 2nd anniversary of Voyage (Really???) how blessed we are 40 years on to have a whole new Abba album, can I just say how lucky we Abba fans are to have YOU, bringing us these great videos. Your hard work is much appreciated, thank you BB!
That is probably the first record album that a lot of ABBA fans in the United States purchased. I have a family of ABBA lovers, and our first was greatest hits, volume two with the iconic white clothes they were wearing.
Another great video, full of information. I really liked the ending...just perfect.
Aaaahhh!Hats off to you for this outro!lol.
Hey Agnetha if you watch this Give him a call!He really deserves it and we all need some sign for you watching.Either you or any other ABBA member.Plz do connect.We need this.
Thanks, Christiano! I don't know if you have read the end titles on my "A+" interview - Agnetha is watching.
@@bobbysbrother137 Yes i did and got very emotional,got in the 7th heaven, cried from joy.
Thank you Bobby's B ~ you absolutely hit the proverbial nail right on the head by calling this their most iconic photo memory. One is drawn immediately to the clever, evocative contrast of the two couples experiencing different emotions: spontaneous passion versus (perhaps anxious anticipation and) saddening indifference. It's a brilliantly "simple" (but is it really?) photographic composition. When I look at Agnetha's expression, I think of the despairful "S.O.S" - when I see Benny & Frida, I think of the sweeping exuberance of "Bang-a-Boomerang". It is a visually appealing and thought provoking (but also now a nostalgic filled) moment in time, just as their most iconic songs are and were assembled. ❤
You found just the right words for it all. And wonderful connecting thoughts. Thank you so much!
Thank YOU Bobby's B ~ it's only because you INSPIRE and remind me of the power of ABBA's music, both visually and melodically! Thanks again, Blessed wishes
I also do connect this album and this bench photo with the sound of "SOS" which was the opener.
0:48!My lord ...That iconic '70s image, a heartbeat booster.
It was quite emotional to see where that bench photo was taken and I love the little references to it in the songs. I don’t know if this is due to you but Shapes suddenly appeared in the UK iTunes Charts at 43. You must have at least helped this along 😊
The UK Greatest Hits was where I first saw the picture, in 1976. It seemed to fit exactly the emotions in SOS, which opens the album. I always think of that song when I see the photograph. Fascinating video, thanks so much!
The very last scene where you appear on the park bench and pull out your copy of VOYAGE was my favorite part! 🦊 Happy anniversary to a new iconic album!!!
I used to stare at this photo for hours and wondered, what is the concept of this? To me it seemed one couple's evolution in togetherness, and one couple's relationship in decline. But not quite broken. Who knows!
Brilliant discoveries. That bench was my route into ABBA, as that it was effectively the first album in the UK, and it was a gateway into to a world of musical genius.
I remember! That's a good gateway. Cheers, Henry!
Im Greatest Hits. Ein schönes Bild und eine schöne LP. ❤
Just days before I travel to Sweden, you re-released this video! Thank you! My son likes tea from the Nordiska Museet and I promised to return there to get the tea for him. Your video could not be more timely, as the museum is so close to the ABBA bench. We were in Sweden in February and I was thrilled to visit the rain shelter and take pictures there thanks to you.
I certainly remember buying it,the gate-fold sleeve was fantastic.The promo video, I remember it well when It was released in Ireland.The voice over was a famous D.J in Ireland called Larry Gogan. He promoted ABBA so much on his radio shows in the 1970's
I LOVE the ending! That was very endearing and clever. Thank you for taking us to these historical ABBA locations. "Shapes" is a great album. One of my favorites from it is "Leave It To Love."
Благодарю за видео. Это моя любимая фотография. Мне нравится задумчивость Агнеты, она гораздо значимей простого поцелуя. Во всем, что делала Агнета, был свой глубокий смысл. Она одновременно простая и загадочная.
Also her legs position its quiet but kind of sad at the same time.
This was the first ABBA cassette I bought. I thought they were a folk group because that's the section where the shop had put it along with Agnetha. It was only when I got home I found ABBA were that band from Eurovision but by the time Waterloo played I was already hooked and been a fan ever since. The cover has always been special to me. I would not of looked at the alternate one but the bench one stood out from the other tapes and drew me in to read the song titles, the photo is what really got me to buy it though why were they sitting like that had there been an argument? Had the kissing couple just come to the bench and shocked the other lady by kissing in public while the man she was with did not even seem to notice they were there. Maybe their music would hold the answer. Well looking back now it was a very cleaver composition. It does show the contrast in their music. Happy and uplifting like Benny and Frida but often with lyrics that tell a story of sadness, loneliness and desertion. like Agnetha and Bjorn.
One of my favourite pics. I had this poster on my wall when I was a teenager. Thank you BB. You know my heart. Sending love from Australia.
Happy 2nd anniversary, "Voyage"!!! I don't think it's a cliché at all, BB, on the contrary, I feel exactly the same way!!! I remember vividly how unreal it was two years ago today: I woke up at 4 a.m. from sheer excitement and just couldn't resist already playing snippets of the songs on my phone while still in bed. The rest of the day was basically "When You Danced With Me" on repeat. What a day - ABBAsolutely one of the best in my entire life!!!😍🤩🌄🎶 And how fitting to celebrate this day with this iconic photo shoot - I remember someone online commenting on it: "The original wooden bench, getting harder by the hour!" And also, what a beautiful little ending, BB!😍
Yes, "When You Danced With Me" really is one of those songs that burned into ones mind on that first day. One of the best days in our lives. Thank you, Marike, for sharing the memories and giving these nice words!
I love the ending of your video! We got to see the rest of your body!! :) Loved how you added Agnetha in the last shot. That was so cool!
Vou até aí , tirar foto neste banco ....saúds deles juntinhos ...❤❤❤
Terrific video as always BB !
I’ve had the pleasure of visiting that same spot and It was an amazing feeling!
My favorite photo of them ❤
Thank you for all the great videos
Love from Ireland ❤
Honestly, if they ever come around to doing a video for Don't Shut Me Down, something like this could be the perfect start.
they might use AI to create the video the 'Tom Cruise way',i've seen this in utube.It's looks absolutely real.
@@christianoazzuro6711 I actually wouldn't mind that! As long as it was official, of course.
What an unexpected, great discovery of you, the lyrics of the song of Josefine Nilsson and Abba 's Don't shut me down! Compliments! And what a great ending of the video! You (like Bjorn) sitting on the bench. And with the climax; Agnetha's appearance👍
The first time I can remember seeing these images was maybe around the time rumours of an ABBA reunion started circulating. I saw the images in a google image search. I was blown away by the amount of ABBA content online. So much of it I hadn't seen nor heard before.
I saw the bench photo in the US on ABBA's first greatest hits album. Thanks for finding it and showing it to us. Would be nice to see ABBA today on the bench.
I still can't believe we have been gifted with another ABBA album, either--and I listen to it almost every day.
I was only about 12 years old when I got the Greatest Hits album, and I thought the picture was so very funny/humorous. Maybe because I was only beginning to understand such things!
I don't think Agnetha looked sad at all--I thought she was waiting for a kiss, and I knew that it was all pretend, that she and Björn were still together in real life. I think they all looked cute and I liked that they had a sense of humor. Agnetha even had a leaf fallen on her, as if she had been sitting and waiting for hours! 😀 Like I said, I was young and thought the picture was very funny so I liked it a lot. I unfolded the album and used it like a poster.
I was about the same age when I bought the greatest hits out of pocket money, though I think it was the year before that I heard the LP being played at a friend's (1978) If I remember rightly, the record player had microphone sockets and we sang along.
Love your ending scene for the video 😉
Love your videos, BB! Greatest Hits was the first ABBA album I bought and I spent many hours staring at that cover while listening to it many times through the years. It's so nice to see this bit of history, bringing us to the very place where it all took place! Thank you so much for this! It feels as if we're coming full circle with them! ❤
Well said! Thanks for the kind words.
I always found that the song "Where the Whales Have Ceased to Sing" was a melancholic masterpiece both in the writing, the melody, the arrangements and with the captivating and touching voice of Josefin Nilsson, but in a way, the emotion aroused reminds me of the atmosphere of "The Day before You Came", especially in the way the song ends, but it's also interesting to see the link with the beginning of "Don't shut me down".
Don't know how many times i've watched this video's lovely heartwarming outro.
Hmmm....that blonde girl (with the animal print scarf and the fallen leave on her hands) from the previous century sitting next to you, surely needs a hug.I wish she could see you.Never too late.
Come on,Agnetha,do you read?.....
Brilliant and what a fantastic ending. Loved it !
Today is my second day in Stockholm, March 2nd 2024 , my first visit to Sweden, I visited the Abba museum today and had my picture taken on the park bench that they have copied, I felt like I was in heaven it was so amazing, all you could see and learn about Abba was there , had so much fun with my two daughters, thank you Abba for bringing so much joy into my life
Initially I borrowed this album from my friend at school (the one without Fernando) but got my own (the one that included Fernando) a few weeks later. I always loved the layout of this album - both the bench picture and the cartoon picture ❤🥰❤
One of the most memorable photos of Abba.
I have always wanted to know where it was taken. And now I know.
And I love the ending of this video!
Thank you so much, BB.
One of the greatest memories in my life... And exactly the same song I thought about the first time I heard Don't Shut Me Down, that was a great song and great album by Josephin Nilsson, almost completely forgotten now... Thank you ❤ Again great job 👍
What a wonderful documentary. Strolling through Djurgarden I must have passed that spot where the bench is. There are so many ABBA rememberance spots in that beautiful area.
The picture itself makes you stop and think as in, "what exactly is going on here?" Beautiful contrast of emotions, very smart to use as a cover photo.
Really enjoyed that video. This was the first album of ABBA that I bought--I purchased it in cassette form. It was amazing. ABBA fan ever since! This makes the photo special/emotional for me--all the way back to 1975--which "somehow" does not seem that long ago. Maybe it is because we are so blessed to Still have ABBA today continuing to create new music. Thank you!
I was 10 years old, I would go into my local record shop and I would gaze at this poster of the bench photo on the wall wishing I had it, unfortunately it was just for advertising the greatest hits lp, abba were my life growing up, so many cherished memeries, big abba fan, always ❤
Your a Genius! Continually inventing more videos about ABBA!
I think it’s definitely related to don’t shut me down. As soon as I heard this song I loved it . Thank you for your interesting details about abba locations for albums . I would love to know more about the photo shoot for abba the album
I first time saw that picture in the summer of 1978.August.I wasn't even in my pre-teens but was on tutorial English language holidays in Canterbury UK .I still numbly recall the name of the college i was in 'Vernon Holm" or smth.We were out for shopping and i got in a record shop and my eyes got stuck on them.I finally bought the album one year later after knowing who they were.And .... lol!i love Frida's right leg up to Benny 's at 0:55.She 's such a fox.
That photo was used for the US version of GREATEST HITS on Atlantic Records NYC my very FIRST ABBA LP followed by Arrival also on Atlantic - The look on Agnetha's face registered boredom whenever I looked at the photo and it seemed cold judging by the clothes they wore - a great group with a vast catalogue!
BB, I had this poster on my bedroom wall as a teenager. Love you BB. Sending love from Melbourne Australia. One day, I would be privileged to meet you.
Happy 2 year Anniversary! Again, such great work and enjoyful video. This park bench photo reminds me of my first audio cassettes I had with ABBA.
I have always told anyone who would listen that the girls are so in sync and fill out every note in a way no one else can .... and just yesterday i saw a clip of Bjorn saying that they called it the "The third voice" . Have you heard this ?
Keep and eye of Bobby´s Brother, always nice. Take care....
absolutely brilliant. love the ending. i am deffo going there it is on my bucket list and im getting old. lol
Hello Bobby's brother !
To pick up on what you said about the similarities between "Don't shut me down" and other Björn and Benny songs, I think the end of this song is very similar to the end of "Two much love is wasted" sung by Gemini.
Thanks for this video!
Great story again, enjoyed your re-enactment.:) I know this photo from the exclusive German compilation "The Very Best Of ABBA" from 1976, a double LP with scenes from their "Musikladen"-TV Special on the outside. Always loved this artwork! (Btw I also loved the beautiful artwork of the "A wie ABBA"-Compilation from 1981, the first LP I ever bought myself.)
Wonderful !!
You're so creative, Sir! Love your sense of humour!
2nd anniversary!!! Oh wow! Where did the time go?! / Thank you so much for this video, BB. Now, whenever I listen to Don't Shut Me Down, I will picture this as the bench from which she sings. Such an iconic photo. I just love how things recur, consciously and unconsciously in ABBA's music and visuals. But I wouldn't necessarily know about them if it weren't for you. / And the ending to this video is simply PERFECT.
Tack, BB. Hej då för nu!
Love how you ended the video on the park bench. Would love to get there someday and if Agnetha appears, I will kiss her! 🥰
You are the best🤩👍
I remember the park bench picture on a cassette as a 7 year old. Even as a child l sensed the awkwardness in Agnethas pose on the bench. Hope to visit the park one day
Bobby's brother I like your style and your admire for the Abba.
I was a teenager in love when I first saw this bench foto and I really loved it!
My boyfrend was so alike like Benny and it was real fun to me sittiing in a bench with him kissing...
it makes me sweet sweet memories,....thank you for your vlog I'm your fan( from Hungary Győr)
Bobby you are just marvelous with your telling us about ABBA, Thank you so much. Nico
I saw it first just now.
Si yo me acorde que hoy es el 2do.aniversario de VOYAGE SALIERON LAS DEMAS CANCIONES DEL ALBUM!!❤❤❤❤
Greetings for you ! Great video with interesenting references or connections with Don't Shut Me Down .... and great ending !
Very interesting, and excellent job with the voice over
Felicitaciones Benny! Abrazo desde Argentina. Gracias Bobby. Clau Vivian
Quella foto ripercorre la storia e la musica degli ABBA ; considerando il contesto dei molti testi delle loro canzoni come espressione dei loro sentimenti all’epoca.
Wonderful video! Thank you so much.
such a cool video for ABBA fans
Great and interesting video. Benny and Frida....steamy lol
Hello, my dear young friend
what a nice video you made today
you united two moments as beautiful as they were important in the history of ABBA
the second anniversary of the comeback album "Voyage"
and what I consider the most beautiful and iconic cover of ABBA's albums
the memory of my youth, that in my country Argentina at that time these albums did not arrive,
(or they took months or a year to arrive),
This cover was what attracted me to ABBA.
and always notice one detail:
Agnetha's feet facing inwards in a very strange and unusual pose,
with her beautiful gaze lost in an isolated solitude with an almost indifferent companion,
in contrast to the loving scene of the other couple
(I was still too young to understand that the use of contrasts would be ABBA's trademark)
Thank you for going through history and reaching that incredible bench,
the one that begins the lyrics of the also incredible "Don't shut me down"
and the end of your video is a gift for all of us Congratulations!
and thanks again to ABBA for these two years of Voyage
and anxiously awaiting the 50th anniversary of "Waterloo" at Eurovision,
and for ABBA to be honored as they deserve
My best regards from
Buenos Aires, Argentina
South America
Loved it, Bobby!!!
I think he said it was a new bench now - so officially Abba won't have all sat on it - well not at the same time anyway. 😊
There are so many famous photo shoot spots within easy walking distance of ABBA The Museum, it makes it ideally placed. At 1:54, if you carry on along Rosendalsvägen, past the bench and cross the road at the end, you'll come to entrance to Galärvarvskyrkogården, the little cemetery where Stig Anderson is buried. The Vasa Museum is on the other side of it.
Yes, exactly. And turn around, go to Skansen, and you'll have the chance to visit the atelier where they shot "The Visitors".
Benny and frida look much more into it than I remember 😮
Hello Bobby's brother I am from the UK, a tad outside of Bristol in the south west of England. My question is ,why doesn't the famous bench have a plaque on it saying "this is where ABBA sat for their Greatest hits album .keep up your good work by the way x
I think he said it was a new bench so officially Abba wouldn't have actually 'sat' on that one. (Well not all at the same time anyway). 😁
4:05!Oh so that is
why i remember having seen the album's front cover with only Frida and Benny at first back in 1978 in the UK.And i thought my memory fooled me for ages.So now mystery solved!
I so remember but this album like all of them I know exactly where I was each album I brought and the anticipation of getting up early to get to the record shop on the day of release
Wow! :)
My sister got this as a cassette tape in the 70s, and I wanted Agnethas boots badly.
I have this album, shouting out from Laredo, Texas.
Nice job!
I remember that back in 1979 this picture was often used to kind of illustrate the divorce between Björn and Agnetha.
And I'll spend another night.. 💕