Agnetha Fältskog:

ABBA is not something I would have wanted to miss out on...

-ABBA is in the past. Together we have gone through positive and negative things. It is not something I would have wanted to miss out on, but I wouldn’t want to start over again.

That is what Agnetha Fältskog, who has a new LP and TV-special, says in an unusually openhearted interview.

On a winter day in 1968 Agnetha Fältskog, a pale, nervous girl, stood in a recording studio in Stockholm. She had long, straight, blonde hair, a gap between her front teeth and wore a miniskirt. For a seventeen year old from Jönköping it was a dream come true to make a record.

Before ABBA took off, Agnetha managed to record 6 albums on her own in Swedish. About two years ago “Wrap Your Arms Around Me” was released, her first album all in English.

Now it’s time for her second, “Eyes Of A Woman”.

Is there anything different about “Eyes Of A Woman” compared to your last LP?

-I never compare with an earlier record or another artist’s album. Each LP I release is an LP on it’s own.

How was it decided that Eric Stewart (from 10cc) would produce your new LP?

-I had met 10cc and Eric Stewart a few times with ABBA. When it later was time to think of a producer, we had several suggestions. Someone suggested Eric Stewart.

-I didn’t think that was a bad idea. I bought all of 10cc’s albums to listen to. It’s difficult to choose a producer. You never know if you have the same taste in music and aim and direction when you meet.

-But things went very well. Eric is very calm and pleasant to work with.

Why haven’t you written more than one song for the album?

-These days I don’t compose a lot, but I still want to write one or two songs for each LP. It’s a task that is very difficult for me. I expect a lot of myself, and it takes a lot of strength and patience.

-I’ve also become more critical throughout the years. And it’s rare that I have the time to compose – I’m busy with children, work and a dog.

Most of the songs on “Eyes Of A Woman” are about love. Is there a particular reason for that?

-It just happens that way. Most people write about love. Actually, I think it’s funny, I think it’s because us humans have so much inside of us when it comes to feelings.

-If you have the talent of composing, it’s easy for this to come out and then it becomes sentimental and emotional. I probably wouldn’t feel as much singing about other things.

Your and Frida’s LP “Shine” will be compared of course. Do you think they have anything in common?

-No. Not all songs on Frida’s LP are my style.

Would you like to perform in front of an audience again?

-Yes, it’s not completely out of the question. I wouldn’t mind doing some kind of show in Stockholm for a shorter period of time.

-It’s difficult, because I’m more of a recording artist rather than a stage performer. But I think it’s a lot of fun once I’m there on stage.

What do you think about ABBA’s future?

-ABBA is in the past. I wouldn’t want to start over again, because those years were hectic with a lot of traveling and guilty conscience for the children.

-At the same time it was a kick each time we went out on stage. It’s fun to have reached that success once in your lifetime. It is probably impossible to reach there as a solo artist. ABBA was a phenomenon in itself. I would consider making one more album with ABBA but absolutely nothing more than that.

What kind of music do you listen to?

-I don’t listen to music that much. But Donna Summer, Barbra Streisand, Kim Carnes and Laura Branigan are good.

Would you like to do some more acting?

-Oh yes! Now I’ve become interested in acting. In the TV-special that I’ve just finished, I’ve played different roles. So much fun!

-It seems like there won’t be a sequel to “Raskenstam”, but I’ve been approached about something else, which I can’t talk discuss yet. I would enjoy working with both music and acting.

What’s your strength?

-That I’m strong as a human being. I’m strong, stubborn and go my own way. On the other hand, I don’t have a lot of patience. I’m not the kind of person who can fix tiny things.

What does your music mean to you?

-It means that I reach out. I am very humbled that I get to work with what is my hobby, with what I know how to do. And that I bring joy to people. It gives me satisfaction.

-But the music isn’t the most important thing in my life, my children are.

What is the biggest difference between the private Agnetha and the public Agnetha?

-Many people probably have the wrong image of me due to the tabloids. I have been portrayed as a frail being who has a hard time standing up for myself and take care of myself – a bit lost.

-I’m absolutely not like that. But I’m quite shy in private. So I’m very observant of people, I study them. I am probably a good judge of character.

What will you do during the rest of 1985?

-During most of the spring I’ll promote the album. Then I’m going to take time off this summer. This fall my son Christian starts school, so I’m going to be a stay at home mom then. And maybe Christian and I will record an album with children’s songs.