Bjorn Solo Sessions

Björn Solo Sessions

Every Thursday evening from 21:00 until midnight, ABBAradio.com shines a spotlight on the often underrated yet indispensable quarter of ABBA: Björn Ulvaeus. As a singer, guitarist, and producer, Björn’s presence within ABBA was undeniable. But it was as a lyricist and creative thinker that his impact became truly historic. Alongside Benny Andersson, Björn co-wrote almost every ABBA song, bringing a poetic, dramatic, and sometimes bittersweet edge to the group’s joyful pop melodies.

This programme is dedicated not only to Björn’s role in ABBA, but also to his wider body of work: his beginnings with the Hootenanny Singers, his international musical theatre ventures, his collaborations, and his unique projects after ABBA. On this page, you can explore the life and career of Björn Ulvaeus in depth – complete with a chronological overview of his solo and collaborative work outside ABBA.

Early Life (1945–1960)

Björn Kristian Ulvaeus was born on 25 April 1945 in Gothenburg, Sweden, and grew up in Västervik, a coastal town known for its fishing and sailing traditions. Music entered his life early – he learned guitar as a teenager and was heavily influenced by the folk revival of the late 1950s and early 1960s. Artists like The Kingston Trio and Pete Seeger inspired him, and he soon developed his own folk repertoire.

Björn was not only a musician but also a thoughtful writer, with a natural interest in storytelling. These qualities would later shape his lyrical style – intelligent, sometimes ironic, always rooted in human emotion.

The Hootenanny Singers (1961–1969)

In the early 1960s, Björn formed a folk group with three friends: The West Bay Singers. They were soon discovered by Stig Anderson, who signed them to his Polar Music label and suggested a name change to The Hootenanny Singers.

The group quickly rose to fame in Sweden, performing a mix of Swedish folk songs and contemporary folk-pop. They released numerous singles and albums, many sung in Swedish, and became one of the country’s most popular acts during the decade.

Some of their best-known songs include Omkring tiggarn från Luossa and Jag väntar vid min mila.

It was through his involvement with the Hootenanny Singers that Björn first crossed paths with Benny Andersson, then keyboardist of The Hep Stars. Their friendship and writing partnership would change music history.

Meeting Benny and Early Collaborations (1966–1971)

Björn and Benny began writing songs together in the late 1960s. Their first significant joint effort, Isn’t It Easy to Say, appeared on a Hep Stars album. By the early 1970s they were composing prolifically for other artists and for themselves.

During this period, Björn met Agnetha Fältskog, a successful solo singer, and the two married in 1971. At the same time, Benny was in a relationship with Anni-Frid Lyngstad. The quartet began recording together in various configurations, eventually forming the foundation of ABBA.

The ABBA Years (1972–1982)

ABBA officially emerged in 1972, and by 1974 they had conquered Europe by winning the Eurovision Song Contest with Waterloo. Björn’s role in ABBA was multifaceted:

• As a performer, he played rhythm guitar, contributed vocals, and appeared in most live and TV performances.
• As a lyricist, he gave ABBA songs their emotional core. While Benny created melodies, Björn crafted the words. From the heartbreak of The Winner Takes It All to the playful innocence of Honey, Honey, his lyrics captured universal themes.
• As a visionary, he worked closely with manager Stig Anderson to position ABBA as a global phenomenon.

Though ABBA disbanded in 1982, Björn’s creative partnership with Benny only deepened.

Chess (1984–1986)

Björn and Benny’s first major post-ABBA project was the musical Chess, written with lyricist Tim Rice. The Cold War-themed story of love, politics, and international chess tournaments was released as a concept album in 1984, followed by a stage production.

The music combined rock, pop, and classical elements, with lyrics that revealed Björn’s knack for drama and characterisation. The singles One Night in Bangkok and I Know Him So Well became international hits, the latter becoming one of the most successful duets of all time in the UK.

Chess remains a cult classic in the world of musical theatre, regularly revived worldwide.

Kristina från Duvemåla (1995)

Björn and Benny’s second major stage musical was the Swedish-language Kristina från Duvemåla, based on Vilhelm Moberg’s epic novels about Swedish emigrants to America. Premiering in Malmö in 1995, it ran for several years in Sweden and became a cultural landmark.

Björn’s lyrics, deeply poetic and dramatic, told the story of hardship, faith, and resilience with rare authenticity. In 2009, a concert version was staged at Carnegie Hall in New York, giving international audiences a glimpse of its grandeur.

Mamma Mia! (1999–Present)

Perhaps Björn’s most far-reaching post-ABBA project has been Mamma Mia!, the jukebox musical created with playwright Catherine Johnson. Using ABBA songs to tell a modern love story set on a Greek island, the musical premiered in London in 1999 and became a global phenomenon.

Björn worked closely on the adaptation of the songs into the narrative, ensuring that the lyrics fit naturally into the story. His role as co-producer extended to the film adaptations (Mamma Mia! in 2008 and Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again in 2018).

The success of Mamma Mia! ensured that ABBA’s music would reach new generations.

Other Collaborations and Projects (2000s–2010s)

Björn has never stopped exploring new projects, often combining music with cultural or political interests:

• He has been a vocal advocate for authors’ rights and digital copyright reform, drawing on his experiences as a songwriter.
• He contributed to the founding of the ABBA Museum in Stockholm, which opened in 2013.
• He has occasionally written lyrics for the Benny Andersson Orkester albums, including Story of a Heart (2009).

ABBA Voyage and New Beginnings (2016–2021)

In 2016, ABBA announced they were working on a new project. Björn, together with Benny, composed two new songs for the digital ABBA concert experience known as ABBA Voyage.

In 2021, ABBA surprised the world by releasing a full studio album, also titled Voyage, their first in 40 years. Björn’s lyrics on tracks such as I Still Have Faith in You and Don’t Shut Me Down showed a maturity and depth shaped by decades of experience.

ABBA Voyage, the virtual concert in London, has been praised as groundbreaking, with Björn heavily involved in the creative concept.

Complete Chronological Overview of Björn Ulvaeus’s Work Outside ABBA

With the Hootenanny Singers

• Numerous albums and singles (1963–1974), including Omkring tiggarn från Luossa and Jag väntar vid min mila.

Post-ABBA Musical Theatre

1. Chess (1984) – with Benny Andersson & Tim Rice
2. Kristina från Duvemåla (1995) – with Benny Andersson
3. Mamma Mia! (1999) – stage musical (producer & overseer of adaptation)
4. Mamma Mia! The Movie (2008) – co-executive producer
5. Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again (2018) – co-executive producer

Collaborations with Benny Andersson

• Lyric contributions to Benny Andersson Orkester albums (Story of a Heart, 2009, and others).
• Concert versions of Kristina (New York, 2009; London, 2010).

Other Major Contributions

• Founding and development of the ABBA Museum (2013)
• ABBA Voyage (2021) – new songs and virtual concert project

The Musical Identity of Björn Ulvaeus

While Benny is often credited as the melody maker, Björn’s lyrical contributions cannot be overstated. He had the unique ability to transform melodies into stories, whether playful (Honey, Honey), philosophical (Thank You for the Music), or devastatingly emotional (The Winner Takes It All).

Björn’s style blends wit with poignancy. His lyrics often captured real human struggles – divorce, longing, hope – while never losing sight of accessibility. This balance helped ABBA resonate across languages and cultures.

As a performer, Björn was the steady rhythm guitarist, a reassuring presence on stage. As a thinker and cultural ambassador, he has championed the rights of songwriters and ensured ABBA’s legacy is preserved with dignity.

Tune in Every Thursday

At ABBAradio.com, our Thursday Night with Björn programme celebrates the storyteller of ABBA. Between 21:00 and 23:59, you’ll hear:

• ABBA classics shaped by his lyrics and guitar work
• Rare Hootenanny Singers recordings
• Highlights from Chess, Kristina från Duvemåla, and Mamma Mia!
• Songs from collaborations with Benny Andersson Orkester
• New material from Voyage and ABBA’s 21st-century comeback

This is your weekly chance to step into the lyrical world of Björn Ulvaeus – a man who gave words to ABBA’s melodies and who continues to shape the story of Swedish music worldwide.

So, on Thursday nights, tune in and let Björn’s words and songs guide you through decades of unforgettable storytelling in music.