Björn Ulvaeus (b. 1945)

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Biography

Björn Kristian Ulvaeus is a Swedish musician, singer, songwriter, and producer best known as a member of the musical group ABBA. He is also the co-composer of the musicals Chess, Kristina från Duvemåla, and Mamma Mia! He co-produced the films Mamma Mia! and Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again with fellow ABBA member and close friend Benny Andersson. He is the oldest member of the group.

In Their Own Words (5)

The story of Jesus is very fascinating. It still has such a tremendous power, even after 2,000 years! We don't really know if he existed as a historical figure.

Björn Ulvaeus Speaks on Humanism, 14 July 2006 , 2006

Contempt for science could perhaps depend on the fact that, science hasn’t been able to solve any of our basic problems, for example the environmental pollution or the problems with HIV and AIDS. This is the worst disease of our time, and scientists are lost. I believe that many people are disappointed with science when the answers we need are not delivered.

Björn Ulvaeus Speaks on Humanism, 14 July 2006 , 2006

Touring we thought was a waste of time. It was much more productive and much more creative to write and record. I am glad today that we didn't tour. We knew it begins and ends with a song. Back then the entire business revolved around the song.

Daily Telegraph, 5 Jul 2008 , 2008

We will never appear on stage again. There is simply no motivation to re-group. Money is not a factor and we would like people to remember us as we were. Young, exuburent, full of energy and ambition.

Daily Telegraph, 5 Jul 2008 , 2008

I miss those days when people believed in science and common sense as in the Fifties and Sixties. Now fundamentalism and contempt for science seems to be spreading. I believe that religion should be totally separated from the state. That’s not the way it is today, not even in Sweden. For hundreds of years we have struggled to achieve a secular society, and now we seem to be going backwards.

Björn Ulvaeus Speaks on Humanism, 14 July 2006 , 2006

Timeline

The story of Björn Ulvaeus, told in moments.

1966 Event

Joined the Hootenanny Singers, one of Sweden's most popular folk groups. Met Benny Andersson when their bands crossed paths at a party. They started writing songs together the next day.

Did meeting Benny Andersson at a party and writing together the next day feel like fate? Was that first collaboration special?

1974 Event

ABBA won Eurovision. Ulvaeus was the lyricist. He wrote most of the words in English, his second language. Songs like "The Winner Takes It All," written about his divorce from bandmate Agnetha, drew from deeply personal material.

Was writing 'The Winner Takes It All' about your own divorce cathartic or cruel? Is writing hit lyrics in your second language harder or liberating?

1999 Event

Mamma Mia!, the ABBA musical he co-created with Benny Andersson, opened in London's West End. It became one of the highest-grossing musicals in history. Over 65 million people have seen it worldwide.

Did you expect Mamma Mia! to become one of history's highest-grossing musicals? Does 65 million people seeing your songs performed onstage feel surreal?