Alastair and Bjorn talk about ABBA Voyage…
Bjorn:
Well, that wasn’t why we did it. If people want to work it out with me, but the reason I’m so intrigued by this is that it’s actually possible and the technology that you can recreate on screen something that’s human. bottom. You can sing, you can talk, you can do everything.
Alastair:
I mean, do you worry that doing it for music is kind of a force for good? Are you worried that the same will be used as bad power?
Bjorn:
absolutely. To do. But it’s going to happen anyway and we did it first.
Alastair:
What you guys are doing now is, as golfers say later in life, you have this great career, but you want it… keep going even after you’re gone Please, and great music is that you have it. So the book survives, of course it survives. But when it comes to music, I think your music will still sound the same in 100 years.
Bjorn:
But do you think people will hear it in 100 years?
Alastair:
Yes definitely. Yeah, because you think it’s a phenomenon. When I think of musicians who have been in our lifetime, I think the Beatles will live forever. I think Elvis will live forever. And in the pop world, I think you’re right there. Yeah definitely. See, I think my kids know who you are. My kids have a favorite ABBA song. Yeah you will be there, don’t worry about it.
Alastair Campbell on Music in Politics…
… Look how it is already done in Ukraine. When you think of great political movements, think of some of Bill Clinton’s campaign songs, don’t stop thinking about Tomorrow.
Bjorn:
yes. McCain wanted to use Take a Chance on Me.
Alastair:
hello?
Bjorn:
But when we found out, he was actually using it on the campaign trail.
Alastair:
And did you stop him?
Bjorn:
yes. We stopped him because we don’t want to get political, and that is to elect the President of the United States.
Alastair:
Well what’s his name, Trump used the Rolling Stones, you can’t always get what you want, and I think the Stones tried to stop it.
Bjorn:
yes.
Alastair:
yes. Does that mean you don’t want to be used for political campaigns?
Bjorn:
no. Unless you think it’s political to stand up for Ukraine in this situation. I mean on that level, yes definitely.
Alastair:
Have you ever been involved in Swedish political movements?
Bjorn:
No, never.
Alastair:
And was it intentional?
Bjorn:
Intentionally. yes. absolutely.
Alastair:
It doesn’t mean you don’t have strong political views.
Bjorn:
No, that’s right. However, we have always tried to move away from party politics at home.
Alastair:
Probably wise.
Bjorn:
In my opinion. So I’ve always been a little reluctant to have an artist I like and respect come out and party and be specific about it. I think it takes something away from their music and lyrics.
Winner Alastair Campbell takes it all…
Well the winner takes it all, let me tell you something. Winner Takes It All is in my diary. And not just in the old days.
(read from the book). May 1, 1997. It was our first election day. have understood? It felt weird. It was as if I had been fighting a fifteen-round fight, and when the final round bell rang, no other man showed up. No, because the campaign has ended. It was election day. I stopped sleeping after 6:00 and woke up to read the newspaper. It was so strange to have time on my hands. At Mylobella House, Tony Blair’s home in the constituency, someone had Radio 4 on, so I turned it off. I said don’t worry about the news anymore. There was nothing more we could do. And I fiddled with the knobs to find Music Station. And I found one of him playing ABBA, Winner Takes It All. Tony’s Sedgefield agent, John Burton. He and I fell. In fact it was an amazing moment. Because that was the first time, after three years of campaigning, that I let myself think that we definitely won. Winner takes it all.
Alastair Campbell talks about her love for ABBA…
No, I think you were right there. I have to tell you this, I go for a swim every morning in the outdoor pool not far from here. I’m here. And I said this morning, I’m talking to Bjorn from ABBA,” they were surprised. And by 7:10, the pool was people singing their favorite ABBA songs.