ABBA Let The Music Speak

Samuel Ingless was very kind and sent me a copy of the ABBA book "ABBA Let The Music Speak". An extraordinary analytic book about ABBA's music. Here's an article from The Herald Sun, from 19 April 2009

The Sun-Herald (Sydney) – Sunday, 19 April 2009 (Page 23) 

Thank you for ABBA music book. By Christine Sams – Entertainment Reporter

It’s the secret behind why we still love ABBA songs - and it goes beyond the glamorous white suits and cheeky dance numbers. 

Not only do many of the songs have a simple but a striking chord structure based on variations of do-re-mi, but the choruses are purposefully repetitive so people always remember the song names. 

“The titles of all the ABBA songs were always the actual hook as well – that was one of their secrets,” said Christopher Patrick, who has spent four years researching the structure of ABBA’s music. 

The musicologist, who is based in Brisbane, is one of the first people in the world to provide an expert study of ABBA’s songs. 

“My hope is to basically make both a lay person and the serious musician know what makes ABBA work and why,” said Mr Patrick. “Of course there is a divine simplicity about it. Sometimes the melodies themselves might seem quite straightforward, but the arrangements and the production are quite intricate. That’s what makes the songs stand the test of time.” 

Mr Patrick’s new book ‘ABBA: Let The Music Speak’ has the potential to be read by millions of ABBA fans worldwide, such is the popularity of the Swedish pop group. 

Some internet fan sites are already recommending it. And it seems at least two of the band may have checked out the research: “Both Benny [Andersson] and Björn [Ulvaeus] both have a copy.” 

Photo: Björn again…musicologist Christopher Patrick with his book analysing the structure of ABBA’s music.