ABBA Hit Number 1 In Australia With SOS ! 12 January 1976

ABBA performing 'SOS' on the Bandstand special in Australia in March 1976.

On 12th January 1976 ABBA hit number 1 in Australia with 'SOS' after being released here in November 1975.

'SOS' was the 5th single from ABBA's self titled 1975 album.

'SOS' marked a huge turnaround in ABBA's fortunes, most notably in the UK and Ireland, where it returned the group to the Top 10 for the first time since 'Waterloo'.

Reaching #6 and #4 respectively, 'SOS' started a run of 18 consecutive Top 10 hits for ABBA in the UK and Ireland.

'SOS' reached #1 in Australia, Belgium, France, West Germany (where it spent 7 weeks at the top), New Zealand and South Africa, and was a Top 3 hit in Austria, the Netherlands, Norway, Italy (where it became ABBA's most successful hit), Mexico, Rhodesia and Switzerland.

The song also became ABBA's second Top 20 hit in the United States, peaking at #15 (due to the single charting in the U.S. before 'I Do, I Do, I Do, I Do, I Do', whereas elsewhere 'SOS' charted afterwards).

Some of the gorgeous picture covers from around the world.

ABBA Album Reaches Number In Australia - 1975 !

Today in 1975, the ABBA album reaches number one in Australia, staying there for 11 weeks.

This was ABBA's third album release - second international release - and has the wonderful songs that shot them to the top in Australia - and finally around the world.

Hits include:

I Do I Do I Do I Do I Do - No. 1 in Australia
SOS - No. 1 in Australia
Mamma Mia - No. 1 in Australia

But it also contains other greats like I've Been Waiting For You, So Long, Bang A Boomerang & Rock Me - plus the amazing Intermezzo No.1.

This album went to Number 1 in Australia and was in the charts here for 65 weeks ! The only ABBA album to stay in longer was, of course, The Best Of ABBA.

Check out the Making Of The ABBA Album here:

http://www.abbasite.com/the-making-of-the-abba-album/


Following the Eurovision success of "Waterloo", ABBA saw the band gaining worldwide recognition. "I Do, I Do, I Do, I Do, I Do" topped the charts in Australia, as did "Mamma Mia" shortly after. "SOS" and "Mamma Mia" became hits in both the United States and the United Kingdom, and two of its most famous songs. The album saw ABBA dabble into reggae with "Tropical Loveland" and includes a grand pseudo-classical keyboard instrumental in the traditions of Keith Emerson and Rick Wakeman with "Intermezzo No. 1" (early working title: "Mama").

Pictures for the 'ABBA' LP sleeve were taken in the lobby at the Castle Hotel in Stockholm. One of the photos from this session features on the back of the album cover.
Today the hotel's name is "Riddargatan".

According to photographer Ola Lager, the photograph on the front of the glamorous sleeve was taken a couple of roads away from Polar Music offices at Baldersgatan.

ABBA Self Titled - Released 40 Years Ago !

This fabulous album was released in April 1975 - 40 years ago this year - my how time flies !

This was ABBA's third album release - second international release - and has the wonderful songs that shot them to the top in Australia - and finally around the world.

Hits include:

I Do I Do I Do I Do I Do - No. 1 in Australia
SOS - No. 1 in Australia
Mamma Mia - No. 1 in Australia

But it also contains other greats like I've Been Waiting For You, So Long, Bang A Boomerang & Rock Me - plus the amazing Intermezzo No.1.

This album went to Number 1 in Australia and was in the charts here for 65 weeks ! The only ABBA album to stay in longer was, of course, The Best Of ABBA.

Check out the Making Of The ABBA Album here:

http://www.abbasite.com/the-making-of-the-abba-album/