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{{short description|1975 compilation album by ABBA}}
{{Short description|1975 compilation album by ABBA}}
{{about-distinguish2|the 1975 album|the 1992 album ''[[Gold: Greatest Hits]]''}}
{{Infobox album
{{Infobox album
| name = Greatest Hits
| name = Greatest Hits
| type = compilation
| type = greatest
| artist = [[ABBA]]
| artist = [[ABBA]]
| cover = ABBA - Greatest Hits (Polar).jpg
| cover = ABBA - Greatest Hits (Polar).jpg
| alt =
| alt =
| released = 17 November 1975
| released = November 17, 1975 (Scandinavia)<br />December 22, 1975 (Australia and New Zealand)<br />April 10, 1976 (UK)<br />September 18, 1976 (US & Canada)
| recorded = March 1972 – September 1975
| recorded = March 1972 – September 1975
| venue =
| studio =
| studio =
| genre = [[Pop music|Pop]]
| genre = [[Pop music|Pop]]
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| type = compilation
| type = compilation
| single1 = [[Fernando (song)|Fernando]]
| single1 = [[Fernando (song)|Fernando]]
| single1date = April 12, 1976
| single1date = March 1976
}}
}}
}}
}}
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{{Album ratings
{{Album ratings
| rev1 = ''[[Christgau's Record Guide: Rock Albums of the Seventies|Christgau's Record Guide]]''
| rev1 = ''[[Christgau's Record Guide: Rock Albums of the Seventies|Christgau's Record Guide]]''
| rev1Score = {{Rating-Christgau|C+}}<ref name="CG">{{cite book|last=Christgau|first=Robert|authorlink=Robert Christgau|year=1981|title=[[Christgau's Record Guide: Rock Albums of the Seventies]]|publisher=[[Ticknor & Fields]]|isbn=089919026X|chapter=Consumer Guide '70s: A|chapter-url=https://www.robertchristgau.com/get_chap.php?k=A&bk=70|accessdate=12 September 2019|via=robertchristgau.com}}</ref>
| rev1Score = {{Rating-Christgau|C+}}<ref name="CG">{{cite book|last=Christgau|first=Robert|author-link=Robert Christgau|year=1981|title=[[Christgau's Record Guide: Rock Albums of the Seventies]]|publisher=[[Ticknor & Fields]]|isbn=089919026X|chapter=Consumer Guide '70s: A|chapter-url=https://www.robertchristgau.com/get_chap.php?k=A&bk=70|access-date=12 September 2019|via=robertchristgau.com}}</ref>
|rev2 = ''[[The Encyclopedia of Popular Music]]''
|rev2score = {{rating|4|5}}<ref>{{cite book |last1=Larkin |first1=Colin |title=The Encyclopedia of Popular Music |date=2007 |publisher=Omnibus Press |location=United Kingdom |isbn=978-1-84609-856-7 |pages=31 |edition=5th Concise}}</ref>
|rev3 = ''[[The Rolling Stone Album Guide]]''
|rev3score = {{rating|4|5}}<ref name="RS">{{cite book |title=The Rolling Stone Album Guide |date=1992 |publisher=Random House |page=3}}</ref>
}}
}}


'''''Greatest Hits''''' is a compilation album by the [[Sweden|Swedish pop]] group [[ABBA]]. It was originally released in Scandinavia on 17 November 1975<ref name="30th liner notes">{{cite AV media notes |title=Greatest Hits (30th Anniversary Edition) |title-link=Greatest Hits (ABBA album) |others=[[ABBA]] |year=2006 |first=Carl Magnus |last=Palm |author-link=Carl Magnus Palm |type=booklet |publisher=[[Polar Music]] |id=987 715-6}}</ref> and in other parts of the world in 1976, notably the UK on 10 April, and on 18 September in the US and Canada. The 1976 version of the album contained the brand new single "[[Fernando (song)|Fernando]]", which was originally not released as an ABBA song but as a solo version in Swedish by band member [[Anni-Frid Lyngstad]] on her album ''[[Frida ensam]]'' in 1975.
'''''Greatest Hits''''' is a compilation album by the [[Sweden|Swedish pop]] group [[ABBA]]. It was originally released in Scandinavia on 17 November 1975<ref name="30th liner notes">{{cite AV media notes |title=Greatest Hits (30th Anniversary Edition) |title-link=Greatest Hits (ABBA album) |others=[[ABBA]] |year=2006 |first=Carl Magnus |last=Palm |author-link=Carl Magnus Palm |type=booklet |publisher=[[Polar Music]] |id=987 715-6}}</ref> and in other parts of the world in 1976, notably the UK on 10 April, and on 18 September in the US and Canada. The 1976 version of the album included the band's most recent single "[[Fernando (song)|Fernando]]".


The album was released in response to similar ABBA compilation albums being issued at the time by record labels in other countries who had licensed ABBA's music for release in their own territories, and the threat of import sales of those compilations impacting upon ABBA's home market. This meant that the success of ''Greatest Hits'' was largely confined to Scandinavia, the UK, and North America, although the size of the latter two markets and the scale of its success there has ensured that ''Greatest Hits'' is one of ABBA's best-selling albums worldwide.
The album was released in response to similar ABBA compilation albums being issued at the time by record labels in other countries who had licensed ABBA's music for release in their own territories, and the threat of import sales of those compilations impacting upon ABBA's home market. This meant that the success of ''Greatest Hits'' was largely confined to Scandinavia and the UK, although the size of the latter market and the scale of its success there has ensured that ''Greatest Hits'' is one of ABBA's best-selling albums worldwide. The album was the best-selling album of 1976 in the UK, and the country's second-best selling album of the decade.


==Background==
==Background==
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The Swedish Radio hit parade was based on votes, not single sales. The group's first two singles, "[[People Need Love]]" and "[[He Is Your Brother]]", were hits on this [[Tio i Topp]] chart. In all, ABBA had nine songs in this chart, and the six that went as high as number three are included on the album.
The Swedish Radio hit parade was based on votes, not single sales. The group's first two singles, "[[People Need Love]]" and "[[He Is Your Brother]]", were hits on this [[Tio i Topp]] chart. In all, ABBA had nine songs in this chart, and the six that went as high as number three are included on the album.


[[Svensktoppen]] was a vote-based radio chart show for Swedish-language songs. ABBA had three number ones in this chart ("Ring Ring", "Waterloo", "Honey Honey") and a number 6 ("[[Åh, Vilka Tider]]"). [[Polar Studios|Polar]] issued 'official' Swedish versions of "[[Bang-A-Boomerang]]" and "Dance (While the Music Still Goes On)" by [[Svenne & Lotta]], both reached number 2 in this chart. Svenne & Lotta had hits with these songs in several markets. Other acts, including both Agnetha and Frida as solo performers, made Swedish-language versions of other ABBA songs; only "So Long" had not been a hit on the Svensktoppen chart, though "So Long" had been a hit on the Danish equivalent [[Dansktoppen]].
[[Svensktoppen]] was a vote-based radio chart show for Swedish-language songs. ABBA had three number ones in this chart ("Ring Ring", "Waterloo", "Honey Honey") and a number 6 ("Åh, Vilka Tider"). [[Polar Studios|Polar]] issued 'official' Swedish versions of "[[Bang-A-Boomerang]]" and "Dance (While the Music Still Goes On)" by [[Svenne & Lotta]], both reached number 2 in this chart. Svenne & Lotta had hits with these songs in several markets. Other acts, including both Agnetha and Frida as solo performers, made Swedish-language versions of other ABBA songs; only "So Long" had not been a hit on the Svensktoppen chart, though "So Long" had been a hit on the Danish equivalent Dansktoppen.


On the North American version of the album "Hasta Mañana" was omitted and the other tracks were reordered. In Australia, where several of the tracks had reached number one, the release of ''Greatest Hits'' was beaten to the market by the RCA Victor compilation ''The Best of ABBA'', precluding a release there for years. Nevertheless, the official greatest hits package was an enormous success. Even ''[[Rolling Stone]]'', often one of ABBA's harshest critics in the US, declared of the album, "Anyone who could listen to this record five times and not wind up humming half the songs is an android".<ref>{{cite magazine |first=John |last=Rockwell |title=Review: Abba – ''The Album'' |magazine=[[Rolling Stone]] |issue=261 |date=23 March 1978}}</ref>
On the North American version of the album "Hasta Mañana" was omitted and the other tracks were reordered. In Australia, where several of the tracks had reached number one, the release of ''Greatest Hits'' was beaten to the market by the RCA Victor compilation ''The Best of ABBA'', precluding a release there for years. Nevertheless, the official greatest hits package was an enormous success. Even ''[[Rolling Stone]]'', often one of ABBA's harshest critics in the US, declared of the album, "Anyone who could listen to this record five times and not wind up humming half the songs is an android".<ref>{{cite magazine |first=John |last=Rockwell |title=Review: Abba – ''The Album'' |magazine=[[Rolling Stone]] |issue=261 |date=23 March 1978}}</ref>


Polar's version of ''Greatest Hits'' reached number one in Sweden and in Norway,<ref name="Norway" /><ref name="Sweden" /> but lost out in sales over much of the rest of Europe and in Australia and New Zealand to the already released rival compilations. However, it had no competition in the UK and in North America, and the UK version of the album was released in April 1976. In the five-month period between the releases of the Scandinavian and UK versions of ''Greatest Hits'', ABBA had achieved their second consecutive (and third overall) UK number-one single with "Fernando", and this song was added to the UK version of the album, as well as to a reissued version in Norway and Denmark. The release of ''Greatest Hits'' coincided with the start of ABBA's huge popularity in the UK during the latter half of the 1970s, becoming the first of eight consecutive number-one albums for the group. It spent eleven non-consecutive weeks at the top of the [[UK Albums Chart]] and went on to become the best-selling album of 1976<ref name="UK1976" /> and the second best-selling album of the 1970s.<ref name="UK1970s" /> As of July 2016 it is the 46th best-selling album of all time in the UK,<ref>{{cite web |first=Rob |last=Copsey |title=The UK's 60 official biggest selling albums of all time revealed |url=http://www.officialcharts.com/chart-news/the-uks-60-official-biggest-selling-albums-of-all-time-revealed__15551/ |publisher=[[Official Charts Company]] |date=4 July 2016 |accessdate=25 July 2016}}</ref> with sales of over 2.6 million.<ref name="UKgreatest">{{cite web |first=Justin |last=Myers |title=The greatest of the greatest: the UK's official Top 10 biggest hits collections revealed |url=http://www.officialcharts.com/chart-news/the-greatest-of-the-greatest-the-uks-official-top-10-biggest-hits-collections-revealed__15397/ |publisher=Official Charts Company |date=12 July 2016 |accessdate=25 July 2016}}</ref>
Polar's version of ''Greatest Hits'' reached number one in Sweden and in Norway,<ref name="Norway" /><ref name="Sweden" /> but lost out in sales over much of the rest of Europe and in Australia and New Zealand to the already released rival compilations. However, it had no competition in the UK and in North America, and the UK version of the album was released in April 1976. In the five-month period between the releases of the Scandinavian and UK versions of ''Greatest Hits'', ABBA had achieved their second consecutive (and third overall) UK number-one single with "Fernando", and this song was added to the UK version of the album, as well as to a reissued version in Norway and Denmark. The release of ''Greatest Hits'' coincided with the start of ABBA's huge popularity in the UK during the latter half of the 1970s, becoming the first of eight consecutive number-one albums for the group. It spent eleven non-consecutive weeks at the top of the [[UK Albums Chart]] and went on to become the best-selling album of 1976<ref name="UK1976" /> and the second best-selling album of the 1970s.<ref name="UK1970s" /> As of July 2016 it is the 46th best-selling album of all time in the UK,<ref>{{cite web |first=Rob |last=Copsey |title=The UK's 60 official biggest selling albums of all time revealed |url=http://www.officialcharts.com/chart-news/the-uks-60-official-biggest-selling-albums-of-all-time-revealed__15551/ |publisher=[[Official Charts Company]] |date=4 July 2016 |access-date=25 July 2016}}</ref> with sales of over 2.6 million.<ref name="UKgreatest">{{cite web |first=Justin |last=Myers |title=The greatest of the greatest: the UK's official Top 10 biggest hits collections revealed |url=http://www.officialcharts.com/chart-news/the-greatest-of-the-greatest-the-uks-official-top-10-biggest-hits-collections-revealed__15397/ |publisher=Official Charts Company |date=12 July 2016 |access-date=25 July 2016}}</ref>


''Greatest Hits'' was released in the US and in Canada in September 1976, but sales of the record did not peak until April 1977, when the song "[[Dancing Queen]]" reached number one in both countries. "Dancing Queen" was not included on ''Greatest Hits'', but it was the lead single from the new studio album ''[[Arrival (ABBA album)|Arrival]]'' and it had generated interest in ABBA's back catalogue. ''Greatest Hits'' has been certified platinum in the US<ref name="UScert" /> and quintuple platinum in Canada.<ref name="Canadacert" />
''Greatest Hits'' was released in the US and in Canada in September 1976, but sales of the record did not peak until April 1977, when the song "[[Dancing Queen]]" reached number one in both countries. "Dancing Queen" was not included on ''Greatest Hits'', but it was the lead single from the new studio album ''[[Arrival (ABBA album)|Arrival]]'' and it had generated interest in ABBA's back catalogue. ''Greatest Hits'' has been certified platinum in the US<ref name="UScert" /> and quintuple platinum in Canada.<ref name="Canadacert" />
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==Appearances in other media==
==Appearances in other media==
The British/American version of the album sleeve appears in the popular 2015 science-fiction film ''[[The Martian (film)|The Martian]]'', when the husband of the disco-loving ship commander Melissa Lewis reveals on a video link that he has found an original vinyl copy of the album. The track "Waterloo" also features prominently on the film's soundtrack.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.hitfix.com/news/heres-what-the-martian-author-had-to-say-about-those-book-to-movie-changes|title=Here is the Aquaman joke ‘The Martian’ author fought to keep in the movie|date=3 October 2015|publisher=}}</ref>
The British/American version of the album sleeve appears in the popular 2015 science-fiction film ''[[The Martian (film)|The Martian]]'', when the husband of the disco-loving ship commander Melissa Lewis reveals on a video link that he has found an original vinyl copy of the album. The track "Waterloo" also features prominently on the film's soundtrack.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.hitfix.com/news/heres-what-the-martian-author-had-to-say-about-those-book-to-movie-changes|title=Here is the Aquaman joke 'The Martian' author fought to keep in the movie|date=3 October 2015}}</ref>


==Track listing==
==Track listing==
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| title8 = [[Fernando (song)|Fernando]]
| title8 = [[Fernando (song)|Fernando]]
| length8 = 4:15
| length8 = 4:15
| note8 = 1976 Reissue Only
| note8 = 1976 reissue only
| total_length =
| total_length =
}}
}}
* Note: the original UK release of ''Greatest Hits'' featured the addition of the recent number-one single "Fernando" as the album's final track – early pressings of the album do not include the song on the track listing on the sleeve and a sticker was placed on the cover to advertise its inclusion. The original 1975 Scandinavian releases do not feature "Fernando" – the album was reissued in 1976 in Norway and Denmark with the addition of "Fernando" as the first track on side one. The 2006 30th anniversary edition CD of ''Greatest Hits'' features the same 15-track running order as the 1976 Norway/Denmark reissue.
* Note: the original UK release of ''Greatest Hits'' featured the addition of the recent number-one single "Fernando" as the album's final track – early pressings of the album do not include the song on the track listing on the sleeve and a sticker was placed on the cover to advertise its inclusion. The original 1975 Scandinavian releases do not feature "Fernando" – the album was reissued in 1976 in Norway and Denmark with the addition of "Fernando" as the first track on side one. The 2006 30th anniversary edition CD of ''Greatest Hits'' features the same 15-track running order as the 1976 Norway/Denmark reissue.

==Personnel==



*[[Agnetha Fältskog]] - lead vocals {{small|(1, 4, 13)}}, co-lead vocals {{small|(2, 3, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 14)}}, backing vocals
*[[Anni-Frid Lyngstad]] - lead vocals {{small|(15)}}, co-lead vocals {{small|(2, 3, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 14)}}, backing vocals
*[[Björn Ulvaeus]] - co-lead vocals {{small|(2, 4, 9, 13)}} Steel-string, acoustic guitar, backing vocals
* [[Benny Andersson]]&nbsp;– synthesizer, keyboards, backing vocals
*[[Janne Kling]] - flute {{small|(15)}}


===North American version===
===North American version===
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| total_length =
| total_length =
}}
}}

==Personnel==

*[[Agnetha Fältskog]] - lead vocals {{small|(1, 13)}}, co-lead vocals {{small|(2, 3, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)}}, backing vocals
*[[Anni-Frid Lyngstad]] - lead vocals {{small|(14)}}, co-lead vocals {{small|(2, 3, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)}}, backing vocals
*[[Björn Ulvaeus]] - lead vocals {{small|(4)}}, co-lead vocals {{small|(2, 9, 13)}} Steel-string, acoustic guitar, backing vocals
* [[Benny Andersson]]&nbsp;– synthesizer, keyboards, backing vocals
*[[Janne Kling]] - flute {{small|(15)}}


==Charts==
==Charts==
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===Weekly charts===
===Weekly charts===
{|class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders"
{| class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center;"
|-
! scope="col" | Chart (1975–77)
! scope="col" | Peak<br>position
|-
{{album chart|Canada|2|chartid=5266a|rowheader=true|access-date=30 November 2021}}
|-
|-
! scope="row" | Finnish Albums ([[Official Finnish Charts|Suomen virallinen lista]])<ref>{{cite book|url=https://musiikkiarkisto.fi/oa/_tiedostot/julkaisut/sisaltaa-hitin.pdf#page=8|first=Timo|last=Pennanen|year=2021|title=Sisältää hitin - 2. laitos Levyt ja esittäjät Suomen musiikkilistoilla 1.1.1960–30.6.2021|section=ABBA|page=8|publisher=Kustannusosakeyhtiö Otava|location=Helsinki|access-date=August 24, 2022|language=fi}}</ref>
!Chart (1975–77)
| style="text-align:center;" | 1
!Peak<br />position
|-
|-
! scope="row" | Italian Albums (''[[Musica e dischi]]'')<ref>{{cite book|last=Racca|first=Guido|title=M&D Borsa Album 1964–2019|language=it|date=2019|isbn=9781094705002}}</ref>
|align="left"|Canadian Albums (''[[RPM (magazine)|RPM]]'')<ref>{{cite magazine |title=Top Albums |magazine=[[RPM (magazine)|RPM]] |volume=27 |number=4 |page=25 |format=PHP |url=http://www.bac-lac.gc.ca/eng/discover/films-videos-sound-recordings/rpm/Pages/image.aspx?Image=nlc008388.5266a&URLjpg=http%3a%2f%2fwww.collectionscanada.gc.ca%2fobj%2f028020%2ff4%2fnlc008388.5266a.gif&Ecopy=nlc008388.5266a |date=23 April 1977 |accessdate=25 July 2016}}</ref>
| 18
| style="text-align:center;"|2
|-
|-
{{albumchart |Norway |1 |artist=Abba |album=Greatest Hits |refname="Norway"}}
{{album chart|Norway|1|artist=ABBA|album=Greatest Hits|rowheader=true|access-date=30 November 2021|refname="Norway"}}
|-
|-
{{albumchart |Sweden |1 |artist=Abba |album=Greatest Hits |refname="Sweden"}}
{{album chart|Sweden|1|artist=ABBA|album=Greatest Hits|rowheader=true|access-date=30 November 2021|refname="Sweden"}}
|-
|-
{{album chart|UK2|1|date=19760508|rowheader=true|access-date=30 November 2021}}
{{albumchart |UK |1 |artist=Abba |album=Greatest Hits |date=1976-05-08}}
|-
|-
{{albumchart |Billboard200 |48 |artist=Abba |album=Greatest Hits}}
{{album chart|Billboard200|48|artist=ABBA|rowheader=true|access-date=30 November 2021}}
|}
|}


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===Year-end charts===
===Year-end charts===
{|class="wikitable plainrowheaders"
{| class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center;"
|-
|-
!Chart (1976)
! scope="col" | Chart (1976)
! scope="col" | Position
!Rank
|-
|-
|align="left" |UK Albums (BRMB)<ref name="UK1976">{{cite magazine |title=Top 50 Albums of 1976 |magazine=[[Music Week]] |page=4 |date=25 December 1976}}</ref>
! scope="row" | UK Albums (OCC)<ref name="UK1976">{{cite magazine |date=25 December 1976 |title=Top 50 Albums of 1976 |url=https://worldradiohistory.com/UK/Music-Week/1976/Music-Week-1976-12-25.pdf |url-status=live |magazine=[[Music Week]] |page=14 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210309081449/https://worldradiohistory.com/UK/Music-Week/1976/Music-Week-1976-12-25.pdf |archive-date=9 March 2021 |via=worldradiohistory.com |access-date=30 November 2021}}</ref>
| 1
| style="text-align:center;"|1
|-
|-
!Chart (1977)
! scope="col" | Chart (1977)
! scope="col" | Position
!Rank
|-
! scope="row" | Canada Top Albums/CDs (''RPM'')<ref>{{cite magazine |title=Top 100 albums of '77 |magazine=RPM |volume=28 |number=14 |page=15 |format=PHP |url=http://www.bac-lac.gc.ca/eng/discover/films-videos-sound-recordings/rpm/Pages/image.aspx?Image=nlc008388.5558&URLjpg=http%3a%2f%2fwww.collectionscanada.gc.ca%2fobj%2f028020%2ff4%2fnlc008388.5558.gif&Ecopy=nlc008388.5558 |date=31 December 1977 |access-date=25 July 2016}}</ref>
|13
|-
! scope="row" | UK Albums (OCC)<ref>{{cite magazine |date=24 December 1977 |title=Top Albums 1977 |url=https://worldradiohistory.com/UK/Music-Week/1977/Music-Week-1977-12-24.pdf |url-status=live |magazine=[[Music Week]] |page=14 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210309080814/https://worldradiohistory.com/UK/Music-Week/1977/Music-Week-1977-12-24.pdf |archive-date=9 March 2021 |via=worldradiohistory.com |access-date=30 November 2021}}</ref>
| 9
|-
|-
|align="left" |Canadian Albums (''RPM'')<ref>{{cite magazine |title=Top 100 albums of '77 |magazine=RPM |volume=28 |number=14 |page=15 |format=PHP |url=http://www.bac-lac.gc.ca/eng/discover/films-videos-sound-recordings/rpm/Pages/image.aspx?Image=nlc008388.5558&URLjpg=http%3a%2f%2fwww.collectionscanada.gc.ca%2fobj%2f028020%2ff4%2fnlc008388.5558.gif&Ecopy=nlc008388.5558 |date=31 December 1977 |accessdate=25 July 2016}}</ref>
| style="text-align:center;"|13
|}
|}


===Decade-end charts===
===Decade-end charts===
{|class="wikitable plainrowheaders"
{| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center;"
|-
! scope="col" | Chart (1970–79)
! scope="col" | Position
|-
|-
! scope="row" | UK Albums (OCC)<ref name="UK1970s">{{cite magazine |title=Albums of the 70's |magazine=Music Week |page=15 |date=22 December 1979}}</ref>
!Chart (1970–79)
|2
!Rank
|-
|-
|align="left" |UK Albums (BRMB)<ref name="UK1970s">{{cite magazine |title=Albums of the 70's |magazine=Music Week |page=15 |date=22 December 1979}}</ref>
| style="text-align:center;"|2
|}
|}
{{col-end}}
{{col-end}}
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==Certifications and sales==
==Certifications and sales==
{{Certification Table Top}}
{{Certification Table Top}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=Australia|nocert=true|relyear=1975|salesamount=900,000|salesref=<ref name="sales">{{cite book|title=Million selling records from the 1900s to the 1980s : an illustrated directory|url=https://openlibrary.org/works/OL120558W/Million_selling_records_from_the_1900s_to_the_1980s|first=Joseph|last=Murrells|publisher=Arco Pub.|quote=Global sales were well over 6,000,000 ... Australian sales of this albums were over 900,000|isbn=0668064595|page=393}}</ref>}}
{{Certification Table Entry |region=Canada |artist=Abba |title=Greatest Hits |type=album |award=Platinum |number=5 |relyear=1975 |certyear=1979 |salesamount=600,000 |salesref=<ref>{{cite magazine |title=Abba: The World |magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]] |page=ABBA-8|date=8 September 1979}} ("Abba: 5 Years" supplement)</ref>|refname="Canadacert"}}
{{Certification Table Entry |region=Canada |artist=Abba |title=Greatest Hits |type=album |award=Platinum |number=5 |relyear=1975 |certyear=1979 |salesamount=600,000 |salesref=<ref>{{cite magazine |title=Abba: The World |magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]] |page=ABBA-8|date=8 September 1979}} ("Abba: 5 Years" supplement)</ref>|refname="Canadacert"}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=Denmark|type=album|title=Greatest Hits|artist=ABBA|award=Gold|salesamount=250,000|relyear=1975|certref=<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://books.google.hr/books?id=RyMEAAAAMBAJ&printsec=frontcover&source=gbs_ge_summary_r&cad=0#v=onepage&q=danish%20gold&f=false|title=Danish Gold|magazine=Billboard|page=67|date=16 April 1977|accessdate=14 May 2019}}</ref>}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=Denmark|type=album|title=Greatest Hits|artist=ABBA|nocert=true|relyear=1975|salesamount=250,000|salesref=<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=RyMEAAAAMBAJ&q=danish+gold|title=Danish Gold|magazine=Billboard|page=67|date=16 April 1977|access-date=14 May 2019}}</ref>}}
{{Certification Table Entry |region=Finland |artist=Abba |title=The Greatest Hits |type=album |award=Platinum |relyear=1975 |certyear=1978 |salesamount=64,875}}
{{Certification Table Entry |region=Finland |artist=Abba |title=The Greatest Hits |type=album |award=Platinum |relyear=1975 |certyear=1978 |salesamount=64,875}}
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{{Certification Table Entry |region=Germany |artist=Abba |title=Greatest Hits |type=album |award=Gold |relyear=1975 |certyear=1980}}
{{Certification Table Entry |region=Germany |artist=Abba |title=Greatest Hits |type=album |award=Gold |relyear=1975 |certyear=1980}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=Greece|award=Gold|type=album|relyear=1975|artist=ABBA|title=Greatest Hits|certref=<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-Billboard/70s/1978/Billboard%201978-11-18.pdf|title=From the Music Capitols of the World – Athens|magazine=Billboard|page=73|date=18 November 1978|via=World Radio History|access-date=25 January 2022}}</ref>}}
{{Certification Table Entry |region=Hong Kong |artist=Abba |title=Greatest Hits |type=album |award=Platinum |relyear=1975 |certyear=1978}}
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{{Certification Table Entry|region=Ireland|type=album|title=Greatest hits|artist=ABBA|nocert=true|relyear=1975|salesamount=200,000|salesref=<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=6CMEAAAAMBAJ&q=yugoslavia+album+sales&pg=PT62|magazine= Billboard|title=Abba The World|first= Ken|last=Stewart|date=8 September 1979|access-date=22 July 2018}}</ref>}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=Israel|award=Gold|salesamount=20,000|type=album|artist=ABBA|title=Greatest hits|relyear=1975|certref=<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.americanradiohistory.com/Archive-Cash-Box/70s/1979/CB-1979-05-19.pdf|title=Anderson In Israel|publisher=Cash Box|page=48|date=19 May 1979|via=American Radio History|volume=41|issue=1}}</ref>|salesref=<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://archive.org/details/bub_gb_ciQEAAAAMBAJ|quote=israel gold 20,000 billboard.|title=Israeli Awards|magazine=Billboard|page=[https://archive.org/details/bub_gb_ciQEAAAAMBAJ/page/n89 58]|date=18 August 1982|accessdate=12 December 2019}}</ref>}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=Israel|award=Gold|salesamount=20,000|type=album|artist=ABBA|title=Greatest hits|relyear=1975|certref=<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.americanradiohistory.com/Archive-Cash-Box/70s/1979/CB-1979-05-19.pdf|title=Anderson In Israel|publisher=Cash Box|page=48|date=19 May 1979|via=American Radio History|volume=41|issue=1}}</ref>|salesref=<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://archive.org/details/bub_gb_ciQEAAAAMBAJ|quote=israel gold 20,000 billboard.|title=Israeli Awards|magazine=Billboard|page=[https://archive.org/details/bub_gb_ciQEAAAAMBAJ/page/n89 58]|date=18 August 1982|access-date=12 December 2019}}</ref>}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=Japan|artist=Abba|title=Greatest Hits|type=album|nocert=true|relyear=1975|salesamount=330,000|salesref=<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://books.google.hr/books?id=KiUEAAAAMBAJ&pg=PT69&lpg=PT69&dq=abba+arrival+1,6+million+sold+i++united+kingdom|title=ABBA Cracks Japan Mart; Sales Surge|magazine=Billboard|page=76|date=10 March 1979|via= Google Books|accessdate=21 June 2020}}</ref>}}
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{{Certification Table Entry|region=Malta|artist=Abba|title=Greatest Hits|type=album|nocert=true|relyear=1975|salesamount=3,000|salesref=<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/UK/Music-Week/1977/Music-Week-1977-07-16.pdf|magazine=[[Music Week]]|title=Malta - a small market with large potential|page=14|date=16 July 1977|accessdate=15 February 2022}}</ref>}}
{{Certification Table Entry |region=Norway |artist=Abba |title=Greatest Hits |type=album |award=Gold |relyear=1975 |certyear=1979 |certref=<ref>"Abba: 5 Years" supplement, ''Billboard'', 8 September 1979. p. ABBA-30.</ref> }}
{{Certification Table Entry |region=Norway |artist=Abba |title=Greatest Hits |type=album |award=Gold |relyear=1975 |certyear=1979 |certref=<ref>"Abba: 5 Years" supplement, ''Billboard'', 8 September 1979. p. ABBA-30.</ref> }}
{{Certification Table Entry |region=Sweden |artist=Abba |title=Greatest Hits |type=album |award=Platinum |relyear=1975 |certyear=1979 |salesamount=293,163 |salesref=<ref>"Abba: 5 Years" supplement, ''Billboard'', 8 September 1979. p. ABBA-38.</ref>|accessdate=2014-07-13}}
{{Certification Table Entry |region=Sweden |artist=Abba |title=Greatest Hits |type=album |award=Platinum |relyear=1975 |certyear=1979 |salesamount=293,163 |salesref=<ref>"Abba: 5 Years" supplement, ''Billboard'', 8 September 1979. p. ABBA-38.</ref>|access-date=2014-07-13}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=Taiwan|type=album|title=Greatest Hits|artist=ABBA|nocert=true|salesamount=4,500|relyear=1975|salesref=<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=6CMEAAAAMBAJ&q=abba+taiwan&pg=PT46|title=ABBA The World - Taiwan|issn=0006-2510|author=Glen Baker|magazine=Billboard|publisher=Nielsen Business Media, Inc|date=8 November 1979|access-date=6 November 2020}}</ref>}}
{{Certification Table Entry |region=United Kingdom |artist=Abba |title=Greatest Hits |type=album |award=Platinum |number=8 |relyear=1976 |certyear=2016 |salesamount=2,606,000 |salesref=<ref name="UKgreatest" />}}
{{Certification Table Entry |region=United Kingdom |artist=Abba |title=Greatest Hits |type=album |award=Platinum |number=8 |relyear=1976 |certyear=2016 |id=2649-1693-2|salesamount=2,606,000 |salesref=<ref name="UKgreatest" />}}
{{Certification Table Entry |region=United States |artist=Abba |title=Greatest Hits |type=album |award=Platinum |relyear=1976 |certyear=1978 |refname="UScert"}}
{{Certification Table Entry |region=United States |artist=Abba |title=Greatest Hits |type=album |award=Platinum |relyear=1976 |certyear=1978 |refname="UScert"}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=Yugoslavia|type=album|title=Greatest Hits|artist=ABBA|award=Gold|salesamount=35,000|relyear=1975|certref=<ref name=Džuboks>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.popboks.com/dzuboks/dzubrowser.html|title=ABBA fenomen ili fenomenalna ABBA|magazine=[[Džuboks]]|page=5|issue=33|date=April 1977|via=Popboks|access-date=6 November 2020}}</ref>|salesref=<ref name=Džuboks/>}}
{{Certification Table Summary}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=Worldwide|nocert=true|salesamount=6,000,000|salesref=<ref name="sales"/>}}
{{Certification Table Bottom}}
{{Certification Table Bottom}}


==See also==
==See also==

* [[Music of Sweden]]
* [[Music of Sweden]]
* [http://www.abbasite.com/ Official Abba Website]


==References==
==References==
{{reflist|30em}}
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
* [http://www.abbasite.com/ Official Abba Website]


{{ABBA}}
{{ABBA}}
{{UK best-selling albums (by year) 1970–1989}}
{{UK best-selling albums (by year) 1970–1989}}
{{Authority control}}


{{DEFAULTSORT:Greatest Hits (Abba Album)}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Greatest Hits (Abba album)}}
[[Category:1975 greatest hits albums]]
[[Category:1975 greatest hits albums]]
[[Category:ABBA compilation albums]]
[[Category:ABBA compilation albums]]

Latest revision as of 13:18, 12 July 2023

Greatest Hits
Greatest hits album by
Released17 November 1975
RecordedMarch 1972 – September 1975
GenrePop
Length48:00
LabelPolar (Sweden)
Epic (UK)
Atlantic (US)
Universal Music (2006 reissue)
Producer
ABBA chronology
The Best of ABBA
(1975)
Greatest Hits
(1975)
Arrival
(1976)
Alternative cover
UK/North American Cover
Singles from Greatest Hits
  1. "Fernando"
    Released: March 1976
Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
Christgau's Record GuideC+[1]
The Encyclopedia of Popular Music[2]
The Rolling Stone Album Guide[3]

Greatest Hits is a compilation album by the Swedish pop group ABBA. It was originally released in Scandinavia on 17 November 1975[4] and in other parts of the world in 1976, notably the UK on 10 April, and on 18 September in the US and Canada. The 1976 version of the album included the band's most recent single "Fernando".

The album was released in response to similar ABBA compilation albums being issued at the time by record labels in other countries who had licensed ABBA's music for release in their own territories, and the threat of import sales of those compilations impacting upon ABBA's home market. This meant that the success of Greatest Hits was largely confined to Scandinavia and the UK, although the size of the latter market and the scale of its success there has ensured that Greatest Hits is one of ABBA's best-selling albums worldwide. The album was the best-selling album of 1976 in the UK, and the country's second-best selling album of the decade.

Background

[edit]

ABBA had won the Eurovision Song Contest in April 1974 with the song "Waterloo", which went on to be a major hit across Europe and in Australia and New Zealand. However, the immediate follow-up singles did not meet with the same success, and it wasn't until over a year later that "I Do, I Do, I Do, I Do, I Do", "SOS" and "Mamma Mia" became worldwide hits and reignited interest in the band. To capitalise on this resurgence of interest, several labels around the world released their own licensed compilations of ABBA's singles up to and including "Mamma Mia" – these included a similarly-titled Greatest Hits by France's Disques Vogue, and The Best of ABBA, released by West Germany's division of Polydor Records and by RCA Victor in Australia and New Zealand. To counteract the possibility of import sales from these records in Scandinavia, ABBA's record label Polar Music rush-released their own version of Greatest Hits.[4]

Release

[edit]

The tracks were taken from ABBA's first three studio albums, Ring Ring, Waterloo and ABBA, and with the exception of "Dance (While the Music Still Goes On)" had all been released as singles somewhere in the world. Despite the title of the compilation, only half of the tracks had actually charted as hit singles in major territories. "Waterloo", "SOS", "Mamma Mia" and (later) "Fernando" were top 10 hits in the UK and several other countries, though only the first of these was a top 10 hit in the US. Other hits in multiple territories included "I Do, I Do, I Do, I Do, I Do" (a top 10 hit in several countries, a number one in Australia, and a top 20 hit in the US, though barely cracking the top 40 in the UK), "Honey, Honey" (a top 20 hit in several countries and a top 30 hit in the US), "Hasta Mañana" (a top 10 hit in South Africa and New Zealand and a top 20 hit in Australia), and "So Long" (a top 20 hit in Germany and a top 10 hit in Sweden and Denmark).

"Ring Ring" reached number one in Belgium and Sweden, and went top ten in a few other markets. "Nina, Pretty Ballerina" was an A side in only a few territories, reaching number 8 in Austria, "Another Town, Another Train" was a B side in most territories, but reached number 18 in Rhodesia. "People Need Love" was a radio hit in several US regions, but didn't chart higher than #114 nationally (on the Cash Box chart). "Bang-a-boomerang" was an A side in France, where it was a minor hit.

A few more songs had been issued as singles somewhere in the world, with I've Been Waiting For You reaching #49 in Australia and Love Isn't Easy (But it Sure Is Hard Enough) charting at #21 in Denmark. [citation needed]

The Swedish Radio hit parade was based on votes, not single sales. The group's first two singles, "People Need Love" and "He Is Your Brother", were hits on this Tio i Topp chart. In all, ABBA had nine songs in this chart, and the six that went as high as number three are included on the album.

Svensktoppen was a vote-based radio chart show for Swedish-language songs. ABBA had three number ones in this chart ("Ring Ring", "Waterloo", "Honey Honey") and a number 6 ("Åh, Vilka Tider"). Polar issued 'official' Swedish versions of "Bang-A-Boomerang" and "Dance (While the Music Still Goes On)" by Svenne & Lotta, both reached number 2 in this chart. Svenne & Lotta had hits with these songs in several markets. Other acts, including both Agnetha and Frida as solo performers, made Swedish-language versions of other ABBA songs; only "So Long" had not been a hit on the Svensktoppen chart, though "So Long" had been a hit on the Danish equivalent Dansktoppen.

On the North American version of the album "Hasta Mañana" was omitted and the other tracks were reordered. In Australia, where several of the tracks had reached number one, the release of Greatest Hits was beaten to the market by the RCA Victor compilation The Best of ABBA, precluding a release there for years. Nevertheless, the official greatest hits package was an enormous success. Even Rolling Stone, often one of ABBA's harshest critics in the US, declared of the album, "Anyone who could listen to this record five times and not wind up humming half the songs is an android".[5]

Polar's version of Greatest Hits reached number one in Sweden and in Norway,[6][7] but lost out in sales over much of the rest of Europe and in Australia and New Zealand to the already released rival compilations. However, it had no competition in the UK and in North America, and the UK version of the album was released in April 1976. In the five-month period between the releases of the Scandinavian and UK versions of Greatest Hits, ABBA had achieved their second consecutive (and third overall) UK number-one single with "Fernando", and this song was added to the UK version of the album, as well as to a reissued version in Norway and Denmark. The release of Greatest Hits coincided with the start of ABBA's huge popularity in the UK during the latter half of the 1970s, becoming the first of eight consecutive number-one albums for the group. It spent eleven non-consecutive weeks at the top of the UK Albums Chart and went on to become the best-selling album of 1976[8] and the second best-selling album of the 1970s.[9] As of July 2016 it is the 46th best-selling album of all time in the UK,[10] with sales of over 2.6 million.[11]

Greatest Hits was released in the US and in Canada in September 1976, but sales of the record did not peak until April 1977, when the song "Dancing Queen" reached number one in both countries. "Dancing Queen" was not included on Greatest Hits, but it was the lead single from the new studio album Arrival and it had generated interest in ABBA's back catalogue. Greatest Hits has been certified platinum in the US[12] and quintuple platinum in Canada.[13]

Artwork

[edit]

The album was issued with two different gatefold covers, depending upon the territory. The painting on the original Scandinavian release was by artist Hans Arnold and had originally been awarded as a prize by Swedish magazine VeckoRevyn to celebrate ABBA being voted "Artists of the Year".[4] The artwork was also used on the European-wide "30th Anniversary Edition" CD reissue, in a miniature replica gatefold album sleeve.

In the UK, North America and some other territories, the cover features a photograph taken by Bengt H. Malmqvist of the group sitting on a park bench on an autumn day.[14] Benny and Frida are kissing, while Björn reads a paper and Agnetha looks straight into the camera. The image was used as the inner gatefold picture on the Scandinavian versions. It was also used on the US CD reissue by Atlantic Records in the 1980s, but without the track listing on the front.

Appearances in other media

[edit]

The British/American version of the album sleeve appears in the popular 2015 science-fiction film The Martian, when the husband of the disco-loving ship commander Melissa Lewis reveals on a video link that he has found an original vinyl copy of the album. The track "Waterloo" also features prominently on the film's soundtrack.[15]

Track listing

[edit]

European version

[edit]

All tracks written by Benny Andersson, Stig Anderson and Björn Ulvaeus, except where noted

Side A
No.TitleWriter(s)Length
1."SOS" 3:22
2."He Is Your Brother"Andersson, Ulvaeus3:17
3."Ring Ring"Andersson, Anderson, Ulvaeus, Neil Sedaka, Phil Cody3:03
4."Hasta Mañana" 3:09
5."Nina, Pretty Ballerina"Andersson, Ulvaeus2:52
6."Honey, Honey" 2:55
7."So Long"Andersson, Ulvaeus3:06
Side B
No.TitleWriter(s)Length
1."I Do, I Do, I Do, I Do, I Do" 3:15
2."People Need Love"Andersson, Ulvaeus2:43
3."Bang-A-Boomerang" 3:02
4."Another Town, Another Train"Andersson, Ulvaeus3:10
5."Mamma Mia" 3:32
6."Dance (While the Music Still Goes On)"Andersson, Ulvaeus3:05
7."Waterloo" 2:42
8."Fernando" (1976 reissue only) 4:15
  • Note: the original UK release of Greatest Hits featured the addition of the recent number-one single "Fernando" as the album's final track – early pressings of the album do not include the song on the track listing on the sleeve and a sticker was placed on the cover to advertise its inclusion. The original 1975 Scandinavian releases do not feature "Fernando" – the album was reissued in 1976 in Norway and Denmark with the addition of "Fernando" as the first track on side one. The 2006 30th anniversary edition CD of Greatest Hits features the same 15-track running order as the 1976 Norway/Denmark reissue.

North American version

[edit]

All tracks written by Benny Andersson, Stig Anderson and Björn Ulvaeus, except where noted

Side A
No.TitleWriter(s)Length
1."SOS" 3:22
2."He Is Your Brother"Andersson, Ulvaeus3:17
3."Ring Ring"Andersson, Anderson, Ulvaeus, Neil Sedaka, Phil Cody3:03
4."Another Town, Another Train"Andersson, Ulvaeus3:10
5."Honey, Honey" 2:55
6."So Long"Andersson, Ulvaeus3:06
7."Mamma Mia" 3:32
Side B
No.TitleWriter(s)Length
1."I Do, I Do, I Do, I Do, I Do" 3:15
2."People Need Love"Andersson, Ulvaeus2:43
3."Waterloo" 2:42
4."Nina, Pretty Ballerina"Andersson, Ulvaeus2:52
5."Bang-A-Boomerang" 3:02
6."Dance (While the Music Still Goes On)"Andersson, Ulvaeus3:05
7."Fernando" 4:15

Personnel

[edit]
  • Agnetha Fältskog - lead vocals (1, 13), co-lead vocals (2, 3, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13), backing vocals
  • Anni-Frid Lyngstad - lead vocals (14), co-lead vocals (2, 3, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13), backing vocals
  • Björn Ulvaeus - lead vocals (4), co-lead vocals (2, 9, 13) Steel-string, acoustic guitar, backing vocals
  • Benny Andersson – synthesizer, keyboards, backing vocals
  • Janne Kling - flute (15)

Charts

[edit]

Certifications and sales

[edit]
Region Certification Certified units/sales
Australia 900,000[23]
Canada (Music Canada)[13] 5× Platinum 600,000[24]
Denmark 250,000[25]
Finland (Musiikkituottajat)[26] Platinum 64,875[26]
France 100,000[27]
Germany (BVMI)[28] Gold 250,000^
Greece (IFPI Greece)[29] Gold 50,000^
Hong Kong (IFPI Hong Kong)[30] Platinum 20,000*
Ireland 200,000[31]
Israel[32] Gold 20,000[33]
Japan 330,000[34]
Malta 3,000[35]
Norway (IFPI Norway)[36] Gold 25,000*
Sweden (GLF)[38] Platinum 293,163[37]
Taiwan 4,500[39]
United Kingdom (BPI)[40] 8× Platinum 2,606,000[11]
United States (RIAA)[12] Platinum 1,000,000^
Yugoslavia[41] Gold 35,000[41]
Summaries
Worldwide 6,000,000[23]

* Sales figures based on certification alone.
^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ Christgau, Robert (1981). "Consumer Guide '70s: A". Christgau's Record Guide: Rock Albums of the Seventies. Ticknor & Fields. ISBN 089919026X. Retrieved 12 September 2019 – via robertchristgau.com.
  2. ^ Larkin, Colin (2007). The Encyclopedia of Popular Music (5th Concise ed.). United Kingdom: Omnibus Press. p. 31. ISBN 978-1-84609-856-7.
  3. ^ The Rolling Stone Album Guide. Random House. 1992. p. 3.
  4. ^ a b c Palm, Carl Magnus (2006). Greatest Hits (30th Anniversary Edition) (booklet). ABBA. Polar Music. 987 715-6.
  5. ^ Rockwell, John (23 March 1978). "Review: Abba – The Album". Rolling Stone. No. 261.
  6. ^ a b "Norwegiancharts.com – ABBA – Greatest Hits". Hung Medien. Retrieved 30 November 2021.
  7. ^ a b "Swedishcharts.com – ABBA – Greatest Hits". Hung Medien. Retrieved 30 November 2021.
  8. ^ a b "Top 50 Albums of 1976" (PDF). Music Week. 25 December 1976. p. 14. Archived (PDF) from the original on 9 March 2021. Retrieved 30 November 2021 – via worldradiohistory.com.
  9. ^ a b "Albums of the 70's". Music Week. 22 December 1979. p. 15.
  10. ^ Copsey, Rob (4 July 2016). "The UK's 60 official biggest selling albums of all time revealed". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 25 July 2016.
  11. ^ a b Myers, Justin (12 July 2016). "The greatest of the greatest: the UK's official Top 10 biggest hits collections revealed". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 25 July 2016.
  12. ^ a b "American album certifications – Abba – Greatest Hits". Recording Industry Association of America.
  13. ^ a b "Canadian album certifications – Abba – Greatest Hits". Music Canada.
  14. ^ Palm, Carl Magnus (2014). Abba: Bright Lights, Dark Shadows (3rd ed.). Omnibus Press. ISBN 978-1-78305-359-9.
  15. ^ "Here is the Aquaman joke 'The Martian' author fought to keep in the movie". 3 October 2015.
  16. ^ "Top RPM Albums: Issue 5266a". RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved 30 November 2021.
  17. ^ Pennanen, Timo (2021). "ABBA". Sisältää hitin - 2. laitos Levyt ja esittäjät Suomen musiikkilistoilla 1.1.1960–30.6.2021 (PDF) (in Finnish). Helsinki: Kustannusosakeyhtiö Otava. p. 8. Retrieved August 24, 2022.
  18. ^ Racca, Guido (2019). M&D Borsa Album 1964–2019 (in Italian). ISBN 9781094705002.
  19. ^ "Official Albums Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 30 November 2021.
  20. ^ "ABBA Chart History (Billboard 200)". Billboard. Retrieved 30 November 2021.
  21. ^ "Top 100 albums of '77" (PHP). RPM. Vol. 28, no. 14. 31 December 1977. p. 15. Retrieved 25 July 2016.
  22. ^ "Top Albums 1977" (PDF). Music Week. 24 December 1977. p. 14. Archived (PDF) from the original on 9 March 2021. Retrieved 30 November 2021 – via worldradiohistory.com.
  23. ^ a b Murrells, Joseph. Million selling records from the 1900s to the 1980s : an illustrated directory. Arco Pub. p. 393. ISBN 0668064595. Global sales were well over 6,000,000 ... Australian sales of this albums were over 900,000
  24. ^ "Abba: The World". Billboard. 8 September 1979. p. ABBA-8. ("Abba: 5 Years" supplement)
  25. ^ "Danish Gold". Billboard. 16 April 1977. p. 67. Retrieved 14 May 2019.
  26. ^ a b "Abba" (in Finnish). Musiikkituottajat – IFPI Finland.
  27. ^ Kahn, Henry (8 September 1979). "Abba The World". Billboard. Retrieved 22 July 2018.
  28. ^ "Gold-/Platin-Datenbank (Abba; 'Greatest Hits')" (in German). Bundesverband Musikindustrie.
  29. ^ "From the Music Capitols of the World – Athens" (PDF). Billboard. 18 November 1978. p. 73. Retrieved 25 January 2022 – via World Radio History.
  30. ^ "IFPIHK Gold Disc Award − 1978". IFPI Hong Kong.
  31. ^ Stewart, Ken (8 September 1979). "Abba The World". Billboard. Retrieved 22 July 2018.
  32. ^ "Anderson In Israel" (PDF). Cash Box. 19 May 1979. p. 48 – via American Radio History.
  33. ^ "Israeli Awards". Billboard. 18 August 1982. p. 58. Retrieved 12 December 2019. israel gold 20,000 billboard.
  34. ^ "ABBA Cracks Japan Mart; Sales Surge". Billboard. 10 March 1979. p. 76. Retrieved 21 June 2020 – via Google Books.
  35. ^ "Malta - a small market with large potential" (PDF). Music Week. 16 July 1977. p. 14. Retrieved 15 February 2022.
  36. ^ "Abba: 5 Years" supplement, Billboard, 8 September 1979. p. ABBA-30.
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  38. ^ "Guld- och Platinacertifikat − År 1987−1998" (PDF) (in Swedish). IFPI Sweden. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2011-05-17. Retrieved 2014-07-13.
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