Greatest Hits (ABBA)

Greatest Hits is the title of the first compilation of hit singles by Swedish group ABBA. It was also the group's first no.1 album in the UK. Originally released in the band's native Sweden in 1975, it was re-packaged and re-released in the UK and other territories in 1976.

The tracks were taken from ABBA's first three studio albums, Ring Ring, Waterloo and ABBA. All tracks, with the exception of Dance (While the Music Still Goes On), had all been released as singles around the world. However, despite the title of the compilation, only half of the tracks had actually been "hits" in major territories. Only Waterloo, SOS and Mamma Mia had already been Top 30 hits in the UK, whereas the remaining tracks were largely unknown. New track Fernando was released as a single around the same time as the album and became ABBA's second British no.1.

Released in March 1979, Greatest Hits eventually reached no.1 in early May and stayed on the top for nine consecutive weeks and further two in October, when ABBA had released new single Dancing Queen as lead single to upcoming new studio album Arrival.

Personnel

 * Agnetha Fältskog - lead vocals, co-lead vocals, backing vocals
 * Anni-Frid Lyngstad - lead vocals, co-lead vocals, backing vocals
 * Björn Ulvaeus - lead vocals (on 'Nina, Pretty Ballerina'), co-lead vocals, steel-string, acoustic guitar, backing vocals
 * Benny Andersson – synthesizer, keyboards, backing vocals

Personnel

 * Agnetha Fältskog - lead vocals, co-lead vocals, backing vocals
 * Anni-Frid Lyngstad - lead vocals, co-lead vocals, backing vocals
 * Björn Ulvaeus - lead vocals (on 'Nina, Pretty Ballerina'), co-lead vocals, steel-string, acoustic guitar, backing vocals
 * Benny Andersson – synthesizer, keyboards, backing vocals

Tracklisting
original LP


 * Side One
 * 1) S.O.S.
 * 2) He Is Your Brother
 * 3) Ring Ring
 * 4) Hasta Manana
 * 5) Nina Pretty Ballerina
 * 6) Honey Honey
 * 7) So Long


 * Side Two


 * 1) I Do, I Do, I Do, I Do, I Do
 * 2) People Need Love
 * 3) Bang A Boomerang
 * 4) Another Town, Another Train
 * 5) Mamma Mia
 * 6) Dance (While The Music Still Goes On)
 * 7) Waterloo
 * 8) Fernando

Note: the cassette and 8-track cartridge issues of the album both feature different running orders. (see discogs link below)

Cover
The original 1975 Swedish release of Greatest Hits featured a garish 'cartoon' representation of the band and manager Stig Olsson spread across the front of a gatefold sleeve. The new 1976 version, as released in the UK, features a photograph taken by Bengt H. Malmqvist of the group members sitting on a park bench on an autumn day. Again spread across a gatefold sleeve, it features band members Benny and Frida holding hands and kissing on the left of the photograph and on the back cover, while on the right and front of the cover Björn reads a paper and Agnetha looks straight into the camera, ignored by her partner. The inner cover opens up vertically to show a photo of the four members in the same phot setting laughing and smiling.