All four original members -- Agnetha Fältskog, Björn Ulvaeus, Benny Andersson, and Anni-Frid Lyngstad -- agreed that after decades of doing their own things they were ready to work together on new material. And one of the big motivators was the years of support from the gay community.

 

“We found out quite early that 'Dancing Queen' had become an anthem and we were very proud that we’ve been chosen by the community,” Ulvaeus explained in a recent interview. “As a Swede, long before most others, we had a much more open society and open attitudes. This is, in a way, a liberating anthem and it makes me proud. It’s a wonderful thing, it really is."

 

The disco group, which originally disbanded in 1982, promised to release two new singles last year;  “I Still Have Faith in You” and “Don’t Shut Me Down” were later delayed, and should be available in November of this year. A TV special called ABBA: Thank You for the Music, An All-Star Tribute is also in the works. 

 

“It was the gay community who underpinned the comeback,” Ulvaeus revealed. “People started recording [our music], and one of the first bands that did it and was very important for us was Erasure. They did ‘Take A Chance On Me.’”

 

 

He added: “Then we felt that we had the full support [of the community], and it made a lot of difference.” 

 

Ulvaeus also expressed his own love and respect for musical queer icons like George Michael and Freddy Mercury.

 

“There’s nobody who sings with more light touch and kind of bounces on the rhythms in that way,” he said of Michael. “It’s so easy for him… it’s nothing! I like that kind of deceptive way. Of course, it’s not easy and only he could do it.”

 

You can watch the full interview below.