Bright Lights Dark Shadows: The Real Story of ABBA Paperback – September 1, 2014

For the first year of our lives, all of us, we are soothed and cajoled by tones, forms of melody, no matter where in the world we are born, Alaska, Africa, Australia or the Amazon Jungle. Melody is our first universal language for every human being. “Dancing Queen” by ABBA is a delivery of glorious melody from the very first second to the end of the song. One the most perfect songs ever recorded by humans in the context of its glorious construction and recording by the group plus the studio guys. When you read Carl’s intensely and entertainingly researched words you understand the four unique path’s of the participants before the song existed and that the song was no accident, or off the cuff stroke of piece of luck. It took years to mature into its form from their four individual stories as children, as melody fully encouraged them towards music and singing. As the owner of 10’000+ records from over 50 years of loving music myself, a DJ, music journalist, record company director and Grammy contributor in the USA, I long ago came to the conclusion that the aforementioned “Dancing Queen” was quite possibly the most perfect pop song ever recorded, because of its incredible melody parts, musically and vocally. Carl Magnus Palm’s book here has confirmed that opinion for me personally. If an asteroid was heading for earth I would put that song on and leave this planet with that incredible melody delivery in my soul. Great book Carl. Thank you ABBA, for the music. Eddie Gordon.

I have loved Abba since discovering them as a shy, withdrawn teenager but never really knew much about their rise to fame or their personal lives until reading this book. This biography is about as complete as you can get and covers a wealth of information about each member as well as their manager Stig Anderson. The book covers each member of Abba in minute detail, from their pre-Abba careers - all of them enjoyed a variety of success on their own (I found Frida Lynstad’s story one of the most fascinating aspects of the book), the group’s decade-long meteoric rise as one of the most successful pop acts ever, their lives following the break-up of the group and how their music has affected the world. The sections that detail the intricate finances and dealings of Polar Music slow the book down but still make interesting reading even though much of it was beyond my comprehension. Every serious fan of Abba will want to read this book. It is fascinating!

I read this book after watching an ABBA PBS pledge program. I’ve been a fan dating back to their initial years and still listen to 20+ songs loaded into my iPhone from cassettes and CDs I purchased back in the day and over the years. The book provided me with good background on the ABBA members and it was a quick read on my Kindle.

I wanted an in-depth biography that adequately described this marvelous band without omitting the aspects that might be viewed as being uncomplimentary, or controversial. This book has been updated to address every fact, story, interview, or rumor concerning any of the band members right up to 2014. Every possible item from Bjorn & Bennie's folk music days in the Sixties right up to Agnetha's romantic endeavors as described in those less notable magazines at the local corner store. There are so many accounts of the intricate aspects of each member's life with painstaking efforts made to get every related factor adequately covered; that you may find that it is more information than you wanted to know!I am very pleased with the way the book is written, in that it permits the reader to experience each period as it occurred without unnecessary foreshadowing. It is a long book, packed with information.A masterpiece, nearly encyclopedic concerning this band, the history of the group, and the creation of that wonderful music. After having read it; I actually find myself to be a greater fan of the band, and each member than prior to reading it, though always I admired that music.The author wrote the definitive book on this band, and how their epic journey transpired!

My favorite genre is biography, and this has to be one of the most comprehensive bios I've ever read. Times four! Their individual stories go back to each of their family's history, then detailed career histories, their manager's life history...before we even begin to discuss ABBA. Not only is it full of quotes from interviews, it's filled with statistics. I can't imagine the amount of time the author spent on research.The writing style makes an easy read and it's not salacious or opinionated. It's just the story of the band members, their talents, their vision and their progress to world domination. Their personal lives are laid bare but mainly they tell their own story through quotations. This book is valuable to fans because prior to the internet it was almost impossible (in the U.S.) to get much real information on these artists.

Loved it. More information than you can even fathom about everything they did including their individual achievements, how they all met, their relationships. Also had all their touring and recording info and how it all got going and their business relationships. Endless.

This is a very well-written and detailed story of ABBA. A great read about a great band

Informative, interesting, and thought provoking in strange ways. Yet, I came away wishing I had more valuable insights into these four personalities. Cannot help but applaud the extensive research.

Not much to say , if you like ABBA this is a really good book.

Un libro enorme que pasa volando, una cantidad de información tremenda y con gran profundidad. Una gozada de libro.

Se você é fã das músicas da banda, precisa ler este livro. Ele conta com riqueza de detalhes as histórias de cada membro do ABBA, assim como revela o antes, durante e depois do grupo. O autor nos ajuda a entender como as canções foram criadas e a dedicada produção por trás delas. O livro não deixa de fora o polêmico empresário e nem as controvérsias. É um presente para qualquer fã.

The book described in details but in a very pleasant way the history of each member of Abba and their producer individually at first, and then of the group. It is very interesting.

I've read many books about ABBA. Mr Palm's book is by far the best of them. It gives a real insight intothe pre & post ABBA lives & careers of the four members. And about ABBA as a group it gives a greatmany details that will be interesting & new to a great many Fans. I cannot recommend the book highlyenough. Some of the details are baffling. Such as why Epic Records chose to re-issue 'Ring Ring' inthe UK, after 'Waterloo' had been a No.1 Hit. ('Ring Ring' had already flopped here in October 1973).The 1974 reissue, (which was also a remix), only reached No.32. At the same time 'Honey Honey'was covered by the male/female duo Sweet Dreams, & they took it into the Top 10 - at No.10. ABBAwould easily have taken it into the UK Top 10, & Epic should have rushed it out, to compete withthe Sweet Dreams version. Instead ABBA's original version never got a UK release. A huge mistake.ABBA did not have another UK Top 10 Hit until 'SOS' reached No.6 in the 2nd half of 1975. The book also explains how Atlantic Records did a huge ABBA promotion, in the USA, in early 1978, with ABBAthemselves going over to do TV etc.. It created much interest in them there, & 'Take A Chance On Me'reached No.3 & 'The Album' became their highest charting USA Studio Album & that reached No.14.Yet, the rest of 1978 saw Atlantic not bother to promote ABBA in the USA at all. There were nofurther USA Singles in 1978, even though 'Eagle' & 'Summer Night City' were big Hits in much ofEurope. Epic Records chose not to release 'Eagle' in the UK or Ireland. It would easily have beena Top 5 Hit in both countries. Instead there was just a long gap between 'Take A Chance On Me'& 'Summer Night City'. Another inexplicable decision by Epic Records. The book is full of trivia,with a lot of of facts & figures. A terrific & informative book. Extremely well written too.