:: extras ::
Reactions to Agnetha back on UK charts
Here are some reactions from the media to Agnetha reaching so high on he UK singles chart. She reached number 11 with “If I Thought You’d Ever Change Your Mind”:
Chart chat
Weblink – Full article
The music world never ceases to amaze and the sight of Agnetha Faltzkog entering at no.11 with a Cilla Black cover ‘If I Thought You’d Ever Change Your Mind’ is one I didn’t think I would ever see! She manages to outsell Joe and the ever busy G-Unit with ‘Ride Wit U / More & More’ who enter at no.12 while former N-Syncer JC Chavez goes straight in with his double a sided ‘Blowin Me Up / Some Girls (Dance With Women)’.
Article from BBC TOTP
Weblink
Abba ‘s Greatest Hits are selling strongly, and riding of the back of yet another resurgence of interest in the Swedish superstars, Agnetha Falkstog makes her first return to the singles charts in ages and ages. Her solo single, the snappily titled ‘If I thought You’d Ever Change Your Mind’, just misses out on the top 10, but it’s nice to have her back, isn’t it?
CHART COMMENTARY from JAMES MASTERTON
Weblink – Full article (we just mention Agnetha bit….the second Holy crap !)
So what of the second Holy Crap moment? Well that would be this one, the quite sensational chart debut of a brand new solo single from a reclusive star who just happens to be one quarter of one of the most successful pop acts ever. In spite of their huge success as a unit, as solo stars the members of Abba never really set the charts on fire. Benny and Bjorn stayed together as songwriters, most famously penning the musical Chess. The two girls Anni-Frid and Agnetha both signed as solo stars with indifferent success. In this country it was Agnetha who had the most chart success, charting three singles in 1983, the biggest of which being ‘The Heat Is On’ which made Number 35. Her last contribution to the music business was a 1988 solo album entitled ‘I Stand Alone’ since when she has pretty much done exactly that, living a reclusive lifestyle back in Scandinavia. She laid low throughout all the 90s Abba revivals, even snubbing the launch of the musical ‘Mamma Mia’. Nonetheless last year rumours began circulating that she had demoed some new tracks and sure enough last month WEA records announced they had signed the star, produced new publicity photos and promised her availability for interviews. Then something went wrong. The stalking problems that were partly a cause of her reclusive nature reared their head again and Agnetha pulled out of all promotion of her new album. Still, the release is going ahead and with it the single ‘If I Thought You’d Ever Change Your Mind’. Like all the other tracks on the album this is a cover of an old 60s song, popularised by Cilla Black who took it to Number 20 in late 1969. As a 2004 single it is something of an oddity but the selling point is clearly the voice of Agnetha Faltskog , sounding as fresh and clear as it did back in the 1970s. So there we have it. More than 20 years after they finally called it a day, a member of Abba finally has their biggest ever solo hit single. Holy Crap indeed.
Chart Beat Bonus
Weblink
THE HEAT IS ON: Some 21 years after making her U.K. chart debut as a solo artist, former ABBA member Agnetha Faltskog has the highest-charting solo hit of her post-ABBA career.
Her remake of Cilla Black’s “If I Thought You’d Ever Change Your Mind” (WEA) enters the U.K. singles chart at No. 11. That makes this comeback single the first by Faltskog to reach the top 30 of the British chart. Here is a summary of how her first three post-ABBA solo efforts fared:
“The Heat Is On,” No. 35
“Wrap Your Arms Around Me,” No. 44
“Can’t Shake Loose,” No. 63
All three singles charted in 1983.
Faltskog’s version of “If I Thought You’d Ever Change Your Mind” has charted higher than the Black original, which peaked at No. 20 in early 1970.
Meanwhile, Faltskog’s former group is doing well on the U.K. album chart. The multi-platinum “ABBA Gold” re-entered at No. 4 last week and remains in the top 10 this week at No. 8.
Chart news round up
Weblink
And just missing the Top 10 is the �blonde one’ Agnetha Faltskog from Euro-pop Abba, hasn’t released any English language recordings in over eight years. Her welcome return with �If I Thought You’d Ever Change Your Mind’ is taken from her forthcoming album � My Colouring Book’ album. This was originally recorded in 1969 by Cilla Black, which enters the chart at No.11�
Chart Predictions
Weblink
Here are some predictions for chart 18/04/04 that predicted Agnetha in the Top 10:
William B. Swygart
1. Eamon � F**k It (I Don’t Want You Back)
2. D12 � My Band
3. Usher ft. Li’l Jon & Ludacris � Yeah
4. Wolfman & Pete Doherty � For Lovers
5. DJ Casper � Cha Cha Slide
6. Anastacia � Left Outside Alone
7. McFly � Five Colours In Her Hair
8. The Rasmus � In The Shadows
9. Special D � Come With Me
10. Agnetha Faltskog � If I Thought You’d Ever Change Your Mind
United States
Todd Burns
1. Eamon � F**k It
2. McFly � 5 Colours in Her Hair
3. D12 � My Band
4. Usher � Yeah
5. The Rasmus � In the Shadows
6. Wolfman/Pete Doherty � For Lovers
7. Anastacia � Left Outside Alone
8. DJ Casper � Cha Cha Slide
9. Agnetha Faltskog – If I Thought You’d Ever Change Your Mind
10. Special D � Come With Me
Scott Plagenhoef
1. Eamon – F**k It
2. D12 – My Band
3. McFly – 5 Colours in Her Hair
4. Usher – Yeah
5. the Rasmus – In the Shadows
6. Wolfman/Pete Doherty – For Lovers
7. Anastacia – Left Outside Alone
8. Agnetha Faltskog – If I Thought You’d Ever Change Your Mind
9. DJ Caspar – Cha Cha Slide
10. Special D – Come With Me