On this page are the week to week positions of the Abba material in Australia, original 1970's chart commentary written by David Kent, and the end of year positions. With thanks to Dean Scapolo, Colin Hughes, John Boylan, Innocent Eyes, and Maurizio. Accreditations for Gold and Platinum are available from ARIA here. The pre-1979 accreditations come from this page which is referenced from "The Abba Album" by Peter Charley published in 1977.
All of the following information is from the Kent Music Report, which became Australian Music Report, except for Abba Gold, which is from the ARIA Chart, as are any positions in the late 1990s and beyond. These positions were researched by myself, flicking through the chart archives (all in paper much to my joy) in May 1991. There are no errors as far as I can ascertain. I hope they provide some enjoyment.
Also available from here are the Sales Figures for all of the Australian releases up until about 1994. These I obtained by cajoling record company staff into opening their archives for me - and alas, are far from complete.
Key to Abbreviations:
Title: The title of the single or album. With singles, if there are two titles listed on one line, that single was considered a double A side.
Date: This is the date the single or album first appeared in the chart.
Positions: These are the Top 100 chart positions for a single or album. Special mention to a couple of the later singles which featured in the "up and coming" to the Top 100, similar to "bubbling under" in the US Hot 100.
Commentary: Commentary is all taken from the Kent Music Report, and only from 1976 issues since these are the only ones with commentary, until it came back again in the early 1990's. Each is preceeded by the issue number and week date, and only paragraphs referring to Abba are quoted. All commentaries are written by David Kent.
Year End Charts: All are taken from the Kent Music Report, which was to become Australian Music Report, except for Abba Gold, which are from the ARIA charts.
Accreditations: Gold and Platinum awards for copies shipped to stores.
| Title | Date | Positions |
|---|---|---|
| Ring Ring | 12/11/1973 | 92,92 |
| Waterloo | 10/06/1974 | 70,66,41,24,16,15,14,11,7,6,4,5,7,9,9,9,17,25,35,45,52,63 |
| Honey, Honey | 04/11/1974 | 93,69,64,48,43,41,39,33,30,30,32,30,35,??,47,63,66,74,93 |
| Ring Ring | 13/01/1975 | 90,90,96 |
| I've Been Waiting For You | 14/04/1975 | 89,89,76,62,49,51,56,57,67,81 |
| I Do, I Do, I Do, I Do, I Do | 07/07/1975 | 83,76,68,67,65,52,46,32,29,22,19,9,4,2,1,1,1,2,5,7,7,10,15, 15,18,22,25,32,32,42,46,50,71,78 |
| Mamma Mia | 22/09/1975 | 52,27,23,11,9,4,1,1,1,1,1,1,1,1,1,1,3,4,5,5,7,10,14,22,29, 31,34,31,29,31,34,36,44,54,56,61,63,65 |
| SOS | 10/11/1975 | 77,48,30,21,6,3,2,2,2,1,2,2,2,2,4,6,12,16,17,20,28,28,26, 38,25,37,49,61,81 |
| Ring Ring | 09/02/1976 | 56,41,34,26,14,10,7,7,12,11,11,10,16,17,17,18,25,32,41,51, 54,68,76 |
| Fernando | 15/03/1976 | 75,14,2,1,1,1,1,1,1,1,1,1,1,1,1,1,1,2,2,2,3,3,6,7,8,9,11,16,21, 29,34,39,50,48,58,58,70,86,88,93 |
| Waterloo (EP) | 22/03/1976 | 88,68,60,67,67 |
| Rock Me | 12/04/1976 | 43,28,16,13,9,7,5,7,5,4,4,6,8,11,11,16,16,17,23,28,40,43,49,53,54,68 |
| Hasta Mañana | 10/05/1976 | 95,89,68,44,35,28,22,21,20,16,20,21,28,30,36,52,75,93 |
| Dancing Queen | 16/08/1976 | 38,8,3,1,1,1,1,1,1,1,1,2,4,5,6,7,10,20,25,25,27,32,46,60,73 |
| Money, Money, Money | 01/11/1976 | 53,5,1,1,1,1,1,1,2,4,8,11,20,20,28,64,70,82 |
| Knowing Me, Knowing You/Happy Hawaii | 07/03/1977 | 40,18,11,9,9,10,15,18,24,32,33,44,62,78,83 |
| King Kong Song/I've Been Waiting For You | 14/03/1977 | 98,94,96 |
| The Name Of The Game | 07/11/1977 | 62,28,19,14,11,10,7,7,7,6,10,13,18,23,30,45,65,88,89 |
| Take A Chance On Me | 30/01/1978 | 55,44,32,26,20,13,12,17,24,26,27,37,54,79 |
| Eagle/Thank You For The Music | 05/06/1978 | 97,91,90,85,94,82 |
| Summer Night City | 16/10/1978 | 56,37,24,20,16,16,13,16,19,24,24,27,34,62,73 |
| Chiquitita | 19/02/1979 | 94,31,25,13,9,5,5,4,4,5,11,13,20,23,28,41,56,66,99 |
| Does Your Mother Know | 04/06/1979 | 83,43,30,21,13,9,9,7,8,11,18,23,34,45,59,73 |
| Voulez-Vous | 27/08/1979 | 93,79 |
| Voulez-Vous | 17/09/1979 | 98,88,82,80,80,80,80,87 |
| Gimme! Gimme! Gimme! | 12/11/1979 | 80,58,42,27,20,17,10,9,9,8,8,12,13,18,25,42,60,74 |
| I Have A Dream | 03/03/1980 | 100,71,66,64,71,71,76,76,75,77,80,95,92 |
| The Winner Takes It All | 18/08/1980 | 79,57,47,42,37,33,18,13,10,7,10,9,12,15,21,23,30,34,44,55,55,69,70 |
| On And On And On | 15/12/1980 | 60,31,22,22,16,9,10,19,24,29,35,54 |
| Super Trouper | 30/03/1981 | 92,92,92,77,91 |
| One Of Us | 11/01/1982 | 72,61,55,56,48,52,61,65,70,76,85,86,98 |
| When All Is Said And Done | 26/04/1982 | 82,86,81 |
| I Know There's Something Going On (Frida) | 20/09/1982 | 45,29,16,13,15,10,8,7,5,8,13,19,25,34,44,77 |
| The Day Before You Came | 15/11/1982 | 93,67,61,61,48,51,56,80 |
| Under Attack | 14/02/1983 | 98,96 |
| Can't Shake Loose (Agnetha) | 19/09/1983 | 86,80,76,79 |
| The Way You Are (Agnetha & Ola) | 09/03/1987 | 109,115 |
| The Last Time (Agnetha) | 09/05/1988 | 110,110,109,105,102,104,113 |
| I Wasn't The One (Agnetha) | 22/08/1988 | 112,119 |
| Dancing Queen | 26/10/1992 | 53,43,31,31,28,41,71,76,93 |
| Mamma Mia | 14/07/2008 | 99,48,59,70,83 |
| Dancing Queen | 21/07/2008 | 58,63,68,84,97 |
| Gimme! Gimme! Gimme! | 21/07/2008 | 64 |
| When You Really Loved Someone | 13/05/2013 | 90 |
| I Still Have Faith In You | 13/09/2021 | 39, |
| Don't Shut Me Down | 13/09/2021 | 27, |
| Title | Date | Positions |
|---|---|---|
| Waterloo | 01/07/1974 | 97,74,69,67,75,76,81 |
| Abba | 08/09/1975 | 67,56,50,24,19,14,13,11,9,5,4,3,3,1,1,1,1,1,1,1,1,1,1,1,2,4,4,7,7,7,7, 6,8,8,7,8,8,8,8,7,9,9,9,13,13,13,14,16,16,20,22,22,25,28,32,34,39,50,55, 61,70,73,73,83 |
| Waterloo | 08/12/1975 | 90,84,84,87,87,87,87,82,77,74,71,76,76,79,85,67,51,43,41,32,24,18,20, 21,19,21,27,26,26,30,37,50,55,69,76,99 |
| The Best Of Abba | 22/12/1975 | 72,61,54,46,43,42,34,32,31,31,24,12,3,2,1,1,1,1,1,1,1,1,1,1,1,1,1,1,1,1, 2,3,4,5,5,5,5,6,5,6,7,7,7,6,7,9,6,9,10,11,13,22,27,31,32,35,35,37,39,48, 56,62,67,73,75,67,76,83,94,95 |
| Ring Ring | 19/01/1976 | 96,73,62,57,57,55,47,40,35,27,21,12,11,12,12,12,10,12,12,14,15,16,20, 23,30,36,42,43,54,68,82 |
| Arrival | 22/11/1976 | 1,1,1,1,1,1,1,2,1,2,3,5,6,9,14,16,16,17,17,21,27,35,39,48,58,67,68,72,72, 67,70,72,79,90 |
| Abba - The Album | 21/01/1978 | 24,10,5,5,4,4,4,6,7,10,13,20,21,27,34,40,61,66,83,93 |
| Voulez-Vous | 21/05/1979 | 42,11,9,5,5,5,7,7,8,11,14,15,17,18,23,26,28,31,33,40,42,49,54,60,59,72 |
| Greatest Hits Vol.2 | 12/11/1979 | 46,34,29,28,22,23,21,20,20,23,23,24,32,34,46,62,72,85,96,97 |
| Super Trouper | 01/12/1980 | 63,16,14,8,5,5,5,5,6,7,11,12,12,16,17,19,23,26,33,54,77,90,92,87 |
| The Visitors | 28/12/1981 | 37,37,26,22,29,36,39,56,63,66,75,99 |
| The Magic Of Abba | 05/04/1982 | 61,80,63,64,67,75,82,84,58,42,42,44,54,72,92 |
| Something's Going On (Frida) | 10/11/1982 | 50,55,57,50,41,40,42,63,72,90,100 |
| Abba - The Singles | 20/12/1982 | 71,78,25,18,25,41,59,67,74,69,63,58,55,48,47,60,62,59,62,69,80,93 |
| Abba - The Singles | 19/09/1983 | 91,73,72,60,60,67,90 |
| Wrap Your Arms Around Me (Agnetha) | 19/09/1983 | 84,65,49,82 |
| Hits, Hits, Hits | 15/10/1984 | 50,49,53,52,61,77,79 |
| I Stand Alone (Agnetha) | 30/05/1988 | 109,102,96 |
| Abba Gold | 02/11/1992 | 6,4,2,2,3,1,1,1,1,3,6,7,11,14,16,20,23,32,39,43,44,20,41 |
| Abba Gold | 30/10/1994 | 50,30,5,5,4,4,3,9,7,7,8,11,12,18,24,30,29,35,42,47 |
| Abba Gold | 02/05/1999 | 40,45,12,14,8,7,2,3,7,8,10,10,7,8,9,21,28,23,19,27,33,37,39,42,0,0,0,0, 49,0,34,30,28,40,31,32,35,46,50,47,32,25,28,33,46,47 |
| The Complete Gold Collection | 15/05/2000 | 16,12,20,26,34,43,44 |
| The Complete Gold Collection | 10/07/2000 | 50 |
| The Complete Gold Collection | 04/12/2000 | ??,??,16,12,20,26,34,43,44 |
| The Complete Gold Collection | 04/06/2001 | 22,6,9,9,8,10,15,21,23,24,40,44,42,42 |
| The Definitive Collection | 16/09/2002 | 24,14,10,14,12,18,22,43,45,43,60,47,50,51,35,40,49,51,56,55,67,72,77,93,93,93,94,100 |
| The Definitive Collection | 12/05/2003 | 91,0,0,0,86,62,71,78,65,90,71,74,93,65,24,23,23,18,22, 30,33,45,47,46,37,36,43,34,45,52,48,45,46,51,44,57,49,68,87,94,96,100 |
| My Colouring Book (Agnetha) | 31/05/2004 | 50,82 |
| The Abba Story | 07/06/2004 | 99 |
| The Definitive Collection | 04/10/2004 | 67,29,50,51,38,45,50,37,37,50,43,44,44,43,32,45,55,68,95,0,100 |
| The Abba Story | 04/10/2004 | 96 |
| 18 Hits | 21/11/2005 | 41,75,94 |
| Universal Masters | 02/01/2006 | 92 |
| The Definitive Collection | 23/01/2006 | 98 |
| 18 Hits | 12/06/2006 | 52,33,32,36,43,67,93 |
| 18 Hits | 28/08/2006 | 90,70,82,54,55,59,65,68,90,40,66,0,86 |
| Number Ones | 20/11/2006 | 77,94,68,83,87,81,97 |
| Number Ones | 26/02/2007 | 100,90,0,90,0,77,97 |
| 18 Hits | 09/06/2008 | 36,53,61,61,47,45,43,67,71,72 |
| Mamma Mia! | 14/07/2008 | 4,1,1,1,1,1,2,2,3,2,6,11,15,13,17,24,21,18,12,16,22,26,23,26,25, 25,22,19,20,25,29,32.38,42,41,52,58,62,86,83,86,79,76,76,76 |
| Number Ones | 14/07/2008 | 95,49,36,45,83,100 |
| Abba Gold | 21/07/2008 | 4,4,4,5,6,9,13,19,24,30,37,44,38,54,48,58,41,44,51,49,54,48, 46,42,39,38,31,32,41,41,48,46,52,50,48,54,53,67,66,64,73,81,85,80,96,90 |
| More Abba Gold | 21/07/2008 | 54,38,40,51,56,96 |
| The Definitive Collection | 28/07/2008 | 40,52,38,42,52,44,64,87,83,94,96 |
| 18 Hits | 09/02/2009 | 61,61,82,81,84,92 |
| 18 Hits | 20/04/2009 | 97 |
| 18 Hits | 20/07/2009 | 88,96,93 |
| Classic Abba | 15/08/2009 | 65 |
| 18 Hits | 31/08/2009 | 96 |
| 18 Hits | 28/09/2009 | 98,95 |
| 18 Hits | 09/11/2009 | 59,37,53,78,77,91,87,0,95,83,72,64,85,90,92,0,0,99,0,95,0,0,98 |
| 18 Hits | 10/05/2010 | 94 |
| 18 Hits | 07/06/2010 | 77,49,49,46,53 |
| 18 Hits | 08/11/2010 | 91,56,66 |
| Abba Gold | 13/03/2011 | 95,83,73,81 |
| Abba Gold | 13/05/2013 | 45,65,84 |
| 18 Hits | 13/05/2013 | 42,41,63,57,55,58,61,62,56,45,45,50,66,75,80 |
| A (Agnetha) | 20/05/2013 | 3,9,13,22,48,60,82,5,8,9,13,20,22,36,54,70,85 |
| Abba Gold | 08/07/2013 | 63,91,68,0,100,96,86 |
| Abba Gold | 14/10/2013 | 11, |
| Abba Gold (Anniversary Edition) | 14/04/2014 | 13,10, |
| Piano (Benny) | 08/10/2017 | 18,49, |
| Voyage | 15/11/2021 | 1,2,5,4,6,6,4,7,23,33 |
No 82, 19 January 1976 - Ted Mulry's 'Jump In My Car' makes the number one position in the singles chart this week, to become the first Australian recorded national number one single since Sherbet's 'Summer Love' in May 1975. It breaks the hold of Abba, who had the last three consecutive number ones, for a total of 14 weeks, with 'I Do I Do I Do I Do I Do' (3 weeks), 'Mama Mia' (10 weeks), and 'SOS' (1 week).
Abba may have lost the top singles spot, but their album 'Abba' remains a very strong number one in the albums chart. They are now rating with a further three albums in the top 100 - 'Best of Abba' at No. 43 (Adelaide's No. 1 album), also 'Waterloo' at No. 82, and 'Ring Ring' entering the chart this week at No. 96.
No 85, 9 February 1976 - The Abba album is now spending its tenth week on top. Competition for the number one album spot over the next few weeks is very strong. Bob Dylan's 'Desire', now up to number 3, could easily make it. Queen's 'A Night At The Opera' (up from 24 to 10 this week) is also a possibility, as is 'Best Of Abba', currently only available in South and Western Australia, and rating No. 32 nationally. When released in the Eastern states, it is assured of a place in the top five very smartly.
No 94, 12 April 1976 - There are some interesting parallels that can be drawn between the current saturation of the charts with Abba records, and the enormous hit success of The Beatles in 1964. During that year, The Beatles held the top position in the Sydney singles charts for 31 weeks of the year with seven of their biggest singles. Exactly six months ago, Abba hit the number one spot in our national singles chart with I Do I Do I Do I Do I Do, and have since held onto number one for 16 of the 27 weeks, including today's chart. There were no national album charts compiled in 1964, but The Beatles at the time were dominating album sales with their first three albums.
Between 1964 and now, no other artist has had such a monopoly over the number one positions in any twelve month period.
Another interesting parallel is that when The Beatles were at their peak, people started 'discovering' their 'B' sides, and their previously released singles and extended plays. The same thing is happening today, with Abba's 'Waterloo' extended play, and their single 'Rock Me' both charting well.
But there is also an important 'non-parallel'. In '64, The Beatles were a world-wide phenomenon. In the two main overseas countries which affect the Australian charts, (England and U.S.A.), Abba have not yet had anywhere near the success they have had here.
No 105, 28 June 1976 - Fernando still remains the leader after three months in the number one position. We support RCA's claim that it is now the biggest selling single play record ever in Australia. As far as we are aware, no single has previously topped the quarter million sales figure, and Fernando is reported to be well in excess of that figure.
As far as chart performance is concerned, we rate it as second only to The Beatles' Hey Jude, among the hits of the past twenty years. Hey Jude held the number one spot on the Sydney charts for 15 consecutive weeks in late 1968 & early 1969. If Fernando can hold the number one spot for the next three weeks (which it could well do), it will become the top rating chart hit of 20 years worth of Australian charts.
No 107, 12 July 1976 - It's good to see a change at the top, especially when a record which has held the No. 1 position for as long as Fernando is replaced. Fernando lasted 14 weeks up there, and is therefore the longest runner in that spot since our national charts have been compiled - a period of three and a half years. Howzat is now rating No. 1 in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and Canberra, as as from this week is Sherbet's second national No. 1 single.
Abba again head the list, with The Best Of Abba holding the No. 1 spot for the 16th consecutive week. Since our albums charts have been compiled in June 1974, only Skyhooks' album Living In The 70's has held the No. 1 spot for as long - 16 weeks from February to June 1975.
No 111, 9 August 1976 - Fernando is spending its 20th week in the top 10, and still rating well in all capital cities' charts. Abba's new single, Dancing Queen, is the rather obvious choice for 'New single of the week'. Even though its release date is this week, the song has had substantial exposure on TV, and the pre-release demand has enabled R.C.A. to take advance orders for more than 50,000 copies, the required number of sales for a gold record award. So it's another 'first' for Abba - the first time in Australia that a single play record has 'shipped gold'.
No 1??, 22 November 1976 - Very little activity at the top this week - Money Money Money is well ahead at No. 1; the only change in the top 8 is that Chicago with If You Leave Me Now move up one place to No. 5, displacing Dancing Queen;...
Arrival makes an unprecedented entry on the chart at No. 1, with a narrow points lead over Let's Stick Together which held the top spot for two weeks.
ARIA Chartifacts, 16 September 2002 - Swedish pop-masters Abba dance their way back into the ARIA charts this week, with this latest release debuting at #24. This double cd features every Abba single from 1972-1982, as well as 2 rare bonus remix tracks, totalling 37 tracks, as only Abba can do them. No doubt this will become a "must have" for Abba fans world wide.
ARIA Chartifacts, 6 July 2004 - No.99 THE ABBA STORY - Abba. Famous Swedes Benny Andersson,Bjorn Ulvaeus, Agnetha Faltskog and Anni-Frid Lyngstad dominated the charts through the seventies with #1 hits like I Do, I Do, I Do, I Do, I Do (July '75), Mama Mia (Sept. '75), S.O.S. (Nov. '75), Fernando (Mar. '76), Dancing Queen (Aug. '76), Money, Money, Money (Nov. '76). As Agnetha's solo album, My Colouring Book, falls 32 places this week, The Abba Story just scrapes in.
ARIA Chartifacts, 21 November 2005 - No.41 18 HITS - Abba. Partners Agnetha and Bjorn and Benny and Anni-Frid formed Abba after starting out as a cabaret act called Festfolk (which meant both fiancees and party people). They renamed themselves Abba before entering the 1974 Eurovision Song Contest which they won with the song Waterloo. The Swedish foursome went on to take over the world with their catchy, poppy tunes and clocked up thirteen Top 50 albums between 1974 and 1984. The group split in the early 1980s, however in recent years they have had stand out albums, including Abba Gold - Greatest Hits (#2, Nov. '92), Complete Gold Collection (#6, Jun. '01) and Definitive Collection (#10, Sep. '02).
ARIA Chartifacts, 2 January 2006 - No.92 UNIVERSAL MASTERS - Abba. Universal Music released thelatest selection from this series (including albums by Aerosmith, Cher, Neil Diamond, Santana and Rod Stewart) late last year and this week Abba becomes the first of them to reach the top 100, charting in the #92 spot. The album features a re-mastered collection of some of Abba's greatest hits, which include Waterloo, S.O.S., Ring Ring, The Name Of The Game and the song that provided the sample for Madonna's recent #1 Hung Up - Gimme! Gimme! Gimme!. Abba have had a string of greatest hits albums released over the years with the Definitive Collection CD spending a massive 173 weeks on the chart and reaching #10 (Sept. '02), and 18 Hits peaking at #41 (Nov. '05).
ARIA Chartifacts, 20 November 2006 - No.77 NUMBER ONES - Abba. Iconic 70s pop band, Abba has returned with a compilation of their #1 hits for new and old fans alike. The Swedish mega-stars had their first #1 in September 1975 with their self-titled release. Soon enough, Aussie fans could not get enough of the quartet as they dominated the charts with several releases including, The Best of Abba (#1 Dec. '75), Arrival (#1 Nov. '76) and Super Trouper (#5 Dec. '80). ABBA is an acronym formed from the first letter of each member's name; Agnetha, Bjorn, Benny and Anni-Frid (Frida).
ARIA Chartifacts, 14 July 2008 - With the release of the Mamma Mia movie, it has caused a resurgence in the original Mamma Mia song by Abba, thirty-three years later. The song was a giant No.1 hit for the Swedes in 1975 which thanks to the release of the movie, Abba, has gained a whole new world of fans.
ARIA Chartifacts, 14 July 2008 - With Mamma Mia! opening in cinemas across the globe, it was a sure bet the Soundtrack was going to do some damage on Charts everywhere! The film is an adaptation of the hit West End stage musical featuring a myriad of Abba hits including Money, Money, Money, The Winner Takes It All, Dancing Queen and of course Mamma Mia!
ARIA Chartifacts, 21 July 2008 - Mamma Mia it's Abba, the Swedes moves from No.99 to No.48
ARIA Chartifacts, 21 July 2008 - Abba mania has definitely gone into overdrive! The Swedish quartet makes two appearances in chartifacts this week. Dancing Queen was an incredibly huge hit for Abba in 1975, taking poll position in over a dozen countries worldwide. Dancing Queen is said to be Abba's unofficial signature track, as it is one of their most recognizable and most favoured track amongst fans.
ARIA Chartifacts, 21 July 2008 - Making Top 10 in 1979, Gimme! Gimme! Gimme! (A Man After Midnight) is just another disco hit amongst a long line of other Abba tracks. The song was written by group members Benny Andersson and Bjorn Ulvaeus and tells the story of young lonely woman looking for companionship. Agnetha Faltskog takes the job for lead vocals on this song and is accompanied by Anni-Frid Lyngstad.
ARIA Chartifacts, 21 July 2008 - The Mamma Mia Soundtrack has dethroned Coldplay's Viva La Vida, leaving them at No.1 and No.2 respectively. Australia has been struck with Abba mania! Abba Gold has re-entered into the Top 10 this week at No.4 after an eight year absence. 18 Hits moves up two places to No.43, Number Ones is No.49 from No.95 and More Abba Gold re-enters at No.54.
ARIA Chartifacts, 15 June 2009 - No.65 CLASSIC - Abba. The latest compilation album of Abba music includes classic songs like Thank-You For The Music, The Winner Takes It All, Fernando and Ring Ring. This joins a long line of Abba 'best-of' albums; Abba Gold (No.1 Dec. '92), More Abba Gold (No.38 July '08), Complete Gold Collection (No.6 June '01), The Definitive Collection (No.10 Sep. '02), 18 Hits (No.32 June. '06) and Number Ones (No.36 July '08).
ARIA Chartifacts, 13 May 2013 - No.90 When You Really Loved Someone - Agnetha Faltskog. Her name might not be familiar to some but Swedish singer Agnetha Faltskog makes up one 'A' of superstar group Abba. This is the first time she has achieved a Top 100 single as a solo artist since Can't Shake Loose reached No.76 in 1983.
ARIA Chartifacts, 20 May 2013 - No.3 A - Agnetha Faltskog. Agnetha Faltskog makes up one A of Swedish megastars ABBA. With ABBA, Faltskog scored four No.1 albums - ABBA (No.1 Dec. '75), Best of Abba (No.1 Apr. '76), Arrival (No.1 Nov. '76) and ABBA Gold (No.1 Dec '92). A is her new solo album and it marks her first ever top ten album as a solo artist. Faltskog's previous solo albums that have charted include Wrap Your Arms Around Me (No.49 Oct '83), I Stand Alone (No.96 June '88) and My Colouring Book (No.50 May '04). As expected, all of these albums have done very well in her homeland, with all of them, but A reaching No.1, however, it did come close at No.2.
ARIA Commentary - #3: Agnetha Faltskog 'A' (debut) - Although Agnetha has enjoyed significant sales via ABBA albums over the years (three million and counting with 'Arrival' and 'Best of ABBA' back in the 1970s and 'ABBA Gold' more recently); this is her first solo Australian top 10 album. Her previous best solo releases were 'Wrap Your Arms Around Me' in 1983 and 'My Colouring Book' in 2004, both of which reached the bottom of the top 50.
ARIA Commentary - #18: Benny Andersson 'Piano' - ABBA's Benny Andersson reimagines tracks from throughout his catalogue on the solo album Piano. As well as ABBA tracks, the album includes solo compositions and tracks from musicals Andersson's had a hand in writing. It's the first solo appearance on the Albums Chart for Andersson. ABBA bandmate Agnetha Faltskog peaked at #3 in May 2013 with A.
At the end of each year, the Top 100 singles and albums for the year were compiled based upon chart performance. For example, a week at number 1 scored 100 points, and a week at number 100 scored 1 point. Below are the year-end positions for the Abba material that made it into the year-end Top 100 Chart Performers for the year. Please note this is based solely on chart performance, and not on sales, which is also why some items appear two years running.
1974 singles: Waterloo was number 36 in the year.
1975 singles: SOS was number 52 for the year.
1975 singles: I Do, I Do, I Do, I Do, I Do was number 13 for the year.
1975 singles: Mamma Mia was number 3 for the year.
1976 singles: Ring Ring was number 49 for the year.
1976 singles: Mamma Mia was number 28 for the year.
1976 singles: SOS was number 16 for the year.
1976 singles: Rock Me was number 14 for the year.
1976 singles: Money, Money, Money was number 7 for the year.
1976 singles: Dancing Queen was number 3 for the year.
1976 singles: Fernando was number 1 for the year.
1977 singles: Knowing Me, Knowing You / Happy Hawaii was number 88 for the year.
1978 singles: The Name of the Game was number 84 for the year.
1979 singles: Does Your Mother Know was number 70 for the year.
1979 singles: Chiquitita was number 40 for the year.
1980 singles: The Winner Takes It All was number 56 for the year.
1981 singles: On and On and On was number 84 for the year.
1982 singles: I Know There's Something Going On by Frida was number 50 for the year.
1975 albums: Abba was number 19 for the year.
1976 albums: Waterloo was number 80 for the year.
1976 albums: Ring Ring was number 40 for the year.
1976 albums: Arrival was number 6 for the year.
1976 albums: Abba was number 3 for the year.
1976 albums: The Best Of Abba was number 1 for the year.
1977 albums: Arrival was number 17 for the year.
1978 albums: Abba - The Album was number 30 for the year.
1979 albums: Voulez-Vous was number 30 for the year.
1981 albums: Super Trouper was number 43 for the year.
Abba Gold: Number 12 in 1992, Number 95 in 1993, Number 9 in 1994, Number 45 in 1995, Number 8 in 1999, Number 39 in 2008 and number 60 in 2018.
2001 albums: The Complete Gold Collection was number 47 for the year.
2002 DVDs: The Definitive Collection was number 13 for the year.
2003 albums: The Definitive Collection was number 55 for the year.
2004 albums: The Definitive Collection was number 91 for the year.
2003 DVDs: The Definitive Collection was number 18 for the year.
2004 DVDs: Abba Gold was number 40 for the year.
2011 DVDs: The Definitive Collection was number 12 for the year.
2013 albums: A by Agnetha was number 67 for the year.
2018 albums: Abba Gold 40th Anniversary Edition (3CD) was number 76 for the year.
2018 catalogue albums: Abba Gold was number 23 for the year.
2018 catalogue albums: Abba Gold 40th Anniversary Edition (3CD) was number 29 for the year.
2018 caralogue albums: 18 Hits was number 32 for the year.
2018 DVDs: The Definitive Collection was number 32 for the year.
2018 classical crossover albums: Piano by Benny Andersson was number 69 for the year.
2021 albums: Voyage was number 10 for the year.
In the 1970s, a Gold single was awarded for 15,000 copies shipped to stores and a Gold album was awarded for 50,000 copies shipped to stores.
Super Trouper was awarded Platinum in 1981, so the certifications changed presumably in 1980 or 1981 to what is listed below.
Today a Gold award is for 35,000 copies shipped to stores, and a Platinum award is for 70,000 copies shipped to stores. For Music Video and DVD, Gold is 7,500 copies shipped and Platinum is 15,000 copies shipped. The year the certification was awarded is included from 2000 onwards and these match the ARIA certiciations link at the top of this page.
I Do, I Do, I Do, I Do, I Do - Gold x 10
Mamma Mia - Gold x 9
SOS - Gold x 5
Fernando - Gold x 25
Dancing Queen - Gold x 20
Money, Money, Money - Gold x 13
Chiquitita - Gold
Ring Ring - Gold x 3
Waterloo - Gold x 2
Abba - Gold x 11
The Best of Abba - Gold x 20
Arrival - Gold x 21
Voulez-Vous - Gold
Super Trouper - Platinum
Abba - The Singles - Gold
Abba Gold - Platinum x 17 - awarded 2014
The Abba Collection - Gold - awarded 2002
The Complete Gold Collection - Platinum - awarded 2001
The Definitive Collection - Platinum x 2 - awarded 2004
18 Hits - Platinum x 3 - awarded 2013
Abba Gold and More (Anniversary Edition) - Platinum - awarded 2014
Mamma Mia! - Platinum x 2 - awarded 2008
A (Agnetha) - Gold - awarded 2013
The Definitive Collection DVD - Platinum x 3 - awarded 2004
In Concert DVD - Gold - awarded 2004
Abba Gold DVD - Platinum x 3 - awarded 2010
Number Ones DVD - Platinum - awarded 2007
16 Hits - Platinum x 2 - awarded 2014