ABBA — ABBA in Switzerland
Recorded February 1979
Place des Feuilles and locations in the Alps · Leysin · Switzerland
Featuring Kate Bush, Roxy Music
Setlist
No song timestamps yet. Know the times?
Latest album at the timeABBA: The AlbumThe last studio album released before the special was filmed.“To catch ABBA in the Alps while the new Voulez-Vous songs were still taking their final shape.”
Context
In February 1979, Voulez-Vous has yet to arrive. ABBA travels to Leysin for a European special produced by the BBC. Over several days, the shoot takes over a tent and different locations in the Alps. The winter setting enters the production along with the songs the group is preparing.
The program alternates musical numbers with skiing and skating scenes. Take a Chance on Me and Thank You for the Music sit alongside material not yet released on an album. Kate Bush performs Wow, and Roxy Music appears with Dance Away. The structure follows a variety special, with each guest getting their own performances.
The program reaches television in April, the month Voulez-Vous is released. In 2010, part of the special is included on the DVD of the album's deluxe edition. That selection leaves out the guests and some passages of the original program. The recording keeps a stage before the final versions of certain tracks.
Lineup at this show
The lineup of this performance — not necessarily the current one.
- Agnetha FältskogVocals
- Anni-Frid LyngstadVocals
- Björn UlvaeusGuitar and vocals
- Benny AnderssonKeyboards and vocals
- Lasse WellanderGuitar
- Ola BrunkertDrums
- Rutger GunnarssonBass
Trivia
Does Your Mother Know appears in a version earlier than the album edit.
The King Has Lost His Crown and Kisses of Fire use mixes earlier than those on Voulez-Vous.
Kate Bush and Roxy Music have their own performances in the special.
More concerts by ABBA
You might also like…
More Pop, from around 1979
Roy Orbison
1980·Ao Vivo em Roosendaal
Era of Laminar Flow (1979)
BroadcastDavid Bowie
1978·Musikladen Extra
Tour of Heroes (1977)
Official releaseCheap Trick
1978·Budokan!
Era of In Color (1977)
BroadcastRoberto Carlos
1977·Roberto Carlos Special 1977
Era of Roberto Carlos (1976)
BroadcastSupertramp
1977·Sight and Sound in Concert
Tour of Even in the Quietest Moments... (1977)
BroadcastElton John
1977·Live at Wembley 1977
Album Blue Moves (1976)
BroadcastElvis Presley
1977·Live in Omaha
Era of From Elvis Presley Boulevard, Memphis, Tennessee (1976)
BroadcastDolly Parton
1977·Musikladen 1977
Album New Harvest...First Gathering (1977)
BootlegQueen
1981·Live at Morumbi — First Night
Tour of The Game (1980)
BootlegQueen
1977·Live at the Summit
Tour of News of the World (1977)
BootlegQueen
1981·Live in Buenos Aires
Tour of The Game (1980)
BroadcastCarpenters
1976·In Concert at the New London Theatre
Album A Kind of Hush (1976)
BroadcastElton John
1982·Live in London
Tour of Jump Up! (1982)
BroadcastDuran Duran
1982·MTV's Second Annual New Year's Eve Rock 'n' Roll Ball
Tour of Rio (1982)
BootlegQueen
1976·Live at Hyde Park
Era of A Night at the Opera (1975)
Official releaseQueen
1982·On Fire: Live at the Bowl
Tour of Hot Space (1982)
BroadcastSupertramp
1983·Live in Munich
Tour of ...Famous Last Words... (1982)
Official releaseAir Supply
1983·Live in Hawaii
Era of Now and Forever (1982)
BroadcastRoy Orbison
1975·Roy Sings Orbison
Era of Milestones (1973)
BroadcastCyndi Lauper
1983·MTV New Year’s Eve 1983
Era of She's So Unusual
