ABBA wouldn’t rule out writing the United Kingdom’s 2022 Eurovision Song Contest entry.
The group recently returned with their ninth album, ‘Voyage’, 40 years after 1981’s ‘The Visitors’, and songwriters Benny Andersson and Björn Ulvaeus still have more music in them.
Speaking about the UK’s future in the Contest – which ABBA won in 1974 – they admitted its looking more “promising” following confirmation that TaP Music, which manages Dua Lipa, Lana Del Rey and more, will scout a pop star to compete at next year’s show.
Appearing on BBC Breakfast, the pair were asked what they thought of the UK’s “new tactic”, with Benny replying, “Good,” and Björn calling it, “Promising.”
Benny continued: “Picking an act is one thing, writing a song is different. So you need both a great song and a good act.”
Asked if they would consider writing the UK entry, he said: “Oh, a UK entry? I don’t know.”
Benny then turned to his bandmate, who outright said, “No,” but her remained more open, asking: “What’s the risk? You can’t be worse than last.”
Björn said: “No, but it needs to be a really good act to write for, yeah.”
Benny then suggested, “Dua Lipa,” to which his bandmate agreed: “Yes.”
The 2022 entry is set to be released on a major record label, with Dua saying of the new campaign: “I’m a proud Brit whilst also being a proud Kosovan… I’m happy to lend my manager to the cause… I’ll be cheering them on.”
Elton John, who helped launch the ESC search, added: “There aren’t many televised events that are as big and global as Eurovision, so it’s a wonderful opportunity for us to remind the world yet again of the depth and diversity of our talent.
“I can’t wait to see what gems our friends at Tap Music will unearth.”
In a review of the album, Retro Pop called ‘Voyage’ “a fitting closing chapter in the tale of Sweden’s best-loved musical export”
‘Voyage’ is available on CD, vinyl and cassette.
