Introduction
A Blast from the Past: ABBA’s “She’s My Kind of Girl”
Many know ABBA for their infectious pop hits like “Dancing Queen” and “Mamma Mia,” but “She’s My Kind of Girl” offers a glimpse into the duo’s songwriting origins, predating the formation of ABBA itself.
Composed by Benny Andersson and Björn Ulvaeus, the future ABBA mainstays, “She’s My Kind of Girl” first emerged in 1970. Back then, Benny and Björn were not yet a world-renowned songwriting team. Instead, they were establishing themselves in the Swedish music scene.
The song wasn’t originally intended for ABBA. Instead, it served as the debut single for Björn and Benny as a duo. It was written for the Swedish movie “Inga II: The Seduction of Inga,” hinting at its potential role in a lighthearted cinematic scene.
Despite not being an ABBA song initially, “She’s My Kind of Girl” foreshadows the group’s signature style. Listeners can catch glimpses of their future pop sensibilities in the melody and lyrical themes.
Although the song didn’t receive mainstream recognition upon its initial release in Sweden, it found surprising success in Japan two years later, topping the charts and selling half a million copies.
However, the story doesn’t end there. “She’s My Kind of Girl” eventually found its way onto ABBA’s 1973 album “Ring Ring,” introducing the song to a wider audience and solidifying its place in their musical legacy.
So, as you listen to “She’s My Kind of Girl,” keep in mind that it’s not just a catchy tune. It’s a time capsule, taking us back to the roots of ABBA, where Benny and Björn’s songwriting magic first began to blossom.