People need love - Björn Benny Agnetha & Frida

There's no reason for music lovers to dislike Abba. The Swedish band have consistently produced melodic music that appeals to almost everyone who likes pop. The only reason that would put people off might be their relentless re-releasing and re-packaging of their albums and singles. Since the band stopped in 1982, over a hundred compilation albums have been released, and all of their albums have been re-released many times over. 

Even the singles got the re-release treatment. In recent years, the resurgence of the vinyl format has prompted Abba to release a singles box set, and now there are these picture disc re-releases from the last few years. Last year they re-released their earliest material, when they were simply called Björn & Benny, Agnetha & Anni-frid. Curiously, on the sleeve they're called Björn Benny & Agnetha Frida, which is a minor revision of the past. 

Anyway, the debut single of the quartet was called 'People need love', and it was originally released in June 1972. This picture disc edition features the original A- and B-side, but on a picture disc. It's the first of five picture disc released at the same time as a re-release of the album Ring Ring in 2023.

My collection: 7" single no. 7301
Found: Sounds, Delft, 31 August 2024
Tracks: 'People need love' / 'Merry-go-round'