Bjorn Ulvaeus reaffirms ABBA’s opposition to political use of their music

Bjorn Ulvaeus, the co-founder of the iconic Swedish pop group ABBA, has reiterated the band’s long-standing stance against the use of their music for political campaigns. This statement comes in light of recent controversies surrounding the use of ABBA’s tracks, particularly by Donald Trump during his political rallies. In an interview with BBC Radio 4’s Today programme, Ulvaeus stated, “We’ve never allowed our music to be used for party political reasons, and that was just one of them.”

This assertion follows a formal demand made by ABBA in the summer to cease the unauthorized inclusion of their songs, including “The Winner Takes It All” and “Dancing Queen,” in Trump’s campaign materials. While Ulvaeus has been vocal about his displeasure with the use of their music in this manner, he expressed a more lenient view regarding former UK Prime Minister Theresa May’s performance at the Conservative Party conference in 2018, saying, “No, I mean if she wants to dance to Dancing Queen – good luck.” He previously acknowledged her courage in taking the stage to dance to their song, describing her performance as a gesture of bravery, albeit noting her perceived lack of rhythm.

In recent discussions, Ulvaeus has also addressed the impacts of artificial intelligence (AI) on the music industry. As the current president of the International Confederation of Societies of Authors and Composers, he underscored the need to protect musicians as AI technologies increasingly integrate within the sector. He expressed excitement about using AI music generators in a new project, viewing them as potentially beneficial tools for songwriting.

Despite his enthusiasm for the technology, Ulvaeus emphasised the importance of transparency within AI models that replicate or build upon existing music. He urged that these technologies, which draw upon the works of countless songwriters, should seek permission from the authors and share the income generated from AI compositions with the music industry. “These AI models owe their existence to songs that I and millions of other human songwriters have written,” he stated, highlighting the need for respect around copyright and fair compensation.

Ulvaeus engaged in a broader conversation about audience perceptions regarding AI-generated music. He believes that while some listeners may not differentiate between human-created and AI-generated songs during passive listening, there remains a segment of fans who value the “human story” behind the music. He said, “There will always be fans who want more than just to listen to the song on the radio… the human story will still remain very, very important.” This perspective underscores the evolving dynamics between technological advancement in music and the traditional, personal connections listeners hold with artists and their creations.

Source: Noah Wire Services