Official Chart Flashback 1974: ABBA's Eurovison-winning Waterloo becomes their first UK Number 1
officialcharts.com48 years ago today, ABBA began their reign on the Official Charts as Waterloo became their first UK Number 1 single. The Swedish quartet’s first UK chart entry made its way to the top of the Official Singles Chart in its third week, 22 days after winning the 1974 Eurovision Song Contest.
Originally titled Honey Pie, the soaring love song stood out from other countries who entered with a then-typical ballad. Waterloo marked the beginning of ABBA as we know it – quite literally – as it was Agnetha, Benny, Björn and Anni-Frid’s first release under the moniker (the quartet had previously released music together under their own names.) The impassioned piano, Agnetha and Anni-Frid’s urgent vocals, and the song’s rock’n’roll essence all united to create a runaway, era-defining hit.
The iconic track (which compares the 1815 Battle of Waterloo to someone “surrendering” to their partner in a romantic relationship) was the first of nine Number 1s for the band.
It has sold in excess of 681,000 copies since its release, with 42 million UK streams since streaming records began. While ABBA’s breakthrough hit stormed to the top of the chart this week in 1974, The Cat Crept In by Mud put up a good fight.
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