Recording Process
They were perfectionists in the studio and would work on tracks tirelessly until they got them right. Agnetha said they didn't quit and try to pick it back up at a later date, they would work on it until they came up with something better. See Summer Night City as an example of them not being happy with a song and the amount of effort they put into that song.
They would start the basic rhythm track with a drummer, guitarist and bass player. All the other arrangements - vocals, other instruments - would be overlaid onto this basic track. The vocals would be the next and orchestra overdubs were usually left till last.
It would be while in the studio working on the song that the women would pitch in ideas as well. Benny and Bjorn would play them the backing tracks and they would make comments and suggestions, especially if they felt something wasn't right. According to Agnetha, the women had the final say in how the lyrics were shaped. Frida says: "When we gather around the piano to get our voices tuned up, we often come up with things we can use in the backing vocals."
After all the vocals and overdubs had been done, they would take up to five days to mix the song.
Read more about this topic: ABBA
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