ABBA – “Ring Ring” (1973)

The Call That Started It All

Before “Waterloo” exploded onto the Eurovision stage and catapulted ABBA into global superstardom, there was “Ring Ring” — the shimmering, sugar-sweet pop track that marked the group’s first serious step into the spotlight.

Released in 1973 as the title track of their debut album, “Ring Ring” introduced audiences to something special: a perfect fusion of catchy hooks, sunny harmonies, and that uniquely Scandinavian pop sensibility that would become ABBA’s signature. Co-written by Benny Andersson, Björn Ulvaeus, and Stig Anderson, with English lyrics adapted by none other than Neil Sedaka and Phil Cody, the song was both ambitious and instantly charming.

The lyrics are simple yet relatable — a person sitting by the phone, heart aching, just waiting for a call that never comes.
“Ring, ring — why don’t you give me a call?”
It’s romantic frustration wrapped in a sparkling melody, and even though the subject matter is a bit melancholy, the delivery is pure joy.

 Though “Ring Ring” didn’t win Melodifestivalen (Sweden’s Eurovision qualifier), it resonated powerfully with audiences across Europe. It shot to #1 in Sweden, Norway, and Austria, and became a cult favorite in several other countries — signaling that ABBA had the potential to break beyond their borders.

Looking back, “Ring Ring” captures the youthful energy and wide-eyed optimism of a band on the brink of something huge. It lacks the polish of later hits like “Dancing Queen” or the emotional depth of “The Winner Takes It All,” but it overflows with charm, melody, and pop promise. And most importantly — it worked. It got people listening.

“Ring Ring” was more than just a catchy debut — it was ABBA’s first international hello, and the beginning of a pop phenomenon that would soon take over the world