ABBA-Fernando "Fernando" is the Swedish band ABBA's first non-album single. The song appeared on the 1975 ABBA release Greatest Hits in some countries, and it was included on Arrival in Australia and New Zealand."Fernando" was originally not an ABBA song but written for ABBA member Anni-Frid Lyngstad. It appeared in 1975 on her Swedish solo album Frida ensam. The song was written by Björn Ulvaeus, Benny Andersson and Stig Anderson. The song carried the working title "Tango" and preparations for recording began in August 1975.While the composers claim that they did not mean to reference any specific war or period, the reference to the Rio Grande seems to tie the setting to Mexico -- possibly in the time of the Mexican Revolution -- or possibly Texas. Alternatively, it has been speculated that this song refers to the role of the International Brigade volunteers in the Spanish Civil War (though the former is most likely).The lyrics present a vision of nostalgia for presumably two soldiers reminiscing in old age about some unspecified war of liberation or national defense they participated in during their younger days.
Fernando's B-side was entitled "Hey Hey Helen" and in some countries "Tropical Loveland" was chosen instead of "Hey, Hey Helen"."Fernando" became one of ABBA's biggest hits ever. It topped the charts all over Europe, occupying the top spot on West German chart for seven weeks, the British chart for four weeks, and on the French and Belgian charts for three weeks. The single had even more success in Australia and New Zealand, countries strongly affected by "Abba-mania" in the mid-1970s, and where it topped the charts for fourteen weeks and nine weeks, respectively. "Fernando" also reached No.1 in Austria, Republic of Ireland, Mexico, South Africa, Switzerland and the Netherlands. It became a number two hit in Zimbabwe (then known as Rhodesia), Norway and Sweden, while reaching number three in Spain and number six in Italy. In the United States, "Fernando" made it to No.10 on Cashbox Top 100 singles chart and to No. 13 on Billboard Hot 100, and reached No. 1 on Billboard Adult Contemporary chart, the first of two Number One AC hits for ABBA on a Billboard chart (the second being "The Winner Takes It All"). The single also topped the RPM magazine Adult Contemporary chart in Canada. The song remains an airplay staple on North American radio stations specializing in the MOR, adult standards and easy listening formats.At present (2006), "Fernando" still holds the joint-record for the most weeks spent at number one in Australia (shared with "Hey Jude" by The Beatles). WOW great company! Musica abba fernando benny bjorn frida agnetha pop disco music video tv live concert abbadabbadoo7 seventies 1970s Videos musicales, music y letras
