"Waterloo" is the second studio album by Swedish pop group ABBA, released on 4th March 1974. The album is notable for including ABBA's breakthrough single "Waterloo", which won the 1974 Eurovision Song Contest for Sweden and started their path to global fame.
Despite its title, "Waterloo" is far from being a concept album. It encapsulates a broad range of musical styles, reflecting the band members' assorted influences. The album boasts a democratic distribution of vocal duties, with lead vocals being shared by Agnetha Fältskog, Anni-Frid Lyngstad, and Björn Ulvaeus.
The title track, "Waterloo", was a major hit, reaching number one on the UK Singles Chart and earning the band their first Top 10 hit in the United States. The album itself was a solid success, peaking within the top 10 on the album charts in a number of countries including Norway, Australia, and Sweden.
Despite the massive success of the title track, the rest of the album also holds up well, featuring original compositions by Benny Andersson and Björn Ulvaeus. Standout tracks include the rocking "Watch Out", the heartfelt ballad "Hasta Mañana", and the groovy "Gonna Sing You My Love Song". With its pop-infused charm and infectious melodies, "Waterloo" serves as a shining example of ABBA's signature style, setting the stage for the band's meteoric rise to superstardom during the late 1970s and early 1980s. It truly marks a key turning point in ABBA's career, reflecting a maturation in the band's songwriting and performance abilities, laying the groundwork for their ensuing iconic status.
