Happy New Year, Happy New Year! May We All...
"Happy New Year" actually started life as an idea for a musical and
- despite of its winter mood -
in the tropical surroundings.
The plot would be centred around a New Year's Eve, a thought that got into Björn and Benny's heads on the plane over to Barbados.
"We thought it would be a great framework:
a few people in the room,
looking back at what has been, thinking about the future",
remembered Benny.
On Barbados they happened to meet up with the British comedian John Cleese,
the star of the Monty Python's Flying Circus and Fawlty Towers.
Benny and Bjorn were huge fans and over dinner they suggested that he would write the book for the musical.
Cleese wasn't too keen about that prospect, however,
and soon enough the whole concept was ditched.
All that remained of Bjorn and Benny's idea was a wistful ballad that was included on the new album.
Click to view(Ikea furniture was also starring in the video)
During the "Happy New Year" video-shooting the Benny and Björn and Agnetha and Frida were but in huge flower pots with wheels on and someone sat on the the floor and turned it around and around.
P.S. The song's working title was all the more festive and humorous;
"Daddy Don't Get Drunk on Christmas Day".
* Happy new year * Happy new year * May we all have a vision now and then * Of a world where every neighbour is a friend * Happy new year * Happy new year * May we all have our hopes, our will to try * If we don't we might as well lay down and die * You and I *
Sources: http://www.abbaannual.com
http://raffem.com
http://www.carlmagnuspalm.com/abba/studio-albums/the-remasters/super-trouper-track-listing/super-trouper-liner-notes