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Abba were far from being the typical Rock and Roll Band of the early 1970's. The visual part of their act was always well prepared. They had their own costume designers in Owe Sandstrom and Lars Wigenius of the firm Artist Dressing. Initially the group presented a complete glam-rock image, with extravagant and sometimes outrageous costumes that haunted them for many years afterwards. There were tight fitting trousers and platform boots for the boys, and very skimpy dresses for the girls, as can be seen in this picture. Bjorn recalls: "There was this glitter period in Europe, mid 1970's groups like Sweet, Mud, Gary Glitter. We thought that was kind of fun. I mean, we wanted to try everything in the beginning. The more crazy it was, the better it was. Highly unsophisticated, I would say today. I am ashamed when I look back at some of the costumes, but then again we had fun." Agnetha recalls: "We think the costumes are really important. If we don't feel that we're looking our best, we don't perform as well as we can!" A German newspaper reported on a show in November 1974: "The shiny and glamorous Abba performed a set that emphasised the visual. Bjorn sparkled in his overalls and his platform boots, higher than those of Dave Hill and Gary Glitter combined. The girls showed their bodies and sang in perfect two-part harmony. Vocally, Abba have more resources than many other pop groups". There was no doubt that Abba had visually more resources than most pop groups too, with Agnetha and Frida always looking stunning in their attractively designed eye catching costumes! Rock 'n' Roll Band has the distinction of twice being released as a B-side. It was originally recorded at Europafilm Studio Stockholm by Bjorn and Benny in September 1972 and released in Japan as the B-side for their single Love Has Its Ways, which was a follow-up to their March 1972 hit in Japan She's My Kind Of Girl. After some additional overdubs and a new mix at Metronome Studio Stockholm, the song was included on the Ring Ring album in March 1973 and released as a B-side to the single Ring Ring in France and Belgium in May 1973. Perhaps as a result of a typing error, the girls became 'Anna' and 'Frieda' on the sleeve. The single spent 11 weeks in the charts in Belgium, reaching No.2 on July 7th 1973. Lyrics: Sitting in the darkest corner, In the tender light I saw her face, She was looking so sad and lonely, Someone help me, someone save me I could see the look she gave me, oh Oh yeah, and there was one thing only That I knew I could do Let's go girl, it's a beautiful place this world Come on baby let's dance, to the rock'n roll band Let's go now, let me show you that I know how Come on baby let's dance, to the rock'n roll band Come on baby let's dance, to the rock'n roll band You've been sitting there for hours, Tryin' to hide behind the flowers now, Baby, we could have fun together Come on, cheer up, let's get started No use being broken-hearted now, Oh yeah, you're gonna feel much better Yes I know that you will Let's go girl, it's a beautiful place this world Come on baby let's dance, to the rock'n roll band Let's go now, let me show you that I know how Come on baby let's dance, to the rock'n roll band Come on baby let's dance, to the rock'n roll band

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