My grandmother was from Sweden, and I was a child in the 70’s. Therefore it was very logical for me to fall in love with the music of ABBA. Here it is almost 2009 and many of my daughters friends love dancing to ABBA, singing their lyrics with pretend microphones, and if they are lucky dancing underneath a real disco ball.

Did you know the name “ABBA” is an acronym formed from the first letters of each of the group member’s given name (Agnetha, Björn, Benny, Anni-Frid)?

ABBA was back in the spotlight in 2008 with the movie version of Mamma Mia, starring Meryl Streep, and Pierce Brosnan. The group members got together once again at the premiere in July. It’s coming out on DVD and Blu-Ray HI-DEF, December 16th.

Before this film there was ABBA: The Movie, directed by Lasse Hallström. He directed most of ABBA’s videos. All you Depp fans out there know him as the director of What’s Eating Gilbert Grape and Chocolat.

Rumor has it, that John McCain wanted to use the group’s music in his 2008 presidential campaign, but opted against it, citing licensing and other concerns. Thank goodness for that because I’m not sure what might have happened to my fond memories for ABBA music after it was linked with McCain.

If you’re an ABBA fan like me, join the fun at their official site.

We are not alone! Their official site is home to the world’s largest ABBA Online Community, now with 168,500 members. Who knew?

Check out this great video of ABBA performing Gimme! Gimme! Gimme! In 2005 a legendary performer used a sample of this song for her pop single. Can you name that tune?

Looking for a holiday gift for the ABBA fan in your life? How about the ABBA Nesting Doll collection, or the ABBA Singstar  game by Sony.

You know those jingles that linger for decades? Melodies about toothpaste, bologna, and soda that pops into your head while you’re doing dishes or waiting in line at the grocery store.

Ah that’s the pop in pop culture right there. The popping! Nothing says pop culture to me than something that shouldn’t linger in our minds for decades but it’s still retrievable anyway. I might not remember the historical dates I memorized in 4th grade but I can carry the tune and spew out the lyrics to My Bologna Has a First Name, it’s M e y e r…

I’ve had a tune in my head ever since the launch of this site. It wasn’t my favorite commercial as a kid, the award for that honor would go to Shasta soda’s… I Wanna Pop Pop Pop Shasta, circa 1981, but this commercial fascinated me because it was all about a woman. She was the new woman that had it all, and then some. She could bring home the bacon, fry it up in a pan and never let you forget you’re a man. I feel like that woman but without the briefcase and sexy enthusiasm about frying bacon.

What tune lingers in your head? Maybe this one too after you take a look, don’t worry it should only last a few decades.