ABBA – Ring Ring album era (1972–1973)
Ring Ring was ABBA’s first album, released in 1973. I will share the fonts used for this album and the related singles. In this early period the band didn’t identify as ABBA yet. Instead, the covers spell out the names of the four members: Björn & Benny with Agnetha & Anni-Frid. In many cases, the women’s names are given as “Anna & Fri(e)da”. “Björn” often has to do without a trema on the o.
“People Need Love” (1972) was the first ever single released by ABBA. The “Ring Ring” single was released worldwide. “Nina, Pretty Ballerina” was only released in France and Austria. That single gained a #8 in the Austrian charts.
Released on 1 June 1972, “People Need Love” (Sweden) was the first ever single by ABBA. Fonts in use: Annonce / Aurora-Grotesk V and Helvetica.
French pressing of “People Need Love” on Disques Vogue, featuring Neil Bold and Akzidenz-Grotesk.
German release of “People Need Love” on Polydor. The fonts in use are Churchward Marianna and Helvetica Inserat.
In Sweden, the “Ring Ring” single was packaged in Polar’s generic typographic sleeve featuring Sans Serif Shaded.
French pressing of “Ring Ring” on Disques Vogue. Fonts in use: Annonce / Aurora-Grotesk V and Frankonia, in all caps.
The Dutch sleeve for “Ring Ring” (Polydor) pairs the descenderless Broadway with caps from Futura Display. Note the “surprised frog” Ö with affixed dots in “Björn”.
German release on Polydor. “Ring Ring” is in ITC Pioneer, the rest in the equally squarish Diamante.
Spanish version by Carnaby. The typeface is Pluto with a two-color fill.
“Nina, Pretty Ballerina” as released in France by Vogue. The font in use is Windsor Elongated.
The Austrian version of “Nina, Pretty Ballerina” (Polydor) features Normande Italic and Filmotype Flyer.
