Introduction
She’s My Kind of Girl: An ABBA Origin Story
While ABBA is synonymous with catchy pop anthems and Eurovision domination, “She’s My Kind of Girl” offers a glimpse into the pre-ABBA days of songwriters Benny Andersson and Björn Ulvaeus.
Composed in 1969, “She’s My Kind of Girl” predates the formation of ABBA by a few years. Back then, Benny and Björn were establishing themselves as a successful songwriting duo in Sweden. This song wasn’t destined for the international spotlight though; it was written for the Swedish film “Inga II: The Seduction of Inga.”
Despite its origin as a film soundtrack addition, “She’s My Kind of Girl” holds significance for ABBA fans. It serves as a sonic time capsule, showcasing the early songwriting talents of the future pop giants. Listeners can identify hints of the melody-driven style that would define ABBA’s music in the years to come.
The song’s official release came in March 1970, marking the first single by Björn and Benny. Interestingly, though, it wasn’t until a 1972 release in Japan that “She’s My Kind of Girl” achieved mainstream success, reaching number one on the charts and selling half a million copies.
Although not an ABBA song in the strictest sense, “She’s My Kind of Girl” offers a fascinating look at the foundation upon which ABBA was built. It’s a chance to appreciate the songwriting prowess of Benny and Björn even before they became household names alongside Agnetha Fältskog and Anni-Frid Lyngstad.