HISTORIC REVEAL: How Björn and Benny Guarded ABBA’s Catalogue — From Suing The KLF to Allowing The Fugees
Few bands have been as protective of their music as ABBA, and at the heart of that defense stood Björn Ulvaeus and Benny Andersson. Their catalogue, filled with classics like “Dancing Queen” and “The Winner Takes It All,” has always been treated as sacred ground — not just pop hits, but cultural treasures.
In 1987, their fierce determination became headline news when ABBA sued the British acid house pioneers The KLF for unauthorized use of a passage from “Dancing Queen.” The lawsuit sent a clear message: ABBA’s songs would not be carelessly sampled, remixed, or diluted. For Björn and Benny, protecting their work wasn’t about legal battles — it was about safeguarding the artistic integrity of music that had defined a generation.
And yet, nearly a decade later, they revealed a different side. In 1996, they granted permission to hip-hop icons The Fugees to sample “The Name of the Game” in their single “Rumble in the Jungle.” The decision shocked many, but it marked a moment of recognition — that ABBA’s music could live on in new contexts while still honoring its roots. It was one of the rare occasions where their catalogue was officially cleared for another major act, underscoring both its enduring power and the careful control behind it.
This duality — fierce protectors, yet open to moments of trust — reflects the balance Björn and Benny struck between legacy and reinvention. By guarding ABBA’s catalogue so closely, they ensured that every note remained untarnished, while carefully chosen exceptions reminded the world that great music never truly ages — it evolves.