HISTORIC REVEAL: In September 1965 — Benny Andersson Made His Songwriting Debut With “No Response” for The Hep Stars, His First Composition to Become a Hit in Sweden, Reaching No. 4 on the Kvällstoppen Chart
September 1965 marked the quiet but powerful beginning of a songwriting career that would later change the world of pop music. At just 18 years old, Benny Andersson penned “No Response” for The Hep Stars, the Swedish rock group where he first made his name as a keyboardist.
The single climbed swiftly to No. 4 on Sweden’s Kvällstoppen chart, making it Benny’s first official hit as a songwriter. For the young musician, it was more than just chart success — it was proof that his melodic instincts and lyrical voice could resonate with audiences beyond the stage.
Though modest compared to the international triumphs that would follow with ABBA, “No Response” was a turning point. It gave Benny the confidence to keep writing and experimenting, planting the seed for a partnership with Björn Ulvaeus that would go on to produce some of the most iconic songs in pop history.
Today, looking back at that autumn of 1965, “No Response” stands not only as a Swedish hit but as the very first chapter in a legacy that grew to include “Dancing Queen,” “Mamma Mia,” and countless other classics. From a teenage songwriter testing his craft to a global music legend, Benny Andersson’s journey truly began with those first few notes.