LONDON — Benny Andersson and Bjorn Ulvaeus, the male half of supergroup ABBA, have composed “We Write the Story,” the main theme for this year’s Eurovision Song Contest.
Taking place in Andersson’s and Ulvaeus’ native Sweden in Malmo, the anthem will play out for the grand opening of the finals, arranged by Avicii.
ABBA won for Sweden in 1974 with their global smash hit “Waterloo” with Andersson, Ulvaeus, Agnetha Faltskog and Anni-Frid Lyngstad belting out the song.
“We are extremely delighted to announce that Benny, Bjorn and Avicii has accepted to compose a unique piece of music for the 2013 Eurovision Song Contest,” said executive producer Martin Osterdahl.
“The idea of an ‘Eurovision Anthem’ for Malmo 2013 was there from the beginning of the planning of this year’s contest. From the start, Benny, Bjorn and Avicii were on the very top of the list of musicians that SVT wished to collaborate with.”
Andersson and Ulvaeus said in a joint statement: “Martin Osterdahl and show producer Christer Bjorkman presented us beautifully with SVT’s vision for the contest. This led us on to the assignment to collaborate with Avicii on a piece on mutual understanding and fellowship. It’s a lot of fun and very inspiring.”
ABBA is regarded as Sweden’s biggest music export to date with global hits between 1972 and 1982. The group sold over 370 million albums and singles worldwide and still sell millions of records a year.
“We Write the Story” will be performed for the first time in the final May 18 at what is the world’s most popular non-sporting televised event.
This year’s U.K. representative at the contest is rock legend Bonnie Tyler.
She will perform the song “Believe in Me” at the event in Malmo, Sweden, in May, which marks the 30th anniversary of her hit “Total Eclipse of the Heart.”
