Bright lights dark shadows

The real story of Abba

By: Carl Palm

Narrated by: Adrian Mulraney

An exploration of all aspects of the Abba member’s lives and careers. Amazingly detailed, it examines the group member’s family backgrounds, the pre-Abba days, the legendary 70s, the marriages, the divorces, the business ups and downs, and the post-Abba solo careers.

©2002 Carl Magnus Palm by agreement with Bengt Nordin Agency (P)2011 Bolinda Publishing

Critic reviews

“How did Abba do it? And why, 20 years after they split, are they still so popular? Palm’s book achieves the difficult feat of capturing the multiple layers of Abba… with a deftness unusual in a rock biography.” ( The Sunday Times, London)

“Another fine addition to the canon of music biographies…. Palm’s biography is extremely thorough and dipped deeply in a pond of melancholy.” ( The Times, London)

In depth look at the band and the individuals

What made the experience of listening to Bright Lights, Dark Shadows the most enjoyable?

The content. Very well researched and the stories of each of the band members made them "real people" to me after decades of being a fan.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Bright Lights, Dark Shadows?

Frieda's story. From before her birth, through growing up and her first marriage, the children. She has an incredible story, and has overcome many hardships.

Which character – as performed by Adrian Mulraney – was your favorite?

There weren't particularly characters portrayed in the book, meaning that he never used different accents or changed his voice when reading quotes. He did a good job of getting around many of the Swedish pronunciations, but had to slow his speech considerably to do so.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

I can't think of one in particular. There were many things in the story of ABBA and of the individual members that were memorable, but not moving, per se.

Any additional comments?

If you are or were a fan of ABBA or music of that time, this is a great book for you. Very well researched, interesting from start to finish. It's a long book, but nothing is held back. It's also interesting to learn about how ABBA fits into the history of music (Fan hysteria, video promotion, pop vs. rock genre, other musicians perspectives on the band).

Excellent Book, Excellent narrator

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

yes, definitely. it's very detailed and comprehensive and takes you through the journey of the people that made up ABBA. It's incredibly well written and this is one of the best narrators I've ever heard.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Bright Lights, Dark Shadows?

I really enjoyed learning the family backgrounds of each performer and how they all ended up together. Very fascinating.

What about Adrian Mulraney’s performance did you like?

One of the most pleasant voices to listen to ever. This is very important with a book like this because this book is over 26 hours long.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

It was fascinating to learn about how the two couples came together and what broke them up.

Any additional comments?

I really enjoyed this book and I'm going to listen to it again. So thorough, deep and moving.

The definitive ABBA story!

I was looking for a behind the scenes history of ABBA. I found it here! Has input from every relevant source including each of the four members. Essential for any ABBA fan.

ABBA: The Story

This looks like the definitive book on ABBA. The interesting aspect of the book is it seems to be fairly balanced with its critical look at ABBA; not being too hyperbolic about anything. It’s amazing how the four members seems to behave like real people. Treasuring their privacy and family life. Not getting too caught up in the “Rock Star” lifestyle. Shy, contemplative, funny people.

Exhausting but ultimately rewarding account

Would you listen to Bright Lights, Dark Shadows again? Why?

Probably not, as I feel that I know so much about them, I don't want to go through it again.

What did you like best about this story?

The minute details of every aspect of their careers

What does Adrian Mulraney bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

Great diction - although very painstaking when slowing down to try to pronounce the song titles in Swedish

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

Finding out that Agnetha actually had an affair with the man who stalked her! I was horrified and humbled.

Any additional comments?

Did we really need to know everything about the financial side? It could've been shaved down quite considerably to make it less laborious. But I enjoyed hearing how they all separately got started and how they met and evolved.

Thank you for the music

Hearts blending in song, this a story of charm, beauty and sadness, proving that we live beyond our regrets, and that everything you ever did touched someone as they touched you.

Dense and boring

This is a very dry presentation of material. I grew up dancing and singing to ABBA and remain loving & enjoying their music many decades later. I was very much looking forward to this biography but was left dissapointed by the lack of engagement in the style of writing. I think the Abba story itself was groundbreaking in many ways and it is unfortunate
it is presented in just a boring writing style.

Awesome! -- All the Swedish words pronounced!

I read the physical book 10 years ago, and I still learned a lot from this audiobook. Palm chronicles the lives of the major people involved in ABBA, since most of there were kids. It is an enjoyable story that doesn't hide the truth about many of the situations they've encountered whether good or bad. I will most likely listen to this several times, because the content is so rich. When I originally read the book, there were many Swedish words that I guessed at the pronunciations, making them not so memorable, the audio edition changed that! Also, I was pleasantly surprised that it was updated in 2011.

Loved It!

I was hesitant prior to purchasing this book.

In 1976 I was a 10 year-old living in Australia in the middle of the Abba hysteria. I can still the remember the seemingly unending weeks when the Countdown #1 spot was occupied by 'Fernando'. The radio was saturated with Abba tunes. I was not a fan. (Although the Norman Gunston spoofs provided some relief!)

But over the years I've come to appreciate how gifted these musicians are. And to hear the story behind the group was fascinating.

This book is very well written and thoroughly researched, the narration is spot-on and easy to listen to over the course 26 hours.

The only change I would like to see would be the inclusion of excerpts of the songs to which the writer refers.

So even if you have only the slightest interest in this book, don't hesitate to download and listen.

Loved it...

How refreshing to read a rock/music bio that actually contains very real, detailed and honest info re the band, including their ups and downs along the way-right from the start. All I can say is WOW. I knew they were all talented before I heard this book, but now I see them all as not only 'incredibly' talented, but also with an incredible work ethic. Most 'stars' of the current generation want fame so quickly, and wonder why it never lasts. Abba's talent that has been carved out during their lifetimes, which is why it has shone so strongly. Currently enjoying an ABBA music revival, on my ipod as a result.