In a moment that no one saw coming, TIME Magazine has named ABBA — the legendary Swedish quartet whose music defined generations — among its “Top 100 New Influencers of 2025.” The honor comes fifty years after the group first captured the world’s heart with “Waterloo” and changed the landscape of pop music forever. But this time, their influence isn’t about chart-topping hits or glittering stages — it’s about something deeper: hope, unity, and the enduring magic of melody.
Nearly half a century after their rise to global fame, Agnetha Fältskog, Björn Ulvaeus, Benny Andersson, and Anni-Frid Lyngstad are once again at the center of a cultural renaissance. Following their breathtaking reunion and emotional new performances, ABBA has reemerged not only as music legends but as symbols of timeless creativity, resilience, and joy.
TIME’s editors praised the group’s influence as “a rare fusion of nostalgia and innovation,” noting how ABBA’s music continues to bridge generations in an era divided by change. “They reminded us,” the feature reads, “that harmony isn’t just a sound — it’s a way of living.”
In the article, Benny Andersson reflected on the band’s enduring bond:
“We never planned to last this long — we just never stopped loving the music. The world changes, but a good song still finds its way into the heart.”
Meanwhile, Agnetha spoke with characteristic grace, saying,
“People think we came back to relive the past. We came back to remind them that beauty, kindness, and melody never grow old.”
The group’s return, paired with their 2026 world tour announcement, has sparked what fans are calling “The ABBA Revival” — a wave of renewed love for their message of hope and human connection. Social media exploded with emotion following the TIME announcement, with fans writing messages like “ABBA didn’t just change music — they changed how we feel about life” and “They made the world believe in joy again.”
For a band that once sang “Thank You for the Music,” this moment feels like the world singing it back.
Five decades later, ABBA has proven that true magic never fades — it only waits for the right time to return.
And now, as TIME crowns them once again, one truth rings louder than ever:
ABBA didn’t just make music — they made us believe.