B&B Françoise Hardy Connection?

[Jeff Thomas]

Did Bjorn and Benny, write and compose in early 1970s, "Language of
Love" for Françoise Hardy? Was it, released as a single? Where I can
find out more on the internet like release date, record company, etc? I
cannot find any information confirming the existence of either English
or French versions on ABBA-related and Françoise Hardy-related fan
websites.

Thanks,
Jeff.

[Trevor Barker]

The English version of "Livet Gar Sin Gang" from the Lycka album is
entitled "The Language Of Love". I have the English Lyrics but have never
heard the English version (or French for that matter), so whether it is the
same song you're talking about I dont know. In case you're interested, the
music is by Benny and Bjorn, the Swedish lyrics are by Stig and the English
lyrics are by Jack Fishman, both published in 1970.

Trev

"Jeff Thomas" <a2fo...@usa.net> wrote in message
news:3E6827E1...@usa.net...

[Paul Carter]

"Trevor Barker" <trevor...@virgin.net> wrote in message news:<cp7aa.1478$Ah.2...@newsfep1-win.server.ntli.net>...

> The English version of "Livet Gar Sin Gang" from the Lycka album is
> entitled "The Language Of Love". I have the English Lyrics but have never
> heard the English version (or French for that matter), so whether it is the
> same song you're talking about I dont know. In case you're interested, the
> music is by Benny and Bjorn, the Swedish lyrics are by Stig and the English
> lyrics are by Jack Fishman, both published in 1970.

Françoise Hardy didn't record this song as far as is known; this story
was published in Christer Borg's 1977 biography 'Fenomenet ABBA', but
there's no evidence that this ever actually took place.

As Trevor mentions, it's an English language version of 'Livet går
sing gång' that was first recorded by B & B for the Lycka album (as
well as a German language version 'Was Die Liebe Sagt' used as the
B-side to Hej Musikant!), released in 1970.

The song with English lyrics, written by Stig and one Jack Fishman,
was first performed by B & B at a song contest in Malaga during the
early part of 1971, coming sixth.

In recording sessions on 21 February and 14 March 1971 at Metronome
Studios that were produced by Stig and Bengt Bernhag, it was recorded
by Lena Andersson for her debut album 'Lena, 15' that was released in
1971. This is the only recording of the English version of the song
that I'm aware of.

Paul Carter
London, UK

[Michal]

The only connection between Francoise Hardy and ABBA I can think of is
the song "Så synd du måste gå" Anni-Frid Lyngstad recorded in 1969 for
EMI Columbia. It was the cover of the famous "Comment te dire adieu"
composed and written by Jack Gold and Arnold Goland
(www.francoise_hardy.com)and performed by Francoise Hardy. French
lyrics by Serge Gainsbourg.

[etienneb...@hotmail.com]

I actually asked myself the same question, as I was reading "ABBA The Book" by Jean-Marie Potiez, in which it is clearly stated that in year 1971, "the two musicians (i.e. Benny Andersson & Björn Ulvaeus) discovered that their song "the language of Love" (in Swedish Livet Gar Sin Gang) would soon be recorded by Françoise Hardy in both French and English". Now whether that actually happened or not is not mentionned in the book. Maybe there was an intention from Françoise Hardy to record it, but it may have later been dropped of... I did some more research on the internet but didn't find anything relevant. On the other hand I was very surprised to discover that French singer Sheila recorded "Kom Och Sjung En Sang" under the title "Plus de chansons tristes" and the versions (Frida's and Sheila's) can be easily found on youtube :).