Editing ABBA (section)

=== Recording process ===
ABBA were perfectionists in the studio, working on tracks until they got them right rather than leaving them to come back to later on.<ref name="Their Own Words 1981, pp 57">ABBA – In Their Own Words, compiled by Rosemary York, 1981, pp 57–65. Omnibus Press {{ISBN|0-86001-950-0}}</ref> They spent the bulk of their time within the studio; in separate 2021 interviews Ulvaeus stated they may have toured for only 6 months<ref>{{cite web |last1=Aswad |first1=Jem |title=ABBA's Bjorn Ulvaeus Talks Reunion, New Album, Writing 'The Winner Takes It All' and More |url=https://variety.com/2021/music/news/abba-bjorn-ulvaeus-reunion-new-album-winner-takes-it-all-1235099065/ |website=Variety |access-date=31 October 2021 |date=28 October 2021}}</ref> while Andersson said they played fewer than 100 shows during the band's career.<ref name="PetridisGuardian2021" /> However, counting shorter 30 to 60 minute concerts during their Folkpark tours, the group in fact played over 200 shows.<ref>{{Cite web |title=ABBA The Concerts |url=https://www.abba-theconcerts.de/ |access-date=13 November 2023 |website=ABBA The Concerts |archive-date=9 November 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231109181450/https://www.abba-theconcerts.de/ |url-status=dead }}</ref>

The band created a basic rhythm track with a drummer, guitarist and bass player, and overlaid other arrangements and instruments. Vocals were then added, and orchestra [[overdubbing|overdubs]] were usually left until last.<ref name="Their Own Words 1981, pp 57" />

Fältskog and Lyngstad contributed ideas at the studio stage. Andersson and Ulvaeus played them the backing tracks and they made comments and suggestions. According to Fältskog, she and Lyngstad had the final say in how the lyrics were shaped.
{{blockquote|When we gather around the piano to get our voices tuned up, we often come up with things we can use in the backing vocals.|Agnetha Fältskog<ref name="Their Own Words 1981, pp 57" />}} After vocals and overdubs were done, the band took up to five days to mix a song.<ref name="Their Own Words 1981, pp 57" />