Agnetha Faltskog - My Colouring Book

After the release of I Stand Alone in 1988, Agnetha took a break from her musical career and completely withdrew from public life. In April 2004, after 17 years of silence Agnetha came back with a bang by releasing the album My Colouring Book, a collection of covers of 1960s classic oldies.
The album topped the charts in Sweden, reached top 5 in some countries and No.12 in UK. The Times reviewer noted "her voice is still an impressive pop instrument", and The Observer noted "time hasn't diminished her perfect voice".
The album release attracted major media attention across Europe, but Agnetha refused to be involved in any publicity. Despite this, the album sold more than 500,000 copies worldwide, with 50,000 of those in the UK alone.
Agnetha has a fear of flying and has not been on an airplane for over 15 years. When she goes abroad she prefers to travel by car. She prefers a tranquil life in a rural suburb south-west of Stockholm, away from the noisy city atmosphere.
Agnetha wrote these cover notes for My Colouring Book:
The early impressions in life are etched with a particular strength and clarity. That applies especially to music. So this album is a celebration of the music I heard yesterday. A respectful homage to the artists who have inspired me and left deep prints in my soul and in my heart. This is the soundtrack of a time lost, to which I return to, with the mighty forces of music.
I have enjoyed these songs all my life and they hold a special place in my heart. My effort was to recreate these songs with all respect for the originals. My Colouring Book is my way of showing gratitude towards the songs, the artists and all they have given me. You are all deep within my heart and will stay there forever.
To my family, my friends, to all listeners around the world and to everyone involved in this project - thank you for inspiring me to do this - I love you.
Agnetha raises her voice dramatically for the third and fifth verses in this song, to produce some of the most emotional singing I've ever heard. She may be 53 here, but as this picture shows, Agnetha is still as beautiful as ever.
Words & Music by Fred Ebb & John Kander
Originally recorded by Kitty Kallen in 1962. Lyrics:

For those who fancy colouring books,
And lots of people do,
Here´s a new one for you,
A most unusual colouring book,
The kind you never see,
Crayons ready very well,
Begin to colour me

These are the eyes that watched him,
As he walked away,
Colour them grey,
This is the heart that thought,
He would always be true,
Colour it blue

These are the arms that held him,
And loved him then lost him somehow,
Oh... colour them empty now

These are the beads,
I wore until she came between,
Colour them green

This is the room that I sleep in,
And walk in, and weep in,
And hide in that nobody sees,
Oh... colour it lonely please

This is the man,
Whose love I depended upon,
Colour him gone.

Category:

Music

Tags:

• Agnetha
• Faltskog

[rda4265]

Why did Agnetha and Sony part ways and Sony never released Agnetha's beautiful CD in North America?...so soon after it's release in Europe and I read sales had quickly hit over 500,000 and did Agnetha really refuse to promote the CD? ...with sales climbing so fast in Europe? It took 5 years to show up in America with no fan fair or promotion. WHY would (if it's true) would Agnetha refuse to promote her work? I read Sony even pulled the Fan site for the CD off the Web? Has any one the story?

[abbafanglosuk]

I didn't know anything about problems with releasing the cd in North America. Agnetha did promotional videos for When You Walk In The Room, Sometimes When I'm Dreaming, If I Thought You'd Ever Change Your Mind, What Now My Love and Past, Present and Future. She is a private person and not into publicity anymore, but that's no reason for Sony not to sell her CD's - sales in Europe proved how good it is!

[Bwaaderent]

Anybody know her favorite color? :P

[abbafanglosuk]

Abba's costume designer Owe Sandstrom said that she was very fond of White, as it was pure and innocent.

[Bwaaderent]

Wow, hard to believe that she still has a beautiful voice, even after 17 years. o_o

[abbafanglosuk]

Yes I guess once she got back into the studio it all came back to her. Her singing is more mature now and with deeper feeling, but remains as strong as ever - its like she's never been away!

[unholyimage]

Very nice. Gotta say I like this very much. Has a very C&W sentiment. One of those "have a good cry" songs.

[unholyimage]

Very nice. Gotta say I like this very much. Has a very C&W sentiment.

[Timberextra]

Beautiful. I just got my cd today from China. Her voice is as beautiful as ever!!!!! Brava!!!!

[alinnelive]

the members of ABBA never gave value to their fans. REALLY.

[mrb756]

i think she has the best voice to ever make a record its a shame she is not still in the limelight like she used to be in the uk you don,t realy hear her solo work here but abba still played a lot

[Timberextra]

Classy lady!!!

[Hesam0000]

I <3 Agnetha.

[orbitring]

She made it all the way to the top but nobody told her that the box was empty !

[britvet1]

what a singer and what a beautiful lady

[ocossa]

a truly beautiful; and she gives it feeling and life

[tenniscollector]

@abbafanglosuk Greetings from Australia! Thanks for the upload. Methinks that Orbison's "In Dreams" would be the absolute perfect song for Agnetha to record on her next album (keeping to Roy's intense and emotive arrangement) . If you or anyone out there knows her and has her contact number. Please put this suggestion to her. It certainly would be nice to hear a Woman's perspective of "In Dreams". What do you think, my friend ?!

[Steev82]

For people that complain there is no good music made any more... well we just have to look harder to find it...