A-Teens – The Story

The ABBA Generation

In 1999, the A-Teens released their first album The ABBA Generation consisting purely of ABBA covers. Their first single, Mamma Mia, topped the charts in over ten countries including Sweden where it stayed at number one for eight weeks. The album hit the pole position in Sweden & Chile and became a top ten hit throughout the world. Further singles enjoyed similar success ensuring top ten placings across the globe.The album sold over 3 million copies worldwide. It was certified Gold and Platinum in over 22 different countries.

The A-Teens toured some with ‘NSYNC and Britney Spears in the United States, where their album reached seventy-one on the Billboard Top 200 Albums Chart and selling a million copies.
A-Teens also won a Viva Music Award for Best International Newcomer.

Teen Spirit

The A-Teens’ sophomore album, entitled Teen Spirit, featured a compilation of tracks that were not ABBA covers. The album was released in February 26, 2001, it debuted at #2 in the Swedish Charts, #1 in Mexico, Thailand, Singapore and reached the Top Ten in 10 other countries and peaked at #50 on the United States Billboard 200 and #14 on CNN’S WorldBeat Album Charts, ensuring Gold Status for sales exceeding the 500,000 copies in the United States alone. Prior to the release of the album, the A-Teens became one of the first bands to broadcast one of their shows on MSN’s Websites.

The group promoted their album with a United States tour also featuring Aaron Carter, back in Europe, the band toured with No Angels in Germany. The A-Teens were nominated for several awards across the world.

Pop ‘Til You Drop!

After a short break, the A-Teens released their third album Pop ‘Til You Drop! exclusively in the United States in 2002. By public demand, the album was released in several Latin American countries. In Mexico the album was well received by the public. On their promo visit to Mexico in November 2002 the A-Teens had the opportunity to perform for the Swedish King and Queen and the President of Mexico in a Special Show organised by the Mexican government. “Pop ‘Til You Drop!” peaked at #45 on the Billboard 200 in the United States, ensuring Gold Status, and to promote the album, the group headlined their own successful United States tour in 2002 with Play, LMNT and Jump5, called Pop ‘Til You Drop! Tour, The band, again broadcasted their show through AOL.

New Arrival

In 2003, the International version of the album, entitled New Arrival, was released. It combined tracks from the last effort Pop ‘Til You Drop! and new tracks, making a whole new album. Some of the material on these two albums was co-written by the members of the A-Teens.

In 2003, the A-Teens embarked on their New Arrival Tour across Europe, mainly Sweden, where the album peaked at #4, ensuring Platinum Status. They came back to Mexico in April 2003 to promote their album when it peaked at #2 on the album charts, earning a Platinum Certification. Back in their homeland the band was nominated for a Swedish Hit Music Award on the Category “Swedish artist/group of the year”.

Greatest Hits

The A-Teens’ fourth album Greatest Hits was released in Europe, Asia and Latin America in 2004. The album was never released in the United States. In late 2003 MCA records was absorbed by Geffen Records, and many believe this was the reason Greatest Hits never materialized in the United States.

Though this album is a greatest hits compilation, a few new songs were included, such as a cover of Nick Kamen’s single I Promised Myself which topped the South American Video Charts and went to #2 on the Swedish Official Single Sales Charts, becoming the last A-Teens hit.

The break up

After six years together, the band announced they would take a break in 2004 after the release of their Greatest Hits album. Each song from that album became a Top 20 hit in at least one country around the world. The split of the band was a fact later on and the band members have all started to pursue solo careers.