National Commercial 3

Filmed August 1976
Location Ballroom of The Grand Hotel and Benny & Frida's apartment Stockholm, Sweden
Broadcast Australia

Released

This performance has not been included on any officially released video or DVD
Notes

One of five TV commercials filmed for the Japanese electronics firm, "National".  ABBA recorded new lyrics to "Fernando" stating how wonderful National was. The jingle lasted one verse and one chorus. For this commercial there were no voiceovers, you just see ABBA mime to the jingle.

The National (now Panasonic) adverts were a means of financing part of the 1977 Australian Tour.  ABBA were paid just AUS$100,000 for all five commercials.  The lyrics were written by a marketing person and in 1976 there was a competition where the public were invited to re-write two lines for the campaign. First prize was a trip to Sweden to visit ABBA in the studio.

The initial screenings of the commercials were advertised in the newspapers first so that people knew when to catch them on the TV ("Watch the Special to see the ads").  ABBA From the Beginning (ABBA D'ABBA Doo) had 5 advert breaks, one for each of the commercials.

All FIVE National Commercials (Commercial 3 starts at 2 minutes, 8 seconds)

This was the first appearance of the kimono costumes

Duration 1 minute
Watch Out For

 

Transcript
Lyrics Click here for the lyrics
Pictures Click on picture for a larger view

Related Links National Commerical 1, 1976; National Commerical 2, 1976; National Commerical 4, 1976; National Commerical 5, 1976; Making of the National Commercials, 1976; National Commercials
Credits Huge thanks to Ian Cole. Extra thanks to Eamon Moore c/o ABBAMAIL   Also thanks to Jozsef, Jun Seo and Rod Kirkman