But the factor is, they don’t know what they’ve accomplished. “What did I do?” Because to know, you must be a craftsman as effectively. You have to understand what a great track is. And if you happen to can’t acknowledge rubbish, it’s very arduous to know what a great track is. And that’s what time will get you, to turn out to be a great craftsman.

In the present mannequin of pop songwriting, you have got groups of writers, with a separation of roles like an meeting line — someone does the beat, someone else does the melody. Is that good for music, and good for songwriters?

For me, these songs more often than not turn out to be merchandise. There’s no sense of, that is popping out of somebody’s coronary heart. Take Elton John and Bernie Taupin, “Goodbye Yellow Brick Road.” That’s not a product; that’s one thing else. I desire those the place you’re feeling that is who’s sending this track out to individuals — that you simply get some a part of them as effectively.

I can hear that these pop songs typically have actually good substances, are ultraprofessional and typically very catchy. But they lack that sense of persona, I believe.

What songwriters do you want in the present day?

Billie Eilish is attention-grabbing. And in fact I love Taylor Swift as effectively. And Rihanna. I believe it’s the entire bundle — the best way they develop and the best way they partake within the songwriting and create a creative entity. I discover that very attention-grabbing, far more attention-grabbing than the form of pop packages, Disney stuff. [Laughs.]

Is it a coincidence you talked about all ladies?

I believe it’s. But perhaps in my unconscious I select ladies. Maybe as a result of I’ve been within the studio with two ladies not too way back.

Benny and I’ve written some new songs, and there will probably be some new music from Abba launched this autumn. But I’m forbidden to say something extra about it. I’m sorry. I might have advised you all the things, however I can’t. All I can say is that it was unbelievable within the studio as a result of it was like yesterday. It was so unusual coming into that studio and the 4 of us taking a look at one another and considering, “What is this?” It all got here dashing again.