Every Sunday evening, during the 1970s there was a TV show hosted by Guy Lux and Sophie Darel. The name of the show changed with the years (French Cancan, Domino, Ring Parade/Système 2, Top Club, Cadence 3).

Ring Parade was shown every Sunday at 19:30 and was a competition featuring approximately six songs/artists. This was followed by the news between 20:00 and 20:30 followed by Système 2.

Système 2 was a 70-80 minute show with several artists. During the show, viewers got the results of the Ring Parade competition. ABBA appeared in Ring Parade or in Système 2 but it seems that Ring Parade was, sometimes, listed as Système 2 by the French TV archives (INA) in the 70s.

ABBA performed SOS to playback on this show hosted by Guy Lux and Michel Touret. The format of the show appears to be giving new artistes not currently in the charts a helping hand. The format is that of a boxing ring parade where viewers phone in to vote for their choice of song. The winning song would return for a monthly final. Three songs also take part in the "starter match" which is where ABBA took part in this edition of the programme.

ABBA wore jeans during the dress rehearsals of the show.

ABBA recorded this appearance while in Paris for two days where they also recorded Les Rendez-Vous Du Dimanche and Samedi est à Vous.

Running order:

1. Groupe Chocolat - Chuchucambo
2. Afric Simone - Ramaya
3. ABBA - SOS ** (A)
4. Jean-Paul Barkoff - Music, Music (promo video) ** (B)
5. Christophe - Petite fille du soleil ** (C)
6. Michel David's puppet
7. The Rubettes - I Can Do It *
8. Jo Dolan - Lady in blue *
9. Saint Preux - Your hair *
10. Gloria Gaynor - Reach Out, I'll Be There *
11. Dave - Dansez maintenant *
12. Groupe Chocolat dance - Brazilian Carnival *
13. Barry Collins' Ballet - dance excerpt from West Side Story

* the six candidates for this week's competition
** starter match

The SOS clip was repeated on 19 October 1975 on A2, France

Lyrics available on the Official ABBA site

Ring Parade (So Long), 1975;
Ring Parade (I Do, I Do, I Do, I Do, I Do), 1975; 
Ring Parade (SOS), 1975; 

Original information (about Samedi est à Vous) from ABBA - The Book (p.119) by Jean-Marie Potiez. Thanks to Yvon Jouandon for information about the dresses and jeans. Extra thanks to Gérard Le Sech, Jun Seo, Erik Liebstaedter, Jean-Marie Potiez, Petr Mlejnek and Sam Shervz. Huge thanks to Jozsef.
YouTube link c/o AbbaFanSouth2