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27Ìý|ÌýTop 100
'Dancing Queen'
Abba
A number one smash all over the world, and ABBA's only number one in the USA. On 18th June 1976 the song was premiered at a televised gala tribute to Sweden' future Queen Sliva who was to marry King Carl XVI Gustaf the following day. George McCrae's hit 'Rock You Baby' from 1974 was the inspiration for the |
 Song facts |
| Composer |
Ulvaeus/Andersson |
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| Genre |
Pop
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| Album |
Arrival |
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| Year of release |
1976 |
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| UK Chart Position |
Ìý1 |
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rhythm of Dancing Queen. It has been said that a piece of this song could be heard before the actual backing track started, just for the musicians to maintain the right feel. ABBA never meant to steal from this song.With ABBA's somewhat conventional European background, they often found it difficult to apply the right kind of dance rhythm to their music.
The ABBA writers view it as their most perfect pop song ever. Björn: "The day that Benny and I finished mixing the instrumental track of Dancing Queen, I was so excited, I just could not rest. Agnetha was asleep and I just had to share it with someone, so I drove all over Stockholm looking for someone to play it to. Finally I ended up at my sister's house. I played it over and over again to her. We couldn't believe how good it sounded."
Benny and Bjorn talk about songwritngÌý  |
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Abba's songwriters Benny and Bjorn talk about their song writing techniques - "we start playing and fiddling around with chords and tempos, and sometimes something comes up".
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Other versions |
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ÌýTeen idols S Club 7 leant their vocal chords to an Abba tribute album, Abbamania that was released in 1999.
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Songwriting tips Abba's records were brilliantly produced.
Find out more about production hereAbba's lyrics were simple but effective.
More in Writing Lyrics |
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Test your knowledgeSo you think you know your Abba? Try our Dancing Queen quiz and find out.TAKE THE CHALLENGE! |
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