Dancing Queen
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| "Dancing Queen" | ||
| ||
| Single by ABBA | ||
| From the album Arrival | ||
|---|---|---|
| Single Released | August 16, 1976 (Sweden) August 21, 1976 (UK) November 12, 1976 (US) | |
| Single Format | 7" Single | |
| Genre | Pop/Europop/Disco | |
| Song Length | 3:51 | |
| Record Label | Polar (Sweden) Epic (UK) Atlantic (US) | |
| Writers | Björn Ulvaeus, Benny Andersson, Stig Anderson | |
| Producers | Björn Ulvaeus, Benny Andersson | |
| Video Director | Lasse Hallström | |
| Certification | Platinum (US) | |
| Chart Positions | #1 (Sweden) #1 (UK) #16 (UK) (re-issue 1992) #1(USA) #1 (Australia) #6 (Canada) #1 (Germany) | |
| ABBA single chronology | ||
| "Fernando" 1976 | "Dancing Queen" 1976 | "Money, Money, Money" 1976 |
Although it does not contain many of the most common key characteristics of disco music, it has come to be considered as one of the best examples of this genre. This is somewhat ironic as its relatively slow tempo and syncopated rhythm makes it quite difficult to dance to.
"Dancing Queen" features a shared lead vocal performance by Agnetha Fältskog and Anni-Frid Lyngstad. Its opening keyboard glissando and hummed vocals are one of the most identifiable sections of 1970s pop music.
Chart Success
"Dancing Queen" spent six weeks at number one in the United Kingdom from August 1976 and became ABBA's only American number one in April 1977, as well as reaching number one in numerous countries including Sweden, Norway, West Germany, Austria, Belgium, Switzerland, Ireland, The Netherlands, Zimbabwe (then Rhodesia), South Africa, Mexico, Australia and New Zealand. It also made the national Top 20 in Austria, Canada, France, Finland, Italy, Japan, Spain, and Switzerland.
In 2001, the song was chosen as number 148 as part of the 365 Songs of the Century list. In 2004 it became ABBA's only song on Rolling Stone's list of the 500 Greatest Songs of All Time, ranked number 171.
Miscellaneous
- In recent years it has been covered by such diverse artists as U2 and Kylie Minogue who performed it at the 2000 Sydney Olympic Games. Featured in the 1994 film Muriel's Wedding, the song was used as the theme for idealised dreaming with the character Muriel saying early in the film that she wished her life was perfect. She always wished her life was "Dancing Queen".
- It is also featured in the ABBA musical Mamma Mia!.
- ABBA donned traditional 18th Century costumes when they first performed this song for King Carl XVI Gustaf of Sweden the night before he was married to Silvia Sommerlath.
- "Dancing Queen" was also featured in a couple of episodes of Winter Sonata, an immensely popular Korean drama series.
- Late night talk show host Art Bell occasionally uses "Dancing Queen" as bumper music on his show. Because of this, Phil Hendrie (on his own show) always uses "Dancing Queen" as his bumper music for bits in which he plays Bell.
Music sample
- ["Dancing Queen"] ([file info])
- *
- * Problems listening to the file? See [Media helpmedia help].
Artists who have covered the song
- A*Teens
- Luka Bloom
- Diablo (band)
- Robbie Fulks
- CoCo Lee
- Girl Authority
- Jennifer Love Hewitt
- Jimmy Barnes
- Kylie Minogue
- London Philharmonic Orchestra
- Munich Philharmonic Orchestra
- Franck Pourcel
- S Club 7
- Steps
- Sixpence None The Richer
- U2
- Van Halen
- Wing
- TSZX
- The Real Group
See also
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