The swedish super band ABBA had an incredible number of hit songs released. Betwenn 1975 and 1982 Agnetha, Anni-Frid, Björn and Benny turned everything into gold, selling 380 million albums and singles. They even have a movie and a musical dedicated to them, both named Mamma Mia. So here I present my ten favourite songs of them, some very prominent one`s like “Money, Money, Money” or “The winner takes it all” are not in there. In my opinion they simply had much better. So the best ABBA songs ever are…
But first let me suggest two other posts that also include ABBA music:
Mamma Mia – The Movie: The Best Feel Good Movies Ever
Mamma Mia – The Musical: The Best Musicals Of All Time
ABBA Greatest hits:
10. Take a chance on me (1977)
One of ABBA`s best-selling singles overall. Reached No. 1 in the UK and some other countries, as well as at least Top 10 anywhere else.
“If you change your mind, I’m the first in line
Honey I’m still free
Take a chance on me”
9. Voulez-Vous (1979)
Entered the UK charts as No. 1 and stayed there for a month. Their shift to Disco music was well received, one of ABBA Greatest hits.
“Voulez vous (ah ha)
Take it now or leave it (ah ha)
Now is all we get (ah ha)
Nothing promised, no regrets
Voulez-vous (ah ha)”
8. Waterloo (1974)
This is the song that started it all with their victory at the Eurovision Song Contest in 1974.It was the foundation for their way to world fame. Actually one of the best-selling singles of all time and one of the best ABBA songs.
“Waterloo – I was defeated, you won the war
Waterloo – Promise to love you for ever more
Waterloo – Couldn’t escape if I wanted to
Waterloo – Knowing my fate is to be with you
Waterloo – Finally facing my Waterloo”
7. Mamma Mia (1975)
Mamma Mia is not just the name of the song. It`s also the name of the musical and the movie. Has to be mentioned among the ABBA Greatest hits.
“Mamma mia, here I go again
My my, how can I resist you?
Mamma mia, does it show again?
My my, just how much I’ve missed you”
6. Does your mother know (1979)
“Does your mother know” was the second release from the Voulez-Vous album and it very special on terms of the male vocals. Usually the lead voices in ABBA`s super hits were from Agnetha and Anni-Frid. This time it was Björn…and it sounds great!
“Well I can dance with you honey
If you think it’s funny
Does your mother know that you’re out
And I can chat with you baby
Flirt a little maybe
Does your mother know that you’re out”
5. Our last summer (1980)
I love that song, especially the version in the movie. A little sad, but beautifully sung and surely one of the best ABBA songs. Also check out the version of Amanda Seyfried and Colin Firth!
“I can still recall our last summer
I still see it all
Walks along the Seine, laughing in the rain
Our last summer
Memories that remain”
4. Super Trouper (1980)
Closely missed the podium of ABBA Greatest Hits Ranking. It was their ninth no. 1 single in UK and very successful all over Europe. Not that well received in the USA. Entered no. 45 in the US charts.
“Tonight the
Super Trouper lights are gonna find me
Shining like the sun
(Sup-p-per Troup-p-per)
Smiling, having fun
(Sup-p-per Troup-p-per)
Feeling like a number one”
3. Honey, Honey (1974)
The successor of “Waterloo” was not one of their biggest-selling singles, mostly solid Top 20 all over Europe. But unfortunately not a no. 1 hit. Which I cannot understand, it`s beautiful.
“Honey honey, let me feel it, ah-hah, honey honey
Honey honey, don’t conceal it, ah-hah, honey honey
The way that you kiss goodnight”
2. Dancing Queen (1976)
Dancing Queen is a beautiful mixture of a ballad an an up tempo song. And one of their most successful releases. Their only (!) no. 1 in the US charts and pretty much at least top 5 world-wide, often no. 1. And that`s perfectly understandable, the lyrics, the chords, the voices, the melody…all perfectly arranged.
“You are the Dancing Queen
Young and sweet, only seventeen
Dancing Queen
Feel the beat from the tambourine, oh yeah”
1. Fernando (1976)
Number One of the Best ABBA songs has to be Fernando. One of the best-selling singles ever. Six million in 1976 alone and overall more than ten million copies sold worldwide. Which actually less than 40 songs overall even managed to do (!!!)Â The lyrics are kind of sad, but the melody is just amazing!
“There was something in the air that night
The stars were bright, Fernando
They were shining there for you and me
For liberty, Fernando”
Mamma Mia, what a band that was. I didn`t get to experience the hype in the 70s and 80s, but it must have been enormous. And I can understand, pretty much every release of them was a piece of art. Check out the ABBA Greatest Hits album and you`ll know what I mean.
