ABBA, Dancing Queen | DANCE GEMZ

In the 7^th edition of DANCE GEMZ (2023), we totally get down with ABBA performing the danceable gem, “Dancing Queen.” 

Prepare to take it to the dance floor, folks! DANCE GEMZ is a column that celebrates awesome dance songs from the past and present.  The records that grace DANCE GEMZ aren’t merely limited to music explicitly characterized as dance.  That means all genres of music – electronic, pop, rock, disco, etc. – are welcome as long as the particular song is associated with dance. In the 7^th edition of DANCE GEMZ (2023), we totally get down with ABBA performing the danceable gem, “Dancing Queen”.

via GIPHY 

“You can dance, you can jive / Having the time of your life / Ooh, see that girl, watch that scene / digging the dancing queen.” Oh, the vibes, the vibes, the vibes!  Benny Andersson, Björn Ulvaeus, and Stig Anderson composed a masterpiece with “Dancing Queen”, period.  This was by far the biggest hit by ABBA. The Swedish collective brought this unique, Europop / Euro disco hit to worldwide success, including no. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 in the United States. Surprisingly, “Dancing Queen” is the only song by ABBA to reach the penthouse .

What makes “Dancing Queen” the sugar honey iced tea? Honestly, it is all the details – every musical cue soundly assembled.  The arrangement and production are nothing short of immaculate.  The groove established by the drums is noteworthy itself, with the song drawing inspiration from the drumming from the 1972 Dr. John album, Gumbo. Also, another disco hit, “Rock Your Baby” by George McCrae serves an influence. Beyond the drums, the keys are gorgeous, the bass line fat, and the strings soar. Of course, the bright vocals of Anni-Frid Lyngstad and Agnetha Fältskog play a huge role in the success, particularly in the chorus, among the best, most exuberant, and catchiest of all time.  “Dancing Queen” gets the job done, easily making you want to dance whether you are a girl or boy, young or old. Nearly five decades later, “Dancing Queen” remains a huge hit. Artists who have covered the record include A*Teens and another icon herself, Cher.

via GIPHY

ABBA • Arrival • Polar Music International AB • 1976

ABBA, “Dancing Queen”: Dance Gemz No. 7 (2023) [: Brent Faulkner / The Musical Hype; Polar Music International AB; Beatriz Braga, Dhemer Gonçalves, Niko Twisty, via Pexels]