Importance Score: 20 / 100 🔵
Few pop ensembles can rival the enduring presence and global influence of ABBA. This iconic Swedish group, comprised of Agnetha Fältskog, Björn Ulvaeus, Benny Andersson, and Anni-Frid Lyngstad, ascended to worldwide prominence after their triumph at the 1974 Eurovision Song Contest with “Waterloo.”
Throughout the subsequent decade, they revolutionized popular music by crafting captivating melodies, opulent harmonies, and memorable refrains, all presented with characteristic glitter and glamour. This remarkable trajectory has resulted in over 400 million record sales globally, establishing ABBA as one of the best-selling musical acts in history. Their accolades include induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, inspiration for successful stage productions and blockbuster films like the acclaimed “Mamma Mia!” series, and a recent return with a new album and innovative virtual concert experience, “ABBA Voyage,” over four decades after their initial disbandment.
But which of their extensive catalog has resonated most with contemporary listeners in the streaming era? We analyzed Spotify streaming figures to identify the 11 most-played ABBA songs.
ABBA’s Top 11 Most Streamed Songs
11. Angeleyes
Streams: 264,803,704
Initially launched in 1979 as a double A-side release alongside “Voulez-Vous,” “Angeleyes” did not initially achieve significant commercial success. Despite reaching No. 3 in the UK charts, it underperformed in other regions. However, it has aged remarkably well, with contemporary audiences embracing its melancholic lyrics, intricate vocal arrangements, and acute sense of romantic suspicion.
10. Money, Money, Money
Streams: 300,977,235
Dramatic and atmospheric, “Money, Money, Money” followed “Dancing Queen” as a single release in 1976. Although it did not penetrate the US Top 40, it achieved the No. 1 position across Europe and became a defining element of the group’s persona. Characterized by its minor key, theatrical piano instrumentation, and evocative visuals in the promotional video, it depicted a vivid portrayal of a woman yearning for financial liberation.
9. Super Trouper
Streams: 350,625,005
As the title track of their 1980 album, “Super Trouper” marked ABBA’s final UK No. 1 hit. Taking its name from a brand of stage lighting commonly used in arena performances, the song’s lyrical content is more personal than technical. Penned during a period when the band members were experiencing the pressures of fame, it candidly addresses the solitude of touring, juxtaposed with the comfort derived from seeing a loved one. Its upbeat melody contrasts with introspective and somewhat poignant lyrics.
8. Chiquitita
Streams: 351,949,157
“Chiquitita,” a Spanish term of endearment meaning “little girl,” signified a pivotal moment in ABBA’s global aspirations. Premiering at the 1979 UNICEF benefit concert, the song’s publishing royalties were, and continue to be, donated to the charitable organization. The Spanish rendition became one of the highest-selling singles in Latin America, significantly bolstering ABBA’s recognition in non-English speaking markets.
7. Waterloo
Streams: 400,986,209
ABBA’s 1974 Eurovision-winning track not only dominated charts throughout Europe but also introduced their energetic and glamorous pop aesthetic to a global audience. Its lyrics draw a comparison between romantic surrender and Napoleon’s defeat at Waterloo, blending historical allusion with irresistible charm. Its enduring legacy is such that it was recognized as the greatest song in Eurovision history during the contest’s 50th-anniversary celebration in 2005.
6. Take A Chance On Me
Streams: 461,813,506
Developed around a jogging rhythm hummed by band member Björn Ulvaeus during runs, “Take A Chance On Me” stands as a notable example of intricate vocal layering. Released in 1978, it reached No. 1 in the UK and No. 3 in the US. The a cappella introduction and layered harmonies showcase ABBA’s impressive vocal precision, while the song’s optimistic lyrics concerning persistence and affection have ensured its continued popularity in the streaming landscape.
5. The Winner Takes It All
Streams: 490,255,108
Frequently cited as ABBA’s quintessential ballad, “The Winner Takes It All” was released in 1980 and is widely speculated to be inspired by Björn Ulvaeus and Agnetha Fältskog’s divorce, although Björn has stated that the lyrics are fictional. Regardless, the song conveys significant emotional depth through Agnetha’s vocal delivery and a piano-driven arrangement that culminates in a powerful crescendo.
4. Lay All Your Love On Me
Streams: 573,477,699
Initially not released as a conventional single, “Lay All Your Love On Me” unexpectedly gained traction as a club hit in 1981. Its synth-based production and dramatic tempo rendered it ideally suited for 12-inch remixes, and it became the highest-charting 12″ single in UK chart history at the time. It has since experienced renewed popularity on streaming platforms, particularly among listeners who now perceive it as ABBA’s most dance-oriented track.
3. Mamma Mia
Streams: 672,062,849
The distinctive marimba riff and memorable chorus propelled “Mamma Mia” to the UK No. 1 position in 1975, even displacing Queen’s renowned “Bohemian Rhapsody” from the top spot. However, its most significant legacy may reside in its cultural impact: it provided the inspiration for the stage musical and two highly successful films that introduced ABBA’s music to new generations.
2. Gimme! Gimme! Gimme! (A Man After Midnight)
Streams: 939,618,682
A disco-infused plea for companionship, “Gimme! Gimme! Gimme!” became one of ABBA’s most prominent dance floor anthems upon its release in 1979. Despite not being initially launched as a single in the US, it achieved substantial streaming success, partly amplified by Madonna’s 2005 interpolation of it in “Hung Up.”
1. Dancing Queen
Streams: 1,610,522,802
ABBA’s quintessential masterpiece, “Dancing Queen,” was released in 1976 and became their sole US No. 1 single. “Dancing Queen” has rightfully earned its status as one of the most iconic pop songs of all time, encapsulating the exhilaration and poignancy of youth by seamlessly blending disco rhythms with nostalgic arrangements and bittersweet melodies. It remains ABBA’s most streamed song.