BG Ranks: The Top 15 (and 1!) ABBA Songs You Must Listen to Before You Die
Perhaps ABBA's greatest superpower was appealing to an incredibly diverse demographic of music lovers
In this series, I will be choosing a select number of songs from some of my favorite bands of all time. Whether you have a predetermined stance of love, hatred, or indifference towards this particular group, my goal is to make all of you appreciate at least ONE of the phenomenal works put on these respective lists.
What better band to start with than ABBA?
Formed in 1972 and breaking through the musical world (in a big way) in 1974, the Swedish rockers were comprised of four incredibly talented musicians: Anni-Frid Lyngstad (A), Benny Andersson (B), Bjorn Ulvaeus (B), and Agnetha Faltskog (A). Combine the first four letters of their names, respectively, and you get the infamous ABBA.
While originally hesitant towards this quartet of pop-heavy superstars, I found a much greater appreciation for their outstanding musical prowess the deeper I dove into their extensive catalog.
Let us take a look at my top 16 ABBA songs.
#16) Honey, Honey (1974) off of “Waterloo” - Peaked at #27 in the Billboard US Top 100
-Perennially underrated, “Honey, Honey” is oftentimes overlooked on the stacked “Waterloo” album - the same album that launched ABBA from a local act to a worldwide name.
Any pure lovers of music will not glance over this close-to-three-minute jaunty tune, however. With crisp vocals, strong harmonies, and a decent backing instrumental, “Honey, Honey” is an uber-sweet (get it?) way to get this list started.
#15) Lay All Your Love on Me (1981) off of “Super Trouper”
-While ABBA gets a ton of credit for the impact they made on pop music, and rightfully so, they get considerably fewer kudos for the underrated effect they had on early dance/techno. Anni and Agnetha did (and always will) make the band with their signature image and beautiful vocals, but Benny and Bjorn shouldn’t be overlooked with their phenomenal instrumental prowess.
While I originally didn’t care much for this dance tune, it has grown on me in the last couple of months due to its high energy, strong instrumental, and unique chord progression.
Dance the night away by clicking here
#14) SOS (1975) off of “ABBA” - Peaked at #15 on the Billboard US Top 100
-It blows my mind that a song with such a strong worldwide cultural impact didn’t even crack the top 10 of the US Billboard charts. ‘Tis no matter, “SOS,” one of the most easily recognizable songs from the box-office smash “Mamma Mia” (and its sequel), gained extra life following its initial release back in 1975.
With a beyond catchy piano intro, an even-catchier chorus, and a relatable theme, it is no surprise that “SOS” is considered to be in the upper echelon of ABBA super hits.
Side note for bonus points: it is well-documented that this was one of the favorite tunes of one Pete Townshend (of The Who) fame. He famously used the song to “disconnect” from the wild world around him and his band. If only Keith Moon followed his lead…
#13) Knowing Me, Knowing You (1977) off of “Arrival” - Peaked at #14 on the Billboard US Top 100
-It’s a testament to ABBA’s versatility that the first four songs on this list are from four different albums. Talk about a deep discography!
This next tune, from 1977’s “Arrival,” is another one that earned extra life from the uber-popular “Mamma Mia” franchise.
While the chorus is catchy and the theme is relatable, the true secret weapon of this one comes from the echoing guitar of Bjorn. Great guitarists can create a third singer with their instrument - exactly what Ulvaeus does here.
Take a trip down memory lane with Knowing Me, Knowing You
#12) The Name of the Game (1977) off of “The Album” - Peaked at #12 on the Billboard US Top 100
-Arriving at the peak of ABBA’s fame, “The Name of the Game” proved that the supergroup wasn’t going to just sit on their success. A layered song, both instrumentally and thematically, “The Name of the Game” signaled a departure from the uber-poppy “Waterloo” days for Benny and company.
Moreover, it proved that ABBA could make a hit of any length; something that other bands struggled (and still struggle) with today. This lengthy #12 hit is close to five minutes (!) long - an impossible feat to pull off today.
Settle into a cozy spot and enjoy this longer tune here
#11) Does Your Mother Know (1979) off of “Voulez-Vous” - Peaked at #19 on the Billboard US Top 100
-The less you dig into the meaning of this song, the better.
While Benny’s jaunty vocal and fantastic instrumental make this a true ABBA classic, the lyrics represent a much different story: A grown adult rebuffing (but not really) the advancements of a (presumably) underaged love interest.
Enjoy the fantastic music, sure, but don’t go around singing this one in public too often.
Turn this one...down...actually. Keep it low.
#10) One of Us (1981) off of “The Visitors”
-When an ABBA song DOESN’T chart, you have the green light to call it underrated. This is the case for this 80’s hit off of the criminally underrated “Visitors” album.
By this point in ABBA’s career, the in-band drama that plagues so many talented groups (looking at you, Fleetwood Mac) had started to seep into ABBA’s seemingly unbreakable exterior. While that was tragic for the members of the group (all four of them got divorced, from each other, in 16 months) it was wonderful for lovers of great, tragic music.
“One of Us” doesn’t tear at the heartstrings as much as some of the other songs coming up, hint hint, but it still touches on some mature themes in its short 3:55 runtime.
Get the tissues ready with "One of Us" here
#9) Why Did It Have to Be Me? (1976) off of “Arrival”
-A fun theme centered around the singer, Agnetha, explaining an unfortunate misunderstanding to an entranced lover: she only wanted a little affair, after all - “Why Did it Have to be Me?” is a joyous 3:20 romp that turns stereotypes on their head.
Not so great when it happens to you, huh?
#8) Waterloo (1974) off of “Waterloo” - Peaked at #6 on the Billboard US Top 100
-A rare top 10 US hit for the fabulous quartet, it can be argued that “Waterloo” was the song that launched the band into superstardom. Jaunty, fun, and twanged with wonderfully underrated lyrics; “Waterloo” helped show the world that this band was here, for real, and wasn’t going anywhere any time soon.
Bonus points for the fantastic rendition of this song in the second Mamma Mia film. Strong choreography, wonderful vocal performances by the actors, and a great comedic setting made this one of the true standouts of the movie.
Listen (and try not to sing along) here
#7) Crazy World (1975) off of “ABBA”
-The ABBA deep cut to end all deep cuts, “Crazy World” doesn’t reinvent the wheel in terms of instruments, vocals, or timing. It is relatively basic (compared to some of the band’s other hits) in all three of those facets.
So what makes this bonus track not only crack my top 7 but overpower a behemoth like Waterloo? Well, the answer is simple: The lyrics.
Blessed with a beautiful story and wonderful comedic timing, “Crazy World,” though short, stuffs A LOT of storytelling into a small package. Relatable, honest, and straight-up hilarious, “Crazy World” is one ABBA deep cut you don’t want to skip over.
Listen to the underrated gem here
#6) Fernando (1976) off of “Greatest Hits” - Peaked at #13 on Billboard US Top 100
-No song from ABBA’s catalog has flown from hate to love for me as much as “Fernando.”
While it started as an annoying and overly long (and dramatic) slog, I gained an increased level of appreciation for this song following the second Mamma Mia film. Putting a realistic vision with the stunning instrumental (and vocal) helped unlock a deeper level of listening for me.
While it is certainly not everyone’s cup of tea, Fernando is a hauntingly beautiful look at a complicated relationship.
The near-perfect instrumental doesn’t hurt, either.
#5) Gimme! Gimme! Gimme! (A Man After Midnight) (1979) off of Greatest Hits Vol. 2
-While I will never proclaim to be a particularly huge fan of disco…or a fan at all…Gimme! Gimme! Gimme! might just be the exception. Hooking you in almost immediately with a roaring keyboard hook, this underrated 1979 hit may not bring a lot to the table in terms of its lyrics (she wants a man…after midnight…my guess is they aren’t going to be shopping for countertops) - the wonderful instrumental and unrelenting 4/4 time structure make this a unique ABBA tune.
Find your after-midnight man here
#4) Mamma Mia (1975) off of “ABBA” - Peaked at #32 on the Billboard US Top 100
-One of the reasons I love making these lists is that I feel like I learn more than my readers while creating them! For example, if you told me before today that megahit “Mamma Mia” didn’t even crack the TOP 30 in the US charts? I would’ve called you a lying lunatic (or worse).
Alas, this is the case…as it only peaked at #32.
That being said, this quintessential ABBA smash is not only the namesake for the films that followed, but it is also one of the most universally enjoyed ABBA songs. Some love it for the karaoke ability, some love it for the lyrics, and others like it for the instruments. Whatever your reason, we can all agree that “Mamma Mia” is a true force to be reckoned with.
Mamma Mia, guess I gotta listen again
#3) The Winner Takes it All (1980) off of “Super Trouper” - Peaked at #8 on the Billboard US Top 100
-There is something undeniably comedic about one of the most self-aware, gorgeous hits ever made (period) coming off the same record as the straight-up goofy “Super Trouper.” This is what makes music awesome, perhaps.
Anyways, “The Winner Takes It All,” whether performed by the band or the phenomenal Meryl Streep (from the first Mamma Mia film) is a deeply layered, highly personal, and incredibly relatable song about divorce, lost love, and failure.
Haunting, beautiful, and mesmerizing, this is one song you simply cannot ignore.
#2) Dancing Queen (1975) off of “Arrival” - Peaked at #1 on the Billboard US Top 100
-If Mamma Mia is recognizable, then “Dancing Queen” is your damn reflection. Part of the 1975 super album “Arrival,” Dancing Queen signaled, quite literally, the arrival of ABBA as a worldwide sensation.
Famously stated by Benny, he “choked up” while listening to the instrumental of the song in its final form because he knew, even without the legendary lyrics, that the group had just created “the greatest song they had ever made.” While it doesn’t quite take the #1 spot for me, it is undeniable that ABBA wouldn’t be ABBA without this near-flawless composition.
Not sure why you would need a link; you already have this on your Spotify
#1) Slipping Through My Fingers (1981) off of “The Visitors”
-Dancing Queen is the most recognizable, sure, but I would argue (and have argued) that “Slipping Through My Fingers” is the best ABBA song ever created.
Why? Well, I always pinpoint two concrete reasons:
It sports a highly emotional and relatable theme that plays into the audience’s pathos. Whether you have a kid or were a kid one day (everyone falls into one of the two…or both categories) we can all connect with not spending enough time being in the moment when we were that age. The time flew by, and ABBA highlights this theme beautifully in the song.
It is one of my (if not my SINGLE) favorite ABBA instrumentals. Whether you love it for the strings, the sweeping guitar, or the muted piano; “Slipping Through My Fingers grabs your ear early and refuses to let go.
And that does it for my first BG Ranks list!
Hope you all enjoyed it and, like always, please comment and share with your friends if you got something out of it.
More to come!
-Ben