About This Song
“Dancing Queen” was inspired by artist George McCrae’s 1974 disco track “Rock Your Baby” and was originally titled “Boogaloo”. It was reported that when Andersson played the backing track of the song for the first time for bandmate Frida Lyngstad, she began to cry. Lyngstad had stated: “that was before me and Agnetha had even sung on it! I knew it was absolutely the best song ABBA had ever done”. Lead vocalist Agnetha Faltskog also stated: “It’s often difficult to know what will be a hit. The exception was “Dancing Queen.” We all knew it was going to be massive.” The track details a young girl dancing and enjoying her young and carefree life.
In its year of release, “Dancing Queen” hit the #1 chart position in Australia, Belgium, Canada, Czechoslovakia, Denmark, the Netherlands, Germany, Ireland, Japan, Mexico, New Zealand, South Africa, Sweden, the UK and the US. “Dancing Queen” was also ABBA’s only number 1 hit in the US charts. The song is certified Gold in Denmark, Italy and the US – and Platinum in the UK. “Dancing Queen” has been ranked as a track favourite for many. Below are some of the following accolades the track has been listed in:
– In 2000, the track came 4th in a Channel 4 television poll of the “100 Greatest Number One Singles”
– Chosen as #148 on the RIAA list of “Songs of the Century”
– Ranked #174 on the Rolling Stones’ 2004 list of “The 500 Greatest Songs of All Time”
– VH1 also ranked the song at #97 on its “100 Greatest Dance Songs in Rock & Roll”
Video
Lyric
Ooh, you can dance, you can jive
Having the time of your life
Ooh, see that girl, watch that scene
Digging the dancing queenFriday night and the lights are low
Looking out for a place to go
Where they play the right music, getting in the swing
You come to look for a kingAnybody could be that guy
Night is young and the music’s high
With a bit of rock music, everything is fine
You’re in the mood for a dance
And when you get the chanceYou are the dancing queen
Young and sweet, only seventeen
Dancing queen
Feel the beat from the tambourine
Oh, yeahYou can dance, you can jive
Having the time of your life
Ooh, see that girl, watch that scene
Digging the dancing queenYou’re a teaser, you turn ’em on
Leave them burning and then you’re gone
Looking out for another, anyone will do
You’re in the mood for a dance
And when you get the chanceYou are the dancing queen
Young and sweet, only seventeen
Dancing queen
Feel the beat from the tambourine
Oh, yeahYou can dance, you can jive
Having the time of your life
Ooh, see that girl, watch that scene
Digging the dancing queenDigging the dancing queen