ABBA Gold: Greatest Hits
Encyclopedia
Gold: Greatest Hits is a compilation album of recordings by Swedish
pop group ABBA
. It was released on September 21, 1992 through PolyGram
, the first compilation to be released after the company had acquired Polar Music
and thus the rights to the ABBA back catalogue. In 1998, PolyGram was in turn merged into what is now the Universal Music Group
. With sales in excess of 28 million copies, it is the best-selling ABBA album as well as one of the best-selling albums worldwide.
Gold: Greatest Hits has been re-released in various "special" or "remastered" releases in 1999, 2002, a 2003 CD/DVD release, 2004 and 2008. Most recently, in December 2010, Gold was again re-released with a bonus DVD; this time featuring the group's original promotional films in newly remastered high resolution. A similar package titled ABBA Oro: Grandes Éxitos
features fifteen ABBA songs sung in Spanish
.
" and "The Name of the Game
." These were replaced by the full original-length versions on the 1999 and subsequent re-releases. The original 1992 version is still the only one available in the United States
. However, the Australasian release had a modified track list to include three local hits, replacing three other songs. In Spain
, the original 1992 release replaced the English versions of "Chiquitita
" and "Fernando
" with the Spanish language versions.
In 1999, the album was remastered and released both worldwide and in Australasia with the different track listings to commemorate ABBA's 25th Anniversary of winning the Eurovision Song Contest
with "Waterloo". This new version was called the "signature series", as it came with autographs from the band members embedded into the front plastic casing in gold writing. This new version also contained new liner (sleeve) notes.
A 10th Anniversary Edition was released worldwide in 2002 with a revised booklet and updated liner notes. The ABBA logo was changed to the official ABBA font and the back cover was redesigned. It was released in Europe
and New Zealand
(with the European track list, and not the previous Australasian track list). This version was not released in Australia
.
A 2xCD Special Edition with Bonus CD was released on 22 September 2003. The DVD released in 2003 included the same 19 songs as the CD, plus a 25-minute documentary ABBA – The History, as well as the 1992 version of the "Dancing Queen
" video. This includes scenes from other clips edited into the original video, which was made to promote the original release of Gold: Greatest Hits.
A 30th Anniversary Edition was released in 2004 in UK with a gold-coloured sleeve cover rather than the normal black sleeve. The original release included a DVD with 18 of the 19 songs from the CD, excluding "The Name Of The Game". It was available also without the DVD.
Gold: Greatest Hits was re-released in some territories in 2008, coinciding with the release of the film Mamma Mia!
' in a so-called super jewel case, with updated liner notes and with remastered sound. The Australasian release featured the European track list, not the Australasian track list on previous issues.
The album topped the UK album chart on five separate occasions, sixteen years apart, first in 1992, then three times in 1999, and then again in 2008. It was also in the UK Top 50 best-sellers of 2004. As a result, Gold: Greatest Hits is one of the best-selling and is the longest-charting album released in the United Kingdom. It is the longest charting album of all time, it has totalled 479 weeks in the Top 100.
On July 24, 2008, it also topped for the first time the US Top Pop Catalogue Albums charts, being its first number 1 ever in any one of Billboards Album charts, previously peaking at number 17 on the Billboard Comprehensive Albums
charts, where it finally peaked at number 11. In the 2010 Billboard Year End charts, Gold: Greatest Hits finished in 20th position for the year in the Top Pop Catalogue Album charts.
In the Irish Album Chart, the album, as of 3 September 2011, has been in the top 100 best selling albums for 538 weeks.
Gold: Greatest Hits was re-released as a new CD/DVD package on 6 December 2010. The DVD features newly remastered versions of all the videos and an extremely scarce cartoon video of "Money, Money, Money" only previously seen in Australia in the seventies, in addition 5 other videos will show a split screen to demonstrate the quality difference between the original and the remastered videos (full details on the official ABBA site).
and Björn Ulvaeus
, except where noted.
and Björn Ulvaeus
, except where noted.
All songs written by Benny Andersson
and Björn Ulvaeus
, except where noted.
Production
Album
Sweden
Sweden , officially the Kingdom of Sweden , is a Nordic country on the Scandinavian Peninsula in Northern Europe. Sweden borders with Norway and Finland and is connected to Denmark by a bridge-tunnel across the Öresund....
pop group ABBA
ABBA
ABBA was a Swedish pop group formed in Stockholm in 1970 which consisted of Anni-Frid Lyngstad, Björn Ulvaeus, Benny Andersson and Agnetha Fältskog...
. It was released on September 21, 1992 through PolyGram
PolyGram
PolyGram was the name of the major label recording company started by Philips from as a holding company for its music interests in 1945. In 1999 it was sold to Seagram and merged into Universal Music Group.-Hollandsche Decca Distributie , 1929-1950:...
, the first compilation to be released after the company had acquired Polar Music
Polar Music
Polar Music is a Swedish record company founded in 1963 by Stig Anderson and his friend Bengt Bernhag. The first act that it signed was the Hootenanny Singers featuring Björn Ulvaeus. Polar eventually gained prosperity producing Ulvæus' next group, international superstars ABBA...
and thus the rights to the ABBA back catalogue. In 1998, PolyGram was in turn merged into what is now the Universal Music Group
Universal Music Group
Universal Music Group is an American music group, the largest of the "big four" record companies by its commanding market share and its multitude of global operations...
. With sales in excess of 28 million copies, it is the best-selling ABBA album as well as one of the best-selling albums worldwide.
Overview
Prior to its release, all previously released ABBA compilations had been deleted and only the original studio albums (along with the 1986 live album) remained in print. Gold: Greatest Hits was well received by the music-buying public, and went on to be one of the best-selling albums of all time worldwide. Worldwide sales as of 2009 are 28 million, Gold: Greatest Hits has emerged as the group's all-time greatest success. It is the third biggest selling album of all time in the UK as of June 2009, having sold 4,610,813 copies in that territory. The album entered the UK album charts at number 1 in October 1992, and had climbed back to number 1 position four times after then, the most recent time in 2008. It has occupied every position in the top 75 of the U.K. album chart, while also appearing in the chart every year since the release except for 2002 and 2006. It now holds the title of longest time spent in the album charts, (479 weeks in the Top 100). In Germany, Gold is the third biggest-selling album of all time with sales of 2.5 million units. It is also the best-selling album of all time in Switzerland, with certified sales of half a million copies. It is also all time chart champion album in Switzerland for longevity, with 251 weeks in chart.Gold: Greatest Hits has been re-released in various "special" or "remastered" releases in 1999, 2002, a 2003 CD/DVD release, 2004 and 2008. Most recently, in December 2010, Gold was again re-released with a bonus DVD; this time featuring the group's original promotional films in newly remastered high resolution. A similar package titled ABBA Oro: Grandes Éxitos
ABBA Oro: Grandes Exitos
Oro: Grandes Éxitos is a greatest hits compilation album by ABBA, first released by Polydor in the United States in 1993, in which the songs are sung in Spanish. This album is the Spanish equivalent of their Gold: Greatest Hits album, originally released as Gracias Por La Música in early 1980...
features fifteen ABBA songs sung in Spanish
Spanish language
Spanish , also known as Castilian , is a Romance language in the Ibero-Romance group that evolved from several languages and dialects in central-northern Iberia around the 9th century and gradually spread with the expansion of the Kingdom of Castile into central and southern Iberia during the...
.
History
The original 1992 release included edited versions of "Voulez-VousVoulez-Vous (song)
"Voulez-Vous" is a eurodisco track by Swedish pop group ABBA, written by Benny Andersson and Björn Ulvaeus . Agnetha Fältskog and Anni-Frid Lyngstad shared the lead vocals....
" and "The Name of the Game
The Name of the Game
"The Name of the Game" is a 1977 song by Swedish pop group ABBA, and was released as the first single from the group's fifth studio album, The Album...
." These were replaced by the full original-length versions on the 1999 and subsequent re-releases. The original 1992 version is still the only one available in the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. However, the Australasian release had a modified track list to include three local hits, replacing three other songs. In Spain
Spain
Spain , officially the Kingdom of Spain languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Spain's official name is as follows:;;;;;;), is a country and member state of the European Union located in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula...
, the original 1992 release replaced the English versions of "Chiquitita
Chiquitita
"Chiquitita" was the first single release from Swedish pop group ABBA's Voulez-Vous album, their sixth for Polar, and their fifth for Epic and Atlantic...
" and "Fernando
Fernando (song)
"Fernando" is a song by the Swedish pop group ABBA. It was the group's first non-album single and was released in November 1975 through Polar Music. Lead vocals were sung by Anni-Frid Lyngstad...
" with the Spanish language versions.
In 1999, the album was remastered and released both worldwide and in Australasia with the different track listings to commemorate ABBA's 25th Anniversary of winning the Eurovision Song Contest
Eurovision Song Contest
The Eurovision Song Contest is an annual competition held among active member countries of the European Broadcasting Union .Each member country submits a song to be performed on live television and then casts votes for the other countries' songs to determine the most popular song in the competition...
with "Waterloo". This new version was called the "signature series", as it came with autographs from the band members embedded into the front plastic casing in gold writing. This new version also contained new liner (sleeve) notes.
A 10th Anniversary Edition was released worldwide in 2002 with a revised booklet and updated liner notes. The ABBA logo was changed to the official ABBA font and the back cover was redesigned. It was released in Europe
Europe
Europe is, by convention, one of the world's seven continents. Comprising the westernmost peninsula of Eurasia, Europe is generally 'divided' from Asia to its east by the watershed divides of the Ural and Caucasus Mountains, the Ural River, the Caspian and Black Seas, and the waterways connecting...
and New Zealand
New Zealand
New Zealand is an island country in the south-western Pacific Ocean comprising two main landmasses and numerous smaller islands. The country is situated some east of Australia across the Tasman Sea, and roughly south of the Pacific island nations of New Caledonia, Fiji, and Tonga...
(with the European track list, and not the previous Australasian track list). This version was not released in Australia
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
.
A 2xCD Special Edition with Bonus CD was released on 22 September 2003. The DVD released in 2003 included the same 19 songs as the CD, plus a 25-minute documentary ABBA – The History, as well as the 1992 version of the "Dancing Queen
Dancing Queen
"Dancing Queen" is a pop song recorded by Swedish pop group ABBA. It was released in August 1976, but was first performed two months earlier, on 18 June 1976, during a Royal Variety Show in Stockholm the evening before the Swedish royal wedding. It was the follow-up single to the hit "Fernando"...
" video. This includes scenes from other clips edited into the original video, which was made to promote the original release of Gold: Greatest Hits.
A 30th Anniversary Edition was released in 2004 in UK with a gold-coloured sleeve cover rather than the normal black sleeve. The original release included a DVD with 18 of the 19 songs from the CD, excluding "The Name Of The Game". It was available also without the DVD.
Gold: Greatest Hits was re-released in some territories in 2008, coinciding with the release of the film Mamma Mia!
Mamma Mia! (film)
Mamma Mia! is a 2008 musical/romantic comedy film adapted from the 1999 West End/2001 Broadway musical of the same name, based on the songs of successful pop group ABBA, with additional music composed by ABBA member Benny Andersson...
' in a so-called super jewel case, with updated liner notes and with remastered sound. The Australasian release featured the European track list, not the Australasian track list on previous issues.
The album topped the UK album chart on five separate occasions, sixteen years apart, first in 1992, then three times in 1999, and then again in 2008. It was also in the UK Top 50 best-sellers of 2004. As a result, Gold: Greatest Hits is one of the best-selling and is the longest-charting album released in the United Kingdom. It is the longest charting album of all time, it has totalled 479 weeks in the Top 100.
On July 24, 2008, it also topped for the first time the US Top Pop Catalogue Albums charts, being its first number 1 ever in any one of Billboards Album charts, previously peaking at number 17 on the Billboard Comprehensive Albums
Billboard Comprehensive Albums
Billboard Comprehensive Albums was established in 2003 and was a weekly albums chart produced by Billboard magazine that ranked the biggest selling albums in the United States regardless of the product's age or method of sales....
charts, where it finally peaked at number 11. In the 2010 Billboard Year End charts, Gold: Greatest Hits finished in 20th position for the year in the Top Pop Catalogue Album charts.
In the Irish Album Chart, the album, as of 3 September 2011, has been in the top 100 best selling albums for 538 weeks.
Gold: Greatest Hits was re-released as a new CD/DVD package on 6 December 2010. The DVD features newly remastered versions of all the videos and an extremely scarce cartoon video of "Money, Money, Money" only previously seen in Australia in the seventies, in addition 5 other videos will show a split screen to demonstrate the quality difference between the original and the remastered videos (full details on the official ABBA site).
Worldwide (excluding Australasia until 2008)
All songs written by Benny AnderssonBenny Andersson
Göran Bror "Benny" Andersson is a Swedish musician, composer, a former member of the Swedish musical group ABBA , and co-composer of the musicals Chess, Kristina från Duvemåla, and Mamma Mia!...
and Björn Ulvaeus
Björn Ulvaeus
Björn Kristian Ulvaeus is a Swedish songwriter, composer, musician, writer, producer, a former member of the Swedish musical group ABBA , and co-composer of the musicals Chess, Kristina från Duvemåla, and Mamma Mia!...
, except where noted.
- "Dancing QueenDancing Queen"Dancing Queen" is a pop song recorded by Swedish pop group ABBA. It was released in August 1976, but was first performed two months earlier, on 18 June 1976, during a Royal Variety Show in Stockholm the evening before the Swedish royal wedding. It was the follow-up single to the hit "Fernando"...
" (1976) (Andersson, Stig AndersonStig AndersonStig 'Stikkan' Erik Leopold Anderson was born in Hova, Sweden, and is best known as the manager of the pop group ABBA.- Polar Music:Anderson was the founder of the Polar Music record label in 1963...
, Ulvaeus) – 3:51 - "Knowing Me, Knowing YouKnowing Me, Knowing You"Knowing Me, Knowing You" is a hit single recorded by Swedish pop group ABBA. The song was written by Benny Andersson, Björn Ulvaeus and Stig Anderson, with the lead vocal sung by Anni-Frid Lyngstad. During recording sessions, it had the working titles of "Ring It In" and "Number 1, Number 1"...
" (1976) (Andersson, Anderson, Ulvaeus) – 4:03 - "Take a Chance on MeTake a Chance on Me"Take a Chance on Me" is a song by the Swedish pop group ABBA. It was released in 1978 as the second single from their fifth studio album, simply called The Album. The song has been featured on a number of ABBA compilations such as ABBA Gold: Greatest Hits.-History:The working title of "Take a...
" (1977) – 4:06 - "Mamma MiaMamma Mia (song)"Mamma Mia" is a song from ABBA's 3rd album, ABBA, written by Benny Andersson, Björn Ulvaeus & Stig Anderson, with the lead vocals shared by Agnetha Fältskog and Anni-Frid Lyngstad. The song "Mamma Mia" is a common song used in bands or orchestras...
" (1975) (Andersson, Anderson, Ulvaeus) – 3:33 - "Lay All Your Love on MeLay All Your Love on Me"Lay All Your Love on Me", is a song recorded by Swedish pop group ABBA in 1980 for their Super Trouper album. It was released only as a 12-inch single in 1981 in limited territories, rather than as a standard 7-inch record. At the time, it was the highest selling 12-inch record in UK chart...
" (1980) – 4:35 - "Super TrouperSuper Trouper (song)-A-Teens version:"Super Trouper" was A-Teens' second single from their 1st album The ABBA Generation, a cover of ABBA's song. When the single came out in the fall of 1999, it became a hit around the globe, just as its predecessor "Mamma Mia", also an ABBA cover...
" (1980) – 4:13 - "I Have a Dream" (1979) – 4:42
- "The Winner Takes It AllThe Winner Takes It All"The Winner Takes It All" is a song recorded by Swedish pop group ABBA. Released as the first single from the group's Super Trouper album on July 21, 1980, it is a ballad in the key of F-sharp major, reflecting the end of a romance...
" (1980) – 4:54 - "Money, Money, MoneyMoney, Money, Money"Money, Money, Money", originally "Gypsy Girl", is a song recorded by Swedish pop group ABBA. The song, like most ABBA songs, was written by Benny Andersson and Björn Ulvaeus. It was released as a single on November 1, 1976, as the follow-up single to "Dancing Queen, both from the album Arrival...
" (1976) – 3:06 - "S.O.S.SOS (ABBA song)Agnetha Fältskog's version was the second single from her fifth Swedish solo-album Elva kvinnor i ett hus . It was the only song from this album not to have been composed by Fältskog herself....
" (1975) (Andersson, Anderson, Ulvaeus) – 3:20 - "ChiquititaChiquitita"Chiquitita" was the first single release from Swedish pop group ABBA's Voulez-Vous album, their sixth for Polar, and their fifth for Epic and Atlantic...
" (1979) – 5:27 - "FernandoFernando (song)"Fernando" is a song by the Swedish pop group ABBA. It was the group's first non-album single and was released in November 1975 through Polar Music. Lead vocals were sung by Anni-Frid Lyngstad...
" (1976) (Andersson, Anderson, Ulvaeus) – 4:14 - "Voulez-VousVoulez-Vous (song)"Voulez-Vous" is a eurodisco track by Swedish pop group ABBA, written by Benny Andersson and Björn Ulvaeus . Agnetha Fältskog and Anni-Frid Lyngstad shared the lead vocals....
" (1979) – 4:21/5:10 - "Gimme! Gimme! Gimme! (A Man After Midnight)Gimme! Gimme! Gimme! (A Man After Midnight)"Gimme! Gimme! Gimme! ", originally titled "Been and Gone and Done It", is one of Swedish pop group ABBA's biggest disco hits. It was recorded and released in 1979 with "The King Has Lost His Crown" as the B-side. It appears on ABBA's Greatest Hits Vol...
" (1979) – 4:52 - "Does Your Mother KnowDoes Your Mother Know"Does Your Mother Know", originally "I Can Do It", is the name of a song recorded in 1979 by Swedish pop group ABBA and was the second single to be released from their album Voulez-Vous. The B-side was "Kisses of Fire", also taken from the album.-History:...
" (1979) – 3:13 - "One of UsOne of Us (ABBA song)"One of Us" from 1981 was the first single from Swedish pop group ABBA's final studio album The Visitors, their eighth for Polar, and their seventh for Epic and Atlantic...
" (1981) – 3:58 - "The Name of the GameThe Name of the Game"The Name of the Game" is a 1977 song by Swedish pop group ABBA, and was released as the first single from the group's fifth studio album, The Album...
" (1977) (Andersson, Anderson, Ulvaeus) – 3:56/4:54 - "Thank You for the MusicThank You for the Music"Thank You for the Music" is a song by the Swedish pop group ABBA. It was originally featured on the group's fifth studio album ABBA: The Album and was released as a single on November 6, 1983, to promote the Epic Records compilation album Thank You for the Music: A Collection of Love Songs...
" (1977) – 3:49 - "Waterloo" (1974) (Andersson, Anderson, Ulvaeus) – 2:46
Australasia version (until 2008)
All songs written by Andersson and Ulvaeus, except where noted.- "Dancing Queen" (1976) (Andersson, Anderson Ulvaeus) – 3:49
- "Knowing Me, Knowing You" (1977) (Andersson, Anderson, Ulvaeus) – 4:01
- "Take a Chance on Me" (1978) – 4:01
- "Mamma Mia" (1975) (Andersson, Anderson, Ulvaeus) – 3:32
- "Lay All Your Love on Me" (1980) – 4:32
- "Ring Ring" (1973) (Andersson, Ulvaeus, Neil SedakaNeil SedakaNeil Sedaka is an American pop/rock singer, pianist, and composer. His career has spanned nearly 55 years, during which time he has sold millions of records as an artist and has written or co-written over 500 songs for himself and other artists, collaborating mostly with lyricists Howard...
, Phil Cody) – 3:02 - "I Do, I Do, I Do, I Do, I Do" (1975) (Andersson, Anderson, Ulvaeus) – 3:15
- "The Winner Takes It All" (1980) – 4:54
- "Money, Money, Money" (1976) – 3:05
- "S.O.S" (1975) (Andersson, Anderson, Ulvaeus) – 3:19
- "Chiquitita" (1979) – 5:26
- "Fernando" (1976) (Andersson, Anderson, Ulvaeus) – 4:10
- "Voulez-Vous" (1979) – 4:21
- "Gimme! Gimme! Gimme! (A Man After Midnight)" (1979) – 4:46
- "Does Your Mother Know" (1979) – 3:14
- "One of Us" (1981) – 3:53
- "The Name of the Game" (1977) (Andersson, Anderson, Ulvaeus) – 3:56
- "Rock Me" (1975) – 3:02
- "Waterloo" (1974) (Andersson, Anderson, Ulvaeus) – 2:42
Special edition bonus CD
In 2003, Gold: Greatest Hits was released in Europe with a bonus second disc.- "Summer Night CitySummer Night City"Summer Night City", written by Björn Ulvaeus and Benny Andersson, is ABBA's 2nd non-album single, released on September 6, 1978. It was originally intended as the lead single from the group's upcoming Voulez-Vous album, but was eventually not included...
" - "AngeleyesAngeleyes"Angeleyes" is a song written and recorded in 1979 by Swedish pop group ABBA. The lyrics and music were composed by Benny Andersson and Björn Ulvaeus, with the lyrics sung by both Agnetha Fältskog and Anni-Frid Lyngstad, typical of most ABBA compositions...
" - "The Day Before You CameThe Day Before You Came"The Day Before You Came" is a song recorded and released by Swedish pop group ABBA. It was originally released in October 1982, as the first new song from ABBA's double compilation album The Singles: The First Ten Years...
" - "EagleEagle (song)The song "Eagle" was recorded in 1977 by Swedish pop group ABBA. It was the first track on the group's fifth album, simply titled The Album and the longest track they ever recorded...
" - "I Do, I Do, I Do, I Do, I DoI Do, I Do, I Do, I Do, I Do"I Do, I Do, I Do, I Do, I Do" was a hit single for Swedish pop group ABBA, and was their next major worldwide hit after Waterloo. It was the second single to be released from their ABBA album, and one of the last songs to be recorded for the album...
" - "So Long"
- "Honey, HoneyHoney, Honey"Honey, Honey" is a song by the Swedish pop group ABBA. It was released as the second single from their second studio album, Waterloo, after the success of the title track winning the 1974 Eurovision Song Contest.-History:...
" - "The VisitorsThe Visitors (song)"The Visitors", originally "Den första" , was the final single release from Swedish pop group ABBA's studio album of the same name, released in the United States in 1982...
" - "Ring RingRing Ring (song)"Ring Ring" is a 1973 single by ABBA, which gave the group their big break in several European countries...
" - "When I Kissed the Teacher"
- "The Way Old Friends Do"
VHS Home Video Release
All songs written by Benny AnderssonBenny Andersson
Göran Bror "Benny" Andersson is a Swedish musician, composer, a former member of the Swedish musical group ABBA , and co-composer of the musicals Chess, Kristina från Duvemåla, and Mamma Mia!...
and Björn Ulvaeus
Björn Ulvaeus
Björn Kristian Ulvaeus is a Swedish songwriter, composer, musician, writer, producer, a former member of the Swedish musical group ABBA , and co-composer of the musicals Chess, Kristina från Duvemåla, and Mamma Mia!...
, except where noted.
- "Dancing QueenDancing Queen"Dancing Queen" is a pop song recorded by Swedish pop group ABBA. It was released in August 1976, but was first performed two months earlier, on 18 June 1976, during a Royal Variety Show in Stockholm the evening before the Swedish royal wedding. It was the follow-up single to the hit "Fernando"...
" (1976) (1992 Version) (Andersson, Stig AndersonStig AndersonStig 'Stikkan' Erik Leopold Anderson was born in Hova, Sweden, and is best known as the manager of the pop group ABBA.- Polar Music:Anderson was the founder of the Polar Music record label in 1963...
, Ulvaeus) – 3:51 - "Knowing Me, Knowing YouKnowing Me, Knowing You"Knowing Me, Knowing You" is a hit single recorded by Swedish pop group ABBA. The song was written by Benny Andersson, Björn Ulvaeus and Stig Anderson, with the lead vocal sung by Anni-Frid Lyngstad. During recording sessions, it had the working titles of "Ring It In" and "Number 1, Number 1"...
" (1976) (Andersson, Anderson, Ulvaeus) – 4:03 - "Take a Chance on MeTake a Chance on Me"Take a Chance on Me" is a song by the Swedish pop group ABBA. It was released in 1978 as the second single from their fifth studio album, simply called The Album. The song has been featured on a number of ABBA compilations such as ABBA Gold: Greatest Hits.-History:The working title of "Take a...
" (1977) – 4:05 - "Mamma MiaMamma Mia (song)"Mamma Mia" is a song from ABBA's 3rd album, ABBA, written by Benny Andersson, Björn Ulvaeus & Stig Anderson, with the lead vocals shared by Agnetha Fältskog and Anni-Frid Lyngstad. The song "Mamma Mia" is a common song used in bands or orchestras...
" (1975) (Andersson, Anderson, Ulvaeus) – 3:33 - "Lay All Your Love on MeLay All Your Love on Me"Lay All Your Love on Me", is a song recorded by Swedish pop group ABBA in 1980 for their Super Trouper album. It was released only as a 12-inch single in 1981 in limited territories, rather than as a standard 7-inch record. At the time, it was the highest selling 12-inch record in UK chart...
" (1980) – 4:35 - "Super TrouperSuper Trouper (song)-A-Teens version:"Super Trouper" was A-Teens' second single from their 1st album The ABBA Generation, a cover of ABBA's song. When the single came out in the fall of 1999, it became a hit around the globe, just as its predecessor "Mamma Mia", also an ABBA cover...
" (1980) – 4:13 - "I Have a Dream" (1979) – 4:42
- "The Winner Takes It AllThe Winner Takes It All"The Winner Takes It All" is a song recorded by Swedish pop group ABBA. Released as the first single from the group's Super Trouper album on July 21, 1980, it is a ballad in the key of F-sharp major, reflecting the end of a romance...
" (1980) – 4:54 - "Money, Money, MoneyMoney, Money, Money"Money, Money, Money", originally "Gypsy Girl", is a song recorded by Swedish pop group ABBA. The song, like most ABBA songs, was written by Benny Andersson and Björn Ulvaeus. It was released as a single on November 1, 1976, as the follow-up single to "Dancing Queen, both from the album Arrival...
" (1976) – 3:06 - "S.O.S.SOS (ABBA song)Agnetha Fältskog's version was the second single from her fifth Swedish solo-album Elva kvinnor i ett hus . It was the only song from this album not to have been composed by Fältskog herself....
" (1975) (Andersson, Anderson, Ulvaeus) – 3:20 - "ChiquititaChiquitita"Chiquitita" was the first single release from Swedish pop group ABBA's Voulez-Vous album, their sixth for Polar, and their fifth for Epic and Atlantic...
" (1979) – 5:27 - "FernandoFernando (song)"Fernando" is a song by the Swedish pop group ABBA. It was the group's first non-album single and was released in November 1975 through Polar Music. Lead vocals were sung by Anni-Frid Lyngstad...
" (1976) (Andersson, Anderson, Ulvaeus) – 4:14 - "Voulez-VousVoulez-Vous (song)"Voulez-Vous" is a eurodisco track by Swedish pop group ABBA, written by Benny Andersson and Björn Ulvaeus . Agnetha Fältskog and Anni-Frid Lyngstad shared the lead vocals....
" (1979) – 4:21/5:10 - "Gimme! Gimme! Gimme! (A Man After Midnight)Gimme! Gimme! Gimme! (A Man After Midnight)"Gimme! Gimme! Gimme! ", originally titled "Been and Gone and Done It", is one of Swedish pop group ABBA's biggest disco hits. It was recorded and released in 1979 with "The King Has Lost His Crown" as the B-side. It appears on ABBA's Greatest Hits Vol...
" (1979) – 4:52 - "Does Your Mother KnowDoes Your Mother Know"Does Your Mother Know", originally "I Can Do It", is the name of a song recorded in 1979 by Swedish pop group ABBA and was the second single to be released from their album Voulez-Vous. The B-side was "Kisses of Fire", also taken from the album.-History:...
" (1979) – 3:13 - "One of UsOne of Us (ABBA song)"One of Us" from 1981 was the first single from Swedish pop group ABBA's final studio album The Visitors, their eighth for Polar, and their seventh for Epic and Atlantic...
" (1981) – 3:58 - "The Name of the GameThe Name of the Game"The Name of the Game" is a 1977 song by Swedish pop group ABBA, and was released as the first single from the group's fifth studio album, The Album...
" (1977) (Andersson, Anderson, Ulvaeus) – 3:56/4:53 - "Thank You for the MusicThank You for the Music"Thank You for the Music" is a song by the Swedish pop group ABBA. It was originally featured on the group's fifth studio album ABBA: The Album and was released as a single on November 6, 1983, to promote the Epic Records compilation album Thank You for the Music: A Collection of Love Songs...
" (1977) – 3:49 - "Waterloo" (1974) (Andersson, Anderson, Ulvaeus) – 2:46
DVD Release
The DVD release features cleaned-up and remastered prints of the following videos.All songs written by Benny Andersson
Benny Andersson
Göran Bror "Benny" Andersson is a Swedish musician, composer, a former member of the Swedish musical group ABBA , and co-composer of the musicals Chess, Kristina från Duvemåla, and Mamma Mia!...
and Björn Ulvaeus
Björn Ulvaeus
Björn Kristian Ulvaeus is a Swedish songwriter, composer, musician, writer, producer, a former member of the Swedish musical group ABBA , and co-composer of the musicals Chess, Kristina från Duvemåla, and Mamma Mia!...
, except where noted.
- "Dancing QueenDancing Queen"Dancing Queen" is a pop song recorded by Swedish pop group ABBA. It was released in August 1976, but was first performed two months earlier, on 18 June 1976, during a Royal Variety Show in Stockholm the evening before the Swedish royal wedding. It was the follow-up single to the hit "Fernando"...
" (1976) (Andersson, Stig AndersonStig AndersonStig 'Stikkan' Erik Leopold Anderson was born in Hova, Sweden, and is best known as the manager of the pop group ABBA.- Polar Music:Anderson was the founder of the Polar Music record label in 1963...
, Ulvaeus) – 3:51 - "Knowing Me, Knowing YouKnowing Me, Knowing You"Knowing Me, Knowing You" is a hit single recorded by Swedish pop group ABBA. The song was written by Benny Andersson, Björn Ulvaeus and Stig Anderson, with the lead vocal sung by Anni-Frid Lyngstad. During recording sessions, it had the working titles of "Ring It In" and "Number 1, Number 1"...
" (1976) (Andersson, Anderson, Ulvaeus) – 4:03 - "Take a Chance on MeTake a Chance on Me"Take a Chance on Me" is a song by the Swedish pop group ABBA. It was released in 1978 as the second single from their fifth studio album, simply called The Album. The song has been featured on a number of ABBA compilations such as ABBA Gold: Greatest Hits.-History:The working title of "Take a...
" (1977) – 4:05 - "Mamma MiaMamma Mia (song)"Mamma Mia" is a song from ABBA's 3rd album, ABBA, written by Benny Andersson, Björn Ulvaeus & Stig Anderson, with the lead vocals shared by Agnetha Fältskog and Anni-Frid Lyngstad. The song "Mamma Mia" is a common song used in bands or orchestras...
" (1975) (Andersson, Anderson, Ulvaeus) – 3:33 - "Lay All Your Love on MeLay All Your Love on Me"Lay All Your Love on Me", is a song recorded by Swedish pop group ABBA in 1980 for their Super Trouper album. It was released only as a 12-inch single in 1981 in limited territories, rather than as a standard 7-inch record. At the time, it was the highest selling 12-inch record in UK chart...
" (1980) – 4:35 - "Super TrouperSuper Trouper (song)-A-Teens version:"Super Trouper" was A-Teens' second single from their 1st album The ABBA Generation, a cover of ABBA's song. When the single came out in the fall of 1999, it became a hit around the globe, just as its predecessor "Mamma Mia", also an ABBA cover...
" (1980) – 4:13 - "I Have a Dream" (1979) – 4:42
- "The Winner Takes It AllThe Winner Takes It All"The Winner Takes It All" is a song recorded by Swedish pop group ABBA. Released as the first single from the group's Super Trouper album on July 21, 1980, it is a ballad in the key of F-sharp major, reflecting the end of a romance...
" (1980) – 4:54 - "Money, Money, MoneyMoney, Money, Money"Money, Money, Money", originally "Gypsy Girl", is a song recorded by Swedish pop group ABBA. The song, like most ABBA songs, was written by Benny Andersson and Björn Ulvaeus. It was released as a single on November 1, 1976, as the follow-up single to "Dancing Queen, both from the album Arrival...
" (1976) – 3:06 - "S.O.S.SOS (ABBA song)Agnetha Fältskog's version was the second single from her fifth Swedish solo-album Elva kvinnor i ett hus . It was the only song from this album not to have been composed by Fältskog herself....
" (1975) (Andersson, Anderson, Ulvaeus) – 3:20 - "ChiquititaChiquitita"Chiquitita" was the first single release from Swedish pop group ABBA's Voulez-Vous album, their sixth for Polar, and their fifth for Epic and Atlantic...
" (1979) – 5:27 - "FernandoFernando (song)"Fernando" is a song by the Swedish pop group ABBA. It was the group's first non-album single and was released in November 1975 through Polar Music. Lead vocals were sung by Anni-Frid Lyngstad...
" (1976) (Andersson, Anderson, Ulvaeus) – 4:14 - "Voulez-VousVoulez-Vous (song)"Voulez-Vous" is a eurodisco track by Swedish pop group ABBA, written by Benny Andersson and Björn Ulvaeus . Agnetha Fältskog and Anni-Frid Lyngstad shared the lead vocals....
" (1979) – 4:21/5:10 - "Gimme! Gimme! Gimme! (A Man After Midnight)Gimme! Gimme! Gimme! (A Man After Midnight)"Gimme! Gimme! Gimme! ", originally titled "Been and Gone and Done It", is one of Swedish pop group ABBA's biggest disco hits. It was recorded and released in 1979 with "The King Has Lost His Crown" as the B-side. It appears on ABBA's Greatest Hits Vol...
" (1979) – 4:52 - "Does Your Mother KnowDoes Your Mother Know"Does Your Mother Know", originally "I Can Do It", is the name of a song recorded in 1979 by Swedish pop group ABBA and was the second single to be released from their album Voulez-Vous. The B-side was "Kisses of Fire", also taken from the album.-History:...
" (1979) – 3:13 - "One of UsOne of Us (ABBA song)"One of Us" from 1981 was the first single from Swedish pop group ABBA's final studio album The Visitors, their eighth for Polar, and their seventh for Epic and Atlantic...
" (1981) – 3:58 - "The Name of the GameThe Name of the Game"The Name of the Game" is a 1977 song by Swedish pop group ABBA, and was released as the first single from the group's fifth studio album, The Album...
" (1977) (Andersson, Anderson, Ulvaeus) – 3:56/4:53 - "Thank You for the MusicThank You for the Music"Thank You for the Music" is a song by the Swedish pop group ABBA. It was originally featured on the group's fifth studio album ABBA: The Album and was released as a single on November 6, 1983, to promote the Epic Records compilation album Thank You for the Music: A Collection of Love Songs...
" (1977) – 3:49 - "Waterloo" (1974) (Andersson, Anderson, Ulvaeus) – 2:46
- ABBA - The History - 25-minute documentary
- "Dancing QueenDancing Queen"Dancing Queen" is a pop song recorded by Swedish pop group ABBA. It was released in August 1976, but was first performed two months earlier, on 18 June 1976, during a Royal Variety Show in Stockholm the evening before the Swedish royal wedding. It was the follow-up single to the hit "Fernando"...
" (1976) (1992 Version) (Andersson, Anderson, Ulvaeus) – 3:51
Personnel
- Benny AnderssonBenny AnderssonGöran Bror "Benny" Andersson is a Swedish musician, composer, a former member of the Swedish musical group ABBA , and co-composer of the musicals Chess, Kristina från Duvemåla, and Mamma Mia!...
– synthesizerSynthesizerA synthesizer is an electronic instrument capable of producing sounds by generating electrical signals of different frequencies. These electrical signals are played through a loudspeaker or set of headphones...
, keyboardsKeyboard instrumentA keyboard instrument is a musical instrument which is played using a musical keyboard. The most common of these is the piano. Other widely used keyboard instruments include organs of various types as well as other mechanical, electromechanical and electronic instruments...
, vocalsSingingSinging is the act of producing musical sounds with the voice, and augments regular speech by the use of both tonality and rhythm. One who sings is called a singer or vocalist. Singers perform music known as songs that can be sung either with or without accompaniment by musical instruments... - Agnetha FältskogAgnetha FältskogAgnetha Åse Fältskog is a Swedish recording artist. She achieved success in Sweden after the release of her début album Agnetha Fältskog in 1968, and reached international stardom as a member of the pop group ABBA, which to date has sold over 375 million records worldwide, making it the fourth...
– vocals - Anni-Frid LyngstadAnni-Frid LyngstadAnni-Frid Prinzessin Reuss von Plauen , is a Norwegian-born Swedish pop singer...
– vocals - Björn UlvaeusBjörn UlvaeusBjörn Kristian Ulvaeus is a Swedish songwriter, composer, musician, writer, producer, a former member of the Swedish musical group ABBA , and co-composer of the musicals Chess, Kristina från Duvemåla, and Mamma Mia!...
– banjoBanjoIn the 1830s Sweeney became the first white man to play the banjo on stage. His version of the instrument replaced the gourd with a drum-like sound box and included four full-length strings alongside a short fifth-string. There is no proof, however, that Sweeney invented either innovation. This new...
, guitarGuitarThe guitar is a plucked string instrument, usually played with fingers or a pick. The guitar consists of a body with a rigid neck to which the strings, generally six in number, are attached. Guitars are traditionally constructed of various woods and strung with animal gut or, more recently, with...
, vocals
Production
- Benny Andersson; Björn Ulvaeus – producerRecord producerA record producer is an individual working within the music industry, whose job is to oversee and manage the recording of an artist's music...
s - Michael B. TretowMichael B. TretowBo Michael Tretow is a swedish record producer and audio engineer, Musician and composer, best known for his work with Swedish pop group ABBA , and with the musical Chess. Tretow experimented with different recording techniques, and played an essential part in creating the famous "ABBA-sound"...
– engineerAudio engineeringAn audio engineer, also called audio technician, audio technologist or sound technician, is a specialist in a skilled trade that deals with the use of machinery and equipment for the recording, mixing and reproduction of sounds. The field draws on many artistic and vocational areas, including...
, digital remastering (1992 edition) - Jon Astley – digital remastering (1999, 2002, 2004 reissues)
- Henrik Jonsson – digital remastering (2008 reissue)
- Ingemar Bergman – compilation
- Chris Griffin – compilation
- George McManus – compilation
- Jackie Stansfield – compilation
- John Tobler – liner notes, compilation
- Carl Magnus Palm – liner notes (1999, 2002, 2004, 2008 reissues)
Chart positions
In many countries, this album has re-entered the charts many times over the last 15 years. It peaked at number 1 on Billboard's Top Pop Catalog Albums chart, reaching the Top Spot of this charts 16 years after release.Album
| Chart | Position |
|---|---|
| Australian Albums Chart ARIA Charts The ARIA charts are the main Australian music sales charts, issued weekly by the Australian Recording Industry Association. The charts are a record of the highest selling singles and albums in various genres in Australia. ARIA commenced compiling its own charts in-house from the week ending 26 June... |
1 |
| Austrian Albums Chart Austria Austria , officially the Republic of Austria , is a landlocked country of roughly 8.4 million people in Central Europe. It is bordered by the Czech Republic and Germany to the north, Slovakia and Hungary to the east, Slovenia and Italy to the south, and Switzerland and Liechtenstein to the... |
1 |
| Belgium | 1 |
| Canadian Albums Chart Canada Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean... |
4 |
| Finnish Albums Chart Finland Finland , officially the Republic of Finland, is a Nordic country situated in the Fennoscandian region of Northern Europe. It is bordered by Sweden in the west, Norway in the north and Russia in the east, while Estonia lies to its south across the Gulf of Finland.Around 5.4 million people reside... |
1 |
| France | 1 |
| Germany Media Control Charts The official music charts in Germany are gathered and published by the company Media Control GfK International on behalf of Bundesverband Musikindustrie... |
1 |
| Hungary Album Chart Mahasz Mahasz is the Hungarian music industry association, founded in 1992. Mahasz hands out the Hungarian Music Awards and maintains the music charts for Hungary.... |
10 |
| Irish Albums Chart Irish Albums Chart The Irish Albums Chart is the Irish music industry standard albums popularity chart issued weekly by the Irish Recorded Music Association and compiled on its behalf by Chart-Track. Chart rankings are based on sales, which are compiled through over-the-counter retail data captured electronically... |
1 |
| Italy Album Chart Federation of the Italian Music Industry The Federation of the Italian Music Industry is an umbrella organization that keeps track of virtually all aspects of the music recording industry in Italy.... |
2 |
| Japanese Album Chart Oricon , established in 1999, is the holding company at the head of a Japanese corporate group that supplies statistics and information on music and the music industry in Japan. It started as , which was founded by Sōkō Koike in November 1967 and became known for its music charts. Oricon Inc... |
13 |
| Mexico Album Chart AMPROFON Asociación Mexicana de Productores de Fonogramas y Videogramas is a non-profit organization integrated by multinational and national record companies in Mexico. Established on April 3, 1963, it groups phonographic companies that represent more than 70 percent of the market in Mexico... |
1 |
| Netherlands Album Chart MegaCharts MegaCharts is responsible for the composition and exploitation of a broad collection of official charts in the Netherlands, of which the Mega Top 50 and the Mega Album Top 100 are the most known ones. Mega Charts also provides information to the Stichting Nederlandse Top 40, of which the Dutch Top... |
2 |
| New Zealand Album Chart | 3 |
| Norway Album Chart VG-lista VG-listen is a Norwegian record chart. It is weekly presented in the newspaper VG and the Norwegian Broadcasting Corporation program Topp 20. It is considered the primary Norwegian record chart, charting albums and singles from countries and continent around the world. The data is collected by... |
1 |
| Portugal Associação Fonográfica Portuguesa The Associação Fonográfica Portuguesa is currently the only recording industry association in Portugal. Created in 1989, it succeeded GPPFV and UNEVA .... |
2 |
| Slovenian Albums Chart | 3 |
| Spain | 1 |
| Swedish Albums Chart Sweden Sweden , officially the Kingdom of Sweden , is a Nordic country on the Scandinavian Peninsula in Northern Europe. Sweden borders with Norway and Finland and is connected to Denmark by a bridge-tunnel across the Öresund.... |
1 |
| Swiss Albums Chart IFPI The International Federation of the Phonographic Industry is the organisation that represents the interests of the recording industry worldwide. It is a not-for-profit members' organisation registered in Switzerland... |
1 |
| UK Albums Chart UK Albums Chart The UK Albums Chart is a list of albums ranked by physical and digital sales in the United Kingdom. It is compiled every week by The Official Charts Company and broadcast on a Sunday on BBC Radio 1 , and published in Music Week magazine and on the OCC website .To qualify for the UK albums chart... |
1 |
| U.S. Billboard 200 Billboard 200 The Billboard 200 is a ranking of the 200 highest-selling music albums and EPs in the United States, published weekly by Billboard magazine. It is frequently used to convey the popularity of an artist or groups of artists... |
63 |
| U.S. Billboard Top Pop Catalog Albums Top Pop Catalog Albums Top Pop Catalog Albums is a fifty-position weekly albums chart produced by Billboard magazine which ranks the best selling catalog titles, regardless of genre. Billboard defines a catalog title as one that is more than eighteen months old and that has fallen below position 100 on the Billboard 200... |
1 |
| U.S. Billboard Comprehensive Albums Billboard Comprehensive Albums Billboard Comprehensive Albums was established in 2003 and was a weekly albums chart produced by Billboard magazine that ranked the biggest selling albums in the United States regardless of the product's age or method of sales.... |
11 |
| U.S. Billboard Catalog Albums | 1 |
| U.S. Billboard Digital Albums | 10 |
| Zimbabwe | 3 |
Certifications
See also
- List of best-selling albums worldwide
- List of best-selling albums in the United Kingdom
- List of best-selling albums in Australia
- List of best-selling albums in Germany
External links
- abba4therecord / Webpage showing Gold Releases worldwide http://www.abba4therecord.com/goldspecial.php