Money, Money, Money

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"Money, Money, Money"
Single by ABBA
from the album Arrival
B-side	"Crazy World"
Released	1 November 1976
Format	7" single
Genre	Pop
Length	3:05
Label	Polar Music
Writer(s)	Benny Andersson, Björn Ulvaeus
Producer	Benny Andersson, Björn Ulvaeus
Certification	Gold (France), Gold (UK)
ABBA singles chronology
"Dancing Queen" (1976) "Money, Money, Money" (1976) "That's Me" (1976)

"Money, Money, Money" is the name of a song recorded by Swedish pop group ABBA in 1976 & is included on the group's album Arrival. The song also features on the ABBA Gold: Greatest Hits compilation and in the musical Mamma Mia!.

[edit] History

"Money, Money, Money" was written by Benny Andersson & Björn Ulvaeus & was originally "Gypsy Girl". The dramatic structure of the song suited well for Anni-Frid Lyngstad's mellow lead vocal. Released in November 1976, it followed the worldwide success of "Dancing Queen".

"Money, Money, Money" begins with the sound of a vintage piano. When the song was first performed for television, audiences saw the group dressed in clothes reminiscent of the 1972 film Cabaret (the women clad in 'Cabaret' style tassled dresses & feathered head bands while the men dressed as oldtime barmen).

"Money, Money, Money" is an early indication of Björn & Benny's abilities to write dramatic music suitable for a musical. Like most of ABBA singles, a video for "Money, Money, Money" was later made. The video's director, Lasse Hallström, later acknowledged "Money, Money, Money" as the best ABBA video he ever directed.^[1]

[edit] Reception

"Money, Money, Money" was the 2nd worldwide smash-hit flowing from the Arrival album. The song reached #1 in Australia, Belgium, France, West Germany, Mexico, The Netherlands & New Zealand, while reaching the Top 3 in Austria, Great Britain, Ireland, Norway & Switzerland.

[edit] Chart positions

[edit] Cover versions

• On the 1995 New Zealand tribute album Abbasalutely, the song is covered by the group Chug.
• The 1999 British tribute album Abbamania featured a cover by the group Madness, who also performed the song in the TV special.
• The song was featured in a German tribute album similarly entitled ABBA Mania which also was released in conjunction with a TV special. This time the song was performed by German model Mariella Ahrens.
• The song was covered by ABBA tribute pop group Arrival on their album First Flight.
• A dance version was recorded by Angeleyes for their tribute album ABBAdance in 1999.
• Dance versions have also been recorded by Abbacadabra (released through British label Almighty Records), Tiny T on the Lay All Your Love On ABBA compilation, and German eurodance group E-Rotic from their 1997 album Thank You For The Music.
• An instrumental electronica version by Transient can be found on The Electronic Tribute To ABBA.
• German metal/rock band Charisma included a re-tooled version of the song on their 1999 debut album Karma. While the melody is exactly the same as the original, the lyrics were completely rewritten for their cover version.
• Finnish heavy metal band Afterworld recorded a cover of the song for their 2000 album Connecting Animals.
• Heavy metal band Mental Crypt did a cover for the album A Black Mark Tribute Vol. 2.
• The tribute album ABBAMetal (also released as A Tribute to ABBA) featured a version by German power metal band At Vance & was also included on their debut album, No Escape.
• Swedish studio rock musicians The Black Sweden included a version on their ABBA tribute album Gold. This cover features an intro with a riff taken from the Van Halen song, Ain't Talking About Love.
• A dance cover of the song by Donna Burke was included on the 2001 Japanese import ABBA Ibiza Caliente Mix compilation.
• The song is covered by Connie Cat on Abbalicious, a 2004 tribute album of ABBA songs performed by American drag queens.^[2]
• The 2004 Funky ABBA tribute album by Swedish musician Nils Landgren includes a version of the song.
• American R&B/hip hop/pop singer Stephanie St. James (also known as St. James) recorded a cover with slightly altered lyrics for her 2004 album What Did I Do?.^[3]
• Swedish opera singer Anne Sofie von Otter covered the song on her 2006 ABBA tribute album I Let The Music Speak.
• A cover of the song by I.K. Sound can be found on the 2006 chill out music compilation ABBA Chill Out.
• German AC/DC tribute band Riff Raff recorded a cover in AC/DC style for their 2006 album Rock 'N' Roll Mutation Vol. 1: Riff Raff Performs ABBA.
• A cover of the song by Finnish a cappella choral ensemble Rajaton can be found on their 2006 ABBA tribute album Rajaton Sings ABBA With Lahti Symphony Orchestra.
• ABBA tribute act Swede Dreams recorded a cover of the song, which is available to listen to on their official website.
• American indie artist RxW recorded a cover which was available for download on the Internet.
• The song was covered in a jazz/lounge music style by American group BNB on their 2008 album Bossa Mia: Songs of ABBA.^[4]
• Australian rock band Audioscam covered the song on their 2008 album Abbattack. Samples from the album can be heard on their official MySpace page.^[5]

[edit] Live cover performances, appearances in other media, etc.

• ABBA perform parts of the song live in the film "ABBA: The Movie" (1977).
• The song is performed in the Mamma Mia! musical by the character of Donna. In the context of the musical, the song is used as Donna's explanation on how hard she has to work for keeping the taverna in order. Also, the song explains her desire for a more wealthier life. The song is also performed in the film version, Mamma Mia! The Movie, sung by Meryl Streep.
• The song was performed in the Avrupa Yakası Turkish TV series by Engin Günaydın, Tolga Çevik, Gülse Birsel and Hasibe Eren.
• The song was sung on Australian Idol season 6 by Roshani Priddis during Abba week.

[edit] External links

• Lyrics for "Money, Money, Money"

[edit] References