Money, Money, Money
1976 single by ABBA
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"Money, Money, Money" is a song recorded by Swedish pop group ABBA, written by Benny Andersson and Björn Ulvaeus with Anni-Frid Lyngstad singing lead vocals. It was released on 1 November 1976, as the second single from the group's fourth studio album, Arrival (1976). The B-side, "Crazy World", was recorded in 1975 during the sessions for the ABBA album. The song (originally titled "Gypsy Girl")[5][6] is sung from the viewpoint of a woman who, despite hard work, can barely keep her finances in surplus, and therefore desires a well-off man.
| "Money, Money, Money" | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ||||
| Single by ABBA | ||||
| from the album Arrival | ||||
| B-side | "Crazy World" | |||
| Released | 30 October 1976 | |||
| Recorded | 15 May 1976 | |||
| Studio | Metronome, Stockholm, Sweden | |||
| Genre | ||||
| Length | 3:05 | |||
| Label | Polar (Sweden) Epic (UK) Atlantic (US) | |||
| Songwriters | Benny Andersson Björn Ulvaeus | |||
| Producers | Benny Andersson Björn Ulvaeus | |||
| ABBA singles chronology | ||||
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| Music video | ||||
| "Money, Money, Money" on YouTube | ||||
ABBA perform parts of "Money, Money, Money" live in the 1977 film ABBA: The Movie. In the popular musical, Mamma Mia!, the song is sung by the character of Donna as she explains how hard she has to work to keep the taverna in order and her dreams of a better life.
Reception
Billboard reviewed the single release and described it as a "fast paced" song with "lots of good-natured gimmicks" that is highlighted by its production.[7] Cash Box said that it "is [ABBA's] cleverest [single] to date, adding humorous lyrics to the distilled pop hooks."[1] Record World said that it "combines Brecht-Weill overtones with a typically sound ABBA pop structure" and that "the ironic lyric goes well with a haunting, music-hall-style tune."[2]
"Money, Money, Money" was the second worldwide hit from Arrival. The song became a number-one chart hit in Australia (ABBA's sixth consecutive chart-topper there), Belgium, France, West Germany, The Netherlands, Mexico and New Zealand, while reaching the top three in Austria, Ireland, Norway, Switzerland and the UK.
By peaking at No. 3 in the UK, "Money, Money, Money" was the only ABBA single between "Mamma Mia" in January 1976 and "Take a Chance on Me" in February 1978 not to top the UK chart.[8] A British poll of "The Nation's Favourite ABBA song" in December 2010 saw "Money, Money, Money" placed at #22 (out of 25). As of September 2021, it is ABBA's 16th-biggest song in the UK, including both pure sales and digital streams.[9]
As of September 1979 in Germany "Money, Money, Money" had sold over 300,000 units.[10] French sales as of April 1977 stand at 500,000.[11]
Music video
The music video for "Money, Money, Money" was inspired by the film Cabaret, showing Frida wearing a hat typical of the 1920s. The video varies from her determined presence in reality during the verses, to the dream sequences about money and "the good life" in the chorus. The video's director, Lasse Hallström, later acknowledged "Money, Money, Money" as the best ABBA video he ever directed.[12]
An alternate music video was filmed for the TV special ABBA-DABBA-DOOO!! featuring Agnetha and Frida in 1920s style flapper dresses, with feathers in their hair.[13]
Personnel
- Anni-Frid Lyngstad – lead vocals
- Agnetha Fältskog – backing vocals
- Björn Ulvaeus – backing vocals
- Benny Andersson – keyboards, synthesizer
- Anders Glenmark – guitar
- Rutger Gunnarsson – bass guitar
Charts
Weekly charts
|
Year-end charts
|
Certifications and sales
| Region | Certification | Certified units/sales |
|---|---|---|
| Australia | — | 244,000[44] |
| Denmark (IFPI Danmark)[45] | Gold | 45,000‡ |
| France (SNEP)[46] | Gold | 500,000* |
| Germany | — | 300,000[10] |
| Kenya | — | 10,000[47] |
| New Zealand (RMNZ)[48] | Gold | 15,000‡ |
| Portugal | — | 20,000[49] |
| United Kingdom (BPI)[50] | Gold | 500,000^ |
| United Kingdom (BPI)[51] Mamma Mia! version |
Silver | 200,000‡ |
| Yugoslavia[52] | Silver | 60,000[52] |
| Summaries | ||
| Worldwide | — | 3,000,000[53] |
|
* Sales figures based on certification alone. | ||