Money, Money, Money

"Money, Money, Money" is a song recorded by Swedish pop group ABBA, written by Benny Andersson and Björn Ulvaeus. It was released as a single on 1 November 1976, as the follow-up to "Dancing Queen" (both from the album Arrival). The B-side, "Crazy World", was recorded in 1974 during the sessions for the album ABBA.

"Money, Money, Money"
Single by ABBA
from the album Arrival
B-side"Crazy World"
Released1 November 1976
Recorded17 May 1976
at Metronome Studio
GenreBaroque pop
Length3:05
LabelPolar (Sweden)
Epic (UK)
Atlantic (US)
Songwriter(s)Benny Andersson
Björn Ulvaeus
Producer(s)Benny Andersson
Björn Ulvaeus
ABBA singles chronology
"Dancing Queen"
(1976)
"Money, Money, Money"
(1976)
"That's Me"
(1976)
Music video
"Money, Money, Money" on YouTube

The song (originally titled "Gypsy Girl")[1] 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.

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. In the 2008 film, Meryl Streep sings the song.

Music video

The 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.[2]

An alternate music video was filmed for the TV special ABBA-DABBA-DOOO!! featuring Agnetha and Frida in 1930s style flapper dresses, with feathers in their hair.[3]

Anni-Frid sings the solo parts.

Reception

Billboard Magazine reviewed the single release and described it as a "fast paced" song with "lots of good-natured gimmicks" that is highlighted by its production.[4]

"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.[5] 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 1979 in Germany "Money, Money, Money" had sold over 300,000 units.[6] French sales as of April 1977 stand at 500,000.[7]

Personnel

Chart performance

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