Few pop acts have had the longevity or global reach of ABBA. The Swedish quartet – made up of Agnetha Fältskog, Björn Ulvaeus, Benny Andersson and Anni-Frid Lyngstad – shot to international fame after winning the 1974 Eurovision Song Contest with Waterloo.
Over the next decade, they redefined pop music with their way of crafting infectious melodies, rich harmonies and catchy choruses, all dressed up in glitter and glamour
Such a career has seen them sell over 400 million records worldwide, and ABBA remains one of the best-selling music acts of all time. They’ve been inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, inspired hit musicals and blockbuster films (like the classic Mamma Mia! series), and even returned with a new album and a virtual concert experience (ABBA Voyage) more than 40 years after their initial split.
But which of their songs have stood the test of time in the streaming age? We looked at Spotify streaming numbers to find the 11 most played ABBA tracks:
11. Angeleyes
Streams: 264,803,704
Originally released in 1979 as a double A-side with ‘Voulez-Vous’, ‘Angeleyes’ didn’t make a huge commercial splash at the time – peaking at No. 3 in the UK but underperforming elsewhere. Yet it’s aged remarkably well, as listeners have embraced its haunting lyrics, layered vocals and sharp sense of romantic suspicion.
10. Money, Money, Money
Streams: 300,977,235
Theatrical and moody, ‘Money, Money, Money’ was ABBA’s follow-up to ‘Dancing Queen’, released in 1976. Though it didn’t break into the US Top 40, it hit No.1 across Europe and became a staple of the group’s image. With its minor key, dramatic piano lines and visuals in the official video, it painted a vivid picture of a woman dreaming of financial escape.
9. Super Trouper
Streams: 350,625,005
The title track from their 1980 album, ‘Super Trouper’ was ABBA’s final UK No.1 hit. Its name comes from the brand of stage spotlight often used in arena shows, but the song itself is less technical and more emotional. Written at a time when the band was feeling the pressures of fame, it opens up about the loneliness of touring with the comfort of seeing a loved one. Its bright melody contrasts with bittersweet lyrics.
8. Chiquitita
Streams: 351,949,157
‘Chiquitita’, meaning “little girl” in Spanish, marked a turning point for ABBA’s global ambitions. Premiering at the 1979 UNICEF benefit concert, the song’s royalties were – and still are – donated to the charity. The Spanish version became one of the best-selling singles in Latin America, helping build up ABBA’s reputation in some non-English-speaking markets.
7. Waterloo
Streams: 400,986,209
ABBA’s 1974 Eurovision winner not only topped the charts across Europe but also introduced the entire world to their high-energy, glam-pop aesthetic. Its lyrics compare romantic surrender to Napoleon’s defeat, and Waterloo combined historical quirk with irrepressible charm. Its legacy is so enduring that it was named the best song in Eurovision history during the contest’s 50th anniversary in 2005.
6. Take A Chance On Me
Streams: 461,813,506
Built around a jogging rhythm band member Björn used to hum while running, ‘Take A Chance On Me’ is a great work of vocal layering. Released in 1978, it hit No.1 in the UK and No.3 in the US. The a cappella intro and harmonies are ABBA boasting their impressive vocal control, and the song’s upbeat lyrics about persistence and affection have kept it thriving in the streaming era.
5. The Winner Takes It All
Streams: 490,255,108
Often considered ABBA’s best ballad, ‘The Winner Takes It All’ was released in 1980 and is widely believed to be about Björn and Agnetha’s divorce – though Björn has said the lyrics are fictional. Either way, the song features heavy emotional weight in Agnetha’s vocal performance, and a piano-led arrangement building up to a climax.
4. Lay All Your Love On Me
Streams: 573,477,699
Not originally released as a standard single, ‘Lay All Your Love On Me’ became an unexpected club hit in 1981. Its synth-driven production and dramatic pacing made it perfect for 12-inch remix culture – and it became the highest-charting 12″ single in UK history at the time. It’s since gained traction on streaming platforms, especially among listeners who now see it as ABBA’s most danceable track.
3. Mamma Mia
Streams: 672,062,849
The signature marimba riff and catchy chorus helped ‘Mamma Mia’ become a UK No.1 in 1975, even knocking Queen’s legendary tune ‘Bohemian Rhapsody’ off the top. But its biggest legacy might be cultural: it inspired the stage musical and two hit films that introduced ABBA’s music to new generations.
2. Gimme! Gimme! Gimme! (A Man After Midnight)
Streams: 939,618,682
A disco-laced cry for companionship, ‘Gimme! Gimme! Gimme!’ became one of ABBA’s biggest dancefloor hits when it was released in 1979. It wasn’t put out as a single in the US originally, but that didn’t stop it from becoming a streaming success – boosted in part by Madonna’s 2005 sample of it in ‘Hung Up’.
1. Dancing Queen
Streams: 1,610,522,802
ABBA’s crown jewel was released in 1976 and became their only US No.1. ‘Dancing Queen’ has earned its place as one of the most iconic pop songs of all time in the way it captures the euphoria and melancholy of youth, blending disco rhythms with nostalgic arrangements and bittersweet melodies.