Dancing Queen is the title of a song, which was one of the biggest hit singles recorded by Swedish group ABBA.
Written by Benny Andersson, Bjorn Ulvaeus and Stig Anderson, recorded in 1975 for the group's albumArrival, and released as a single in 1976, the song preceded and contributed to the huge popularity of disco music in the late seventies. Although it does not contain many of the most common key characteristics of disco music, it has come to be considered as one of the best examples of this genre. This is somewhat ironic as its relatively slow tempo and syncopated rhythm makes it quite difficult to dance to.
It features a shared lead vocal performance by Agnetha Fältskog and Anni-Frid Lyngstad and its introduction of piano and hummed vocals is one of the most identifiable sections of ABBA's music.
In recent years it has been covered by such diverse artists as U2 and Kylie Minogue who performed it at the 2000 Sydney Olympic Games. Featured in the 1994 film Muriel's Wedding, the song was used as the theme for idealised dreaming with the character Muriel saying early in the film that she wished her life was perfect. She wished her life was Dancing Queen.
It is also featured in the ABBA musical Mamma Mia. The Irish folk singer Luka Bloom includes a rendition of "Dancing Queen" in most of his live performances.
