ABBA Favorites Songbook

The ABBA Favorites collection features eight iconic hits including "Dancing Queen," "Mamma Mia," "The Winner Takes It All," and "Thank You for the Music." These piano solo arrangements by Jennifer Eklund are appropriate for intermediates and up.

🎹 About ABBA

ABBA, a Swedish pop supergroup formed in Stockholm in 1972, achieved global fame and is renowned for its infectious melodies, harmonies, and polished production. The group’s name is an acronym derived from the first initials of its members: Agnetha Fältskog, Björn Ulvaeus, Benny Andersson, and Anni-Frid Lyngstad. ABBA’s music seamlessly blended catchy pop hooks with disco rhythms, helping them dominate the charts throughout the 1970s. Their breakthrough came with the 1974 Eurovision Song Contest victory with the song “Waterloo,” launching them to international stardom. This success was followed by a series of chart-topping hits like “Dancing Queen,” “Mamma Mia,” “Fernando,” and “Take a Chance on Me,” which solidified their status as pop icons.

Despite their musical prowess, internal relationships within the group began to strain, leading to the dissolution of both the band and the marriages of its two couples by the early 1980s. ABBA officially disbanded in 1983, but their music continued to resonate globally. The enduring popularity of their songs led to various revivals, including the creation of the hit musical “Mamma Mia!” and its subsequent film adaptation. ABBA’s legacy lives on through their timeless music, influencing generations of artists and cementing their place as one of the best-selling music acts of all time, with estimated record sales exceeding 380 million copies worldwide. In 2021, the group made headlines by announcing a virtual concert project that would see them performing as digital avatars, reigniting excitement among fans and reaffirming their enduring impact on the music industry.

🎶 ABBA Favorites Songbook

ABBA Favorites

The ABBA Favorites collection features eight iconic hits including "Dancing Queen," "Mamma Mia," "The Winner Takes It All," and "Thank You for the Music." These arrangements by Jennifer Eklund are appropriate for intermediates and up.

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The following songs are included in the ABBA Favoorites songbook. These are all available as separate singles, but you get the most value by purchasing the whole collection. All of these arrangements are appropriate for intermediates and up.

🎹 Watch a performance of the entire volume:

⭐ Featured Favorites

Let’s dive deeper with some more details about a few of my personal favorites from the ABBA Favorites songbook

“Fernando” (1976)

“Fernando” is a song initially written for band member Anni-Frid Lyngstad and featured on her 1975 solo album “Frida ensam.” However, in 1976, ABBA re-recorded the song and released it as a new track on their compilation album “Greatest Hits” and their studio album “Arrival” (in Australia and New Zealand).

The song’s title was inspired by a bartender named Fernando who worked at a Stockholm club frequented by the band. The English version of the song, with lyrics by Björn Ulvaeus, depicts two veterans reminiscing about a past battle, while the original Swedish version, with lyrics by ABBA’s manager Stig Anderson, conveys a narrator consoling the heartbroken Fernando.

The song’s popularity soared, making it one of ABBA’s best-selling singles, selling over 10 million copies worldwide and topping charts in numerous countries, including Australia, the UK, and many others. It became the longest-running No. 1 in Australian chart history, maintaining that status for over four decades until surpassed by Ed Sheeran’s “Shape of You” in 2017. “Fernando” also marked ABBA’s fourth Top 20 hit on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100, reaching No. 13, and becoming their first No. 1 on the Billboard Adult Contemporary chart. The song’s success solidified its status as a timeless classic, and it remains an airplay favorite on radio stations with easy listening formats.

Fernando (Intermediate Piano)

Fernando, as performed by ABBA, arranged for intermediate piano by Jennifer Eklund.

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Fernando (Late Intermediate Piano)

Fernando, as performed by ABBA, arranged for late intermediate piano by Jennifer Eklund.

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“Dancing Queen” (1976)

“Dancing Queen” is a vibrant disco song that served as the lead single from ABBA’s fourth studio album, “Arrival” (1976). The track was written by Benny Andersson, Björn Ulvaeus, and Stig Anderson. The song features a captivating blend of American disco influences with ABBA’s signature pop style. Released in August 1976, “Dancing Queen” quickly became a worldwide phenomenon, topping charts in multiple countries including Sweden, the UK, Australia, Canada, and the United States. Notably, it marked ABBA’s sole No. 1 hit in the US.

The song’s infectious melody and memorable chorus contributed to its lasting appeal. Musically, it embodies the essence of disco while incorporating ABBA’s unique harmonies and intricate instrumentation, including keyboard lines by Andersson that add depth to the composition. Lyrically, “Dancing Queen” centers on the joy of dancing, capturing the excitement of a night at the discotheque. The song’s popularity has persisted over the years, and it’s widely recognized as ABBA’s most iconic and beloved track.

In recognition of its enduring impact, “Dancing Queen” was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame in 2015. The song has been covered, referenced, and celebrated across various media and cultural contexts, cementing its status as a timeless classic that continues to energize dance floors and captivate audiences around the world.

Dancing Queen (Intermediate Piano)

Dancing Queen, as performed by ABBA, stylishly arranged for intermediate piano by Jennifer Eklund.

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“Thank You for the Music” (1977)

“Thank You for the Music” is a song featured on ABBA’s fifth studio album, “The Album” (1977). It was released as a double-A sided single with “Eagle” in May 1978 in limited territories such as Belgium, the Netherlands, Germany, France, Austria, Switzerland, and Australia. The song reached number 2 in South Africa and became the 18th best-selling single of that year there.

The Spanish-language version of the song, “Gracias por la Música,” with lyrics by Buddy and Mary McCluskey, was released in 1980 to promote ABBA’s Spanish-language album/compilation “Gracias Por La Música.” It also peaked at number 4 in Argentina. The song was also part of the film “ABBA: The Movie” and played during the closing scenes.

The song’s history dates back to recording sessions in June 1977, with different versions being recorded before settling on the well-known arrangement. It was also featured in the musical “Mamma Mia!” and its film adaptation.

In terms of reception, while “Thank You for the Music” wasn’t initially released as a single in the UK and Ireland, it eventually was in 1983, reaching number 33 and 17 respectively. The song’s inclusion on various ABBA albums and performances during their tours contributed to its widespread recognition among fans. The title and themes of the song are often seen as signaling a potential farewell from ABBA, which adds to its significance in their discography.