A new authorised biography about Swedish superstars Abba offers a behind-the-scenes look at the making of one of their best-known songs, “Dancing Queen”. Scheduled for release this autumn, “Melancholy Undercover: The book of Abba” by Jan Gradvall includes rare interviews with members Björn Ulvaeus, Benny Andersson, Anni-Frid Lyngstad, and Agnetha Fältskog, along with those who know and work with them spanning over a decade.
During the creation of their fourth studio album, “Arrival”, Abba faced pressure following a slow period after their 1974 Eurovision triumph with “Waterloo”. Recording sessions were constantly interrupted by the need for promotional tours. “Dancing Queen” was recorded in August 1975, marking the group’s first attempt at disco. Gradvall reveals that the inspiration for the famous rhythm came from two sources, including George McCrae’s “Rock Your Baby” and the New Orleans rhythm from Dr John’s Gumbo album.
The working title for “Dancing Queen” was originally “Boogaloo”. When the recording was complete, Bjorn and Benny were overwhelmed by what they had created. Members of the band were deeply moved upon hearing the song for the first time. Lyngstad recalls, “I cried when I heard it. I thought it was so incredibly beautiful.” Fältskog was asleep when Ulvaeus returned home with the song, prompting him to share it with his sister in disbelief at how good it sounded.
Released in 1976 as the lead single from “Arrival”, “Dancing Queen” quickly became a global hit, reaching the top of the charts in multiple countries. It was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame in 2015 and is consistently ranked as one of the greatest pop songs of all time. Gradvall, a highly respected music journalist, has a close relationship with Abba and has appeared in BBC documentaries about the group.
“Melancholy Undercover: The book of Abba” will be released by Faber on 10 October 2024 in hardback and ebook format. This insightful biography sheds new light on the iconic pop hit and the enduring legacy of the legendary band.