ABBA – Money, Money, Money

“Money, Money, Money” – Single by ABBA from the album Arrival
B-side “Crazy World”
Released 30 October 1976
Recorded 15 May 1976
Label Polar (Sweden) / Epic (UK) / Atlantic (US)
Songwriters Benny Andersson, Björn Ulvaeus
Producers Benny Andersson, Björn Ulvaeus
Charted No.56 in US; No.3 in UK; No.1 in West Germany; No.1 Netherlands; No.1 France; No.1 in Belgium; No.2 in Norway

It was released on 1 November 1976, as the second single from the group’s fourth studio album, Arrival (1976). The B-side, “Crazy World”, was recorded in 1976 during the sessions for the ABBA album. The song (originally titled “Gypsy Girl”) 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.

The music 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.

An alternate music video was filmed for the TV special ABBA-DABBA-DOOO!! featuring Agnetha and Frida in 1920s style flapper dresses, with feathers in their hair.

Anni-Frid Lyngstad – lead vocals
Agnetha Fältskog – backing vocals
Anders Glenmark – guitar
Björn Ulvaeus – backing vocals
Benny Andersson – keyboards, synthesizer
Rutger Gunnarsson – bass guitar