Gold

This isn't even technically my CD but it's domestically adopted, so I guess that counts. I've been under the impression that ABBA are the second best band ever, even though at least my track value calculations don't support that. Here we'll get another criterion.

#1 Dancing Queen 9

As heretical as it may be, I have to quote the A*Teens review:

"Neither have I understood, why exactly was this ABBA's biggest hit. Anyway, the point in my life when it found its place in my heart was when it played in that wonderful NY club, inviting me onto the podium to do a solo. For some reason that moment has been filed in my special memories folder." And of course, the title has a life of its own...

#2 Knowing Me, Knowing You 9

This will apparently forever be remembered as Maria's favourite, because it hasn't gathered any other meaning for me. I'd like to hear a new version of this to find out if it's the arrangement's fault that somehow the song remains stuck to the ground when it'd like to fly instead.

#3 Take a Chance on Me 8

Not much of a favourite. Why here so early on?

#4 Mamma Mia 10

First real hit. When I first heard the original version, I was surprised that it sounded quite "rocky".

#5 Lay All Your Love on Me 8

Oh I'm so tired of this, having heard way too many versions too many times.

#6 Super Trouper 9

I can't help remembering our trip to Glasgow each time I hear this. But still, I haven't quite understood what the title refers to.

#7 I Have a Dream 6

Ugh ugh. One of my least favourites, and not least thanks to the lyrics. Oh no, it started to sound way too much like Ein Bisschen Frieden... :O

#8 The Winner Takes It All 10

Oh saviour. This might even some day become their best song of all. But before that, it remains a solid #2.

#9 Money, Money, Money 8½

This has somehow always seemed somehow alien to me.

#10 S.O.S. 9

Funny how so many ABBA songs have always one single association each. For this I remember how some magazine had chosen it as the most perfect pop song of all time. Well, why not, it is indeed respectable.

#11 Chiquitita 8

I wonder, is double diminutive a common practice in Spanish?

#12 Fernando 9

Once again, I have to wonder the logic the producers have when choosing the track order. I certainly wouldn't have put these two back to back. As you see, I prefer this one. It even used to be in my ABBA top 5.

#13 Voulez-Vous 8½

I always think this song is heavily dependent on its arrangement. The composition behind it is really simple.

#14 Gimme! Gimme! Gimme! 9½

Another previous top5er. Like in the previous track, there are long actionless parts, which was typical for the late 70's and 80's but has disappeared since.

#15 Does Your Mother Know 6½

Uh, is this no longer my least favourite? Seems so. Not by much, though.

#16 One of Us 10

The contrast could hardly be greater. Not only ABBA's best work, the best song of the whole 80's. Have to quote again: "This is just about the only song in the world, of which I'd rather have a ballad version. When oh when will I get to hear one? Would Da Buzz's evasive version be one? Improbably, but it'd certainly be wonderful anyway. I think I must declare it as my most sought-after piece of the current times."

#17 The Name of the Game 8

Belongs together with #3. One of those songs I never recognise before the chorus.

#18 Thank You for the Music 7½

And this is another.

#19 Waterloo 9½

Why has this been put last instead of Thank You for the Music? Maybe they've thought of it as a sort of an encore.