"Money, Money, Money" is a song recorded by Swedish pop music group ABBA, written by Benny Andersson and Björn Ulvaeus with Anni-Frid Lyngstad singing lead vocals. 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 1975 during the sessions for the ABBA album. The song (originally titled "Gypsy Girl")Palm, Carl Magnus, Abba: Bright Lights, Dark Shadows, p. 357 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.
Reception
Critical Billboard reviewed the single release and described it as a "fast paced" song with "lots of good-natured gimmicks" that is highlighted by its production. Cash Box said that it "is [ABBA's] cleverest [single] to date, adding humorous lyrics to the distilled pop hooks." Record World said that it "combines Brecht-Weill overtones with a typically sound ABBA pop structure" and that "the ironic lyric goes well with a haunting, music-hall-style tune." Jim Evans of Record Mirror provided a mostly favorably review, describing it as the "usual ABBA formula", albeit "not as strong as their last two hits ['Fernando' and 'Dancing Queen']."
Commercial "Money, Money, Money" was the second worldwide hit from Arrival. The song became a number-one chart hit in Australia (ABBA's sixth consecutive chart-topper there), Belgium, France, West Germany, The Netherlands, Mexico and New Zealand, while reaching the top three in Austria, Ireland, Norway, Switzerland and the UK.
By peaking at No. 3 in the UK, "Money, Money, Money" was the only ABBA single between "Mamma Mia" in January 1976 and "Take a Chance on Me" in February 1978 not to top the UK chart.Oldham, A, Calder, T & Irvin, C: "ABBA: The Name of the Game", page 122. Sidgwick & Jackson, 1995 A British poll of "The Nation's Favourite ABBA song" in December 2010 saw "Money, Money, Money" placed at #22 (out of 25). As of September 2021, it is ABBA's 16th-biggest song in the UK, including both pure sales and digital streams.UK Official Charts ABBA's Official Top 20 biggest songs
As of September 1979 in Germany "Money, Money, Money" had sold over 300,000 units. French sales as of April 1977 stand at 500,000.
Music video 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.Oldham, A, Calder, T & Irvin, C: "ABBA: The Name of the Game", page 85. Sidgwick & Jackson, 1995
Personnel Anni-Frid Lyngstad – lead vocals Agnetha Fältskog – backing vocals Björn Ulvaeus – backing vocals Benny Andersson – keyboards, synthesizer Anders Glenmark – guitar Rutger Gunnarsson – bass guitar
Charts
Weekly charts + Initial weekly chart performance for "Money, Money, Money" Chart (1976–77) Peakposition Australia (Kent Music Report)1 Canada Top Singles (RPM)47 Finland (Suomen virallinen lista)7 France (SNEP)1 Ireland (IRMA) Note: User must define search parameter as "Abba".2 Mexico (Mexican Singles Chart)Scott, Robert (2002) 'ABBA: Thank You for the Music – The Stories Behind Every Song', Carlton Books Limited: Great Britain, p.801 US Cash Box Top 100 Singles63
+ 2007 weekly chart performance for "Dancing Queen" Chart (2007) Peak position Russia Airplay (TopHit) 107 + 2016 weekly chart performance for "Money, Money, Money" Chart (2016) Peakposition UK Vinyl Singles (OCC) 4
Monthly charts + Monthly chart performance for "Money, Money, Money" Chart (1977) Peakposition Soviet Union International Songs (MK) 3
Year-end charts + 1976 year-end chart performance for "Money, Money, Money" Chart (1976) Peakposition Belgium (Ultratop Flanders)61 Germany (Official German Charts)21 Netherlands (Dutch Top 40)36 Netherlands (Single Top 100)22 + 1977 year-end chart performance for "Money, Money, Money" Chart (1977) Peakposition Australia (Kent Music Report)7 Belgium (Ultratop Flanders)52 US (Joel Whitburn's Pop Annual)281
Certifications and sales
See also List of number-one singles in Australia during the 1970s List of Dutch Top 40 number-one singles of 1976 List of European number-one hits of 1976 List of number-one hits of 1976 (France) List of number-one hits of 1976 (Germany) List of number-one singles in 1976 (New Zealand)
References