Dancing Queen (ABBA) - Analysis Part 1

[@danfrost3043]

Benny & Bjorn's ability to write, Agnetha & Frida's ability to sing . put them together and you hit the Jackpot.

[@JakeBorg]

Oh yes!!

[@omnipop4936]

Fun fact: Benny, the main (brilliant!) composer for the band, _can't read sheet music._ Meanwhile, Agnetha, one of the "mere" singers, _can_ read sheet music, and can play piano while she's reading it. 😁 Cheers.

[@cahenglish]

So often people hear a song is "pop" and pre-judge that's is simple, silly, or some such. Thanks for a great breakdown of this wonderful song!

[@JakeBorg]

Thank you ;)

[@mikesmithson6805]

Benny and Bjorn are musical geniuses

[@JakeBorg]

Indeed!

[@robertbartelmes7623]

makes you wonder whether their claim they didn't know how to formally read or write music was possibly somewhat of a canard or russe ... given their decade + of professional music recording they would've learned a great deal of music theory if only thru the 'osmosis' of repetition ... so, like a mad scientist who's kept the secret formula locked away in his mind ... what better way to keep the secret to your music than to claim "we don't know how to read/write music" ... Bart

[@mattias5157]

They continue to be.

[@eduardooscar309]

además cuentan con Agnetha y Frida excelsas cantantes a un nivel extraordinario para esta canción

[@Lasse_Viklund]

@@JakeBorg Yes, but mostly Benny.

[@orjanjohansson6392]

Thank you for this awesome analysis! On top of all this fantastic stuff going on with vocals, piano and overall arrangement, there was this unreal backbone of incredible drums and bass! As a metal head, I can only bow to the greatness of ABBA.

[@221b-Maker-Street]

Rutger was a phenomenal bass player. So easy to miss if you're not actively looking out for the bass line, but he added amazing texture and depth to Abba's songs. Listening on decent headphones, it's like bathing in a wall of complex, rich sound.

[@Mingus8]

The vocals in this song, spans over three (!) different octaves.

[@LLLLLLLLLucas]

Dancing Queen is an actual masterpiece in 3 and a half minutes.

[@TheTuubster]

The genius of the ABBA songs (much like with the Beatles songs the decade before ABBA) is, that they make complex melodies appear very simple for the untrained ear. McCartney & Lennon and Andersson & Ulvaeus are our modern day Mozarts, who accomplished this with classical symphonic music.

[@JakeBorg]

This is a super interesting comment! You are right, some of the songs have quite complicated melodies. It's also fun that the songs are so close to Broadway musicals, it's not a coincidence that the ABBA songs translates so well to the screen! :)

[@escorpioomega2111]

BEATLES y ABBA Los dos grandes conjuntos musicales que extendieron su influencia a toda la cultura Y aun hoy siguen vigentes y eso habla de la calidad y excelencia de Ambos

[@danbike9]

How good were Benny & Bjorn. They wrote musicals and wrote their masterpiece 'Kristina fran Duvemala'. 'Kristina' even had the stuffy classical critics giving huge praise. I don't know of any pop/rock songwriters that approached the sophisticated operatic 'Kristina fran Duvemala'. 39 songs. Staged, it is over 4 hours long. Music: Benny Lyrics & playwright: Bjorn

[@eddieuchoa9566]

I do agree

[@TheicMoggy]

These are the kinds of video I want from ABBA reactions and make me want to study music. I just discovered ABBA Gold 2 years ago and have not grown tired at all even a little bit. To me, they are perfect.

[@francotan6119]

one of the best songs ever written, and now i appreciate it even more after all these years

[@JakeBorg]

It's pretty insane!

[@sugarfree1894]

You just can't help smiling with sheer pleasure at this wonderful music. Great breakdown, I hope you do well with your channel, you know what you're taking about :)

[@JakeBorg]

Thank you very much!

[@ddodgerfan18]

I really love this video! I’ve loved The songs of ABBA my whole life and I really enjoyed your expert breakdown of the song! How you pointed out that their songs can be broken down into all these different magical parts that make it whole. Thanks for this video!

[@JakeBorg]

Thank you for your nice comment!!

[@Vates104]

So many ABBA songs of quality. More ABBA gold deserves its own appreciation.

[@sabornieto]

Wow! Loved the analysis, you rock Jake! Wished you did more of these

[@robertocontreras9143]

This is a classic masterpiece of pop music the best ever none like ABBA

[@JakeBorg]

:)

[@joemcneill1180]

May i just say, your voice with your accent paired, has such a unique tone and brilliant sound to it, good on you mate

[@timpows]

This song is just full of so much juicy, muscial goodness! I've read that a lot of the harmonies on ABBA's songs were improvised by Frida and Agnetha.

[@doylejohn8]

well done Jake ! Its total ear candy, one of the best pop songs ever !

[@Pulsar77]

Great video! I'd love to see your analysis of The Name Of The Game. There's so much going on in that song.

[@JakeBorg]

Thank you!

[@TallSilentGuy]

It's true - The Name Of The Game totally rewrites the rule book!

[@StuartRochabrunt]

You know what?, that is exactly what I usually do, listening to supposedly well known songs but in a different way, with a different approach, as if they were never listened before. And besides, the key of this great band was the construction of songs with "simple" parts in a complex way. You can build wonderful things with only "simple" bricks. Keep up your good work!

[@JakeBorg]

Yes, this is song is not "easy" by any means. The songwriting is actually pretty complex and dense but still incredibly melodic. Thank you!

[@kristianzedi9546]

This is a perfect analysis. You understand music, you feel it. You understand, how perfect this song is arranged and produced. Cool! :-)

[@sin4697]

Love how you smile when you start the song😃

[@JakeBorg]

Thank yoU!

[@nemethzsigmond4548]

They did a real hard and long time in studios, I think no one can make it more perfect 40+ years later. "Benny and Bjorn were musical geniuses". They still are, and don't forget D&B! RiP Rutger

[@JakeBorg]

Yes, Rutger was an awesome musician. Thank you for your comments!

[@iangray1010]

Starting the song with the chorus is fantastic. It really grabs you from the start and never lets go. Pop music at its best!

[@davidmccourt9949]

Those girls were amazing singers. Thanks for the video

[@JakeBorg]

Cheers!

[@misterWAHI]

I already loved the song to begin with, but your video just gives it another whole new level of enjoyment :) Amazing job!

[@OverdriveMusic]

Respect for the analysis! Amazing stuff!

[@ArticIce56]

This song always seemed so different from any other song I ever heard. Bjorn said in a recent interview that they wanted to write a slow tempo disco song like "Rock Your Baby" and that was the inspiration for the song. I can definitely see that now but still Dancing Queen has the most unique sound to it compared to all other pop songs.

[@jjgreek1]

great analysis...greetings from Athens, Greece

[@petersvan7880]

A very good analysis of arguably the most perfect pop song ever released. There are so many stunning aspects to this song, including its brilliant production, for which Tretow deserves endless praise. Every single time I hear this song, I'm at awe. And not seldom, get tears in my eyes even though it's far from being a dramatic ballad.

[@mikekelly702]

Great vid man. IM a HUGE fan of ABBA. Im glad that our generation is discovering this amazing group. With todays technology, it would have taken about a week to record and finalize a song like "Dancing Queen", but I heard in an interview with Benny and BeJorn that it took them 4 months to record and finalize this song...but this was in the 1970's...❤❤💯💯

[@snich63]

Jake, I’m a year late seeing but wanted to congratulate you on your in-depth analysis of one of my favourite songs - been listening to it for over 40 years! The success of many ABBA songs is due to Benny’s keyboard expertise, and this song is a showcase for his talent. I love the piano “chatter”, and on the very last chatter in the outro when the song is already fading out, Benny inverts the chord to give it a little bit of extra interest in that very last second of the song. I was living in the UK in 1999 when there was a TV piece with Brit group Steps and a Tina Cousins singing a few ABBA songs. I remember one of Steps singers saying the Dancing Queen harmonies were some of the most complicated she had ever sung.

[@gobiobi5030]

And what do you think about "Move on" or "I let the music speak"? Do you have an idea, why they are so unhappy with "Summer night city" (a song, the fans love)

[@jimmydovholt1253]

Great breakdown, man. Besides the layers you talked about I really think the base has a big influence on how this song turned out.

[@adambell4510]

Good to see a great analysis and appreciation of the genius of ABBA!

[@dougpeters1625]

This is amazing! Thank you for this analytical breakdown. I underestimated what a profound masterpiece of a composition, arrangement and production this song was.

[@beatnickPL]

Great analysis man, keep them coming!

[@JakeBorg]

Thank you! Really appreciate it :D

[@beatnickPL]

@@JakeBorg This is the right way to grow your channel, I would review also that S61 kontrol of yours, (as this is the way I found your channel, watching your previous controller review) also take a look at pyramind song analysis videos as there are not many competitors on the song analysis market :) but they are pros in explaining what makes particular song successful. Keeping fingers crossed. You have everything to be successful on KZbin, just focus on quality content! Good luck man!

[@JakeBorg]

@@beatnickPL Thank you! Yes, I am going to review that but I need more time with it so I won't just make a review that feels more like an unboxing than a review. I think a lot of people hesitate from doing song analysis because they instantly get demonetized by YT. Thank you for your encouraging words, really appreciate it! :D I want to check out that channel but can't find it! Can you link it?

[@beatnickPL]

@@JakeBorg it's the part of Pyramind content, where Matt Donner reconstructs tracks kzbin.info/www/bejne/Z3alkop8eb2Noas

[@JakeBorg]

@@beatnickPLThanks a lot! I'll check it out!

[@robertocontreras9143]

ABBA pure genius in music always love them even more now that none makes good music

[@robertbartelmes7623]

Jake... I imagine you're already aware of the KZbin video "Dancing Queen Demo 1975 With Lost Verse and the original 4 bar intro" ... but your readers may not know it ... btw ... that Lost Verse was muy caliente ... even without it, when Frida & Agnetha 'purr' their low register lines in the final version, it always gets my attention ... Bart

[@JakeBorg]

That's very true! Could've said something about it! Thank you!

[@williamrasoanaivo5381]

the way the melody takes you on a ride like from a small street to all of a sudden on a highway. Then whan you think it's gonna speed down, the strings again raise it up before cooling down with familiar piano at the beginning. Roller coaster...

[@iainholmes2735]

Great analysis. They were amazing songs. Arrival is excellent (some weak tracks, though), whereas 'ABBA the Album" is, in my view, one of the greatest albums ever made. There simply isn't a bad track on it.

[@SLAmey-mu9hd]

"Move on" is in my top 5 ABBA tracks.... It's such an incredible song.

[@iainholmes2735]

@@SLAmey-mu9hd Great track.

[@edned5504]

Flipping great analysis and so interesting. You're a very talented musician for sure. Thank you.

[@milesfann33]

This song just puts me in a good mood every time!

[@drinkinslim]

This song, in its entirety, is basically perfect.

[@apieceofdirt4681]

This was one of my favorite songs when I was a kid. It’s a guilty pleasure to turn it up in the car. That said, it’s a typical pop song that repeats itself over and over again. Musically it’s kinda shallow sounding IMO but the catchy hooks bring you in and make you want to listen. The vocals were tops for their day.

[@jselectronics8215]

8/23, I saw a recent interview of Benny and Bjorn, and when asked about the intro/half chorus, Bjorn replied they edited it. The song was too long.

[@chrishainstock330]

i hear that when recording vocals, they would overdub the girls and pitch them very slightly up or down using the tape speed, to give subtle harmonics to the harmonies

[@hanikkmusic]

very nice work jake on abba song ''dancing queen',you covered everything ,fantastic ,i totally enjoy those keys ,yes you are right about those keys when played on keybaord you will ID the song instantly like (big in japan )/(ace of base flute keys and enigma shakuhatchi flute),and how about those jan michelle jarre basslines in Equinoxe 7 ',im not hardcore abba fan but there are few songs that i really love like 'vou-lez vous '' ,''take a chance on me '' ,these 2 songs are very energetic with disco sounds (im more into 80s sounds of modern talking and sandra ),it would be great if you can do 70s/80s series too awesome jake,keep em comin

[@JakeBorg]

Thank you!!

[@roobindebbarma2957]

Best Deconstruction of a Track ever👍🌟

[@williamcarrollphotography5012]

Wow - wonderful analysis

[@waz3128]

All that shit Max Martin & co has churned out since couldn't hold a candle to this song

[@escorpioomega2111]

Jake mis saludos de Buenos Aires Que placer ver este video Disfrute mucho tu analisis Muchas gracias por tu claridad y generosidad Hay otras extraordinarias canciones que son iconos de ABBA Yo te propondria que analices la riqueza de S.O.S. Otras opciones: Waterloo Thank you for the music The winner takes it all

[@mariavictoriaamurao6836]

Woooohoooo and I'll forever listen to this song!!! Till on my own interment😂😘

[@codetech5598]

The Beatles did the trick of starting the song with the chorus in "Can't Buy Me Love".

[@ZedP]

And She loves you, as well. But ABBA starts with the second half of the chorus. And this is so perfect...

[@RealmsOfThePossible]

Music is a language and Bjorn and Benny speak it fluently.

[@rcc3574]

As well as Agnetha and Frida who conveyed the music and lyrics to the audience; each in their own talented, creative, and unique way!

[@Astronomater]

really enjoyed your analysis!

[@JakeBorg]

Cheers!

[@Eggy79]

This is one of the greatest songs ever written and it's a crime that it's kind of a laughing stock cliche for casuals

[@-shaharmalkavocal]

Thank u so muchhhhhhhhh for this video

[@stacyhackney6100]

Thank you

[@davidking8361]

When Anni-Frid heard this song for the first time, she wept...

[@RiandeMisterios]

Gracias por el análisis

[@paulj.mancil7987]

This is fantastic analysis, but do you think you could add harmony structures, parts, arrangements?

[@robbiepeterh]

What about the chord structure though? The song is in the key of A and yet they have a C# major instead of C#minor and B instead of a Bminor. Those chords give the song tension and resolution beautifully but how do they come up with the idea to break musical rules there so effectively? Hose chords blow my mind but perhaps there is a simple explanation of what’s happening there?

[@jesmira72]

Love it❤️

[@AxelQC]

Den här låten är jättebra!

[@nestorhernancasares3318]

can you publish the videos with subtitles? thank you.-

[@dlk1dlk1]

Please do analysis of 'One Of Us'. Thanks.

[@fredherfst8148]

ABBA…HOOKS ARE THEIR THING

[@xtenson]

Is Jake single? Only thing hotter than the song is lovely Jake!

[@___David___Savian]

The only singer doing this kind of melodic harmony today is Bruno Mars. That's it. Adele is a great singer as well as Beyonce, Ariana Grande, Alicia and others. But, today you don't hear this kind of complicated arrangement. Mariah was the last female to do incredible arrangements. That was in the 1990s. That's how much music has changed. To record Dancing Queen they had to over dub their voices a ton of times. The ladies cried from exhausting. But, ABBA did it though it was hard !!

[@baracuda321black9]

May I ask what are the piano chords? Like guitar chords with it too?

[@alex-dantistbrazhnik7040]

Очень похож на Джейсона Пристли

[@GN-cf5lg]

Your are so cool.

[@guilherme_rosendo]

jack you is so beautiful

[@TheFredismShow]

The intro melody is taken from the song “Sing My Way Home” by Delany and Bonnie.

[@singul4]

Grym analys! Missa inte: kzbin.info/www/bejne/eGKWamB_prCWp8k

[@petersvan7880]

Thank you for the tip!

[@rockablity_hound1716]

The band that can be compared with The Beatles is ABBA.

[@libadviser8793]

😑

[@blackisblack22]

Please… just don’t sing.

[@1978TVP]

dude, stop lookin for deeper meaning, please. abba style is just bubblegum pop and/ or nothing else than kind of advertisement tunes. thats it.

[@mikesmithson6805]

You don't have any sense of taste in music pity u

[@mikesmithson6805]

@woutch it's not u I'm talking about, it's the guy 1978tvp

[@1978TVP]

@@mikesmithson6805 / ok.

[@mermacyinp633]

Who cares when young men writes song about babes -as they all did..young mens problems are totally uniterresting for me which are a lot-KISS lyrics are not so sharp or any of the groups back then.

[@rcc3574]

You are mistaken! Any creativity that comes from the heart with good intention, has meaning. Don't get stuck on labels!