"Dancing queen", ABBA
1976 Written by Bjorn Ulvaeus and Benny Andersson
An entry in Let's Do It, my personal favourite singles from 1954-76.
Don't bore us, get to the chorus!
"You can dance! You can jive! Having the time of your life!" So why is this song in a minor key, how come it's reflective and poignant so soon? Turns out that "Dancing queen" isn't a self-insert, the singer is not the titular dancer. No, the singer sees tonight's queen, and perhaps reflects on the time - not so long ago - that she was queen.
Benny and Bjorn know how to write a song, so much that Agnetha had a little sniffle when she realised she'd be singing on pop genius. The lads had drawn inspiration from George McCrae's "Rock your baby", from Elton John's piano, from the fashionable disco thing that's breaking out.
"Dancing queen" has become an absolute cliché, ripped off by Elvis Costello and Blondie, covered by lesser acts like Lewis Capaldi, anchoring the Mamma Mia! musical, and kicking off every wedding disco ever. When we can listen with fresh ears, it still sounds like magic.