The definitive ABBA playlist

It's interesting to note that the title track to ABBA's 1973 debut album was actually the song that solidified the four members as a group. As ABBA lore goes, the members of the classic lineup were also involved in other musical projects but didn't devote all their time to this project until "Ring Ring," which was originally written and released in Swedish, broke. This jazzy pop number was ABBA's first big hit within a large portion of Europe and ultimately led to the recording of this record. Also of note, the Ring Ring album was not released in the United States until the mid-1990s.

ABBA is obviously known for its legendary pop tendencies. However, "My Mama Said," from 1974's Waterloo album, has an almost funk vibe. There are quick guitar licks, including an underrated solo and a steady bass presence, underlaid to Agnetha Fältskog and Agnetha Fältskog lead harmonies. The tale of a girl's annoyance with her overbearing mother is one of ABBA's more unheralded tracks, especially on an album that features one of the group's biggest hits (more on that later).

One of ABBA's most popular dance tracks, "Voulez-Vous," has long been popular in clubs over the decades. The single was the title cut from the group's fifth studio album released in 1979, during the height of the disco craze. Because of that period in music history, an extended dance mix version of the track was put out as a promotional release for better or worse. "Voulez-Vous" never enjoyed big chart success as a single, but is undoubtedly celebrated by ABBA die-hards.

From 1976's Arrival album, "Money, Money, Money" has enjoyed a prominent and successful place within ABBA's stellar pop catalog. Like many other songs on this list, "Money, Money, Money" was part of both the massively popular stage production and cult-loved 2008 film version of Mamma Mia!. The song also showcased the lead vocal performance of Anni-Frid Lyngstad, who might have actually been the most talented member of the group when it came to actually singing the songs. 

"Chiquitita" is an endearing Spanish word meaning "little one," in relation to a female. When it comes to this song, "Chiquitita," is another classic ABBA number from Voulez-Vous, and a track that's somewhat of a cult favorite -- if there is such a thing among music fans. Agnetha Fältskog sang lead on the song. One of the more unique tunes in the ABBA arsenal, "Chiquitita" top charts in five different countries and was a top-40 hit in America.

The complexity of the composition and overall arrangement to "The Name of the Game" is perhaps more impressive than the track itself. It was the first song written for the group's fifth studio release ABBA: The Album (1977). The actual execution of the track was a true collective accomplishment from the four members, though this was many songs with longtime ABBA songwriting collaborator Stig Anderson in tow. It reached No. 12 on Billboard's Hot 100 in the United States.

One of the most recognizable songs from Waterloo, "Honey, Honey" is pure ABBA. That harmonic, upbeat, pop formula which made the four international superstars -- thanks to this particular album. "Honey, Honey" was a top-10 hit in Austria, Canada. Germany, Denmark and Switzerland. In the United States, it peaked at No. 27 on Billboard's Hot 100. It's also prominently featured in both the stage production and film version of Mamma Mia!

Originally released as a stand-alone single to promote ABBA's 1979 world tour, "Gimme! Gimme! Gimme! (A Man After Midnight)" eventually found a home on the group's Greatest Hits Vol. 2, from the same year. It prove to my another huge hit for the band, going to No. 1 in several countries. However, in the United States, it never charted in the United States, where it's pretty much an afterthought over the years, compared to the band's other, more notable, hits.

"Fernando" is one of ABBA's most well-known songs, but the boys in the band actually wrote it for Anni-Frid Lyngstad's second solo studio album from 1975. However, the group decided to re-recorded as an ABBA tune in 1976, and it enjoyed massive success. It hit No. 1 in 11 different countries and went all the way up to No. 13 in the U.S. Hot 100. In terms of worldwide sales, "Fernando" sold roughly 10 million copies. And, who can forget Cher's version from 2018's Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again sequel.

As the 1980s dawned, ABBA was still going strong with its Super Trouper album from 1980. And the international No. 1 hits kept coming. "The Winner Takes It All" was included in that group. It remains one of ABBA's most beloved songs and is considered by plenty of critics and fans among the greatest break-up songs of all time. The music and orchestration are poignant, while the lyrics -- song by Agnetha Fältskog in perhaps her best ABBA vocal effort -- are impactful. The ballad was the last ABBA song to crack the top 10 in America.

Perhaps best known for its saxophone presence, "I Do, I Do, I Do, I Do, I Do" is among the standout moments from ABBA's self-titled third studio album, which was released in 1975. There's a big-band, almost Lawrence Welk-type sound to the tune. Dare we even say something of pop polka? OK, maybe that's taking things a little too far, but the track showed that ABBA was still capable of expanding its sound outside the pop box, while also proving the group had international staying power.

The final single from ABBA's Ring Ring debut. "Nina" is a fun little pop song, and might be the best early example of the kind of "guilty pleasure"  sound listeners would be getting from this Swedish foursome. It's also one of the first truly successful character songs from the group. ABBA's principal songwriters Benny Andersson and Björn Ulvaeus created some notable pop characters in their music, and Nina should be near the top of the list.

This is one ABBA song that can certainly fall under the rock category. Of course, the pop factor is high, as well. The studio version of "Voulez-Vous" is told from the male point of view and is a notable ABBA track because it's sung by one of the men in the group, in this case, Björn Ulvaeus. Now, in the film version of Mamma Mia!, the approach is reversed, with Christine Baranski's character memorably preaching to a younger male of interest.

Let's forget about Pierce Brosnan's embarrassing performance of "SOS" from the Mamma Mia! movie, and just celebrate this classic in its original form. Agnetha Fältskog (who featured the tune's Swedish version on her 1975 solo record) shined with her lead vocals, and "SOS," from the band's third studio album, solidified ABBA as international pop superstars. While it reached No. 1 in several countries, "SOS" peaked at the 15 spot in America, on the Hot 100.

Arguably ABBA's signature song. The first single from Arrival, "Dancing Queen" was ABBA's most notable contribution to the disco scene, albeit with a distinctive European flair. It's one of the most recognizable pop songs of all time, has long had a highly visible pop culture presence and been enjoyed by generations for more than 40 years. A tune that's still being played in clubs, bars and high school dances across the world. And why not, "Dancing Queen," was a No. 1 hit in 14 countries, including the only one for the group on Billboard's Hot 100 in the United States. 

"Mamma Mia" has gone from a popular ABBA hit to a bonafide cultural phenomenon based on the massively successful stage production and cult-favorite film (which also led to a sequel). It might be a toss-up as to whether this or "Dancing Queen" is ABBA's most popular song with mainstream audiences, but in the grand scheme of things, it doesn't really matter. "Mamma Mia," from the group's self-titled third album, went No. 1 in six countries, but failed to crack the top 30 in the U.S. Hot 100. 

For those not in the know, the term "super trouper" refers to a high-proved stage light. In the realm of ABBA, it was another international hit for the band. And, one of the last for the group. But what about the clever lyrics: "...when I called you last night from Glasgow...wishing every show was the last show." Maybe not among the first ABBA songs that come to mind, but "Super Trouper," from the album of the same name, is one of the great pop songs of the early 1980s.

Perhaps best known for Agnetha Fältskog and Anni-Frid Lyngstad co-vocal performance, with the boys providing their own backing, scat-like vocals. "Take a Chance on Me" is the shining moment from ABBA: The Album, and has remained one of the group's most celebrated songs. While a No. 1 in a handful of spots worldwide, "Take a Chance on Me" was one of ABBA's highest-charting tunes in the United States, reaching No. 3 on the Billboard Hot 100. We also love the campy music video.

"Dancing Queen" is the most memorable hit from Arrival, but "Knowing Me, Knowing You" just might be the best. It's one of ABBA's first "break-up" songs, though it came before the dissolvement of the group's two couples. It's also another example of the exceptional harmonies mastered by all four members of the band. A No. 1 hit in multiple countries, "Knowing Me, Knowing You" was a top-15 single on the U.S. Hot 100, but in some ways, still has an underrated presence within the ABBA catalog. 

Feel free to question our No. 1 choice. Then again, there are several deserving options for this spot within the vast ABBA catalog. But even though songs like "Dancing Queen" and "Mamma Mia" are considered iconic within the confines of pop culture, "Waterloo" made ABBA international stars and opened the door for the group to build its beloved legacy. Using the Battle of Waterloo as a metaphor for a relationship, "Waterloo" topped the charts in 10 countries and reached No. 6 on the Billboard Hot 100 in the United States.