Money Money Money

Money, Money, Money: 
Backing track and vocals recorded on May 17, 1976 (Metronome Studio).


Björn: This song was meant ironical.  There was more talking about the millions we made than about our music.  We were called a company instead of a pop group   With 'Money, Money, Money' we wanted to hit back.  If people think we are only in it for the money, well let's write about it. 


Frida's superior skills as an interpretive singer came to the fore on the caberat inflections of 'Money, Money, Money'. Within the confines of a three minutes format, this was a sublime performance, opening in the tradition of European theatrical music, combined with a basic Anglo-Saxon pop rhythm, and finally topped with Frida's dramatic delivery.


The genenis of 'Money, Money, Money' was similar to 'Why Did It Have To Be Me', insofar as it ended up being released under its orginal working title. Björn, who felt that "there were enough 'money' songs around, came up with a set of working lyrics entitled 'Gypsy King'. "But that came out a bit awkward, somehow," he recalled. "In the end, I had to go back to 'Money, Money, Money' - that simply sounded best." This philosophy was endemic to ABBA and fundamental to their succes: whatever their ambitions the group never forsook simplicity and direct communication with their audience.


In any event, the storytelling, musical-like layers of 'Money, Money, Money' made it Benny's favourite track on the album. "Of all the things we have done, that one is the best ever," he said. "It's a very basic recording you could say that it's constructed like a stage number. I imagine someone else doning it, not necessarily us: someone standing on a platform singing these lyrics." (taken from the book Bright Lights Dark Shadows by Carl Magnus Palm)