100 SONGS THAT CHANGED EVERYTHING. This post: DANCING QUEEN. Continues tomorrow.

Caffè Lattè pays tribute to 100 songs that innovated, changed the rules, defied convention and had a significant impact on the evolution of pop and rock music, presented in chronological order…

Check out the playlist on Spotify:

https://open.spotify.com/playlist/1j1WNc1Txp4Loh4txnqu7S?si=01aa2a187ada4e3d

100 SONGS THAT CHANGED EVERYTHING

1976

💥58 Dancing Queen

ABBA

Until the mid-1970s, Sweden was not seen as a significant source of music outside of Scandinavia. In 1974, ABBA claimed the first Swedish triumph at the Eurovision Song Contest with the entry “Waterloo”. Even after this major victory, the group was expected to be another one-hit wonder. A series of hits in Australia piqued the interest of ABBA’s label in the U.K. which spread across Europe and, eventually, worldwide. “S.O.S.”, “I Do, I Do, I Do, I Do, I Do, I Do” and “Mamma Mia” were among the major hits that preceded the release of the group’s ‘Arrival’ album in 1976. The single “Dancing Queen” was lifted off this global smash LP. Containing elements of disco, Euro-pop, impressive harmonies and packed with pop hooks, the disc sped to #1 in numerous countries, including the U.S.A. “Dancing Queen” is universally lauded as an example of pop perfection. It remains a dancefloor filler to this day. ABBA continued charting with other pop gems such as “Money, Money. Money”, “Chiquitita”, “Super Trouper”, “Take A Chance On Me” and “The Winner Takes It All”. The impact of the group’s international chart domination is still felt today. Despite its size and small population, Sweden continues to be one of the biggest exporters of hit songs. Acts such as Roxette, Ace Of Base, Swedish House Mafia and Avicii have spearheaded the shift. Writer/ producers including Max Martin, Denniz Pop, Shellback and RedOne have created hits for acts as diverse as Britney Spears, Backstreet Boys, Kelly Clarkson, Pink, Katy Perry, Maroon 5, The Weeknd, Taylor Swift and *NSYNC. ABBA proved it could be done. The new breed of Swedes continues to reap the rewards. In 2021, ABBA unleashed a new album, its first in 4 decades. Agnetha, Bjorn, Benny and Annifrid continue to defy the odds. Not bad for a country that today has just over 10 million inhabitants.  

1976-     Anarchy In The U.K.

              Blitzkrieg Bop

1975-     Gloria

              Bohemian Rhapsody

              Love To Love You Baby

              Autobahn

              No Woman, No Cry Live

1973-     Personality Crisis

              Living For the City

              Time

              Soul Makossa

1972-    I Am Woman

1971-    American Pie

              Imagine

             Theme From ‘Shaft’

             What’s Going On

             The Revolution Will Not Be Televised

1969-   Whole Lotta Love

1968-   Helter Skelter

            Voodoo Child (Slight Return)

            Folsom Prison Blues Live

1967-   Sunshine Of Your Love

             A Day In The Life

             Respect

             Light My Fire

            Venus In Furs
             Strawberry Fields Forever

1966-   Good Vibrations

            Tomorrow Never Knows

            Eight Miles High

1965-   The Sounds Of Silence

            My Generation

            Papa’s Got A Brand New Bag

            (I Can’t Get No) Satisfaction

            I’ve Been Loving You Too Long (To Stop Now)

1964-  You’ve Lost That Lovin’ Feelin’

           You Really Got Me

           The House Of The Rising Sun

           Where Did Our Love Go

1963-  I Want To Hold Your Hand

           Blowin’ In The Wind

           Be My Baby

1962- Misirlou

1961- Crazy

1960- The Twist

          Cathy’s Clown

1959- There Goes My Baby

          What’d I Say (Parts 1 & 2)
1957- Great Balls Of Fire
          Jailhouse Rock

          You Send Me

          That’ll Be The Day

1955- Tutti Frutti

           Maybellene

1955- Rock Around The Clock

1954- That’s All Right Mama

1951- Rocket 88