Dancing Queen
The Real ABBA Gold Lyrics


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You can dance
You can jive
Having the time of your life
See that girl
Watch that scene
Dig in the dancing queen

Friday night and the lights are low
Looking out for a place to go
Where they play the right music
Getting in the swing
You come to look for a king
Anybody could be that guy
Night is young and the music's high
With a bit of rock music
Everything is fine
You're in the mood for a dance
And when you get the chance

You are the dancing queen
Young and sweet
Only seventeen
Dancing queen
Feel the beat from the tambourine
You can dance
You can jive
Having the time of your life
See that girl
Watch that scene
Dig in the dancing queen

You're a teaser, you turn 'em on
Leave 'em burning and then you're gone
Looking out for another
Anyone will do
You're in the mood for a dance
And when you get the chance

You are the dancing queen
Young and sweet
Only seventeen
Dancing queen
Feel the beat from the tambourine
You can dance
You can jive
Having the time of your life
See that girl




Watch that scene
Dig in the dancing queen

Overall Meaning

"Dancing Queen" is a song by Swedish pop group ABBA. The song was released in 1976 and was one of the band's most popular songs. The lyrics describe a night out at a disco where the singer, the "dancing queen," is having the time of her life. The song is an upbeat, and energetic piece of work that perfectly encapsulates the bright and cheerful pop sound of the '70s.


The song's opening lyrics, "You can dance, you can jive, having the time of your life," encourages the listener to cut loose and enjoy themselves. It evokes the idea of letting go of all of your inhibitions and letting the music take you away. The lyrics also describe a scene where a young girl is excitedly dancing, with people watching and admiring her. The singer is the "dancing queen," and she is the life of the party.


The song's infectious beat has made it an enduring classic that still gets people up and dancing today. The catchy lyrics have become etched in the minds of thousands of fans, and it has remained one of the biggest hits in ABBA's extensive catalogue. Its success has led to it being used widely in movies, TV shows, and commercials, which has only helped to keep it in the public's consciousness.


Line by Line Meaning

You can dance
You have the ability to move your body rhythmically to music


You can jive
You can dance a particular style of dance that involves lively, upbeat movements


Having the time of your life
Enjoying yourself immensely and making unforgettable memories


See that girl
Notice that young woman over there


Watch that scene
Observe the lively environment and the people enjoying themselves


Dig in the dancing queen
Embrace and fully engage in the partying and dancing as the queen of the dancefloor


Friday night and the lights are low
It's Friday evening and the ambient lighting is dim


Looking out for a place to go
Searching for a venue to socialize, have fun, and dance


Where they play the right music
A location where the music is suitable for dancing and having a good time


Getting in the swing
Starting to enjoy oneself and have fun, especially in social situations where dancing is involved


You come to look for a king
Searching for a male partner to dance with and have fun


Anybody could be that guy
Any eligible male present can be the partner that the singer is seeking


Night is young and the music's high
It's still early in the night and the music is loud and energetic


With a bit of rock music
By playing some rock songs


Everything is fine
Everything seems to be going well and going as planned, especially with the music being favorable


You're in the mood for a dance
You feel like moving your body rhythmically to the beat of the music


And when you get the chance
And when the singer finds the perfect match to dance with or when the music reaches a high point, that's when the singer will dance


You are the dancing queen
The singer has taken on the role of the most popular and graceful dancer in the crowd, and is enjoying it to the fullest extent


Young and sweet
The singer is young and charming


Only seventeen
The singer is in her late teens and has plenty of energy to expend dancing the night away


Feel the beat from the tambourine
The singer feels the rhythm of the music, especially that which is produced by a tambourine


You're a teaser, you turn 'em on
The singer is a seductive dancer, and dances in an alluring manner that captivates others and encourages them to join in


Leave 'em burning and then you're gone
The singer gets others into the groove of dancing and then moves onto other dancing partners, stirring them up but not staying with any one dance partner for too long


Looking out for another
After leaving her last dance partner, the singer is looking for another person to dance with and create good times


Anyone will do
At this point, the singer is not picky and is happy to dance with whoever is available for some fun




Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: BENNY GORAN BROR ANDERSSON, BJOERN K. ULVAEUS, STIG ANDERSON

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Most interesting comment from YouTube:

@sugarhiccup108

I'm twelve and I love LOVE Abba's songs so so much.


I'm so grateful that they created good songs in the past. I really dislike my generation's songs.


Today's songs are all about getting wasted, scoring hot chicks and sex.


I'm very disappointed. :(
What has the world come to?

EDIT: After two, cringe-worthy and horrendously repugnant years, I have returned. Seriously, nobody could ask for a worse concoction.


this is one of the cringiest comments with the most upvotes i have ever made pls forgive me



All comments from YouTube:

@sugarhiccup108

I'm twelve and I love LOVE Abba's songs so so much.


I'm so grateful that they created good songs in the past. I really dislike my generation's songs.


Today's songs are all about getting wasted, scoring hot chicks and sex.


I'm very disappointed. :(
What has the world come to?

EDIT: After two, cringe-worthy and horrendously repugnant years, I have returned. Seriously, nobody could ask for a worse concoction.


this is one of the cringiest comments with the most upvotes i have ever made pls forgive me

@sugarhiccup108

I'm still here.

@chinaguy7711

Stephanie Kwan u should listen to 'come undone'

@SaleneOS

theplaylistprincess You don't like female rappers? What, are the male ones perfectly fine? Because honestly I can't tell whether your sexist, ignorant, or just like stating YOUR personal opinion and hoping everyone else listens along. The songs of our generation are a tad disconcerting, but honestly  enjoy some of them

@RyanWOboryshko

Green Carrot So you know the musical tastes of all other 12 year olds? Wow dude.

@sugarhiccup108

Sanctus Infernum Probably.

426 More Replies...

@goingunder2548

Imagine being 17 when this was released in 1976 and now you’re 62 listening to it again. I can’t imagine the feels 😢

@cstrattonjones

I was 11, and it’s still as good now.

@barrycaughtry-guest

I was 16 so am now 61. It still sounds as wonderful today as it did back then.

@UEFAEURO-lx2yh

I'm 17 years old and I love this song 💋

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