“Dancing Queen” by ABBA

“Dancing Queen” on ABBA’s 1976 album, “Arrival” was their only hit song to top the U.S. Charts
Credit: AMIGA Records

At first glance, “Dancing Queen” by ABBA may not readily come to mind as a funeral song choice. While classical, traditional or religious hymns may still be preferred by some, modern rock and pop songs are becoming increasingly more popular. Funerals and memorials now tend to be less somber affairs, as life celebrations and thematic events are more common. So, what better way to celebrate our dearly departed than to crank up some of their favorite tunes?!

“Dancing Queen” is number three on Co-Op Funeral Care’s 2021 most-played modern pop music chart. This timeless tune is up two spots from number five since 2019. Its top 10 lists are based on data from funeral directors across the United Kingdom. The co-op has been compiling funeral music charts for the past 20 years.

Although released in Sweden nearly 40 years ago in 1976, “Dancing Queen” remains universally beloved by millions of fans worldwide. ABBA’s remastered official music video has garnered over 652 million views since it was posted in 2009.

The song is uplifting. It is about a young girl enjoying her carefree life while onlookers watch her groove effortlessly on the dance floor. It can be reminiscent of our how our loved one may have chosen to live his or her life.

The song opens with a chorus that most, ages 7 to 107, could assuredly belt aloud by heart:

You can dance, you can jive
Having the time of your life
See that girl, watch that scene
Diggin’ the dancing queen

Beyond the feel-good factor, this song carries special meaning for some. The U.S. Army Brass Quintet played “Dancing Queen” at the funeral for the former United States Secretary of State, Colin Powell, on November 5, 2021.  The melody could be heard as family, friends, and dignitaries entered Washington National Cathedral to pay their respects. (*Scroll to 2:00)

According to Newsweek, Powell was a devout fan of ABBA. Sweden’s foreign minister once gifted the military leader with a full CD collection of their music. It is reported that Powell got down on his knee and sang the entirety of ABBA’s song, “Mamma Mia” to the entire delegation.

For others, including myself, this song can stir heartfelt memories of our loved one. My mother died from metastasis of bladder cancer on April 28, 2018. I quoted much of “Dancing Queen” and other ABBA lyrics in my eulogy at her memorial. I fondly recall how she would practice disco moves in our living room when I was a child. Later, she would become obsessed with the movie “Mamma Mia” and play the DVD repeatedly while singing along. I took her to see the production performed live in Philadelphia.

My mother also had vascular dementia. She was unaware of the gravity of her prognosis the day the urologist explained the cancer had spread and recommended hospice. As we drove away from his office, “Dancing Queen” came on the radio. I recorded my mother singing it and joined in the chorus. It is one of my most precious memories that brings both a smile to my heart and tears to my eyes.

Our family will always cherish the memories of our forever “Dancing Queen.”

You are the dancing queen
Young and sweet, only seventeen
Dancing queen
Feel the beat from the tambourine, oh yeah

You can dance, you can jive
Having the time of your life
See that girl, watch that scene
Diggin’ the dancing queen