Throughout the years that Agnetha, Benny, Björn, and Anni-Frid — otherwise known as ABBA — were together, the Swedish pop group released nine albums. The outfit’s catalog is packed with so many hits that the band has shared even more compilations.
The most successful of the bunch, referred to simply as Gold, is not just a highlight within ABBA’s catalog, but one of the most successful compilations of all time. ABBA’s Gold can regularly be found on charts all around the world and in America, and this week, the set finally reaches No. 1.
ABBA Climbs to No. 1
ABBA climbs to the top spot on Billboard’s Top Dance Albums chart, which looks only at the most popular and most consumed full-lengths and EPs specific to the dance genre. The tally is built using a methodology that includes both sales and streams, and for the first time ever, as Gold climbs from No. 2 to No. 1, it leads the charge for the first time.
Gold Becomes ABBA’s First Champion
ABBA is largely regarded as a pop group, but Billboard classifies Gold, and therefore many of the songs featured on its track list, under the dance genre label. Gold stands as ABBA’s only project to land on the Top Dance Albums list, and this time around the Grammy-nominated troupe scores its first champion.
Gold Recently Celebrated a Full Year on the Roster
Gold reaches the summit on the Top Dance Albums chart shortly after celebrating its first year on the ranking. The compilation has now spent 53 weeks rising and falling on the roster.
Lady Gaga’s Mayhem Dips from No. 1 While The Fame Climbs
On the Top Dance Albums chart, Gold replaces Lady Gaga’s Mayhem, which falls from No. 1 to No. 3. The pop and dance superstar’s latest full-length has lived on the roster for 44 weeks, and 36 of them have been spent in first place.
As Mayhem descends, Gaga’s debut project The Fame improves, pushing from No. 3 to No. 2, potentially making a play to find its way back to No. 1.
ABBA Falls on the Billboard 200
Gold lives on two lists in America, but it only manages to ascend on one. ABBA slips several spots to No. 80 on the Billboard 200, the all-encompassing ranking of the most-consumed albums of any style. The compilation is up to 411 weeks on the busy chart – nearly eight times as long as its tenure on the Top Dance Albums roster.
“Fernando” Becomes Another Bestseller for ABBA
In addition to reaching No. 1 for the first time on the Top Dance Albums list, ABBA also scores a new bestseller in the United States. “Fernando” launches on the Dance Digital Song Sales chart at No. 14, coming in second-to-last place.
ABBA Lands Two Smashes on the Same Billboard Chart
ABBA has only managed two hits on the Dance Digital Song Sales chart throughout the years, and both of them are present this week. As “Fernando” opens at No. 14, “Dancing Queen” slips three spots to No. 12. That cut, perhaps ABBA’s most famous, has earned 39 stays somewhere on the purchase-centric roster and has previously topped out at No. 4.
ABBA Joins Diana Ross and Robyn With a New Dance Hit
Four tracks launch on the 15-space Dance Digital Song Sales chart this week, and ABBA claims the lowest of the bunch. Fellow legacy favorite Diana Ross launches “Upside Down” at No. 6 after the tune was featured in the final season of Stranger Things. AI-assisted act Waking Up Christopher opens “Let ‘Em” at No. 10, while fellow Swede Robyn debuts “Talk to Me” at lucky No. 13, just one space ahead of the most successful pop group from her home country.