I have never owned an ABBA album. My husband has never owned an ABBA album (well I can’t say that I know many male ABBA fans). I’ve never even borrowed an ABBA album. Yet, when I listened to the first disc of the ABBA Gold Greatest Hits album, I somehow knew practically every single song. I not only knew these songs, but I could sing along with them pretty much word for word.

Apparently I have lived an ABBA-filled life without my knowledge. Junior high roller-skating parties, high school dances, elevator muzak at the grocery store, wedding receptions, parties… ABBA has been stalking me. And now that I have actually made a point of listening to ABBA, it completely escapes me how I have managed to survive to the age of 30 without owning a single album. What was I thinking?

The ABBA Gold Greatest Hits album is the bomb (thank you, Seattle Public Library!) It not only has a CD of widely recognized hits, but it also comes with a CD of lesser-known ABBA songs and a DVD of music videos. Who can’t love the song Dancing Queen? Or Gimme! Gimme! Gimme! (A Man After Midnight)? These songs are classics!

As we watched the Mamma Mia video last night, my husband commented that their guitarist Bjorn (who was wearing truly amazing clingy white overalls with ruffles on the legs) looked like a deranged alien farmer. I really couldn’t disagree.

Don’t get me wrong - I love ABBA. I have been listening to ABBA nonstop for the past two days (as my husband can attest) and am totally hooked. However, I can’t help but be amused by the music videos. They are pretty darn funny. So I have selected a few of my favorites for your ABBAtainment. Enjoy.

A Selection of ABBA Videos
You’ll laugh, you’ll cry, you’ll be thankful the seventies were a long, long time ago

• Mamma Mia - Deranged alien farmer overalls
• Super Trouper -The worst sweater, ever
• Chiquitita - Featuring a giant snowman in the background (ABBA is from Sweden, you know)
• Take A Chance On Me - Brady bunch, anyone?
• Knowing Me, Knowing You - Featuring more snow (you already forgot that they are from Sweden, didn’t you? Shame on you!)
• Lay All Your Love On Me - I have no idea what is going on in this video. No one is even singing.