Europop

The song was written by Benny Andersson and Björn Ulvaeus, and they produced it as well. Evidently, part of the inspiration for the song came from Ulvaeus, who liked to run. As he would run, he would sing a “tck-ach” rhythm to himself, and that changed over time into “take a chance.” They song was released on their 1977 album titled The Album. It was also released as a single, backed with “I’m a Marionette.”

“Take a Chance” was an international hit in 1978. It rose to #1 on U.S. Cashbox and  the U.K. Singles Chart, as well as in Ireland, Austria, Belgium, Mexico, and on the Eurochart Hot 100. It was #2 in The Netherlands and Rhodesia. It went to #3 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 and in Canada, Switzerland, and in Germany. It was in the Top 20 in Australia, France, New Zealand, and Norway.

ABBA formed in Stockholm, Sweden, in 1972. The groups moniker is from the first letter of the members’ names: Agnetha Fältskog, Björn Ulvaeus, Benny Andersson, and Anni-Frid Lyngstad. They have been one of the most successful acts in the history of pop music.  They had fourteen U.S. Top 40 hits. ABBA disbanded in 1982.

Here are the lyrics to “Take a Chance on Me” by ABBA:

If you change your mind, I’m the first in line
Honey I’m still free
Take a chance on me
If you need me, let me know, gonna be around
If you’ve got no place to go, if you’re feeling down
If you’re all alone when the pretty birds have flown
Honey I’m still free
Take a chance on me
Gonna do my very best and it ain’t no lie
If you put me to the test, if you let me try

Take a chance on me
(That’s all I ask of you honey)
Take a chance on me

We can go dancing, we can go walking, as long as we’re together
Listen to some music, maybe just talking, get to know you better
‘Cause you know I’ve got
So much that I wanna do, when I dream I’m alone with you
It’s magic
You want me to leave it there, afraid of a love affair
But I think you know
That I can’t let go

If you change your mind, I’m the first in line
Honey I’m still free
Take a chance on me
If you need me, let me know, gonna be around
If you’ve got no place to go, if you’re feeling down
If you’re all alone when the pretty birds have flown
Honey I’m still free
Take a chance on me
Gonna do my very best and it ain’t no lie
If you put me to the test, if you let me try

Take a chance on me
(Come on, give me a break will you?)
Take a chance on me

Oh you can take your time baby, I’m in no hurry, know I’m gonna get you
You don’t wanna hurt me, baby don’t worry, I ain’t gonna let you
Let me tell you now
My love is strong enough to last when things are rough
It’s magic
You say that I waste my time but I can’t get you off my mind
No I can’t let go
‘Cause I love you so

If you change your mind, I’m the first in line
Honey I’m still free
Take a chance on me
If you need me, let me know, gonna be around
If you’ve got no place to go, if you’re feeling down
If you’re all alone when the pretty birds have flown
Honey I’m still free
Take a chance on me
Gonna do my very best, baby can’t you see
Gotta put me to the test, take a chance on me
(Take a chance, take a chance, take a chance on me)

Ba ba ba ba baa, ba ba ba ba baa
Honey I’m still free
Take a chance on me
Gonna do my very best, baby can’t you see
Gotta put me to the test, take a chance on me
(Take a chance, take a chance, take a chance on me)

Ba ba ba ba baa, ba ba ba ba baa ba-ba
Honey I’m still free
Take a chance on me
Gonna do my very best, baby can’t you see
Gotta put me to the test, take a chance on me

For another song by ABBA: “Dancing Queen.”

For More 70s Tunes

The System has daily featured music from all sorts of genres of 1970s music. You’re welcome to listen to any of the 40+ selections in The System. Thank you for stopping by. Hope you enjoyed “Take a Chance on Me” by ABBA.