Peak
3
Weeks
18
Score
3,513
Chart Year
1978
Bjorn Ulvaeus enjoyed jogging and as he ran he sang a "tck-a-ch"-style rhythm to himself. This evolved into the line "Take a Chance on Me," around which he wrote the rest of the words. Ulvaeus in 1000 UK #1 Hits by Jon Kutner and Spencer Leigh: "I remember that Benny didn't like the line, 'We could go dancing, we could go walking,' but in the end we went with it." This was also #1 in Austria, Belgium, Ireland and Mexico. Although unlike "Dancing Queen" this didn't top the US chart, it did sell more than the chart topper. The working title was "Billy Boy." In 1992 Erasure recorded Abba-esque, an EP made up of 4 ABBA songs. It became their first UK #1 and kick-started an Abba revival. One of the songs on it was "Take A Chance On Me," which they did Techno style spliced up with a Ragga section. Andy Bell in 1000 UK #1 Hits recalls: "The ABBA EP was commercial and fun, but a throwaway project for us to do because it was only 4 songs. And because they were written by the same writers it was easy for us to do. The ABBA stuff was originally going to be an album project, but then we were glad we didn't do that, because we were pretty swamped by ABBA anyway." >> John McCain is a huge ABBA fan and after being elected as the Republican candidate for the 2008 presidential elections, he vowed to have ABBA songs played "in elevators all over the White House" if elected. McCain apparently pumps himself up by listening to this song at full volume before making a big speech and he contacted the Swedish group to get permission to use this number as his official campaign anthem. However it appears they priced him out of the market, as McCain was forced to admit to reporters: "It gets expensive in a big hurry." It's possible that ABBA just didn't want to be associated with the Republican Party. This song appeared, among others, in the Mamma Mia! soundtrack and musical starring Pierce Brosnan, Meryl Streep and Colin Firth. The song is performed in the movie by Julie Walters and Stellan Skargaard. >> In The Office episode "Launch Party" from season 4, Andy tries to woo Angela by singing this to her.
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
| Week | Chart Date | Position | Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Apr 22, 1978 | 69 | 57 |
| 2 | Apr 29, 1978 | 50 | 76 |
| 3 | May 6, 1978 | 30 | 96 |
| 4 | May 13, 1978 | 24 | 102 |
| 5 | May 20, 1978 | 17 | 109 |
| 6 | May 27, 1978 | 13 | 113 |
| 7 | Jun 3, 1978 | 9 | 117 |
| 8 | Jun 10, 1978 | 8 | 118 |
| 9 | Jun 17, 1978 | 6 | 120 |
| 10 | Jun 24, 1978 | 5 | 121 |
| 11 | Jul 1, 1978 | 4 | 122 |
| 12 | Jul 8, 1978 | 3 | 123 |
| 13 | Jul 15, 1978 | 3 | 123 |
| 14 | Jul 22, 1978 | 9 | 117 |
| 15 | Jul 29, 1978 | 17 | 109 |
| 16 | Aug 5, 1978 | 24 | 102 |
| 17 | Aug 12, 1978 | 41 | 85 |
| 18 | Aug 19, 1978 | 81 | 45 |