Abba-esque


Abba-esque is an EP by the British pop duo Erasure. Released in 1992, it was their first and only number one on the UK Singles Chart and also became a number-one hit in Austria, Denmark, Finland, Greece, Ireland and Sweden.
As big fans of the Swedish group ABBA, Erasure had often performed ABBA songs in concert over the years. They had originally planned to release an album of ABBA covers but instead opted to release an EP of four of ABBA's best known hits.

Background

released Abba-esque in the UK, while Elektra Records released it in the US. Music videos were produced for all four tracks, and issued as a video EP on VHS. A remix EP was also released by Mute Records in the UK which featured the same four songs in heavily reworked form. Shortly after the release, ABBA's album was released, sparking a revival of ABBA's music that has endured well into the 21st century.
After peaking at number two twice, Erasure finally reached number one in the UK with this release, remaining there for five weeks. In the United States, where EPs chart on the Billboard 200, Abba-esque peaked at number 85. Although never officially released as a single by itself, the song "Take a Chance on Me", which features a guest rap by MC Kinky, received significant radio play in the US, allowing it to peak at number 52 on the Billboard Hot 100 Airplay chart. In Sweden, the EP peaked at number one, staying there for six consecutive weeks, and it also peaked atop the charts of Austria, Denmark, Finland, Greece and Ireland.
The release of the Abba-esque EP in due course precipitated the release of a similar EP, Erasure-ish, by the ABBA tribute band Björn Again, which features two Erasure tracks performed in the style of ABBA as an answer record.

Music video

The music video for "Take a Chance on Me" was directed by Philippe Gautier.

Track listings

Abba-esque
  1. "Lay All Your Love on Me" - 4:45
  2. "SOS" - 3:49
  3. "Take a Chance on Me" - 3:43
  4. "Voulez-Vous" - 5:35
Abba-esque – The Remixes
  1. "Voulez-Vous"
  2. "Lay All Your Love on Me"
  3. "Take a Chance on Me"
  4. "SOS"

    Charts and certifications

Weekly charts

Year-end charts

Decade-end charts

Certifications