The newly released nine-CD Complete Studio Recordings box set may tempt only the most hard-core Abba fans. Here is a more digestible helping of the choicest plums.

1 The Winner Takes it All A break-up lyric, a soaring melody, mangled phonetics and the greatest snare-drum entry of all time.

2 Dancing Queen Years of karaoke massacres have obscured the tenderness of the lyrics; as for the tune, “You’re in the mood for a dance” says it all.

3 The Name of the Game An icy Nordic wind blows through this blissful West Coast pop melody.

4 When All Is Said and Done Structurally startling; more a hymn than a song.

5 The Day Before You Came The chord change as the vocal reaches “The train back home again” is devastating.

6 Knowing Me, Knowing You The snowbound video remains etched on millions of memories. Their most obviously autobiographical song.

7 As Good as New Super Trouper and Mamma Mia put through a Bee Gees disco mincer.

8 One of Us The minimalist bass line alone is reason enough to love this.

9 SOS The song that first intimated pop genius was at work.


10 Super Trouper A deeply ambivalent lyric about love and fame. And who can forget the “super-per trouper-per” harmonies?

Download At www.napster.co.uk