About the song
“Gimme! Gimme! Gimme! (A Man After Midnight)” stands as an iconic piece in ABBA’s discography, encapsulating the vibrant spirit of disco that dominated the late 1970s music scene. Written by Benny Andersson and Björn Ulvaeus, with vocals passionately delivered by Agnetha Fältskog, the song was crafted during August 1979 as part of ABBA’s strategic move to boost their upcoming North American and European tour. It debuted on their ‘Greatest Hits Vol. 2’ album, immediately captivating audiences with its irresistible beat and heartfelt lyrics.
The narrative of “Gimme! Gimme! Gimme!” portrays a poignant tale of longing and yearning. Fältskog’s vocal prowess shines through as she portrays a woman enveloped in loneliness, metaphorically equating it to the oppressive darkness of night. The song’s melody, notably featuring the ARP Odyssey synthesizer, adds a distinctive flavor that complements the disco era’s ethos perfectly.
Originally, ABBA had prepared another track titled “Rubber Ball Man” for release, featuring a classic ABBA arrangement with vocals from both Fältskog and Anni-Frid Lyngstad. However, upon reflection, the group opted for “Gimme! Gimme! Gimme!” due to its more upbeat and commercially viable disco sound. This decision proved prescient as the song went on to achieve tremendous success globally.
In the United States and Canada, a shorter edit of the song was released, strategically trimmed to 3:36 minutes to enhance radio playability. Despite its shortened form, the essence and appeal of the song remained intact, further bolstering ABBA’s popularity in these markets.
The international acclaim of “Gimme! Gimme! Gimme!” was resounding, reaching number one in multiple countries across Europe including Belgium, Finland, France, Ireland, and Switzerland. Its success extended to other regions such as Austria, West Germany, the United Kingdom, and Japan, solidifying its status as one of ABBA’s most beloved and commercially successful tracks.
The song’s influence transcended linguistic boundaries with the release of “¡Dame! ¡Dame! ¡Dame!”, its Spanish-language counterpart, aimed at expanding ABBA’s reach into Latin American and Spanish-speaking markets. This adaptation further underscored the universality of ABBA’s music and their ability to connect with diverse audiences worldwide.
In retrospect, “Gimme! Gimme! Gimme! (A Man After Midnight)” remains a testament to ABBA’s musical genius and their ability to capture the zeitgeist of an era. Its enduring popularity continues to resonate with listeners, reaffirming its place as a timeless classic in the annals of pop music history.
Video
Lyrics
Half-past twelve
And I’m watching the late show in my flat all alone
How I hate to spend the evening on my own
Autumn winds
Blowing outside the window as I look around the room
And it makes me so depressed to see the gloom
There’s not a soul out there
No one to hear my prayer
Gimme, gimme, gimme a man after midnight
Won’t somebody help me chase the shadows away?
Gimme, gimme, gimme a man after midnight
Take me through the darkness to the break of the day
Movie stars
Find the end of the rainbow with a fortune to win
It’s so different from the world I’m living in
Tired of TV
I open the window and I gaze into the night
But there’s nothing there to see, no one in sight
There’s not a soul out there
No one to hear my prayer
Gimme, gimme, gimme a man after midnight
Won’t somebody help me chase the shadows away?
Gimme, gimme, gimme a man after midnight
Take me through the darkness to the break of the day
Gimme, gimme, gimme a man after midnight
Gimme, gimme, gimme a man after midnight
There’s not a soul out there
No one to hear my prayer
Gimme, gimme, gimme a man after midnight
Won’t somebody help me chase the shadows away?
Gimme, gimme, gimme a man after midnight
Take me through the darkness to the break of the day
Gimme, gimme, gimme a man after midnight
Won’t somebody help me chase the shadows away?
Gimme, gimme, gimme a man after midnight
Take me through the darkness to the break of the day