Cher's twenty-sixth studio album, "Dancing Queen," released on September 28, 2018, marked a significant moment in her illustrious career. This album, her first in five years since 2013's "Closer to the Truth," was a dedicated collection of cover versions of songs originally recorded by the iconic Swedish pop group ABBA. The title itself, a direct nod to ABBA's 1976 hit "Dancing Queen," immediately signaled the album's thematic focus. The inspiration
for this project stemmed directly from Cher's involvement in the 2018 musical film "Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again," which prominently featured ABBA's music.
The Genesis of a Tribute Album
Cher's appearance in "Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again," where she recorded "Fernando" and "Super Trouper," ignited her desire to create an entire album dedicated to ABBA's catalog. During the recording process, Cher hinted at the possibility of an ABBA cover album on her Twitter account, building anticipation among her fans. The official announcement came on July 16, 2018, during an interview on "The Today Show." Cher expressed her renewed appreciation for ABBA's songwriting, stating, "After filming Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again, I was reminded again of what great and timeless songs they wrote and started thinking, 'Why not do an album of their music?'"
She acknowledged the challenge of reinterpreting these beloved tracks, noting, "The songs were harder to sing than I imagined but I'm so happy with how the music came out. I'm really excited for people to hear it. It's a perfect time." Cher also revealed her long-standing admiration for ABBA, mentioning that she had "always liked ABBA and saw the original Mamma Mia! musical on Broadway three times." When asked about expectations for the album, she promised a fresh take, explaining, "It's not what you think of when you think 'ABBA', because [she] did it in a different way."
Commercial Acclaim and Chart Performance
"Dancing Queen" proved to be both a critical and commercial success. In the United States, the album debuted impressively at number three on the Billboard 200 chart, selling 153,000 album-equivalent units in its first week. This achievement marked Cher's highest debut sales week for an album in the U.S. and tied her record for the highest-charting solo album on that chart, a position she previously reached with "Closer to the Truth." The album maintained its presence on the chart for eight weeks, demonstrating sustained popularity.
Beyond the U.S., "Dancing Queen" achieved significant international success, peaking within the top ten in 18 other countries, with nine of those being top-five entries. In Canada, it debuted at number two, marking Cher's highest peak for a studio album there since 1998's "Believe." The album was subsequently certified gold by Music Canada for sales exceeding 40,000 copies. The United Kingdom also saw a strong performance, with the album debuting at number two, making it Cher's highest-charting studio album there since 1991's "Love Hurts," with 22,677 units sold. The British Phonographic Industry (BPI) certified the album silver for selling over 60,000 copies, and it landed at number 91 on the year-end chart for 2018. As of October 2023, "Dancing Queen" had accumulated over 92,000 units in the UK. In Ireland, the album secured Cher her first top ten album in 20 years, debuting at number ten. Australia also contributed to its success, with a debut at number two, making it Cher's highest-charting studio album there since "Heart of Stone" topped the chart in 1989. The album also reached the top five in Hungary, peaking at number five and placing 61st on the country's year-end chart.
Promotion and Touring
To further promote "Dancing Queen," Cher embarked on the "Here We Go Again Tour," which commenced on September 21, 2018. This tour was particularly notable as it marked her first worldwide tour since the "Living Proof: The Farewell Tour," which had concluded in 2005. The tour provided a global platform for Cher to perform the ABBA covers from the album, connecting with audiences and celebrating the enduring appeal of these songs and her unique interpretations.
