I Do, I Do, I Do, I Do, I Do

Infobox Single
Name = I Do, I Do, I Do, I Do, I Do


Artist = ABBA
from Album = ABBA
Released = 1975 (1976 in the US)
Format = Single
Genre = Pop
Length = 3:18
Label = Polar Music
Writer = Benny Andersson, Stig Anderson & Björn Ulvaeus
Producer = Benny Andersson & Björn Ulvaeus
Director = Lasse Hallstrom
Certification =
Chart position = * #1 (AUS)
* #15 (USA)
* #38 (UK)
Last single = "So Long"
(1974)
This single = "I Do, I Do, I Do, I Do, I Do"
(1975)
Next single = "SOS"
(1975)

"I Do, I Do, I Do, I Do, I Do" was a hit single for Swedish pop group ABBA, and was their next major worldwide hit after Waterloo. It was the second single to be released from their "ABBA" album. The song was written by Benny Andersson, Björn Ulvaeus and their manager Stig Anderson, and was released in April 1975 with "Rock Me" as the B-side.

History

The song's release came shortly after their previous single, "So Long", performed disappointingly in terms of charts and sales. After the release of "Waterloo", ABBA was having difficulty establishing themselves as an act with longevity. "I Do, I Do, I Do, I Do, I Do", in many cases, put ABBA firmly back in the spotlight. With a rousing saxophone tune and homage to 1950s Schlager music, "I Do, I Do, I Do, I Do, I Do" became a significant improvement on the international charts, although it made little impact in Britain. The song's popularity was boosted, particularly in Australia, by the release of a promo clip shown on television. The song, presumably because of its title as much as the sentiment, was voted one of the nation's favorite wedding songs and recently featured in the British soap opera "Hollyoaks", as one of the songs played during Sarah's pre-wedding party.

Reception

"I Do, I Do, I Do, I Do, I Do" was the song that sparked "ABBA-mania" in Australia, becoming ABBA's first chart-topper there. With "Mamma Mia" and "SOS" to follow, this gave the group a run of 14 consecutive weeks at the top of the Australian charts. "I Do, I Do, I Do, I Do, I Do" also topped the charts in New Zealand, Switzerland and South Africa and hit the Top 5 in Norway, Belgium, the Netherlands, Austria and Zimbabwe (all in 1975). The song also reached No.15 in the United States in early 1976. However, in the UK, a market that ABBA was aiming to conquer, the single froze at No.38. Thus, the musical direction taken in the song was not used again for some time. This marked the only time that an ABBA song had more success in the United States than in Britain. Later in 1975, ABBA would go on to find success in the UK with "SOS", which would cement the group's success in Australia and elsewhere.

Chart positions

Cover versions

* The saxophone arrangament early made the song an ideal candidate for several dansband covers, like Ingmar Nordströms on the 1975 album "Saxparty 2".
* Swedish studio musicians The Black Sweden recorded a version for their ABBA tribute album "Gold". This version includes a riff from the ZZ Top song "Tush".
* The song is sung in second act of the "Mamma Mia!" musical. In the context of the musical, Sky and Sophie call off the wedding. The song is used when Sam and Donna get married instead, after he explains that he is divorced and professes his love for Donna. Although it is one of several songs included in the 2008 "Mamma Mia!" movie adaptation but it was not included on the official soundtrack.
* Studio 99 performed a cover on their "Studio 99 Perform A Tribute To ABBA, Vol. 1" album.
* A cover of the song can be found on the tribute album "ABBAration".
* A dance version of this song produced by Dr. Octavo can be found on the ABBA cover album "Cardio Pulse".