Originally recorded in 1976 by iconic Swedish group ABBA, the words and glamour seeking dreaminess of “Money, Money, Money” has stood the test of time. Still relevant and still just as catchy, Sweden’s Matilda Lindell’s rendition of the tune and accompanying video are further proof of ABBA’s dominance in the pop music world. Lindell, too, creates the same excitement and thrill all these later in her exceptionally fun cover. It’s a rich man’s world….but women are the one’s singing about it.
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Lindell makes “Money, Money, Money” her own when rather than full instrumentation in the music bedrock, she enlists acappela voices to bolster her already vibrant, smokey vocals. While the dramatic piano arrangement in the original has a parlor, almost campy tone, the unblemished voices create just as much drama and pizzaz. As a listener, you’re completely suspended into the notion of the bom-bom-bom-bom is coming from a voice and not the kick drum. It’s delightful. And still there never seems to be a single penny left for me, that’s too bad, in my dreams I have a plan, if I got me a wealthy man, I wouldn’t have to work at all, I’d fool around and have a ball, Lindell sings. If you weren’t singing along in 1976, then Lindell’s version has you singing to the mountain tops. Lindell, who is a vocal coach and enjoys traveling, also happens to be the lead singer in the tribute, ABBA The Concert. She has an instant rapport with her listener, and is just as magnetic as Anni-Frid Lyngstad. Lindell’s rapturous voice honors the original to the ‘T’. She’s fast-paced, full of energy. She slyly delivers the words like it’s her own idea, her own eureka moment. Her clever way of bringing in backing vocalists charms even the most cynical of cynics.
I found Lindell’s version of this ABBA classic to be highly enjoyable and entertaining. With so many hits in their discography, it’s an interesting choice, but it pays off, nonetheless. I recommend this version way more than the Mama Mia movie franchise versions. Let’s keep our fingers crossed she interprets “Fernando” next.
In the good time of a music video, Lindell and her backing vocalists are the wait staff of a presumed upper class restaurant. You have to use your imagination just a bit as it’s not actually in a restaurant. They are waiting on a wealthy man, who besides fine dining, takes up a few choreographed dance steps with the group. It’s a nice visual representation of the song, and holds close to the original focus of a woman working all day and night, on her feet day-dreaming of finding a rich man to take care of her. The group really looked like they were having a great time, and the depiction is sweet and charming. Daniel Greayer stars in and edited the video and it also stars Johanna Cervin, Mia Greayer, Sebastian Rilton and the voice of Linnéa Rilton. The ‘rich man’ is played by Terje Thoresen. “Money, Money, Money” is written by Benny Andersson and Björn Ulvaeus.
Troy Johnston