Steps ABBA Songs Covered Ranked By Fan Reactions
Steps covered ABBA in two especially notable ways: the 1999 multi-artist medley "Thank ABBA for the Music," which included "Take a Chance on Me," "Dancing Queen," "Mamma Mia," and "Thank You for the Music," and the 2017 Steps album track "Story of a Heart," which was written by Benny Andersson and Björn Ulvaeus-related collaborators rather than being an ABBA classic outright. If you're asking which ABBA songs Steps performed as covers, the clearest answer is the medley from the Brit Awards era, with "Dancing Queen" usually emerging as the standout crowd favorite.
The covers that matter
Steps are best remembered in ABBA coverage circles for "Thank ABBA for the Music," a glossy pop medley shared with Tina Cousins, Cleopatra, B*Witched, and Billie Piper. The medley bundled four ABBA songs into one performance-oriented track and became a defining late-1990s TV and live-event moment for British pop.
In addition, the group later recorded "Story of a Heart" for Tears on the Dancefloor in 2017, a move that reinforced how closely Steps' sound and image have long been linked to the ABBA lineage of bright harmonies and polished disco-pop. BBC reported that the song was included as part of the band's first new album in 17 years, underscoring the continuing commercial appeal of that ABBA-adjacent aesthetic.
ABBA songs Steps covered
The core ABBA songs performed by Steps in the famous medley were "Take a Chance on Me," "Dancing Queen," "Mamma Mia," and "Thank You for the Music." The medley format matters because it is the most widely cited Steps-ABBA crossover in pop history and the one most listeners mean when they ask about Steps covering ABBA.
| ABBA song | Steps context | Why it stands out |
|---|---|---|
| Take a Chance on Me | Included in "Thank ABBA for the Music" | One of ABBA's most recognizable upbeat singalong hits. |
| Dancing Queen | Included in "Thank ABBA for the Music" | Typically seen as the signature song of the medley. |
| Mamma Mia | Included in "Thank ABBA for the Music" | Bridges ABBA's theater-friendly pop identity with Steps' TV-era polish. |
| Thank You for the Music | Included in "Thank ABBA for the Music" | Provides the medley's closing tribute arc. |
| Story of a Heart | Recorded by Steps in 2017 | Not an ABBA original, but part of the Andersson/Ulvaeus musical universe. |
Why the medley worked
Thank ABBA for the Music worked because it matched ABBA's melodic clarity with Steps' tightly choreographed, sugar-rush pop identity. The performance brought together five acts associated with the late-1990s teen-pop boom, turning nostalgia into a primetime event rather than a niche homage.
The biggest reason "Dancing Queen" stands above the rest is simple: it already functions as one of ABBA's most universal songs, and in medley form it becomes the emotional and commercial anchor. Even in fan retrospectives and setlist databases, ABBA remains one of the most frequently covered influences associated with Steps, reinforcing how central that catalog is to the band's public image.
Historical context
Steps' ABBA connection sits inside a larger British-pop tradition that treats ABBA as a gold standard for songwriting, arrangement, and sparkle. By the time Steps were appearing on major TV stages, ABBA had already become a shorthand for irresistible pop craftsmanship, making the tribute feel both affectionate and strategically on-brand.
That context also helps explain why Steps' later return with "Story of a Heart" was framed as more than a one-off cover choice. BBC noted that the track came from Björn Ulvaeus and Benny Andersson's orbit, which positioned it as a continuation of the band's long-running relationship with ABBA-style pop rather than a random nostalgia play.
How fans rank them
Dancing Queen usually ranks first in fan memory because it is the most immediately identifiable song in the medley and the easiest to imagine in a Steps performance setting. "Mamma Mia" follows closely because of its theatrical hook, while "Take a Chance on Me" and "Thank You for the Music" function as essential supporting pieces that make the tribute feel complete.
- Dancing Queen, for the instant recognition and universal chorus.
- Mamma Mia, for the dramatic singalong energy.
- Take a Chance on Me, for the upbeat, dance-floor momentum.
- Thank You for the Music, for the tribute-style finish.
Performance record
Setlist data shows ABBA as a meaningful part of Steps' broader cover repertoire, with the group having performed ABBA-related material enough times for it to rank among their covered artists. That doesn't just mark a one-night tribute; it suggests a durable repertoire choice that fits the band's brand and audience expectations.
In practical pop terms, that means the ABBA material is not a side note in the Steps story. It is one of the defining ways listeners connect the group to the wider history of glossy European pop, especially when discussing the 1999 medley and the band's later revival era.
What makes it notable
The significance of Steps covering ABBA is that it linked two generations of mass-market pop without irony or distance. The tribute was celebratory, catchy, and fully committed to performance, which is why it has remained a reference point decades later.
"Thank ABBA for the Music" is less a novelty track than a snapshot of a moment when British pop openly embraced its ABBA influences and turned them into mainstream entertainment.
FAQ
What are the most common questions about Steps Abba Songs Covered Ranked By Fan Reactions?
Which ABBA songs did Steps cover?
Steps covered "Take a Chance on Me," "Dancing Queen," "Mamma Mia," and "Thank You for the Music" in the medley "Thank ABBA for the Music."
What is the best-known Steps ABBA cover?
The best-known Steps ABBA cover is "Thank ABBA for the Music," especially because it was performed with other pop acts and became a signature late-1990s crossover moment.
Did Steps record any other ABBA-related songs?
Yes. Steps recorded "Story of a Heart" for their 2017 album, and BBC noted it was tied to the songwriting world of Björn Ulvaeus and Benny Andersson.
Why do people say one stands above all?
Because "Dancing Queen" is the most instantly recognizable song in the medley and the one most likely to define the performance in public memory.