About the song
Released in 1979, “Gimme! Gimme! Gimme! (A Man After Midnight)” by ABBA isn’t just another catchy disco tune. It’s a song that delves into the raw vulnerability of loneliness, wrapped in a dancefloor-ready soundscape. Composed by Benny Andersson and Björn Ulvaeus, with Agnetha Fältskog taking center stage on vocals, the song paints a vivid picture of a woman yearning for love.
Fältskog masterfully portrays the narrator’s longing. The lyrics depict a lonely woman trapped in the darkness of a late night, with only the glow of the television offering a glimpse of happier realities. Movie stars finding their happy endings become a stark contrast to her own solitary state. The repetitive plea of “Gimme! Gimme! Gimme! (A Man After Midnight)” becomes a desperate cry for companionship, a desire to break free from the isolating darkness.
Interestingly, the song wasn’t originally planned as a single. ABBA had initially envisioned “Rubber Ball Man,” a more traditional ABBA track with Fältskog and Anni-Frid Lyngstad sharing vocals, as the lead single for their upcoming tour. However, the group’s intuition led them to choose “Gimme! Gimme! Gimme!” with its pulsating disco rhythm, a sound that perfectly captured the era.
The song’s success was undeniable. It topped charts across Europe, reaching number one in Belgium, Finland, France, and Switzerland. Notably, it became ABBA’s most successful song in Japan, peaking at number 17. Beyond the catchy melody and driving beat, “Gimme! Gimme! Gimme!” resonated with audiences for its relatable portrayal of loneliness. The yearning for connection, a universal human experience, transcended language and cultural barriers.
While the single version enjoyed global success, the North American release featured a slightly shorter version, omitting sections of the instrumental bridge. This edit aimed to cater to radio play preferences in the region. Despite this minor modification, the song’s impact remained strong, solidifying ABBA’s position as a musical powerhouse.
“Gimme! Gimme! Gimme! (A Man After Midnight)” remains a testament to ABBA’s ability to craft pop masterpieces with emotional depth. The song continues to be a favorite among fans, a reminder that even under the sparkling disco ball, a yearning for connection can be the most powerful dance of all.
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