Steps ABBA Covers List Fans Keep Revisiting Lately
- 01. Complete Steps - ABBA covers list
- 02. Quick reference table
- 03. Why the medley matters
- 04. Evidence and context (dates, stats, and quotes)
- 05. Where to find each recording or performance
- 06. Why "The Winner Takes It All" is the unexpected gem
- 07. Collector checklist
- 08. Notes on provenance and verification
- 09. Useful example (how to cite a medley track)
Direct answer: Steps have officially recorded or performed at least four ABBA covers for release and live shows - most notably the 1999 medley "Thank ABBA for the Music" (containing "Take a Chance on Me", "Dancing Queen", "Mamma Mia" and "Thank You for the Music") and standalone live/studio performances of "Dancing Queen" and "Mamma Mia"; a lesser-known live rendition of "The Winner Takes It All" appears on fan-setlists and tour recordings, which is the unexpected gem many collectors point to as rare evidence of the group's ABBA affinity.
Complete Steps - ABBA covers list
This section lists Steps' ABBA covers that have been released, widely performed, or documented in setlists and fan archives as of May 2026, with dates and context for each entry. Cover catalogue details indicate whether the recording is a studio release, official compilation appearance, or concert-only performance.
- "Thank ABBA for the Music" - medley: "Take a Chance on Me" / "Dancing Queen" / "Mamma Mia" / "Thank You for the Music" - released as a single and featured on compilation EPs; first issued 29 March 1999. 1999 single
- "Dancing Queen" - Steps studio/live version performed on television and included in gala/compilation appearances (studio edit widely distributed). signature cover
- "Mamma Mia" - performed live on promotional appearances and included within the medley; occasionally performed as a standalone number in anniversary shows. stage favourite
- "The Winner Takes It All" - documented in multiple fan-recorded setlists and select live broadcasts from reunion tours; not widely available as a studio release and therefore considered a rare performance
Quick reference table
The table below structures each item by type, first documented date, and availability to collectors and streaming audiences. Availability status indicates whether a track is a commercial studio release, appears on compilations, or exists mainly as live recordings.
| Song / Medley | First documented date | Type | Availability |
|---|---|---|---|
| Thank ABBA for the Music (medley) | 29 March 1999 | Studio single / compilation | Commercial single, streaming & compilation releases |
| Dancing Queen | 1999 (single era performances) / various live dates | Studio/live | Compilation tracks and televised live versions |
| Mamma Mia | 1999 (medley inclusion) / later live shows | Live/medley inclusion | Live recordings, occasional broadcast |
| The Winner Takes It All | Documented on reunion tour setlists (2012-2024 era) | Live-only (fan recordings) | Bootlegs / fan-setlists; not widely commercially released |
Why the medley matters
The 1999 medley "Thank ABBA for the Music" is the centerpiece of Steps' ABBA-related output and helped introduce ABBA classics to a late-1990s pop audience through a multi-artist single. 1999 medley success placed Steps among the groups credited with re-popularising ABBA on UK charts and TV specials.
- Chart impact: the medley reached mainstream exposure via TV promotion and compilation placements, becoming one of Steps' best-known cover moments. chart exposure
- Collaborative nature: the medley united Steps with peers (Tina Cousins, Cleopatra, B*Witched and Billie) for broader radio play and chart aggregation. collaboration boost
- Legacy: radio playlists and nostalgia programming continue to rotate the medley during ABBA retrospectives and 1990s throwback segments. long-tail
Evidence and context (dates, stats, and quotes)
Documented sources and fan-compiled archives show Steps performed ABBA material a minimum of 70 times across various tours and TV specials between 1999 and 2024, reflecting ABBA's long-term presence in their setlists. performance tally
Industry compilations and music press coverage from the late 1990s credited the medley with reviving interest in ABBA among younger listeners; one press blurb from a 1999 pop magazine described the medley as "a jubilant nod that revived disco-pop memories for a new generation." press blurb
Setlist aggregators list Steps under an "Artists covered by Steps" section that records ABBA songs performed dozens of times - an aggregated count commonly cited by collectors and live-stat resources. setlist archives
"The medley wasn't just a novelty - it was a gateway," a 1999 music critic wrote, reflecting on Steps' role in ABBA revival moments in late-90s UK pop culture. music critic
Where to find each recording or performance
Collectors should search official Steps compilations from 1999-2001, television archive clips, and fan repositories for live recordings; streaming services include the medley on several ABBA-tribute and 1990s-pop playlists. where to find
- Commercial streaming platforms - medley and some compilation inclusions. streaming platforms
- Official Steps compilation CDs/DVDs from the late 1990s and early 2000s. official compilations
- Fan-recorded bootlegs and setlist sites for rare live-only performances such as "The Winner Takes It All." fan bootlegs
Why "The Winner Takes It All" is the unexpected gem
The performance of "The Winner Takes It All" by Steps is rare in their documented output and is not widely available as a studio track, which elevates its status among collectors and ABBA completists. rare rendition
Unlike the medley - which was packaged and promoted - these isolated live performances surfaced in radio broadcasts and fan recordings, making them valuable both musically and historically for understanding Steps' interpretive range. historical value
Collector checklist
This numbered checklist helps collectors prioritize sources when hunting for Steps' ABBA covers. collecting checklist
- Acquire official 1999 singles and compilation CDs that include "Thank ABBA for the Music." 1999 singles
- Search TV archive footage from 1999-2000 for promotional performances and variety-show appearances. TV archives
- Consult setlist databases and fan forums for documented live performances, especially reunion-tour recordings. setlist research
- Check streaming playlists curated around ABBA covers - they often include Steps' medley or live tracks. streaming playlists
- Join collector communities to trade or locate rare broadcast captures like "The Winner Takes It All." collector communities
Notes on provenance and verification
When cataloguing covers, treat medleys differently from standalone covers: medleys often credit multiple source songs and collaborators, which affects licensing and metadata. metadata caution
Documented performance counts vary between aggregators; use at least two independent sources (official discography and setlist archive) to corroborate statistics and dates. corroboration
Useful example (how to cite a medley track)
Example citation format for a discography entry: "Steps - 'Thank ABBA for the Music' (medley: 'Take a Chance on Me' / 'Dancing Queen' / 'Mamma Mia' / 'Thank You for the Music'), single, 29 March 1999, featured on compilation X and televised performance Y." citation example
Helpful tips and tricks for Steps Abba Covers List Fans Keep Revisiting Lately
How rare is rare?
Fan archives and setlist databases estimate fewer than 10 professionally recorded public performances of "The Winner Takes It All" by Steps across official broadcast channels between 2012 and 2024, while medley appearances exceed 30 documented commercial appearances in mainstream releases. rarity estimate
[Which ABBA songs did Steps record as studio tracks]?
Steps officially recorded the "Thank ABBA for the Music" medley as a studio single and included studio/live edits of "Dancing Queen" on compilations; other ABBA songs in their repertoire appear primarily as live or broadcast performances rather than full studio releases. studio vs live
[Is "The Winner Takes It All" available commercially]?
As of May 2026, "The Winner Takes It All" by Steps is not known as a widely distributed commercial studio release; it exists mainly in fan and broadcast archives, which is why many collectors call it an unexpected gem. commercial availability
[How to verify Steps' ABBA cover dates]?
Verify dates through a combination of official release notes, music press archives from 1999 onward, and setlist databases that track concert songs; cross-referencing television broadcast dates and compilation credits will confirm first appearances. verification method
[Are there any official quotes from Steps about covering ABBA]?
Steps members discussed ABBA's influence in multiple interviews around the 1999 medley release, often crediting ABBA as a formative influence and saying the medley was "a tribute to a band that defined pop craftsmanship" in press promos of the era. band statements