Wednesday, August 6, 2008

Dancing Queen

"Kate Peters Dancing on Roof from Peters Family Collection, 1947" by pingnews.com


My daughter and I went to see the box-office hit Mamma Mia last night. The age of audience members ranged from young teens to senior citizens.

The plot was predictable, some of the singing was mediocre, but no one left early: we were all still seated after the closing credits had rolled, mesmerized by the compelling energy of the recreated ABBA hits.

When the original recording of Dancing Queen was released, in 1975, I was a young, childless wife. I am now an almost-retired wife, mother of two married children.

My world has changed significantly in many ways, but at certain times, particularly joyous occasions like weddings, I still feel the urge to step out on the floor and dance.

I'm not 17 anymore, but I hope I'll never lose the desire to run towards life and learning. As long as I can move, when the music starts playing, I know I'll still be a dancing queen.



"You can dance, you can jive, having the time of your life
See that girl, watch that scene, dig in the dancing queen" -ABBA, Dancing Queen (1975)





6 comments:

Anonymous said...

I'm so glad to hear you liked the movie, I've been waiting to hear a review before going :-) Your seal of approval means it's on my list!

diane said...

It's the equivalent of beach reading, light and enjoyable.

Dance away, young Kate!

Anonymous said...

I can't wait to see the movie. :) I find it so strange that it's been ten years since I've first heard A*Teen's cover of "Dancing Queen. (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mUaG7AJFbJo)

diane said...

Stacy,

Time passes so quickly. I was once dancing my way into college, as you are now.

No regrets, just many memories - and the desire to keep on running, and dancing, towards the future.

ALICIA REY said...

Nice post Diane -really lovely.

Abba has always been my fave - and couldn't miss making the new movie interactive on my blog -for any EFL learner
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/7508202.stm

diane said...

Alicia,

I can't get Dancing Queen out of my head. It seems to speak to the free spirit still twirling beneath my staid exterior.

Glad you understand!