Photo: Traveltoromantis Fryta 73 Codorado CrushNush, CC BY-SA 3.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0>, via Wikimedia Commons
Our Top 10 Ace of Base Songs list takes a look at one of music’s most popular international groups since ABBA. They became instant celebrities after the release of their debut album The Sign. It was the best-selling album of 1994. The Sign was also one of the best-selling debut albums of all time. The group has sold over 30 million albums during their time together. They are the third most successful Swedish behind ABBA and Roxette. It’s time to get to know the group a little better.
Ace of Base was formed in 1990. The original members consisted of siblings Jonas Berggren, Jenny Berggren, Linn Berggren and their friend Ulf Ekberg. They released music in other countries before making it big. Music legend Clive Davis heard their music and was impressed. He signed them to his label Arista Records. They released their first album in the US The Sign in 1993. The album peaked at number one on the Billboard 200 charts. The album features the singles “All That She Wants,” “The Sign,” “Don’t Turn Around,” “Living in Danger,” “Happy Nation,” “Waiting for Magic” and “Wheel of Fortune.” It sold over 21 million albums worldwide.
The group released their next album The Bridge in 1995. The album peaked at number 29 on the Billboard 200 charts. It features the singles “Lucky Love,” “Beautiful Life” and “Never Gonna Say I’m Sorry.” It sold over five million copies worldwide. It didn’t sell as well as their previous album, but it did manage to sell a lot of records. The group began to work on their next project, but there was some turmoil. Linn Berggren decided not to sing lead as much on this album. Fans were concerned about why she chose to let her sister Jenny take over as lead vocalist. She seemed happier being in the background and not singing lead. Their fans wondered if something happened to her voice or if she grew tired of fame. With that said, they released their next album Cruel Summer in 1998. The album didn’t peak very high on the charts. It peaked at 101 on the Billboard 200 charts. The album fell off the charts after 10 weeks. It features the singles “Cruel Summer,” “Whenever You’re Near Me” and “Everytime It Rains.” The album sold over 120,000 copies in the United States.
Ace of Base released their fourth album Da Capo in 2002. The album didn’t chart in the United States. It was supposed to be released in the United States, but it didn’t happen. The album features the singles “Beautiful Morning,” “Unspeakable” and “The Juvenile.” This is the last studio album to feature the original members of the group. Ace of Base decided to take a hiatus from recording together. The group got back together in 2007 without Linn Berggren. She was finished with recording and didn’t want to return to the group. The group promised they wouldn’t ask her to return.
They added another singer to the group in 2009. They wanted Jenny Berggren to have another female singer with her. She decided not to be a part of the album they were recording. Ulf Ekberg and Jonas Berggren decided to add two new females to the group. They added Clara Hagman and Julia Williamson to the group. Jenny Berggren insisted that she didn’t leave the group. She said in an interview that the original members didn’t want her involved in their next project. Ulf and Jonas said Jenny didn’t want to include a new member to the group so they had no choice but to go on without her. They continued to go by Ace of Base. They released The Golden Ratio in 2010. The album didn’t chart in the United States. It features the singles “All for You” and “Mr. Replay.”
Ace of Base became an instant hit group after the release of their first album. They were able to achieve crossover success in the United States as well as other countries. They drew comparisons to ABBA, but they were able to make it on their own. They don’t have a lot of albums, but they have some hit songs to make up for it. This Top 10 Ace of Base Songs list will consist of their best songs. This list was a challenge to come up with because they have a lot of good songs. It was a toss up to decide which songs to include on the list. Do you think you know what made the cut?
# 10 – Happy Nation
The first song on our Top 10 Ace of Base Songs list is “Happy Nation” from the album The Sign. The song has a Euro pop and reggae fusion sound to it. The inspirational song is about life. They want people to see the positive in the world instead of talking about how bad the world is. The mid tempo song has a positive message about how we should all live as one nation. The melody of this song is similar to “All That She Wants.” The song has a somber beat considering it has a positive message.
They contradict each other. The melody and rhythm blend together to make an irresistible sound. The song is arranged in two parts. It has English and Latin lyrics. Jonas Berggren sings the first verse in Latin while Linn Berggren sings the rest of the song in English. Their voices blend well together. Her tone is excellent for the beat. Her vocalization gives the song a slight operatic feel to it. Jonas gives the song a Latin choir feel. They created a very unique track.
# 9 – Never Gonna Say I’m Sorry
The next song on our Top 10 Ace of Base Songs list is “Never Gonna Say I’m Sorry” from The Bridge album. The song has a pop, reggae fusion sound to it. This unapologetic song is about not apologizing for the type of people they are. They feel they should be loved just like everyone else and shouldn’t change the way feel. This deep message is perfect for people who feel different from others and don’t want to change to please others. They want people to accept unique people.
This is another song that the group wanted to sound like “All That She Wants.” Their goal was to fuse that song with this song. The similar beats make it easy to remember it. It has a thumping drumbeat and bouncy melodies that are sure to please fans of theirs and gain new ones. It has a memorable hook that will stay in your head for a long time. The sisters take turns singing lead vocals. Their voices compliment each other and they both win the vocal battle.
# 8 – Waiting for Magic
This fantasy song is from the album The Sign. It has a dance, pop, Euro and techno sound. This fairy tale song is about a woman waiting for her Prince to come and wake her up. The theme is similar to Snow White and Sleeping Beauty. They creatively include a verse comparing themselves to Snow White. The song may have different lyrics, but it’s very easy to sing along with them. It’s impossible to listen to it without singing the lyrics. It’s a very dance friendly song that’s perfect for radio. It has an amazing chord progression especially with the inclusion of the piano, which gives the song a pop flare. The vocal melodies are superb. Some of the lyrics may be hard to understand, but the song is still enjoyable. Ace of Base are probably the only group who could get away with creating a track like this one and it still remain a hot song.
# 7 – Lucky Love
The bouncy song is from The Bridge album. The song has a pop and reggae fusion beat. This love song is about a teenager being in love and never forgetting what that feeling is like. This is the first song the group released after their monster debut album. The pressure was on to create another hot song. Did they make it happen? The answer to this question is a resounding yes. The track has an old school feel to it. It feels like you’re taking a stroll down memory lane. The song is more pop friendly than their previous hits. It’s a danceable song that is impossible to sit still through while you’re listening to it. The beat is bouncy and infectious. It has an appealing chorus and it’s easy to sing. Linn and Jenny sing the lead vocals on the track. They take risks in the song by holding little notes and doing runs. They pull off holding the notes and should have done it more often because they sound pretty good doing it.
# 6 – Wheel of Fortune
This unique song is from The Sign album. It has a reggae fusion, dance and pop beat. The metaphoric song is about a relationship. They cleverly used the title of a popular game show and compared it to the ups and downs of a relationship. The music is rhythmic and hypnotic. It sounds like a slowed down version of “Happy Nation” and “All That She Wants.” The combination of reggae and pop work well with this song. The rhythm arrangement is out of this world. They go down in the music, which would be perfect for a bluesy club scene.
The music is catchy and will have you out of your seat as soon as it starts playing. Linn Berggren sings lead vocals on this track. She shows versatility in the song by singing in a deeper key. Her voice blends well with the low music. She’s a little hard to understand because her accent is strong so you may have to look at the lyrics to understand what she’s saying.
# 5 – Cruel Summer
The next song on our Top 10 Ace of Base Songs list is “Cruel Summer” from the album of the same name. The song has a pop and dance beat. This summer song tells the story about longing to be with someone while the summer is winding down. This is a cover of Bananarama’s hit song. The song is relatable because most of us have been in a position where we longed to be with someone, but the time’s running out to get the person you want. Ace of Base’s version of the song has more of a dance friendly beat from the original version.
The original version of the song has a new wave sound. Ace of Base’s version has more of an upbeat sound to it. They basically stick to the formula of the original song. Jenny Berggren does little ad libs that aren’t in the original version, but she doesn’t stray too far from the original melody of song. She sings the song in a higher key than Bananarama do in their version. She sings the song as if they sang it first. Their version of the song is just as good as the original version of it. It’s easy to forget that this is a cover song because they made it their own. Everything about the song works.
# 4 – Don’t Turn Around
This anthemic song is from The Sign album. The song has a reggae fusion sound to it. The forlorn song is about a relationship that ended. This is a cover song. Tina Turner, Bonnie Tyler, and Aswad recorded the song before Ace of Base. It’s easy to forget this song is a cover song because it’s so closely associated with Ace of Base. Their version of the song is reggae and pop friendly. It has a new wave sound to it as well. The song has a breezy vibe that gives it a tropical beat.
It’s a very synth heavy song that gives it a pop sound. The percussion makes the song sound different from the other versions of the song. Linn Berggren sings the majority of the song. She sings the verses in an empowering way. She wants the guy to know she’s done with him and doesn’t want him to see her cry. ” You can feel the pain in her voice as she talks about wanting the guy to walk away from her.
# 3 – The Sign
The heartbreaking song is from the album of the same name. It has a techno, reggae, pop and Euro pop sound to it. This is an emotional song about the status of a relationship. This song received new life when it was featured in the movie Pitch Perfect. The melody sounds similar to their other songs on the album. The music is energetic. It has infectious synth beats and an incredible bass line. This song is also an updated version of Gloria Gaynor’s “I Will Survive.” It has the same sassiness as “I Will Survive.” Linn and Jenny have the right amount of attitude to pull the song off beautifully. They sing the song in parts. Jenny sings the first and third verses while Linn sings the second and fourth verses of the song. They sing the chorus simultaneously. They sing the song in their upper registers, which works for the upbeat sound.
# 2 – Living in Danger
This cautionary song is from The Sign album. The song has a dance, pop, and reggae fusion sound to it. This is an anthemic song about living life on your own terms and not trusting people. They believe you would do better on your own. It’s also about not giving in to peer pressure and doing dangerous things. It’s a warning about not ruining your life. It’s a deep message for people who fall in with the wrong type of people or do bad things. The song is in the group’s comfort zone musically. It’s similar to their other hits from the album. It has melodic synths and a infectious flute. The drumbeat is fire and gives the song its tempo.
It’s one of the best songs on the album. The song features a contagious hook that is sure to stick in your head long after you’ve finished listening to it. Linn and Jenny do their thing on this song. They don’t hold back. They seem to be having fun singing the lyrics. This song is flawless and could have been number one on our list. It was a toss up to decide which one would get the top spot.
# 1 – All That She Wants
The number one song on our Top 10 Ace of Base Songs list is “All That She Wants” from The Sign album. It has a dance, pop and reggae sound. This promiscuous song is about a woman having sex with her boyfriend. This sexy song is different for the group. This is one of their most risqué songs because they didn’t record songs like this one. You can hear that they are heavily influenced by ABBA on this track. It sounds like something ABBA would sing.
This track is the only one they recorded in which a woman wants to use a man for sex. The music is sexy and sultry. It has an infectious reggae bass line. It also has a pop synth sound. The song does have vague lyrics. You would have to pay close attention to realize what they are talking about in the song. The music is fire and might distract you from the sultry lyrics. It has an extremely catchy hook that is breathtaking. Linn Berggren’s vocals are sultry. She sings in a deeper pitch and it works beautifully with the music. Everything about this song works. It’s not a surprise that it’s one of their biggest hits.
Top 10 Ace Of Base Songs article published on Classic RockHistory.com© 2021
Classicrockhistory.com claims ownership of all its original content and Intellectual property under United States Copyright laws and those of all other foreign countries. No one person, business or any organizations is allowed to republish any of our original content anywhere on the web or in print without our permission.
![Rob De Luca of Spread Eagle, Sebastian Bach & UFO: 10 Albums That Changed My Life From humble East Coast origins to grandest stages worldwide, veteran bassist Rob De Luca has seen and done it all. De Luca first hit the local Boston rock and metal scene in the late 80s after meeting guitarist Paul DiBartolo, bonding over Van Halen before forming Bang. Regional success came quickly, but eventually, the members of Bang went their separate ways, with De Luca and drummer Tommi Gallo heading to NYC and hooking up with Ray West and, later, DiBartolo to form Spread Eagle. By 1990, Spread Eagle was on the fast track, with a contract through MCA Records and a self-titled debut album poised to crush skulls. But poor timing and MCA's sad indifference left Spead Eagle out in the cold despite being a hard-boiled answer to Guns N' Roses's West Coast sleaze. Spread Eagle's first chapter came to an end in '95. As for Rob De Luca, his nimble fingers and gift for melody and songwriting kept him moving forward. Soon, he found a gig with former Skid Row frontman Sebastian Bach and the legendary outfit UFO. And in 2010, after coupling up with Ray West and his cousin Rik De Luca, Spread Eagle retook flight. During a break from Spread Eagle's increasingly busy touring schedule, Rob De Luca dialed in with ClassicRockHistory.com to run through the ten albums that changed his life. But only after adding, "I made a playlist of these songs, including some I've written or co-written. Do you hear any of these albums' influence on me?" Listen here: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/3LWJuhDrE8JmzhsmTeIDUq 10) Gentlemen by Afghan Whigs (1993) Here's an entry that was so important to me. This may be the darkest break-up album of all time. Greg Dulli has been in many projects, but I feel Gentlemen is his zenith. Somewhat undefinable at times but always profound and honest. Listen to "Gentlemen," "Fountain and Fairfax," and "What Jail Is Like." 9) In on the Kill Taker by Fugazi (1993) By this time, I had been sucked in and spit out by the major-label record industry. Glam came and went; grunge was history, too. I was searching for new sounds. When I heard Fugazi's twin guitar approach, I knew this was what was missing. Fugazi may be considered a less polished sound than the albums above; however, once you "get it," it hits you like a ton of bricks, and there's no going back. From the moment I heard Fugazi, I went to every NYC show after. It's easily some of the best concerts of my life, and possibly my favorite bassist in Joe Lally. And their DIY ethics refused to charge us more than $5 a show! In on the Kill Taker is a powerful album demonstrated in songs such as "Smallpox Champion," "Great Cop," and "Public Witness Program." 8) Appetite for Destruction by Guns N' Roses (1987) I discovered many of these albums (sometimes long) after they were released. However, I was at the right place at the right time for this one. Steve Ostromogilsky had a Berklee College of Music lunch card and used to sneak out sandwiches for me. One day, he invited me to hang out at his place and listen to music. As we got off the train, he put Sony Walkman headphones on my ears and said, "Hey, check out this brand-new group." A song like "It's So Easy" was so different from the popular Sunset Strip sound at that time. Me and about 499 other informed rockers were lucky enough to see them on their first East Coast tour at the sold-out Paradise on Commonwealth Avenue, Boston (the same street Aerosmith started on). I saw Gn'R every tour after until I took a break when Buckethead joined. Gn'R is the band I've been lucky enough to see the most times live, almost 100! Everyone on this album is just stellar. Axl [Rose] had the tones, power, melodic sensibilities, and foresight to do what no other singer did then. Slash's playing was beyond memorable. Duff [McKagan] is one of the most underrated bassists in rock history, and learning his Appetite basslines is a masterclass. Steven [Adler] had the natural swing, and Izzy [Stradlin] was the secret weapon songwriter. Everything that's been heralded about this gem is deserved and true. Check out "It's So Easy," "Out Ta Get Me," and "Mr. Brownstone.' 7) Wish You Were Here by Pink Floyd (1975) Another contender for my favorite album and band of all time. Using The Beatles machine (same recording studio, engineer, record label), Pink Floyd made what I feel is their strongest, most cohesive album (my second favorite of theirs would be Animals). This list mainly consists of bands with an instantly recognizable sound. Floyd is certainly no exception to that! This album included a solid handful of undeniable rock radio classics, bookended by two halves of the mind-blowing song "Shine on You Crazy Diamond.' That song was written about former band member and founder Syd Barrett. It would be hard to live in a world without this album. Check out "Welcome to The Machine," "Shine on You Crazy Diamond (parts 6-9),' or even better yet, listen to the whole thing in one sitting! 6) Decade by Neil Young (1977) About this time, I started playing guitar. As a beginner, it was comfortable jamming to this album because the chord changes were simple—a great "first ten years" retrospective of Neil's stunning, unique songwriting. Neil is a treasure who always writes from the heart and stands up for what's right. Check out "Southern Man," "A Man Needs a Maid," "Down by The River," and "After the Goldrush." 5) Highway to Hell by AC/DC (1979) When I heard this album, I was firmly "me." My life would be 100% focused on hard rock music forever. AC/DC are like air; they're ubiquitous. Everyone knows them and their incredible songs. However, as a young teen in Wilmington, Delaware, I only had WMMR 93.3 FM Philadelphia and a few friends to inform me about the world of Rock outside my bedroom. AC/DC had not gone mainstream, and their albums were available primarily in the USA as imports. To put things more in perspective, I only knew two people in the world who had heard of AC/DC. A friend had an import that we played in Steve Buckley's basement, which sounded ripping. When Highway to Hell was released, WMMR started spinning the title track, and I immediately bought the album, listening to it every single day after school. Then WMMR announced AC/DC was coming to the Spectrum in Philly, supporting Ted Nugent! I liked Ted but loved AC/DC, so my good friend Mick Cummins and I bought tickets, and he drove us up to the Spectrum (where we saw most of our concerts). Bon Scott was in fine form, and the band went over great. Although the crowd knew Ted better, Angus [Young] wouldn't let anyone upstage him. I'll never forget it! Unfortunately, Bon would be gone in 6 months. Check out "Walk All Over You," "Touch Too Much," "Shot Down in Flames," and "If You Want Blood (You Got It)." 4) Toys in the Attic by Aerosmith (1975) By the time I heard this, I was now in my teens. I had a childhood friend up the street, Jim Linberg (we're still good buddies). His older sister had a great album collection, including Toys in The Attic. Once I heard that groove, my taste changed. I lost interest in rock music that didn't have some sort of "swing" feel to it. I think Rocks is a slightly better Aerosmith album (and possibly my favorite album of all time), but both are perfect or very close. Check out "Uncle Salty," "Adam's Apple," "No More No More," "Round and Round," and "You See Me Crying." 3) Alive! by Kiss (1975) When I was still a little kid, I asked for Cheech and Chong's Up in Smoke album for Christmas. The entire family came over for an enormous feast, and I dropped the needle. When my mother heard the content, she turned off the album and said I had to exchange it. My mom was cool, but I was young and knew much more about life than she suspected. Anyway, the next day, she drove me back to the store. In the music section, promoted on an "endcap" was a Kiss Alive! display. I had never heard of Kiss, but that cover picture told me I had to have it! My first foray into hard rock. Check out “Strutter.” I went through my Kiss phase very quickly, I believe in a matter of months because I discovered the previous entry, Aerosmith's Toys in the Attic. 2) Honky Chateau by Elton John (1972) When I was a wee lad, my parents bought a used Volkswagen camper van from my uncle Ozzie. My favorite Elton John album is Yellow Brick Road, but Honky Chateau is great and easily one of his best. It sent me down a lifelong rabbit hole of loving everything about the 1970s partnership between Elton and lyricist Bernie Taupin. The simple beauty of voice, the master songwriting, the perfect backing band, the clear, unobtrusive recordings, and always Bernie's incredible lyrics. The day this album was released, Elton became an unstoppable force that conquered the music industry. Check out "Mona Lisas and Mad Hatters" and "Rocket Man." 1) Sergeant Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band by The Beatles (1967) Another tape that was included in the VW Camper. The van had a bunch of music tapes, and one was Sgt Pepper. I was too young to understand the sophistication of the music, but that was one of the many skills of The Beatles. They attracted listeners at every level, even little kids. I still feel that immediate connection to Sgt Pepper; now, I hear so much more. It's an album that changed the world and the world of music. Check out "Lucy in The Sky with Diamonds," "A Day In The Life," and "Fixing a Hole."](http://www.classicrockhistory.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/Shutterstock_1815495569-1-300x200.jpg)
I love Ace of Base! Their songs are so catchy and I can’t help but sing along!