Chiquitita
by ABBA

Album: Voulez-Vous (1979)
Charted: 2 29
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Songfacts®:

  • Originally, this was called "In The Arms Of Rozellita." Bjorn Ulvaeus, who wrote the song, liked the title but couldn't find a matching story, so it became "Chiquitita." >>
    Suggestion credit:
    royi - Rishon Le Zion, Israel
  • ABBA performed this song in 1979 at the Music for UNICEF Concert. ABBA donated half the proceeds from the song to UNICEF. >>
    Suggestion credit:
    Vineeta - Rockville, MD
  • Chiquitita, in Spanish, means "Very Little Girl." >>
    Suggestion credit:
    Kyre - Atlanta, GA
  • To facilitate a breakthrough in South America, ABBA recorded a Spanish-language version of this song, despite the fact the band had never learned the language. The Swedes sang the song phonetically and their efforts enhanced their popularity in a number of Latin America countries.
  • This song reached #1 in Belgium, Finland, Ireland, Mexico, Netherlands, New Zealand, Rhodesia, South Africa, Spain and Switzerland. >>
    Suggestion credit:
    Jerro - New Alexandria, PA
  • Leona Lewis performed this while she was a contestant on The X Factor (UK) in 2006.
  • Cher covered this in 2020 as a charity single to benefit UNICEF. The veteran singer released both English and Spanish versions, marking her first single in the Spanish language.

Comments: 30

  • Taylor Swift And Panic At The Disco Super Fan from Costa Mesa CaliforniaThis song is amazing
  • Cesar B from Monterrey, Mexico Stephen from Melbourne, Australia, it's all english in the lyrics, to fully understand what they say watch this video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DOXWxJfOn-Q
  • Phil from Ohio, UsaThey could Not speak Spanish. They used phonetical singing. Phonetical singing is singing by learning and performing the lyrics of a song by the words' phonetic sounds, without necessarily understanding the content of the lyrics, for example an artist who performs in Spanish even though they may not be proficient in the language.
  • Afelisa from UsaThis song beautifully describes the sorrow that only a mother can feel when her Chiquitita, her young child was suffering of a similar pain. The song will make the tears dissapear for both of them. Both of them will stand up and walk again and try to live again.
  • Chicken Joe from Cairns, AustraliaMaking somebody happy is a question of give and fake
    You can learn how to show it so come on, give yourself a snake
    Every smile and every little touch
    Don't you know that they mean so much
    you make me want to go on a bender
    and kiss you on the fender

    Like a bang, a boom-a-boomerang
    Dum-be-dum-dum be-dum-be-dum-dum
    Oh bang, a boom-a-boomerang
    Love is a tune you hum-de-hum-hum
    So give it away, I think you'll learn
    You'll get love in return
    So bang, a boom-a-boomerang is love
    A boom-a-boomerang is love

    Love is always around and you can look for it anywhere
    When you feel that you've found it my advice is to take good care
    Never use it as a selfish tool
    Never ever be such a fool
    Every feeling you're showing
    Is a boomerang you're throwing

    Yes a bang, a boom-a-boomerang
    Dum-be-dum-dum be-dum-be-dum-dum
    Oh bang, a boom-a-boomerang
    Love is a tune you hum-de-hum-hum
    So give it away, I think you'll learn
    You'll get love in return
    So bang, a boom-a-boomerang is love

    And if you're warm and tender
    I'll kiss you, return to sender
    Please surrender

    Bang, a boom-a-boomerang
    Dum-be-dum-dum be-dum-be-dum-dum
    Oh bang, a boom-a-boomerang is love.
  • Dc from Bellevue, WaI am ashamed that my nation is not as appreciative of the great ABBA, as other nations are. Rock lovers here, in Seattle, do not care for ABBA, except women and gays.
  • Michael from Las Vegas, Nvwatch?v=QTG0v07id9c this YT video shows the both sides of the mix you can hear Frida's response to Agnetha.
  • Stephen from Melbourne, AustraliaIf there's one thing I find frustrating, it's indecipherable lyrics. Listen carefully to the part where she sings "you are always sure of yourself, now I see you've broken a feather"
    After she says the word "feather" you can hear someone (agnetha?) softly singing some extra vocals, has anyone managed to work out what she's singing? It doesn't appear in any of the lyrics pages for the song that I can find, is she saying something in Swedish? I wish we could somehow get in touch with agnetha so we can ask her what it is?
    Cheers.
  • Daniel Wheeler from Tulsa, OkI read somewhere that this song is about one of their maids? is this true any confirmations?
  • Patti from San Antonio, Txi remember it from my childhood, so sweet, a treasure in history. Thank u, ABBA.
  • Jerro from New Alexandria, PaDoes anyone think that the melodies of this song and ABBA's song "Fernando" sound similar in some ways?
  • Dion from Millom, United Kingdomthis song is good but dancing queen is better
  • Brian from Madison , WiNo I think this song was intended for Agneta and bjourn's daughter Linda that's what I think at the time they were going through a divorce
  • Breanna from Henderson, NvI really like this song even, especaly the Mama Mia version, I find that one funny.
  • Sandra from Monterrey, Mexico1.- "Chiquitita" is a spanish word for very little girl, a baby girl, the last letter "a" gives the gender. It would be "o" for a boy.
    2.- In this case, is used by a mother to talk with lots of tenderness to her daughter... to a mother, she will always be her baby girl.
    3.- It is a beautiful song (my favorite), not only for the music, but for the fact that it was written by a mother to her daughter on her first love deception.
  • Kevin López from Antofagasta, ChileABBA sung in Spanish but doesn't ever learned the language.
  • Colin from London, United KingdomThis is the only song by Abba to feature a 5/4 bar, which occurs twice in the chorus.
  • Nuri from Moron, ArgentinaThe lyrics are not thaaaaaat great, but the music of this song is one of the best ever.
  • Harold from San Jose, Other"Chiquitita" is, indeed, a spanish word. It means something like "very little girl". Let's see... In spanish language, nouns have gender (strange, isn't it?). So "Chica" is female for "little", (but you could also translate it just as "girl"). "Chiquita" is "little girl", and often means "(female) kid)". "Chiquitita" is "very little girl", and you can be talking about a baby girl... or maybe just talking with tenderness... Ok, now you have learned something new today :P
  • Sara from Silver Spring, MdIn the ABBA musical Mamma Mia this is sung to the mother Donna by two of her former bandmates when she gets really upset and hides under the covers.
    It's a pretty funny scene.
  • Rebecca from Houston, TxI love this song. To me, ABBA is a wonderufl land of wonderfullness!
  • Axel from Mexico, MexicoWell, when a former girlfriend was born, on the radio this song was playing... pretty cool, huh?
  • Jesús from Hermosillo, MexicoI heard this ABBA's song in spanish when I was 13?and it ¡really liked me! .Of course,"Chiquitita" refers to a very little girl. What a song!

    Jesús Bórquez,Hermosillo Sonora
  • Roy from Mesa, AzWhen I grew up I thought they were singing about chiquita bananas. It didn't quite make sense. Now, a few years later, I realize Chiquitita is a lady's name. How funny, isn't it?! :-)
  • Dan from Derby, EnglandSounds like they're singing about "Chicken Tikka"
  • Juan Loire from Vallarta, MexicoWow, this song is beautiful! It was a big hit in Mexico.
  • Bernard from Caracas, South AmericaThis song sucks big time, not only that, they even recorded a version in Spanish...eeeecccckkkk!!
  • Bivel Dan Djoko from Cimahi, Indonesia...one of my favorite songs.i agree with nicola.this one is about true friendships.if not mistaken, "Chiquitita" is a spanish word.
  • Wes from Springfield, VaBleeeecccch. I like ABBA, but I hate this one.
  • Nicola from London, EnglandThis song has some meaning, and it is very soothing.And it is about friendships.
see more comments

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