Introduction
Actually, ABBA themselves didn’t have a song called “Midnight Special.” There might be some confusion here.
The American late-night musical show “The Midnight Special,” which ran from 1972 to 1981, featured ABBA twice. Here’s what we know:
- October 1976 Appearance: ABBA pre-recorded a performance for “The Midnight Special” sometime in October 1976, likely before their visit to Canada. The exact episode number varies by source, but it aired across several episodes in late 1976 and early 1977. Songs performed likely included “Fernando,” “Mamma Mia,” and “SOS.”
- February 1977 Appearance: Another pre-recorded performance for “The Midnight Special” aired in February 1977, this time featuring “Fernando” and their rising hit, “Dancing Queen.”
It’s possible you came across a reference to ABBA on “The Midnight Special” and mistook it for their song.
However, there is a traditional folk song called “Midnight Special,” though not by ABBA. It’s a haunting ballad about a prisoner yearning for freedom, symbolized by the late-night train, the “Midnight Special.” This song has been covered by many artists, but not ABBA.