“Scroll down to the end of the article to listen to music.”
Introduction
Have you ever watched a performance that makes you grin from ear to ear—then wonder how on earth you didn’t know this existed sooner? That’s exactly what happened when I stumbled on Suzi Quatro and Andy Scott covering ABBA’s “Does Your Mother Know.” From the first infectious guitar riff to the playful back-and-forth vocals, it feels less like a tribute and more like two old friends daring each other to let loose onstage.
Right off the bat, Björn Ulvaeus’s original lead vocal is swapped for a gritty rock edge courtesy of Andy Scott, while Suzi Quatro brings her trademark growl and swagger to the chorus—proof that a song written in Stockholm in 1979 can still roar in a different key and era. The track was recorded during ABBA’s “Voulez-Vous” sessions in February–March 1979 and released that April, becoming one of their few dance-rock experiments led by a male voice .
What makes “Does Your Mother Know” endlessly fun is its flirtatious narrative—an older voice teasing someone young enough that mom might still be wondering where they are . In Suzi and Andy’s version, you can almost see the mischievous sparkle in their eyes as they swap lines: “You’ll be lonely without me,” Suzi purrs, and Andy fires back, “Take it easy, take it easy.” That playful tug-of-war is rooted in the original’s rockabilly-tinged melody and glam-pop energy that first kicked off ABBA’s career back in ’74.
Beyond the cheeky lyrics, the arrangement itself is a masterclass in groove. The catchy guitar riff was actually lifted from an unfinished 1975 demo and given new life in the Voulez-Vous sessions . Meanwhile, the driving drums and bass line nod to the band’s admiration for rock drummers like Carmine Appice. In the hands of Quatro and Scott, those elements become even more muscular—think leather jacket meets disco ball.
If you’re looking for a cover that respects the original while stamping it with a fresh personality, this is it. It’s a reminder that great songs aren’t museum pieces; they’re invitations to keep dancing, keep flirting, and keep reimagining. So next time you need a pick-me-up, press play on this performance—and let yourself smile.
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Lyrics
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