After an outpouring of requests from fans online, English singer-songwriter Declan McKenna has shared a full studio version of ABBA‘s “Slipping Through My Fingers.” Released today (December 15), his acoustic rendition offers a sparse, intimate take on the beloved Swedish pop band’s 1981 single.
Earlier this year, a recorded segment of McKenna singing the track during a livestream performance went viral on TikTok. The clip shows the 24-year-old talent singing the song’s chorus and playing acoustic guitar, quickly drawing comparisons to a young Paul McCartney.
Videos by American Songwriter
The unexpected interest in McKenna’s off-the-cuff cover caught the alt-pop artist by surprise. His choice to record and release the track for fans while in the midst of promoting his upcoming third album, What Happened to the Beach?, is an unorthodox one. Still, McKenna is approaching the unpredicted, algorithm-driven success of his cover with a sense of humor.
“My full cover of slipping through my fingers is out now on all streaming platforms, I put a whole 2 and a half hours into recording and mixing this thing so please stream it as much as humanly possible & send it to Christmas number one so my back breaking work is not all in vain,” McKenna joked in a social media post.
“Slipping Through My Fingers” was included on ABBA’s eighth studio album, The Visitors. The track was written as an homage to the young daughter of band members Björn Ulvaeus and Agnetha Fältskog, who provides lead vocals on the song’s original version.
[RELATED: The Revolutionary Meaning Behind ABBA’s Freedom-Fighting “Fernando”]
Next month, McKenna will embark on an extensive tour across the U.K. and Europe in support of What Happened to the Beach? You can find a complete list of tour dates and additional ticketing information by visiting his official website.
Listen to “Slipping Through My Fingers” below:
Photo by Henry Pearce, courtesy of Tomplicated Records/Q Prime
More Latest Music News & Stories
-
JIMMY KIMMEL LIVE! "Jimmy Kimmel Live!" airs every weeknight at 11:35 p.m. ET and features a diverse lineup of guests that include celebrities, athletes, musical acts, comedians and human interest subjects, along with comedy bits and a house band. The guests for Wednesday, August 26 included guest host Jelly Roll, Nathan Fillion ("Lanterns" and "The Rookie"), and Juicy J and Project Pat ("Dem Goats"). Musical guest Juicy J and Project Pat featuring Lecrae and Sara Niemietz sits in with The Cletones. (Disney/Randy Holmes)JELLY ROLL (Photo by Randy Holmes/Disney via Getty Images) -
LONDON – 1st MAY: Van Halen pose in a London photographic studio in May 1978. Left to Right: Alex Van Halen, Michael Anthony, David Lee Roth, Eddie Van Halen. (Photo by Fin Costello/Redferns) -
THE KELLY CLARKSON SHOW — Episode A5174 — Pictured: Kelly Clarkson — (Photo by: Weiss Eubanks/NBCUniversal via Getty Images) -
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – MAY 17: (L-R) Ronnie Dunn and Kix Brooks of Brooks & Dunn attend the 61st Academy of Country Music Awards at MGM Grand Garden Arena on May 17, 2026 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Kevin Mazur/Getty Images for ACM) -
Reba McEntire (Photo by Chris Polk/FilmMagic) -
Photo by Frank Micelotta/Getty Images for CMT -
Photo by ANGELA WEISS / AFP via Getty Images -
ARLINGTON, TEXAS – NOVEMBER 03: Detail view of a Monday Night Football graphic after an NFL football game between the Arizona Cardinals and the Dallas Cowboys at AT&T Stadium on November 3, 2025 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Perry Knotts/Getty Images)