{{short description|1994 single by Ace of Base}} {{Infobox song | name = Living in Danger | cover = Ace of Base - Living in Danger.jpg | alt = | caption = Single cover | type = single | artist = Ace of Base | album = Happy Nation (U.S. Version)/The Sign | released = 4 October 1994 | recorded = | studio = | venue = | genre = * Dance * pop * reggae fusion | length = * 3:10 (single version) * 3:39 (album version) | label = * Arista (US, Japan) * Mega (Europe) | writer = * Jonas Berggren * Ulf Ekberg | producer = * Tommy Ekman * Per Adebratt | prev_title = Don't Turn Around | prev_year = 1994 | next_title = Lucky Love | next_year = 1995 | misc = {{External music video|{{YouTube|frZ9_ZGGf8M|"Living in Danger"}}}} }}
"'''Living in Danger'''" is a song recorded by Swedish group Ace of Base. It was released in October 1994 by Arista and Mega Records as the seventh and final single from the group's debut album, ''Happy Nation (U.S. version)'' and fourth single from their American debut release, ''The Sign'' (1993).<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.allmusic.com/album/happy-nation-mw0000711257|date=|title=Ace of Base Happy Nation|work=AllMusic|publisher=|accessdate=2017-07-26}}</ref> Written by bandmembers Jonas Berggren and Ulf Ekberg, the single peaked at number 20 on the US ''Billboard'' Hot 100 and also topped the ''Billboard'' Hot Dance Club Play chart in December 1994. On the US ''Cash Box'' Top 100, it peaked at number ten. The single later reached number 18 on the UK Singles Chart in January 1995. The accompanying music video was directed by Matt Broadley and filmed in Stockholm, Sweden. Ace of Base performed the song on the first ever MTV Europe Music Awards in Berlin, Germany in 1994. ''Q Magazine'' included "Living in Danger" in their list of the "1001 Best Songs Ever" in 2003.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.muzieklijstjes.nl/Q1001bestsongsever.htm|title=Q - 1001 best songs ever (2003)|publisher=}}</ref>
In interviews, Berggren has said the song "is about living on your own" and advising listeners, "Don't trust [people] too much... you'll do better on your own." In contrast, Jenny Berggren has described it as being about social pressure to engage in dangerous behaviors like smoking and drinking.<ref>{{cite AV media |people=Ace of Base |date=1994 |title=The Sign: The Home Video |medium=videotape |url=https://archive.org/details/aob-the-sign-vhs |access-date=2021-03-25 |time=19:18 |time-caption=At time |publisher=6 West Home Video}}</ref>
==Chart performance== "Living in Danger" was a sizeable hit on the charts on several continents, although it didn't reach the same level of success as "The Sign" and "Don't Turn Around". In Europe, the song entered the top 20 in Austria (19), Ireland (12), Scotland (19) and the United Kingdom. In the latter, the single peaked at number 18 in its first week at the UK Singles Chart, on January 8, 1995.<ref>{{cite web|title=Official Singles Chart Top 100 08 January 1995 - 14 January 1995|url=https://www.officialcharts.com/charts/singles-chart/19950108/7501/|publisher=Official Charts Company|accessdate=2020-09-16}}</ref> But on the UK Dance Chart, it was a bigger hit, reaching number 11.
Additionally, "Living in Danger" was a top-30 hit in Belgium (30), Germany (23), the Netherlands (23), Sweden (28) and Switzerland (26), and a top-40 hit in France (36) and Iceland (32), as well as on the Eurochart Hot 100, where it charted at number 34. On MTV's European Top 20, the song reached number six. Outside Europe, the song entered the top 10 in Canada, peaking at number seven on the ''RPM'' Top Singles chart and within the top 20 on the US ''Billboard'' Hot 100. And it also hit number-one on the ''Billboard'' Hot Dance Club Play chart and number ten on the ''Cash Box'' Top 100.
==Critical reception== Upon the single release, Larry Flick from ''Billboard'' magazine stated that the Swedish pop phenomenon "shows no sign of loosening its hypnotic hold over top 40 programmers and pop-minded consumers." He added that the song "sticks pretty close to the formula of previous hits: Galloping pop/reggae beats are covered with fluttering synths, a contagious hook, and somewhat disconnected vocal."<ref>{{cite magazine|url=http://www.americanradiohistory.com/Archive-Billboard/90s/1994/BB-1994-10-15.pdf|first=Larry|last=Flick|title=Single Reviews|magazine=Billboard|date=1994-10-15|accessdate=2018-01-23|author-link=Larry Flick}}{{dead link|date=May 2026|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref> British columnist James Masterton felt that "Living in Danger" "is typical Ace Of Base, pop-driven dub-reggae yet with a somehow dark, almost gothic feel."<ref>{{cite web|last=Masterton|first=James|title=Week Ending January 14th 1995|url=https://chart-watch.uk/archives/1995/week-ending-january-14th-1995|website=Chart Watch UK|date=1995-01-08|accessdate=2021-09-15|author-link=James Masterton}}</ref> John Kilgo from ''The Network Forty'' constated that "already stamped as "The Artists of '94", the Swedish quartet strikes again. Showcasing their trademark groove, this number will soar to the top of the charts."<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.worldradiohistory.com/Archive-All-Music/Archive-Network-40/94/Network-40-1994-09-30.pdf|first=John|last=Kilgo|title=Mainstream: Music Meeting|magazine=The Network Forty|date=1994-09-30|page=20|access-date=2018-02-21}}</ref> In a retrospective review, Annie Zaleski from ''The A.V. Club'' noted that the song take influence from "easygoing reggae".<ref>{{cite web|author=Zaleski, Annie|title=Good timing turned Ace Of Base's The Sign into the luckiest hit of the '90s|work=The A.V. Club|date=2018-02-19|accessdate=2020-04-06|url=https://www.avclub.com/good-timing-turned-ace-of-base-s-the-sign-into-the-luck-1823004434|author-link=Annie Zaleski}}</ref> Pop Rescue viewed it as "catchy" in their review of ''Happy Nation'', adding that "vocally, it's probably the best track so far".<ref>{{cite web|url=https://poprescue.com/2014/10/22/pop-rescue-review-happy-nation-ace-base-cd-1993/|title=Review: "Happy Nation" by Ace Of Base (CD, 1993)|publisher=Pop Rescue|date=2014-10-22|accessdate=2020-03-22}}</ref>
==Live performances== Ace of Base performed "Living in Danger" on the first MTV Europe Music Awards held in Germany in 1994. They performed in the front of Berlin's Brandenburg Gate. The band was also nominated for Best Cover with their previous hit-single "Don't Turn Around" this year.
==Music video== The music video for "Living in Danger" was directed by Swedish-based director Matt Broadley and shot in Kungsträdgårdens tunnelbana, an underground metro station in Stockholm, Sweden in September 1994.<ref>[http://www.saguaro.se/aceofbase.shtml Ace of Base gallery]</ref> It was A-listed on French music television channel MCM in December 1994 and the following month, the video received active rotation on MTV Europe and was B-listed on Germany's VIVA.<ref>{{cite magazine|title=Station Reports > MCM/Paris|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/UK/Music-and-Media/90s/1994/MM-1994-12-17.pdf|magazine=Music & Media|date=17 December 1994|page=34|accessdate=28 December 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.worldradiohistory.com/UK/Music-and-Media/90s/1995/MM-1995-01-07.pdf|title=M&M Airplay Station Reports: MTV Europe|magazine=Music & Media|volume=12|issue=1|date=7 January 1995|page=15|access-date=12 December 2025}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.worldradiohistory.com/UK/Music-and-Media/90s/1995/MM-1995-01-07.pdf|title=M&M Airplay Station Reports: VIVA|magazine=Music & Media|volume=12|issue=1|date=7 January 1995|page=15|access-date=12 December 2025}}</ref> It was later made available on Ace of Base's official YouTube channel in 2015, having generated more than 33 million views as of July 2025.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=frZ9_ZGGf8M|title=Ace of Base - Living in Danger (Official Music Video)|publisher=YouTube|date=2015-01-15|accessdate=2025-07-08}}</ref> Broadley had previously directed the videos for "All That She Wants", "Happy Nation" and "Don't Turn Around".
===Synopsis=== The video of "Living in Danger" opens with the four members of Ace of Base, each of them following one of four people into the underground metro. These are a priest, a war veteran, a female worker of the station and a woman with paranoia. The worker sits in the ticket booth watching the busy people passing by, as if no one really noticed her. On the metro carriage, the paranoid woman looks at the war veteran (who is seen, in flashbacks, during the war being blessed by the priest, who is actually on the same carriage) by the mirror. Then she runs off the train as soon as it reaches the station, scared. In her haste, she falls over behind the ticket office. The station worker helps her up and offers her some coffee. When both men leave the train, the veteran recognizes the priest and the two begin talking, cheerfully. At the end of the video, Joker and Buddha leave the metro station together. Linn and Jenny are standing together on the metro.
One of the people used a Game Boy in the video.
==Track listings== {{col-begin}} {{col-2}} * '''12" single, UK''' #"Living In Danger" (Old School Mix) — 4:55 #"Living In Danger" (For The Big Clubs Mix) — 10:15 #"Living In Danger" (D-House Mix Long Version) — 10:03 #"Living In Danger" (New Buddha Version) — 3:35
* '''CD single, UK & Europe''' #"Living In Danger" (Single Edit) — 3:10 #"Living In Danger" (Old School Mix) (Short Version) — 3:39 #"Living In Danger" (D-House Mix) (Long Version) — 10:03 #"Living In Danger" (New Buddha Version) — 3:36 #"Living In Danger" (For The Big Clubs Mix) — 10:15 {{col-2}} * '''CD maxi, UK''' #"Living in Danger" (Radio Edit) — 3:10 #"Living in Danger" (Old School Mix Short Version) — 3:39 #"Living in Danger" (D-House Mix Long Version) — 10:03 #"Living in Danger" (New Buddha Version) — 3:35 #"Living in Danger" (For The Big Clubs Mix) — 10:15
* '''CD maxi, US''' #"Living in Danger" (Radio Remix) — 3:10 #"Living in Danger" (Album Version) — 3:19 #"Living in Danger" (Old School Mix) — 4:56 #"Living in Danger" (D-House Mix) — 10:08 #"Living in Danger" (Principle Mix) — 8:50 #"Living in Danger" (Buddha Version) — 3:35 {{col-end}}
==Personnel== * Vocals by Linn Berggren. * Rap by Ulf Ekberg * Backing Vocals by Jenny Berggren, John Ballard. * Written by Jonas Berggren Ulf Ekberg * Produced by Tommy Ekman and Per Adebratt * Pre-Production by Jonas Berggren and Ulf Ekberg, T.O.E.C. * Recorded at Tuff Studios, Gothenburg
==Release history== {|class="wikitable" |- ! scope="col" | Region ! scope="col" | Date ! scope="col" | Label |- | scope="row" | United States | 4 October 1994 | Arista |- | scope="row" | Australia | 24 October 1994<ref>{{cite magazine|title=New Release Summary – Product Available from : 24/10/94: Singles|magazine=The ARIA Report|issue=245|page=21|date=23 October 1994}}</ref> | Possum |- | scope="row" | Europe | 31 October 1994 | Mega |- | scope="row" | Japan | 16 December 1994<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.oricon.co.jp/prof/46148/products/58470/1/|title=リビング・イン・デンジャー {{!}} エイス・オブ・ベイス|trans-title=Living in Danger {{!}} Ace of Base|publisher=Oricon|language=ja|access-date=19 September 2023}}</ref> | Arista |- | scope="row" | United Kingdom | 2 January 1995<ref>{{cite magazine|title=New Releases: Singles|magazine=Music Week|page=31|date=24 December 1994}}</ref> | London |}
==Charts== {{col-begin}} {{col-2}}
===Weekly charts=== {|class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center" !align="left"|Chart (1994–1995) !align="center"|Peak<br>position |- !scope="row"|Australia (ARIA)<ref>{{cite web|url=http://i.imgur.com/q1abuq2.gif|title=Response from ARIA re: chart inquiry, received 24 May 2016|publisher=Imgur|accessdate=24 May 2016}}</ref> | 103 |- {{single chart|Austria|19|artist=Ace of Base|song=Living in Danger|rowheader=true|accessdate=13 April 2011}} |- {{single chart|Flanders|30|artist=Ace of Base|song=Living in Danger|rowheader=true|accessdate=13 April 2011}} |- {{single chart|Canadatopsingles|7|chartid=2662|rowheader=true|accessdate=19 May 2020}} |- {{single chart|Canadaadultcontemporary|28|chartid=2663|rowheader=true|accessdate=19 May 2020}} |- !scope="row"|Europe (Eurochart Hot 100)<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/UK/Music-and-Media/90s/1995/MM-1995-01-21.pdf|title=Eurochart Hot 100 Singles|magazine=Music & Media|volume=12|issue=3|page=13|date=21 January 1995|access-date=19 May 2020}}</ref> | 34 |- !scope="row"|Europe (European AC Radio)<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/UK/Music-and-Media/90s/1995/MM-1995-01-28.pdf|title=Adult Contemporary Europe Top 25|magazine=Music & Media|date=28 January 1995|page=25|access-date=28 May 2023}}</ref> | 14 |- !scope="row"|Europe (European Dance Radio)<ref>{{cite magazine|title=European Dance Radio|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/UK/Music-and-Media/90s/1995/MM-1995-01-28.pdf|magazine=Music & Media|date=28 January 1995|page=25|accessdate=28 September 2022}}</ref> | 5 |- !scope="row"|Europe (European Hit Radio)<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.worldradiohistory.com/UK/Music-and-Media/90s/1994/MM-1994-12-17.pdf|title=EHR Top 40|magazine=Music & Media|volume=11|issue=51|date=17 December 1994|page=37|access-date=7 December 2025}}</ref> | 9 |- {{single chart|France|36|artist=Ace of Base|song=Living in Danger|rowheader=true|accessdate=13 April 2011}} |- {{single chart|Germany|23|artist=Ace of Base|song=Living in Danger|rowheader=true|songid=2903|accessdate=29 October 2018}} |- !scope="row"|Iceland (Íslenski Listinn Topp 40)<ref>{{cite news|url=http://timarit.is/files/12144949.pdf#navpanes=1&view=FitH|title=Íslenski Listinn Topp 40 27.10.1994 - 02.11.1994|newspaper=Dagblaðið Vísir - Tónlist|accessdate=1 February 2018}}</ref> | 32 |- !scope="row"|Ireland (IRMA)<ref>{{cite web|url=http://i.imgur.com/Z5nhtPZ.jpg|title=The Irish Charts – All there is to know > Search results for 'Living in Danger' (from irishcharts.ie)|publisher=Imgur.com|accessdate=24 May 2016}}</ref> | 12 |- {{single chart|Dutch40|27|artist=Ace of Base|song=Living in Danger|rowheader=true|accessdate=13 April 2011}} |- {{single chart|Dutch100|23|artist=Ace of Base|song=Living in Danger|rowheader=true}} |- !scope="row"|Quebec (ADISQ)<ref>{{cite web|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151129063315/http://bibnum2.banq.qc.ca/bna/palmares/2010-Anglo-Allophone/Anglo-Compilation_succes_ordre_alpha_interpretes.pdf|url=http://bibnum2.banq.qc.ca/bna/palmares/2010-Anglo-Allophone/Anglo-Compilation_succes_ordre_alpha_interpretes.pdf|title=Palmarès de la chanson anglophone et allophone au Québec|publisher=BAnQ|date=12 July 1997|access-date=27 April 2025|archive-date=29 November 2015|language=fr|url-status=dead}}</ref> | 12 |- !scope="row"|Scotland (OCC)<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.officialcharts.com/charts/scottish-singles-chart/19950108/41/|title=Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart Top 100 (08 January 1995-14 January 1995)|publisher=officialcharts.com|accessdate=7 February 2018}}</ref> | 19 |- {{single chart|Sweden|28|artist=Ace of Base|song=Living in Danger|rowheader=true|accessdate=13 April 2011}} |- {{single chart|Switzerland|26|artist=Ace of Base|song=Living in Danger|rowheader=true|accessdate=13 April 2011}} |- !scope="row"|UK Singles (OCC)<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.officialcharts.com/artist/28824/ace-of-base/|title=Official Charts > Ace of Base|publisher=The Official UK Charts Company|accessdate=24 May 2016}}</ref> | 18 |- !scope="row"|UK Dance (OCC)<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.officialcharts.com/charts/dance-singles-chart/19950108/104/|title=Official UK Dance Singles Chart (08 January 1995-14 January 1995)|publisher=officialcharts.com|accessdate=9 February 2018}}</ref> | 11 |- !scope="row"|UK Airplay (''Music Week'')<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.worldradiohistory.com/UK/Music-Week/1995/Music-Week-1995-01-28-I.pdf|title=Top 50 Airplay Hits|magazine=Music Week|date=28 January 1995|page=15|access-date=6 December 2025}}</ref> | 7 |- !scope="row"|UK Club Chart (''Music Week'')<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/UK/Music-Week/1994/Music-Week-1994-11-12.pdf|title=The ''RM'' Club Chart|magazine=Music Week, in Record Mirror (Dance Update Supplemental Insert)|date=12 November 1994|page=6|accessdate=20 May 2023}}</ref> | 33 |- !scope="row"|US ''Billboard'' Hot 100<ref name="Billboard">''AllMusic''. [http://www.allmusic.com/artist/ace-of-base-p43297/charts-awards/billboard-singles Ace of Base | Billboard Singles].</ref> | 20 |- !scope="row"|US Hot Adult Contemporary (''Billboard'')<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.worldradiohistory.com/Archive-All-Music/Billboard/90s/1994/BB-1994-12-24.pdf#page=166|title=Hot Adult Contemporary|magazine=Billboard|date=24 December 1994|page=88|access-date=7 January 2026}}</ref> | 35 |- !scope="row"|US Hot Dance Club Play (''Billboard'')<ref name="Billboard"/> | 1 |- !scope="row"|US Maxi-Singles Sales (''Billboard'')<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.worldradiohistory.com/Archive-All-Music/Billboard/90s/1994/BB-1994-11-26.pdf#page=53|title=Hot Dance Music: Maxi-Singles Sales|magazine=Billboard|date=28 November 1994|page=55|access-date=26 December 2025}}</ref> | 14 |- !scope="row"|US Top 40 Mainstream (''Billboard'')<ref name="Billboard"/> | 7 |- !scope="row"|US Rhythmic Top 40 (''Billboard'')<ref name="Billboard"/> | 26 |- !scope="row"|US ''Cash Box'' Top 100<ref>{{cite magazine |title=Cash Box Top 100 Pop Singles|url=https://www.worldradiohistory.com/Archive-All-Music/Cash-Box/90s/1994/CB-1994-11-05.pdf|magazine=Cash Box|date=5 November 1994|access-date=19 February 2018}}</ref> | 10 |} {{col-2}}
===Year-end charts=== {|class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center" |- !Chart (1994) !Position |- !scope="row"|Canada Top Singles (''RPM'')<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.bac-lac.gc.ca/eng/discover/films-videos-sound-recordings/rpm/Pages/image.aspx?Image=nlc008388.2687&URLjpg=http%3a%2f%2fwww.collectionscanada.gc.ca%2fobj%2f028020%2ff4%2fnlc008388.2687.gif&Ecopy=nlc008388.2687|title=RPM Top 100 Hit Tracks of 1994|magazine=RPM|via=Library and Archives Canada|access-date=19 May 2020}}</ref> | 52 |} {|class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center" |- !Chart (1995) !Position |- !scope="row"|Latvia (Latvijas Top 50)<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.lanet.lv/news/airplay/1995/1995lv.html|title=Latvian Airplay Top Chart - 1995|publisher=Lanet.lv|access-date=13 March 2026}}</ref> | 207 |- !scope="row"|US Dance Club Play (''Billboard'')<ref>{{cite magazine|title=The Year in Music: Hot Dance Music Club Play Singles|magazine=Billboard|volume=107|issue=51|page=YE-42|date=23 December 1995}}</ref> | 11 |} {{col-end}}
==References== {{reflist}}
==External links== *{{YouTube|9q4f5PvOHqc|"Living in Danger"}}
{{Ace of Base}}
{{authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Living In Danger}} Category:1993 songs Category:1994 singles Category:Ace of Base songs Category:Arista Records singles Category:English-language Swedish songs Category:Mega Records singles Category:Music videos directed by Matt Broadley Category:Music videos shot in Sweden Category:Songs written by Jonas Berggren Category:Songs written by Ulf Ekberg