All That She Wants#Critical reception

While the group's predecessor single, "Wheel of Fortune", was a modest success, "All That She Wants" led Ace of Base to take off internationally. In 1991, the group produced a demo version of "All That She Wants", titled "Mr. Ace", which featured different lyrics, Linn Berggren on lead vocals, and rap vocals performed by both Jonas and Ekberg.{{cite web|title= The Sign (Remastered) |date= January 1993 |publisher= iTunes |url= https://itunes.apple.com/se/album/the-sign/id947405452 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20150227122035/https://itunes.apple.com/se/album/the-sign/id947405452 |url-status= dead |archive-date= 27 February 2015 |access-date= 26 March 2015}} But they were not able to create the exact sound they were looking for, despite their attempts to get inspiration by listening to several other artists. After the release of the Swedish top 20 hit "Another Mother" by Kayo, the band finally found the drum beat they were looking for.

Jonas and Ekberg contacted the producer of "Another Mother", Denniz Pop, and sent him a demo tape featuring the song. Though Denniz was initially unimpressed with the song, the tape got stuck in the cassette tape player in his car. Because of this, he was forced to listen to it over and over again, which helped him decide to help produce the track.

{{Quote box|width=26%|align=left|quote="She's searching around for happiness. She meets a lot of guys. She thinks, 'Oh, this is the guy', but the day after, she needs something else. It's a typical girl in Sweden or Norway or Germany. In the lyrics you don't know how it ends, but in the video she meets the real guy. She takes his hand and she's lucky."|source=—Jonas Berggren talking to Spin about the song.{{cite magazine|first= Jonathan |last= Bernstein |title= ABBA-esque? |magazine= Spin |date= January 1994 |volume= 9 |issue= 10 |page= 20 |issn= 0886-3032 |url= https://books.google.com/books?id=dJ7nHM_LvUUC&pg=PA20}}}}

Denniz Pop introduced many changes to the song. He was not fond of the rap vocals on the original demo, and these were subsequently replaced with short spoken word sections. A new second verse was also added. Though vocals were recorded by all four members for this version, Jenny's vocals were eventually cut on the final release.{{cite magazine|first= John |last= Seabrook |title= Mr. Pop |magazine= Slate |date= 14 October 2015 |access-date= 20 January 2016 |url= http://www.slate.com/articles/arts/music_box/2015/10/denniz_pop_max_martin_and_cheiron_studios_the_man_who_invented_modern_pop.html}} The song was initially in a major key, but was changed to minor upon Linn's insistence.{{cite web|title= Säsong 5 – Avsnitt 3: Ace of Base |publisher= SVT |url= http://www.svtplay.se/video/2755984/hitlatens-historia/hitlatens-historia-ace-of-base-sasong-5-avsnitt-3 |archive-date= 28 March 2015 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20150328010853/http://www.svtplay.se/video/2755984/hitlatens-historia/hitlatens-historia-ace-of-base-sasong-5-avsnitt-3}} Jenny Berggren, sister to Linn and Jonas, explained that changing the key to minor allowed the song to portray a greater level of sadness and increased its relatability. Some of the other material on the Happy Nation album stemmed from "All That She Wants", leading the album to have a darker sound.{{cite news|first= Saeed |last= Saeed |title= Take a trip down memory lane at the Mixtape Rewind festival |newspaper= The National |date= 13 November 2012 |access-date= 14 February 2018 |url= https://www.thenational.ae/arts-culture/music/take-a-trip-down-memory-lane-at-the-mixtape-rewind-festival-1.370608}}

The final version of the song evolved into a dark fusion of dub-reggae with pop which became the band's trademark sound. Sheet music for the song shows the key of C{{Sharp}} minor (with the first verse in the key of C{{Sharp}} major) and a tempo of 94 beats per minute in common time signature, with vocals spanning from G{{Sharp}}₃ to C{{Sharp}}₅.{{cite web|title= Ace of Base "All That She Wants" Sheet Music in C{{sharp}} Minor |website= Musicnotes |date= 12 September 2011 |access-date= 29 September 2017 |url= http://www.musicnotes.com/sheetmusic/mtd.asp?ppn=MN0095684}} Jenny noted that it was about "a woman who is always leaving and that is because the woman is not whole in herself." Jonas stated that the song "is about a girl I knew a long time ago, but I didn't [realize that] when I did the lyrics."{{cite AV media|people= Ace of Base |year= 1994 |title= The Sign: The Home Video |medium= videotape |time= 1:47 |time-caption= At time |publisher= 6 West Home Video |access-date= 25 March 2021 |url= https://archive.org/details/aob-the-sign-vhs}}

Following its release on 31 August 1992, "All That She Wants" quickly climbed to number one on the Danish chart while "Wheel of Fortune" was still sitting at number two. The song became a commercial success, reaching the top of the charts in at least thirteen countries worldwide. It was certified platinum in the United States, after peaking at number two on the Billboard Hot 100. Keen to rush out an album for the Christmas market, Mega Records pressed the band for an album and it was hastily recorded, mixed, and released within a few weeks. Denniz Pop would go on to co-produce all officially released versions of the song that were available at the time, notably a more uptempo version of the song, dubbed the "Madness Version". This version features entirely different vocals and more spoken-word sections.{{cite web|title= All That She Wants (Madness Version) |date= 16 April 2012 |publisher= Beatport |access-date= 25 July 2016 |url= https://www.beatport.com/track/all-that-she-wants-madness-version/5729920}} Ace of Base would later collaborate with Denniz Pop on "The Sign" and multiple tracks on the band's sophomore release, The Bridge.

In 2014, the original demo version of the song was released as a bonus track called "Mister Ace (Demo 1991)" on the remastered version of the album The Sign.{{cite web |url=https://www.discogs.com/de/release/6497498-Ace-Of-Base-The-Sign-Remastered |title=Ace Of Base – The Sign (Remastered) |website=Discogs |date=23 December 2014 |access-date=22 January 2023}}

AllMusic editor Stephen Thomas Erlewine said that it is easy to see why the song was a hit: "the beat is relentless and the hooks are incessantly catchy".{{cite web|first= Stephen Thomas |last= Erlewine |author-link= Stephen Thomas Erlewine |title= Ace of Base – The Sign |publisher= AllMusic |access-date= 15 February 2020 |url= https://www.allmusic.com/album/the-sign-mw0000620925}} Thomas Ginsberg from Associated Press noted its "unique sound".{{cite news|first= Thomas |last= Ginsberg |title= From ABBA to Ace of Base, Swedes find key to success |newspaper= The Bryan Times |page= 7 |date= 11 August 1995 |access-date= 14 March 2020 |url= https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=-iMcAAAAIBAJ&sjid=qVgEAAAAIBAJ&pg=5692%2C5661314}} A writer for The Baltimore Sun called it Ace of Base's "finest, loneliest hit".{{cite news|title= 20 songs that turn 20 this year |newspaper= The Baltimore Sun |date= 16 April 2013 |access-date= 7 March 2020 |url= https://www.baltimoresun.com/entertainment/bthesite/bal-songs-that-20-this-year-videos-20130416-photogallery.html}} Larry Flick from Billboard wrote that the group "wears its ABBA influences proudly on this shuffling, reggae-splashed ditty." He added, "Factor in curious and vague lyrics, and you have a left-of-center offering that may entice quirky minds, but will probably leave most scratching their heads."{{cite magazine|first= Larry |last= Flick |author-link= Larry Flick |title= Single Reviews > Pop |magazine= Billboard |date= 11 September 1993 |page= 53 |url= http://www.americanradiohistory.com/Archive-Billboard/90s/1993/BB-1993-09-11.pdf}} Dave Sholin from the Gavin Report commented, "The last time a new act from Sweden came on this strong it was Roxette with 'The Look'. Since we got hold of the import several months ago, the word about this release has spread. Not every song that reaches #1 in the U.K. like this one did succeeds in America, but they all would if they were this hot. Can't imagine it would take more than one listen to be convinced."{{cite magazine|first= Dave |last= Sholin |title= Gavin Picks > Singles |magazine= Gavin Report |issue= 1971 |date= 10 September 1993 |page= 46 |access-date= 15 April 2018 |url= http://americanradiohistory.com/Archive-Gavin-Report/90/93/Gavin-1993-09-10.pdf}} Chuck Eddy from LA Weekly stated, "As far as I can remember, 'All That She Wants' by Ace of Base is the only hit single ever to talk about a lady who uses men for stud service so that she can become an unwed mother." He added that it "has the frostbit feel of ABBA's ballads about working women", and noted 'how she warns "She's gonna getcha" in a demonic Eurodisco catwoman voice.'{{cite news|first= Chuck |last= Eddy |author-link= Chuck Eddy |title= Ace of Base – The Sign |newspaper= LA Weekly |date= 21 April 1994 |page= 83}}

Fred Shuster from Los Angeles Daily News said it is a "supremely catchy pop confection with a bouncy reggae-inspired bass line and a chorus that lodges itself in the brain with deadly precision."{{cite news|first= Fred |last= Shuster |title= Swedish quartet finds worldwide success |newspaper= The Ledger |page= 5C |date= 7 June 1994 |access-date= 11 March 2020 |url= https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=HLpNAAAAIBAJ&sjid=Y_wDAAAAIBAJ&pg=6718%2C4739574}} Dennis Hunt from Los Angeles Times wrote that it has "a strong European pop-synth feel, cruising on reggae undercurrents and mined with some deadly hooks."{{cite news|first= Dennis |last= Hunt |title= Just Don't Mention You-Know-Who: Ace of Base is a Swedish pop vocal group with two men and two women--but don't ask them about ABBA. |newspaper= Los Angeles Times |date= 20 November 1993 |access-date= 7 March 2020 |url= https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1993-11-20-ca-58879-story.html}} Mario Tarradell from the Miami Herald stated, "Just try to shake the irresistible hook of 'All That She Wants' and 'Happy Nation': you won't succeed."{{cite news|first= Mario |last= Tarradell |title= Ace of Base, The Sign |newspaper= Miami Herald |date= 5 January 1994 |page= 40}} Jim Farber from the New York Daily News named it "the weirdest song on the radio now", adding that it "revives the dinky-sounding synths of early '80s new wave, smelts it to an improbable reggae beat, then plops on vocals by a woman whose grasp of English barely exceeds the phonetic." He concluded with that the song "could easily end up the 'Maneater' of the '90s."{{cite news|first= Jim |last= Farber |title= A Base hit – and how Swede it is |newspaper= New York Daily News |date= 11 October 1993 |page= 36}} Neil Strauss from The New York Times called it a "reggae-infused dance-floor sleeper" that "tells of a troubled woman's search for romantic fulfillment in one-night-stands."{{cite news|first= Neil |last= Strauss |author-link= Neil Strauss |title= Pop Briefs |newspaper= The New York Times |date= 17 April 1994 |access-date= 21 March 2020 |url= https://www.nytimes.com/1994/04/17/arts/pop-briefs-758884.html}} Steve Dougherty from People Magazine deemed it a "hummable [and] reggae-flavored" tune.{{cite magazine|first= Steve |last= Dougherty |title= Night Visitor |magazine= People |volume= 41 |issue= 19 |date= 23 May 1994 |access-date= 10 March 2020 |url= https://people.com/archive/night-visitor-vol-41-no-19/}} A reviewer from Press-Telegram stated that it's "packed with unforgettable hooks."{{cite news|title= Snappy Pop Tunes Win with Reggae |newspaper= Press-Telegram |date= 25 March 1994}} The Rolling Stone Album Guide noted that the "Ennio Morricone-style keyboard whistle marks the welfare-state cautionary tale 'All That She Wants'.{{cite book|first1= Nathan |last1= Brackett |author-link1= Nathan Brackett |first2= Christian |last2= Hoard |year= 2004 |title= The Rolling Stone Album Guide |publisher= Simon & Schuster |location= New York City, New York |page= [https://archive.org/details/newrollingstonea00brac/page/4 4] |isbn= 0-7432-0169-8 |url= https://archive.org/details/newrollingstonea00brac |url-access= registration}} Chuck Campbell from Scripps Howard News Service called it "a lilting dance song about a woman seeking a steady stream of boyfriends", noting that it "had remarkable staying power on the charts".{{cite news|first= Chuck |last= Campbell |title= New Releases: Ace of Base, Crash Test Dummies, Shonen Knife |date= 22 February 1994 |newspaper= Scripps Howard News Service}}

Irish Evening Herald described the song as "pure pop Esperanto. Simple, sublime and subversive. The weirdest record since Boney M's 'Rasputin'.{{cite news|title= Get the happy trend |newspaper= Evening Herald |date= 12 August 1993 |page= 22}} A reviewer from Göteborgs-Posten said it "smells a little like Dr. Alban with its reggae".{{cite news|title= Ace of Base: Happy Nation |newspaper= Göteborgs-Posten |date= 27 January 1993}} Ben Thompson from The Independent wrote, "The first No 1 from Sweden since Abba. Who said pop was dead?"{{cite journal|first=Ben|last=Thompson|title=Culture: Records|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/records-2324664.html|journal=The Independent|date=22 May 1993|accessdate=31 December 2022}} Kim Såtvedt from Norwegian Laagendalsposten felt that "All That She Wants" "holds magic".{{cite news|first= Kim |last= Såtvedt |title= Plater |newspaper= Laagendalsposten |issue= 54 |date= 18 March 1993 |page= 7 |access-date= 30 March 2020 |url= https://www.nb.no/items/59046081b4f75913d286c09294526342 |language= no}} In his weekly UK chart commentary, James Masterton said, "Ace Of Base doing a Sub Sub if you like and making a stirring chart debut by being not only the current trendy dance hit but also a damn good pop tune and receiving a bucketload of radio airplay as a result."{{cite web|first= James |last= Masterton |author-link= James Masterton |title= Week Ending May 8th 1993 |website= Chart Watch UK |date= 2 May 1993 |access-date= 15 September 2021 |url= https://chart-watch.uk/archives/1993/week-ending-may-8th-1993}} He also declared it as a "perfectly crafted piece of dub-reggae".{{cite web|first= James |last= Masterton |author-link= James Masterton |title= Week Ending May 15th 1993 |website= Chart Watch UK |date= 2 May 1993 |access-date= 15 September 2021 |url= https://chart-watch.uk/archives/1993/week-ending-may-15th-1993}} Simon Price from Melody Maker felt the "lilting plinky-plink reggae" of the track "is pure 1979." He added, "The first 10 times I heard 'All That She Wants', it was the greatest record on earth, a City Limits-reading radical lesbian's attack on our conveyor-belt, Baby Machine culture."{{cite magazine|first=Simon|last=Price|url=https://www.flickr.com/photos/nothingelseon/52974886461/|title=Albums|magazine=Melody Maker|date=18 September 1993|page=39|access-date=17 June 2023|author-link=Simon Price}} After it had reached number-one in Denmark in 1992, Music & Media declared the song as "another great example of a band which has successfully drawn the pop reggae card."{{cite magazine|title= Ace of Base Draws the Reggae Card |magazine= Music & Media |volume= 9 |issue= 43 |page= 11 |date= 24 October 1992 |access-date= 21 February 2020 |url= https://www.americanradiohistory.com/UK/Music-and-Media/90s/1992/MM-1992-10-24.pdf}} Sylvia Patterson from Smash Hits viewed it as "unfeasibly catchy".{{cite magazine|first=Sylvia|last=Patterson|title=New Singles|url=https://www.flickr.com/photos/57779449@N02/52478667106/in/album-72177720303437231/|magazine=Smash Hits|date=23 June 1993|page=51|accessdate=31 December 2022|author-link=Sylvia Patterson}}

"All That She Wants" reached the number-one position in thirteen countries: Australia (3 weeks), Austria (6 weeks), Belgium (2 weeks), Canada (2 weeks),{{cite magazine|url=https://www.bac-lac.gc.ca/eng/discover/films-videos-sound-recordings/rpm/Pages/image.aspx?Image=nlc008388.2312&URLjpg=http%3a%2f%2fwww.collectionscanada.gc.ca%2fobj%2f028020%2ff4%2fnlc008388.2312.gif&Ecopy=nlc008388.2312|title=RPM 100 Hit Tracks|magazine=RPM|volume=|issue=|date=27 November 1993|page=|access-date=28 March 2024}} Denmark (13 weeks),"All That She Wants" spent 13 weeks at number one on the Danish singles chart from October 1992 to January 1993.

• Week 1: {{cite magazine|url=https://www.worldradiohistory.com/UK/Music-and-Media/90s/1992/MM-1992-10-10.pdf|title=Top 10 Sales in Europe|magazine=Music & Media|volume=9|issue=41|date=10 October 1992|page=40}}
• Week 2: {{cite magazine|url=https://www.worldradiohistory.com/UK/Music-and-Media/90s/1992/MM-1992-10-17.pdf|title=Top 10 Sales in Europe|magazine=Music & Media|volume=9|issue=5|date=17 October 1992|page=28}}
• Week 3: {{cite magazine|url=https://www.worldradiohistory.com/UK/Music-and-Media/90s/1992/MM-1992-10-24.pdf|title=Top 10 Sales in Europe|magazine=Music & Media|volume=9|issue=6|date=24 October 1992|page=20}}
• Week 4: {{cite magazine|url=https://www.worldradiohistory.com/UK/Music-and-Media/90s/1992/MM-1992-10-31.pdf|title=Top 10 Sales in Europe|magazine=Music & Media|volume=9|issue=7|date=31 October 1992|page=22}}
• Week 5: {{cite magazine|url=https://www.worldradiohistory.com/UK/Music-and-Media/90s/1992/MM-1992-11-07.pdf|title=Top 10 Sales in Europe|magazine=Music & Media|volume=9|issue=45|date=7 November 1992|page=46}}
• Week 6: {{cite magazine|url=https://www.worldradiohistory.com/UK/Music-and-Media/90s/1992/MM-1992-11-14.pdf|title=Top 10 Sales in Europe|magazine=Music & Media|volume=9|issue=46|date=14 November 1992|page=22}}
• Week 7: {{cite magazine|url=https://www.worldradiohistory.com/UK/Music-and-Media/90s/1992/MM-1992-11-21.pdf|title=Top 10 Sales in Europe|magazine=Music & Media|volume=9|issue=47|date=21 November 1992|page=22}}
• Week 8: {{cite magazine|url=https://www.worldradiohistory.com/UK/Music-and-Media/90s/1992/MM-1992-11-28.pdf|title=Top 10 Sales in Europe|magazine=Music & Media|volume=9|issue=48|date=28 November 1992|page=24}}
• Week 9: {{cite magazine|url=https://www.worldradiohistory.com/UK/Music-and-Media/90s/1992/MM-1992-12-05.pdf|title=Top 10 Sales in Europe|magazine=Music & Media|volume=9|issue=49|date=5 December 1992|page=18}}
• Week 10: {{cite magazine|url=https://www.worldradiohistory.com/UK/Music-and-Media/90s/1992/MM-1992-12-12.pdf|title=Top 10 Sales in Europe|magazine=Music & Media|volume=9|issue=50|date=12 December 1992|page=22}}
• Week 11/12: {{cite magazine|url=https://www.worldradiohistory.com/UK/Music-and-Media/90s/1992/MM-1992-12-19.pdf|title=Top 10 Sales in Europe|magazine=Music & Media|volume=9|issue=51/52|date=19 December 1992|page=43}}
• Week 13: {{cite magazine|url=https://www.worldradiohistory.com/UK/Music-and-Media/90s/1993/MM-1993-01-09.pdf|title=Top 10 Sales in Europe|magazine=Music & Media|volume=10|issue=2|date=9 January 1993|page=12}} Germany (8 weeks), Greece (10 weeks),"All That She Wants" spent 10 weeks at number one on the Greek singles chart from May to July 1993.
• Week 1: {{cite magazine|url=https://www.worldradiohistory.com/UK/Music-and-Media/90s/1993/MM-1993-05-01.pdf|title=Top 10 Sales in Europe|magazine=Music & Media|volume=10|issue=19|date=1 May 1993|page=24}}
• Week 2: {{cite magazine|url=https://www.worldradiohistory.com/UK/Music-and-Media/90s/1993/MM-1993-05-08.pdf|title=Top 10 Sales in Europe|magazine=Music & Media|volume=10|issue=20|date=8 May 1993|page=24}}
• Week 3: {{cite magazine|url=https://www.worldradiohistory.com/UK/Music-and-Media/90s/1993/MM-1993-05-15.pdf|title=Top 10 Sales in Europe|magazine=Music & Media|volume=10|issue=21|date=15 May 1993|page=24}}
• Week 4: {{cite magazine|url=https://www.worldradiohistory.com/UK/Music-and-Media/90s/1993/MM-1993-05-22.pdf|title=Top 10 Sales in Europe|magazine=Music & Media|volume=10|issue=22|date=22 May 1993|page=26}}
• Week 5: {{cite magazine|url=https://www.worldradiohistory.com/UK/Music-and-Media/90s/1993/MM-1993-05-29.pdf|title=Top 10 Sales in Europe|magazine=Music & Media|volume=10|issue=22|date=29 May 1993|page=34}}
• Week 6: {{cite magazine|url=https://www.worldradiohistory.com/UK/Music-and-Media/90s/1993/MM-1993-06-05.pdf|title=Top 10 Sales in Europe|magazine=Music & Media|volume=10|issue=23|date=5 June 1993|page=20}}
• Week 7: {{cite magazine|url=https://www.worldradiohistory.com/UK/Music-and-Media/90s/1993/MM-1993-06-12.pdf|title=Top 10 Sales in Europe|magazine=Music & Media|volume=10|issue=24|date=12 June 1993|page=20}}
• Week 8: {{cite magazine|url=https://www.worldradiohistory.com/UK/Music-and-Media/90s/1993/MM-1993-06-19.pdf|title=Top 10 Sales in Europe|magazine=Music & Media|volume=10|issue=25|date=19 June 1993|page=20}}
• Week 9: {{cite magazine|url=https://www.worldradiohistory.com/UK/Music-and-Media/90s/1993/MM-1993-06-26.pdf|title=Top 10 Sales in Europe|magazine=Music & Media|volume=10|issue=26|date=26 June 1993|page=28}}
• Week 10: {{cite magazine|url=https://www.worldradiohistory.com/UK/Music-and-Media/90s/1993/MM-1993-07-03.pdf|title=Top 10 Sales in Europe|magazine=Music & Media|volume=10|issue=27|date=3 July 1993|page=36}} Iceland, Israel, Italy (9 weeks),"All That She Wants" spent 9 weeks at number one on the Italian Musica e dischi singles chart from June to September 1993.
• Week 1: {{cite magazine|url=https://www.americanradiohistory.com/Archive-Music-and-Media/90s/1993/MM-1993-06-12.pdf|title=Top 10 Sales in Europe|magazine=Music & Media|volume=10|issue=24|date=12 June 1993|page=20}}
• Week 2: {{cite magazine|url=https://www.americanradiohistory.com/Archive-Music-and-Media/90s/1993/MM-1993-06-19.pdf|title=Top 10 Sales in Europe|magazine=Music & Media|volume=10|issue=25|date=19 June 1993|page=20}}
• Week 3: {{cite magazine|url=https://www.worldradiohistory.com/UK/Music-and-Media/90s/1993/MM-1993-06-26.pdf|title=Top 10 Sales in Europe|magazine=Music & Media|volume=10|issue=26|date=26 June 1993|page=28}}
• Week 4: {{cite magazine|url=https://www.worldradiohistory.com/UK/Music-and-Media/90s/1993/MM-1993-07-03.pdf|title=Top 10 Sales in Europe|magazine=Music & Media|volume=10|issue=27|date=3 July 1993|page=36}}
• Week 5: {{cite magazine|url=https://www.worldradiohistory.com/UK/Music-and-Media/90s/1993/MM-1993-07-31.pdf|title=Top 10 Sales in Europe|magazine=Music & Media|volume=10|issue=31|date=31 July 1993|page=20}}
• Week 6: {{cite magazine|url=https://www.worldradiohistory.com/UK/Music-and-Media/90s/1993/MM-1993-08-07.pdf|title=Top 10 Sales in Europe|magazine=Music & Media|volume=10|issue=32|date=7 August 1993|page=16}}
• Week 7: {{cite magazine|url=https://www.worldradiohistory.com/UK/Music-and-Media/90s/1993/MM-1993-09-11.pdf|title=Top 10 Sales in Europe|magazine=Music & Media|volume=10|issue=37|date=11 September 1993|page=14}}
• Week 8: {{cite magazine|url=https://www.worldradiohistory.com/UK/Music-and-Media/90s/1993/MM-1993-09-18.pdf|title=Top 10 Sales in Europe|magazine=Music & Media|volume=10|issue=38|date=18 September 1993|page=15}}
• Week 9: {{cite magazine|url=https://www.worldradiohistory.com/UK/Music-and-Media/90s/1993/MM-1993-09-25.pdf|title=Top 10 Sales in Europe|magazine=Music & Media|volume=10|issue=39|date=25 September 1993|page=22}} Spain (2 weeks),"All That She Wants" spent 2 weeks at number one on the Spanish singles chart in May and August 1993.
• Week 1: {{cite magazine|url=https://www.worldradiohistory.com/UK/Music-and-Media/90s/1993/MM-1993-05-29.pdf|title=Top 10 Sales in Europe|magazine=Music & Media|volume=10|issue=22|date=29 May 1993|page=34}}
• Week 2: {{cite magazine|url=https://www.worldradiohistory.com/UK/Music-and-Media/90s/1993/MM-1993-08-07.pdf|title=Top 10 Sales in Europe|magazine=Music & Media|volume=10|issue=|date=7 August 1993|page=16}} Switzerland (2 weeks), and the United Kingdom. In the latter, it peaked in its third week at the UK Singles Chart, on 16 May 1993. It spent three weeks at the top position on the chart after debuting as number five. The song peaked at top three positions in most other places where it was released. "All That She Wants" peaked at number two on the Eurochart Hot 100 in June,{{cite magazine|title= Hits of the World |magazine= Billboard |date= 12 June 1993 |volume= 105 |issue= 24 |page= 57 |issn= 0006-2510 |url= https://books.google.com/books?id=9A8EAAAAMBAJ&q=%22all+that+she+wants+ace+of+base%22&pg=PA59-IA14}} being held off the top position by Snow's "Informer". The song was a very successful radio hit in the United States, peaking at number one on the US Billboard Top 40 Mainstream chart. On the Billboard Hot 100 and Cash Box Top 100, it peaked at number two and three, behind Janet Jackson and Meat Loaf.{{cite magazine|title= Cash Box Top 100 Pop Singles – Week ending November 27, 1993 |magazine= Cash Box |url= http://cashboxmagazine.com/archives/90s_files/19931127.html |archive-date= 10 October 2012 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20121010155216/http://cashboxmagazine.com/archives/90s_files/19931127.html}} On the Canadian RPM Dance/Urban chart, it peaked at number one for 4 weeks."All That She Wants" spent 4 weeks at number one on the Canadian RPM Dance/Urban chart in November 1993.
• Week 1: {{cite magazine|url=https://www.bac-lac.gc.ca/eng/discover/films-videos-sound-recordings/rpm/Pages/item.aspx?IdNumber=6714&|title=RPM Dance|magazine=RPM|volume=58|issue=17|date=6 November 1993|page=}}
• Week 2: {{cite magazine|url=https://www.bac-lac.gc.ca/eng/discover/films-videos-sound-recordings/rpm/Pages/item.aspx?IdNumber=6715&|title=RPM Dance|magazine=RPM|volume=58|issue=18|date=13 November 1993|page=}}
• Week 3: {{cite magazine|url=https://www.bac-lac.gc.ca/eng/discover/films-videos-sound-recordings/rpm/Pages/item.aspx?IdNumber=6724&|title=RPM Dance|magazine=RPM|volume=58|issue=19|date=20 November 1993|page=}}
• Week 4: {{cite magazine|url=https://www.bac-lac.gc.ca/eng/discover/films-videos-sound-recordings/rpm/Pages/item.aspx?IdNumber=1496&|title=RPM Dance|magazine=RPM|volume=58|issue=20|date=27 November 1993|page=}}

"All That She Wants" was listed at number nine on the Billboard 1994 year-end charts and at number 70 on the 1990s decade-end charts. In Germany, the song was the best-selling single of 1993. It sold 604,000 copies in the United Kingdom in 1993.{{cite web|first= Rob |last= Copsey |title= Official Top 40 best-selling songs of 1993 |publisher= Official Charts Company |date= 4 June 2021 |accessdate= 10 July 2021 |url= https://www.officialcharts.com/chart-news/official-top-40-best-selling-songs-of-1993__33290/}} According to Mega Records, the single sold 3.7 million copies worldwide as of May 1998.{{cite magazine|first1= Charles |last1= Ferro |first2= Kai R. |last2= Lofthus |title= Ace of Base Sprouts 'Flowers' |magazine= Billboard |date= 30 May 1998 |volume= 110 |issue= 22 |pages= 70, 85 |issn= 0006-2510 |url= https://books.google.com/books?id=fQ4EAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA70}}

In 2018, Annie Zaleski from The A.V. Club wrote, "The song—which can be read as either a celebration of a woman who enjoys one-night stands, or a warning to her potential suitors—is a catchy marvel of simplicity. A glacial synth hum and strolling reggae rhythm provide propulsion, while the occasional saxophone curlicue and mysterious whistle give it intrigue, as well as a hint of melancholy."{{cite web|first= Annie |last= Zaleski |author-link= Annie Zaleski |title= Good timing turned Ace of Base's The Sign into the luckiest hit of the '90s |work= The A.V. Club |date= 19 February 2018 |access-date= 6 April 2020 |url= https://www.avclub.com/good-timing-turned-ace-of-base-s-the-sign-into-the-luck-1823004434}} A writer for Birmingham Evening Mail described it as a "happy uplifting reggae-influenced" song.{{cite news|title= The Other Four Swedes |newspaper= Birmingham Evening Mail |date= 14 July 1998}} Matt Stopera and Brian Galindo from BuzzFeed named it "the best Ace of Base song. End of story. No contest."{{cite web|first1= Matt |last1= Stopera |first2= Brian |last2= Galindo |title= The 101 Greatest Dance Songs of the '90s |website= BuzzFeed |date= 11 March 2017 |access-date= 31 March 2020 |url= https://www.buzzfeed.com/mjs538/jump-to-the-rhythm-jump-jump-to-the-rhythm-jump}} Nikola Nedeljkovic Gøttsche from Dagbladet Information noted in their retrospective review of The Sign, that "the song about the promiscuous man-hunter who only wants one more lover, with its mysterious flute melodies, progressive reggae pulse and instantly obsessive chorus, became a marker in the nineties popular musical landscape."{{cite news|first= Nikola |last= Nedeljkovic Gøttsche |title= 'The Sign' fylder 25 år – vi genanmelder Ace of Bases popklassiker |newspaper= Dagbladet Information |date= 23 November 2018 |access-date= 22 March 2020 |url= https://www.information.dk/kultur/anmeldelse/2018/11/the-sign-fylder-25-aar-genanmelder-ace-of-bases-popklassiker |language= da}} Tom Ewing of Freaky Trigger wrote that "All That She Wants" is "so startling that you imagined a whole style around it. The sound of "All That She Wants" is disarmingly simple – high, clear, piping synths over a basic skank – but also quite perfect. It's a cooling sound, it makes the rest of pop sound busy and overheated. As the song so poetically puts it, "It's not a day for work – it's a day for catching time".{{cite web|first= Tom |last= Ewing |title= Ace of Base – "All That She Wants" |website= Freaky Trigger |date= 13 April 2012 |access-date= 6 March 2020 |url= http://freakytrigger.co.uk/popular/2012/04/ace-of-base-all-that-she-wants/}} Bob Waliszewski of Plugged In found that the song "warns a young man about a woman out for a one-night stand ("She's a hunter, you're the fox... beware of that flashing in her eyes")."{{cite web|first= Bob |last= Waliszewski |title= The Sign |work= Plugged In |publisher= Focus on the Family |access-date= 21 March 2020 |url= https://www.pluggedin.com/album-reviews/aceofbase-thesign/}} In 2023, Eric Torres from Pitchfork complimented it as "near-perfect".{{cite web|author=Eric Torres|url=https://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/ace-of-base-the-sign/|title=Ace of Base — The Sign|work=Pitchfork|date=12 November 2023|access-date=10 February 2024}} Pop Rescue praised it as "fantastic", remarking that "it's a simple uncluttered track, and it works perfectly."{{cite web|title= Review: "Happy Nation" by Ace of Base (CD, 1993) |website= Pop Rescue |date= 22 October 2014 |access-date= 22 March 2020 |url= https://poprescue.com/2014/10/22/pop-rescue-review-happy-nation-ace-base-cd-1993/}} Christopher Smith from Talk About Pop Music viewed it as a "quirky number".{{cite web|first= Christopher |last= Smith |title= Review: 'Gold' – Ace of Base |publisher= Talk About Pop Music |date= 11 October 2019 |access-date= 14 April 2020 |url= https://talkaboutpopmusic.com/2019/10/11/review-gold-ace-of-base/}}

(*) indicates the list is unordered.

A music video directed by Swedish director Matt Broadley was produced in November 1992{{cite web|title= HN photo session: making of All That She Wants music video |website= Tapatalk |date= 16 September 2015 |access-date= 18 February 2018 |url= https://www.tapatalk.com/groups/aobfr/hn-photo-session-making-of-all-that-she-wants-musi-t11658.html}} to promote the single. Danish actress and singer-songwriter {{Interlanguage link|Christiane Bjørg Nielsen|da}} appears in the video as the title character. The video was filmed in Nielsen's apartment in Ryesgade in central Copenhagen{{cite web|first=|last=|url=https://www.seoghoer.dk/nyheder/kendt-dansk-skuespillerinde-i-ace-base-video|title=Kendt dansk skuespillerinde i Ace of base-video|work=Se og Hør|date=29 November 2014|access-date=27 March 2024|language=danish}} in one day, on a budget of $2000.

The video, shot in sepia tone, depicts the band members performing in a cramped apartment, interlaced with shots of a woman getting ready to go out. She goes to a bar where she meets a man. They talk and then she takes him home to her. Though Jenny has no vocals in the song, she lip syncs the vocals during the chorus. Ulf Ekberg noted, "The video is also an explanation for the song, because in the song you don't know if she found a guy or not, but [the video shows] a happy ending." The band discovered Nielsen's apartment just by chance as they shared the same manager. She told in an interview, "They just came up to my apartment to pick something up, but when they saw it, they were absolutely determined that the video should be shot right there. After all, I had a grand piano and a black and white checkered floor, so it was just a perfect location." Nanna Søndergaard Larsen from Danish Dagbladet Information remarked in her analyze of the video, "The apartment is not only full of a mixed assortment of furniture and mannequins, but also the four members of the band are seated at tables, in armchairs, on windowsills all around the small living room."{{cite web|first=Nanna|last=Søndergaard Larsen|url=https://www.information.dk/kultur/2018/11/levende-lys-haender-roser-symbolikken-ace-of-base-tom-hele-pragtfuldt|title=Levende lys, hænder og roser: Symbolikken hos Ace of Base er tom, og det hele er pragtfuldt|work=Dagbladet Information|date=23 November 2018|access-date=27 March 2024}}

Ekberg later said that MTV pushed the song as they "loved the video because it was so clean."{{cite news|author= Mahalakshmi P |title= When Ace of Base rode the wheel of fortune |newspaper= The Times of India |date= 2 April 2018 |access-date= 12 February 2020 |url= https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/bengaluru/when-ace-of-base-rode-the-wheel-of-fortune/articleshow/63581803.cms}} Being known as an actress only in Denmark, Nielsen's appearance in the video led her to being recognized all over the world. Nielsen mentioned an incident while she was shopping in New York, "I was walking around looking at shoes in a shoe store when a woman grabbed me and said "oh my God, you're the girl from the video".

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• ;United Kingdom CD single

1. "All That She Wants" (Radio Edit)
2. "All That She Wants" (12" Version)
3. "All That She Wants" (Banghra Version)
4. "All That She Wants" (Madness Version)

• ;United States CD single

1. "All That She Wants" – 3:31
2. "All That She Wants" (Extended Single/Dub Version) – 7:56
3. "All That She Wants" (Banghra Version) – 4:15
4. "All That She Wants" (12" Version) – 4:46

• ;Australian CD single

1. "All That She Wants" (Radio Edit)
2. "Fashion Party"

• ;All That She Wants (Remixed) – Standard Digital Download{{cite web|title= Amazon.com: All That She Wants (Remixed) |publisher= Amazon |access-date= 28 October 2014 |url= https://www.amazon.com/All-That-She-Wants-Remixed/dp/B00KZLV968/ref=sr_1_1?s=dmusic&ie=UTF8&qid=1406021433&sr=1-1&keywords=ace+of+base+all+that+she+wants}}

1. All That She Wants (Funkstar De Luxe Cook 'n' Curry Remix) – 3:27
2. All That She Wants (We Are Legends Remix) – 6:18
3. All That She Wants (Bali Bandits Remix) – 4:00
4. All That She Wants (Joeysuki Remix) – 4:51
5. All That She Wants (Andalo Remix) – 3:24
6. All That She Wants (House of Titans Remix) – 3:55
7. All That She Wants (Marc MacRowland Remix) – 6:01
8. All That She Wants (Funkstar De Luxe Cook 'n' Curry Remix Extended) – 4:52
9. All That She Wants (Bali Bandits Remix Extended) – 6:01
10. All That She Wants (Andalo Remix Extended) – 5:41

{{col-2}}

• ;All That She Wants (Remixed) – Beatport Edition Digital Download{{cite web|title= All That She Wants (Remixed) |publisher= Beatport |access-date= 28 October 2014 |url= http://www.beatport.com/release/all-that-she-wants-remixed/1326279}}

1. All That She Wants (We Are Legends Remix) – 6:18
2. All That She Wants (Joeysuki Remix) – 4:51
3. All That She Wants (House of Titans Remix) – 3:55
4. All That She Wants (Marc MacRowland Remix) – 6:01
5. All That She Wants (Funkstar De Luxe Cook 'n' Curry Remix Extended) – 4:52
6. All That She Wants (Bali Bandits Remix Extended) – 6:01
7. All That She Wants (Andalo Remix Extended) – 5:41
8. All That She Wants (Bali Bandits Remix Extended Instrumental) – 6:00
9. All That She Wants (Andalo Remix Extended Instrumental) – 5:41

{{col-end}}

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{{Certification Table Top}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=Australia|type=single|artist=Ace of Base|title=All That She Wants|award=Platinum|number=2|relyear=1993|certyear=1994|certref=}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=Austria|type=single|artist=Ace of Base|title=All That She Wants|award=Gold|relyear=1993|certyear=1993}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=Denmark|type=single|artist=Ace of Base|title=All That She Wants|award=Gold|id=10037|relyear=1993|certyear=2021|accessdate=3 March 2021}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=France|type=single|artist=Ace of Base|title=All That She Wants|award=Gold|relyear=1993|certyear=1993|source=infodisc}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=Germany|type=single|artist=Ace of Base|title=All That She Wants|award=Gold|number=3|relyear=1993|certyear=1994|salesamount=855,000|salesref={{cite magazine|title= 10 Years Mega Records: ... And The Beat Goes On |magazine= Music & Media |date= 4 December 1993 |volume= 10 |issue= 49 |page= 17 |url= https://worldradiohistory.com/UK/Music-and-Media/90s/1993/MM-1993-12-04.pdf}}}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=Italy|type=single|artist=Ace of Base|title=All That She Wants|award=Platinum|relyear=1993|id=13586|certyear=2024|access-date=November 19, 2024}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=Netherlands|type=single|artist=Ace of Base|title=All That She Wants|award=Gold|relyear=1993|certyear=1993}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=New Zealand|type=single|artist=Ace of Base|title=All That She Wants|award=Platinum|relyear=1993|id=1994-04-01|source=newchart|access-date=2024-11-20|certyear=2014}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=Spain|type=single|artist=Ace of Base|title=All That She Wants|award=Gold|relyear=1993|certyear=2024|access-date=10 July 2024}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=United Kingdom|type=single|artist=Ace of Base|title=All That She Wants|award=Platinum|relyear=1993|certyear=1993|salesamount=771,323|salesref={{cite web|first= Rob |last= Copsey |title= Flashback 1993: Ace of Base land their first UK Number 1 |publisher= Official Charts Company |date= 18 May 2017 |access-date= 18 May 2017 |url= http://www.officialcharts.com/chart-news/official-chart-flashback-1993-ace-of-bases-all-that-she-wants-becomes-their-first-and-only-uk-number-1__19177/}}|id=401-1421-1|refname="BPI"}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=United States|type=single|artist=Ace of Base|title=All That She Wants|award=Platinum|relyear=1993|certyear=1993|salesamount=1,300,000|salesref={{cite magazine|title=Ace of Base Born Under A Good 'Sign'|magazine= Billboard|date=12 February 1994|page=123|issn=0006-2510|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-All-Music/Billboard/90s/1994/BB-1994-02-12-N.pdf|access-date=12 May 2023}}|refname="RIAA"}}

{{Certification Table Summary}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=Worldwide|type=single|artist=Ace of Base|title=All That She Wants|nocert=true|relyear=1993|salesamount=3,700,000|salesref=}}

{{Certification Table Bottom|streaming=true}}

An Italian band Age of Bass covered the song in 1993. Its close resemblance to the original Ace of Base version and the original band's name caused Mega Records alongside Polygram to prompt the rendition's record label Discomagic Italy into pulling the release from commercial markets. The rendition would later appear in a compilation release by Edel Records. In the same year, ZYX Music released a rendition performed by the German band Box of Laces.{{cite magazine|first= Miranda |last= Watson |title= Cover Versions Could Hamper U.S. Potential of Ace of Base |magazine= Billboard |date= 14 August 1993 |volume= 105 |issue= 33 |page= 39 |issn= 0006-2510 |url= https://books.google.com/books?id=6BEEAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA39}}

Swedish band Grass Show covered the song on their 1997 debut album Something Smells Good in Stinkville.{{cite web|title= Grass Show – Artist Biography |publisher= AllMusic |access-date= 22 July 2016 |url= http://www.allmusic.com/artist/grass-show-mn0000497192/biography}}

American singer Britney Spears recorded her rendition of "All That She Wants", which sampled the chorus from the Ace of Base song for her 2007 album Blackout, but it failed to make the final cut, among other songs considered for the album. Spears' version features verses taken from her self-written poem "Remembrance of Who I Am", published on her official website in 2006.{{Cite web |date=2006-05-31 |title=Is Britney Spears' poem about Kevin? |url=https://www.today.com/popculture/britney-spears-poem-about-kevin-wbna13070983 |access-date=2023-06-25 |website=TODAY.com |language=en}} Ace of Base frontman Ulf Ekberg stated it was recorded in 2006 and never completed, while claiming it wasn't released due to the singer's hardships at the time. He praised her version, calling it "cool" and "very strong".{{Cite magazine |last=Stutz |first=Colin |date=2015-10-15 |title=Ace of Base Founder on Britney Spears' Unreleased 'All That She Wants' Cover: 'It Was Very Strong' |url=https://www.billboard.com/music/pop/ace-of-base-britney-spears-unreleased-all-that-she-wants-cover-6730072/ |access-date=2023-06-25 |magazine=Billboard |language=en-US}} The demo leaked onto the internet in 2008.

{{div col|colwidth=35em}}

• List of number-one singles in Australia during the 1990s
• List of number-one hits of 1993 (Austria)
• List of Billboard Mainstream Top 40 number-one songs of the 1990s
• List of number-one singles of 1993 (Canada)
• List of number-one hits of 1993 (Germany)
• List of number-one hits of 1993 (Italy)
• List of number-one singles of 1993 (Spain)
• List of number-one singles of the 1990s (Switzerland)
• List of RPM number-one dance singles of 1993
• List of UK Singles Chart number ones of the 1990s
• VRT Top 30 number-one hits of 1993

{{div col end}}

{{Reflist}}

{{Ace of Base}}

{{authority control}}

Category:1991 songs

Category:1992 singles

Category:Ace of Base songs

Category:Arista Records singles

Category:Mega Records singles

Category:Song recordings produced by Denniz Pop

Category:Songs written by Jonas Berggren

Category:Songs written by Ulf Ekberg

Category:Number-one singles in Australia

Category:Number-one singles in Austria

Category:Number-one singles in Belgium

Category:Number-one singles in Denmark

Category:Number-one singles in Germany

Category:Number-one singles in Greece

Category:Number-one singles in Iceland

Category:Number-one singles in Italy

Category:Number-one singles in Spain

Category:Number-one singles in Switzerland

Category:RPM Top Singles number-one singles

Category:UK singles chart number-one singles

Category:Ultratop 50 Singles (Flanders) number-one singles

Category:Music videos directed by Matt Broadley

Category:Songs about casual sex