All the ABBA songs in 'Mamma Mia!'

Sophie Thomas14 October, 2022, 16:24

If you're an ABBA music fan, then you need to see Mamma Mia! on stage. There's over 20 ABBA songs in the musical, including "I Have a Dream," "Waterloo," "Voulez-Vous," and "The Winner Takes It All."

Mamma Mia! follows Sophie and Donna Sheridan as they navigate their complicated family relationships. As Sophie prepares to marry Sky, she invites her three potential fathers to her home in order to discover her paternal family once and for all. When the three men meet Sophie's mother Donna, sparks ignite — love is in the air.

Generations of West End audiences continue to fall in love with Mamma Mia! in London. Find out more about the songs in Mamma Mia! and get ready to be a dancing queen.

Book Mamma Mia! tickets on London Theatre.

"Honey, Honey"

After ABBA’s 1974 Eurovision win with “Waterloo,” the Swedish band released their second album, including “Honey, Honey.” “Honey, Honey” is the opening song in Mamma Mia! and is sung by Sophie and her friends as they recount her mother’s childhood.

"Money, Money, Money"

The original ABBA “Money, Money, Money” song tells of a woman who works hard but struggles to keep her finances in order. A similar sentiment is shared during the song in the Mamma Mia! Musical as Donna sings this while struggling to renovate her hotel. In both the original and the stage show, the woman looks for a man — nobody could expect the three fathers to all arrive on the island at once.

"Thank You for the Music"

Without this ABBA song, what are we? “Thank You for the Music” featured on ABBA’s fifth album, coincidentally titled “The Album.” In Mamma Mia!, Sophie and her three dads — Sam, Bill, and Harry — reflect on how they’re back together again.

"Mamma Mia"”

Sure, ABBA are a Swedish band, but they’re probably best known for the “Mamma Mia!” song, which translates to “my mum” from Italian. “Mamma Mia!” was later recorded by Swedish teen-pop group, A-Teens, and stayed at number one for eight weeks. Maybe we can’t resist “Mamma Mia!” after all.

"Chiquitita"

In Mamma Mia!, Rosie and Tanya sing “Chiquitita” to Donna in the hopes of picking her up. After all, the Dynamos are back together, so it’s a time for celebration. “Chiquitita” translates to “little one” from Spanish, but most people will know it as an ABBA term. “Chiquitita” was released in 1979 as part of their sixth album, Voulez-Vous.

"Dancing Queen"

Without ABBA, we wouldn’t be able to dance, jive, and have the time of our lives. “Dancing Queen” is a European-inspired take on the American disco movement, and the Europeans loved it. When Dancing Queen was released in 1976, the song reached number one in 16 countries, including the United Kingdom and the United States. In the musical, Tanya and Rosie try to convince Donna that she can still be the woman she once was.

"Lay All Your Love on Me"

Mamma Mia! is a romance musical, and in “Lay All Your Love on Me,” Sophie and Sky share their feelings towards each other. Sophie’s concerned that Sky will treat her differently now her fathers are with her, but Sky lays his feelings on to Sophie plain and clear. ABBA released “Lay All Your Love on Me” in 1980, and wasn’t originally meant to be a single. But thanks to popularity in nightclubs, the track made it to ABBA’s greatest selling songs of all time.

"Super Trouper"

What better way to remember the time gone by than with a Donna and the Dynamos reunion? The trio perform “Super Trouper” in their old costumes, heels and all. The “Super Trouper” ABBA song is named after a large spotlight used in concerts. The song was originally called "Blinka Lilla Stjärna" - the Swedish for twinkle twinkle little star.

"Gimme! Gimme! Gimme! (A Man After Midnight)"

The Mamma Mia! hen party doesn’t stay a male-free zone for long. When Sophie’s trio of fathers accidentally stumble on the party, they’re lured in by the women, and fires are kindled. "Gimme! Gimme! Gimme! (A Man After Midnight)" was originally released to promote the band globally for their world tour. Cher performed the ABBA song for the 2018 film, Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again.

"The Name of the Game"

Sophie asks her father Bill to walk her down the aisle. Bill wants to check with Donna. Sophie tells Bill to keep quiet and Bill agrees. That’s the name of the game! The Stevie Wonder-inspired track was released in 1977 as the first single on their fifth album, ABBA: The Album.

"Voulez-Vous"

There’s plenty of family confusion in Mamma Mia! Who should Sophie speak to? What should she do? Act one of Mamma Mia! ends with Sophie running away from the party in “Voulez-Vous.” “Voulez-Vous” translates from French to mean “Do you Want?”, and we definitely want ABBA. There’s different versions of the song: a four-minute original release, and an extended six-minute version.

"Under Attack"

“Under Attack” opens act two of Mamma Mia! The song narrates a dream sequence: Sophie fears all three of her fathers are walking her down the aisle at the same time. Prepare for the “Under Attack” costumes. “Under Attack” features in the Mamma Mia! Musical but is omitted from the Mamma Mia! film.

"One of Us"

Sophie and Donna are like a normal mother and daughter, as they don’t always see eye to eye. Sam tries to comfort Donna in response, but Donna won’t listen, and it's accompanied with “One of Us”. ABBA released “One of Us” in 1981, and was written as the male ABBA members Björn Ulvaeus and Benny Andersson let their divorces take over their musical writing.

"SOS"

Sam and Donna wish they could rewind time and go back to the beginning — they won't hear each other though. The optimistic heartbreak song “SOS” was released in 1975, a year after “Waterloo”’s Eurovision win.

"Does Your Mother Know"

Donna’s friend Tanya attracts attention, notably from Donna’s staff member, Pepper. Pepper tries to hit on Tanya, but the apparent age gap would make it complicated, so Tanya sings “Does Your Mother Know.” The 1979 ABBA song marks a change from most ABBA songs as a man leads the song.

"Knowing Me, Knowing You"

When Sky realises all three fathers are coming to the marriage, he’s inconsolable and believes Sophie is planning the wedding for a bad reason. Once again, Sam is there to pick up the pieces, and helps Sophie by singing “Knowing Me, Knowing You” to try and win Sophie over. ABBA released “Knowing Me, Knowing You” in 1977 and it was previously titled "Ring It In" and "Number 1, Number 1".

"Our Last Summer"

Harry and Donna sing “Our Last Summer” to each other as they reflect on their hedonistic teenage years. ABBA band member Bjorn Ulvaeus took inspiration from his teenage romance in Paris to write this 1980 hit. If you listen closely to “Our Last Summer,” you can hear the Chess song “Anthem.”

"Slipping Through My Fingers"

Donna can’t believe that her daughter Sophie is going to be a bride. Pretty soon, Donna will walk down the aisle. As Donna reflects on her child’s upbringing, she sings “Slipping Through My Fingers.” The original song is about a mother's regret at how she didn’t spend time with her daughter — the musical moment shares a similar sentiment.

"The Winner Takes It All"

Donna doesn’t take it lightly that her daughter has three potential fathers. Donna still loves Sam though, so she’s heartbroken thinking about what could have been. Donna sings “The Winner Takes It All” to help her get through. “The Winner Takes It All” reached number one in six countries, and is often considered to be the greatest breakup song of all time.

"Take a Chance on Me"

It’s not just Donna that’s in love. The Dynamos strike up relationships with Donna’s former lovers. Rosie urges Bill to be her life partner, singing “Take a Chance on Me.” The 1978 song repeats the title in a "tck-a-ch" rhythm, created afte Bjorn Ulvaeus's running rhythm.

"I Do, I Do, I Do, I Do, I Do"

Mamma Mia! weddings happen, but it’s not who you might expect. Sam and Donna walk down the aisle to this matrimonial song.

"I Have a Dream"

Sophie and Sky go off to travel the world together and pursue their wildest fantasies to “I Have a Dream” at the end of Mamma Mia!. When "I Have a Dream" was released in 1979, the track featured vocals of a Stockholm childrens choir.

"Waterloo"

The ABBA Eurovision song “Waterloo” rounds off Mamma Mia! On stage. Watch out for the Dynamos and Sophie’s fathers in ABBA costume and get ready to sing, clap, and have the time of your life!

How many ABBA songs are in the Mamma Mia! musical?

There are 23 ABBA songs in Mamma Mia!. If you’re seeing Mamma Mia! on stage, then you’ll probably know most of the songs in the show. Hear your favourite ABBA songs on stage today.