Mamma Mia (ABBA song)
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"Mamma Mia" is a song by the Swedish pop group ABBA, written by Benny Andersson, Björn Ulvaeus and Stig Anderson, with the lead vocals shared by Agnetha Fältskog and Anni-Frid Lyngstad. It is the opening track on the group's third album, the self-titled ABBA (1975). The song was released in September 1975 as its sixth single. It tells the story of the narrator's on-again, off-again relationship with a lover who is repeatedly unfaithful to her. The song's name is derived from Italian and literally translates as "my mother", but is used as an interjection (Mamma mia!) in situations of surprise, anguish, or excitement. The song was ABBA's first number one in the UK since "Waterloo" in 1974.
History and impact
The distinctive sound at the start of the song is the marimba.<ref name="abbasite">Template:Cite web</ref> According to biographer Carl Magnus Palm, the instrument was incorporated at the last minute, added after Benny Andersson found it in the studio and decided its "tick tock" rhythm was perfect for the track.<ref>Palm, C.M. (2002). Bright Lights, Dark Shadows. London: Omnibus.</ref>
"Mamma Mia" was written at the home of Agnetha Fältskog and Björn Ulvaeus, and was the last track recorded for the album ABBA. It was one of four songs from the album to have a music video made to promote the album. Initially, however, "Mamma Mia" was never intended for release as a single.<ref name="abbasite"/> Around this time, many artists were recording ABBA songs (such as "Honey, Honey" and "Bang a Boomerang"). ABBA offered "Mamma Mia" to British pop group Brotherhood of Man, who turned it down.<ref>BBC Radio Shropshire, Keith Middleton show – Nicky Stevens interview, 29 May 2010</ref>
"I Do, I Do, I Do, I Do, I Do" topped the Australian charts for three weeks; however, the promo clip for "Mamma Mia" proved the more popular after repeat screenings on Australian television, notably on the show Countdown.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> ABBA's Australian record company, RCA, asked that "Mamma Mia" be released as a single but Polar Music refused, preferring them to release "SOS" first. However, Stig Anderson agreed to this; "Mamma Mia" was released in Australia in August 1975, where it spent 10 weeks at number one.<ref name="abbasite"/> Cash Box said the single was "an example of [ABBA's] excellent musical taste," stating that the "tune is upbeat, with characteristically varied textures."<ref name=cb>Template:Cite news</ref>
After this success in Australia, Epic Records in the United Kingdom took notice of ABBA for the first time since their Eurovision Song Contest winner "Waterloo". From then on, Epic began to heavily promote ABBA's singles with the immediate result of "SOS" reaching the Top 10 in the British market, their first hit since "Waterloo". "Mamma Mia" soon followed, reaching number one in the UK Singles Chart in January 1976, the second of ABBA's 18 consecutive Top 10 singles there.<ref name="abbasite"/>
Record World said that "the reason [the song is a worldwide smash] should be self-explanatory after just one listen."<ref name=rw>Template:Cite magazine</ref>
The B-side for the Australian release of "Mamma Mia" was "Hey, Hey Helen". In most other countries the B-side was the instrumental "Intermezzo Number 1". ABBA's British label Epic selected "Tropical Loveland" as the B-side for the UK release, believing another vocal track, especially one showcasing ABBA in a different musical style, would better promote the parent album.Template:Cn
In 2017, Billboard ranked "Mamma Mia" number seven on their list of the 15 greatest ABBA songs,<ref>Template:Cite magazine</ref> and in 2021, Rolling Stone ranked the song number five on their list of the 25 greatest ABBA songs.<ref>Template:Cite magazine</ref>
As of September 2021, it is ABBA's seventh-biggest song in the UK with 860,000 chart sales (pure sales and digital streams).<ref>UK Official Charts ABBA's Official Top 20 biggest songs</ref>
Track listings
International single
UK single
Personnel
- Anni-Frid Lyngstad – lead and backing vocals
- Agnetha Fältskog – lead and backing vocals
- Björn Ulvaeus – rhythm guitar and backing vocals
- Benny Andersson – piano, marimba, Hammond organ and backing vocals
- Janne Schaffer – lead guitar
- Mike Watson – bass guitar
- Roger Palm – drums
Charts
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Weekly charts
| Chart (1975–76) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| Australia (Kent Music Report)<ref>Template:Cite book</ref> | 1 |
| Finland (Suomen virallinen lista)<ref>Template:Cite book</ref> | 16 |
| Italy (Billboard)<ref name="hitsoftheworld">Template:Cite magazine</ref> | 3 |
| South Africa (Springbok)<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> | 7 |
| US Cashbox Top 100 <ref>Template:Cite book</ref> | 36 |
| Yugoslavia (Radio TV Revue and Studio)<ref name="hitsoftheworld"/> | 4 |
| Chart (2008–09) | Peak position |
|---|
| Chart (2021) | Peak position |
|---|
Year-end charts
| Chart (1975) | Position |
|---|---|
| Australia (Kent Music Report)<ref>Template:Cite book</ref><ref name="aus75">Template:Cite web</ref> | 3 |
| Chart (1976) | Position |
|---|---|
| Australia (Kent Music Report)<ref name="aus76">Template:Cite web</ref> | 28 |
| Canada Top Singles (RPM)<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> | 147 |
| New Zealand (RIANZ)<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> | 16 |
| UK Singles (OCC)<ref>Template:Cite book</ref> | 21 |
Release history
| Region | Date | Title | Label | Format | Catalog |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Australia, New Zealand | 8 Sep 1975 | "Mamma Mia" / "Hey, Hey Helen" | RCA Victor | 7-inch vinyl | 102671 |
| Denmark, Norway | Sep 1975 | "Mamma Mia" / "Intermezzo no. 1" | Polar | POS 1220 | |
| Belgium | Vogue | VB. 443 | |||
| UK | 14 Nov 1975 | "Mamma Mia" / "Tropical Loveland" | Epic | S EPC 3790 | |
| Spain | Nov 1975 | Carnaby | MO 1554 | ||
| Austria, Netherlands, Portugal, Switzerland, West Germany | "Mamma Mia" / "Intermezzo no. 1" | Polydor | 2001 613 | ||
| Greece | 1975 | Pan-Vox | 7594 | ||
| Argentina | "Mamma Mia" / "SOS" | RCA Victor | 31A-2689 | ||
| Panama | "Mamma Mia" / "I Do, I Do, I Do, I Do, I Do" | RCA | POS 1220 | ||
| Yugoslavia | 28 Jan 1976 | "Mamma Mia" / "Intermezzo no. 1" | Radio-Televizija Beograd | S 53 918 | |
| USA, Canada | 3 May 1976 | "Mamma Mia" / "Tropical Loveland" | Atlantic | 3315 | |
| USA | "Mamma Mia" / "Mamma Mia" | 7-inch vinyl, promo | |||
| Japan | 25 Jun 1976 | "Mamma Mia" / "People Need Love" | Discomate | 7-inch vinyl | DSP-102 |
| South Africa, Rhodesia, Madagascar | 1976 | "Mamma Mia" / "Hey, Hey Helen" | Sunshine, EMI | GBS 112 | |
| East Germany | "Mamma Mia" / "Tropical Loveland" | Amiga | 4 56 185 | ||
| Turkey | "Mamma Mia" / "Bang-A-Boomerang" | Balet | BE 181 | ||
| Poland | 1977 | "Mamma Mia" / "SOS" | Polskie Nagrania Muza | S-633 | |
| Japan | Apr 1980 | "Mamma Mia" / "People Need Love" | Discomate | 7-inch vinyl, reissue | DSP-152 |
| USA | 1980 | "Mamma Mia" (Spanish version) / "Hasta Mañana" (Spanish version) | Discos CBS International | 7-inch vinyl, promo | DAS 40006 |
| Germany | 1987 | "Mamma Mia" / "Intermezzo no. 1" | Polydor (Hit Come Back) | 7-inch vinyl, reissue | 887 192 |
| Europe | 13 Jun 2025 | Polar | 7-inch vinyl, picture disc | 00602475145004 | |
| Worldwide | 14 Nov 2025 | "Mamma Mia" | Streaming |
Certifications and sales
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A-Teens version
Swedish pop group A-Teens released their version of "Mamma Mia" as their debut single on 30 April 1999 through Stockholm Records. It is from their debut album, The ABBA Generation (1999).
Upon its release, it became a smash hit in Sweden, where it peaked at number one and stayed there for eight consecutive weeks, earning a quadruple platinum certification.
On initial pressings of the single, the name of the group appeared as ABBA-Teens, but Stockholm Records thought it would be better to change the name of the band to A-Teens, so new pressings of the single were made.
Commercial performance
The single reached the top 20 in several European countries, reaching number three in Norway, number nine in Switzerland and the Netherlands, number 10 in Germany, number 12 in the United Kingdom, and number 14 in Austria and Finland. A Spanish version of the song was recorded for promotion in Latin America and Spain. Despite the worldwide success, the song failed to attract the Australian public, peaking at 72 on the ARIA Singles Chart, although it did reach number 13 in New Zealand.
In the United States, the single peaked at 63 on the Billboard Hot Single Sales Chart, becoming the band's first single to chart in the country.<ref>"Mamma Mia" Hot Single Sales Chart</ref>
Music video
The accompanying music video was directed by Henrik Sylvén and was filmed in Sweden. It shows the A-Teens as waiters at an art exposition, and they are suppressed by the manager; but soon they discover that one of the paintings transports them to a party where the manager and patrons he is helping also join in on the fun.
Track listings
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- European CD single<ref>Template:Cite AV media notes</ref>
- "Mamma Mia" (radio version) – 3:43
- "Mamma Mia" (extended version) – 5:48
- European maxi-CD single and Australian CD single<ref>Template:Cite AV media notes</ref>
- "Mamma Mia" (radio version) – 3:43
- "Mamma Mia" (Giuseppe remix) – 5:35
- "Mamma Mia" (Jam Lab remix) – 3:56
- "Mamma Mia" (extended version) – 5:48
- UK CD1<ref>Template:Cite AV media notes</ref>
- "Mamma Mia" (radio version) – 3:45
- "Lay All Your Love on Me" – 4:04
- "Mamma Mia" (karaoke version) – 3:45
- "Mamma Mia" (CD-ROM video)
- UK CD2<ref>Template:Cite AV media notes</ref>
- "Mamma Mia" (extended version) – 5:48
- "Mamma Mia" (The Bold & The Beautiful Glamourmix edit) – 3:46
- "Mamma Mia" (Trouser Enthusiasts' Undying dub) – 9:20
- UK cassette single<ref>Template:Cite AV media notes</ref>
- "Mamma Mia" (radio version) – 3:45
- "Mamma Mia" (karaoke version) – 3:45
- US CD and cassette single<ref>Template:Cite AV media notes</ref><ref>Template:Cite AV media notes</ref>
- "Mamma Mia" (album version) – 3:43
- "Mamma Mia" (extended version) – 5:48
Charts
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Weekly charts
| Chart (1999–2000) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| Australia (ARIA)<ref>Template:Cite book</ref> | 95 |
| Denmark (IFPI)<ref>Template:Cite magazine</ref> | 1 |
| Europe (Eurochart Hot 100)<ref>Template:Cite magazine</ref> | 22 |
| Finland (Suomen virallinen singlelista)<ref>Template:Cite book</ref> | 9 |
| Iceland (Íslenski Listinn Topp 40)<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> | 20 |
Year-end charts
| Chart (1999) | Position |
|---|---|
| Belgium (Ultratop 50 Flanders)<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> | 51 |
| Europe (Eurochart Hot 100)<ref>Template:Cite magazine</ref> | 65 |
| Netherlands (Dutch Top 40)<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> | 69 |
| Netherlands (Single Top 100)<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> | 59 |
| Sweden (Hitlistan)<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> | 1 |
Certifications
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Release history
| Region | Date | Format(s) | Label(s) | Template:Abbr |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sweden | 30 April 1999 | CD | Stockholm | <ref name="sweteens"/> |
| United Kingdom | 23 August 1999 | Template:Hlist | <ref>Template:Cite magazine</ref> | |
| United States | 28 September 1999 | Contemporary hit radio | MCA | <ref>Template:Cite magazine</ref> |
| Japan | 1 October 1999 | CD | Template:Hlist | <ref>Template:Cite web</ref> |
Mamma Mia! version
"Mamma Mia" was recorded by Meryl Streep for the soundtrack of Mamma Mia!. Her version was released on 8 July 2008 alongside the rest of the soundtrack, by Decca and Polydor Records. It was produced by Benny Andersson.
Charts
| Chart (2008) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| Australia (ARIA)<ref>Template:Cite Ryan</ref> | 98 |
Certifications
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Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again version
Lily James, Jessica Keenan Wynn and Alexa Davies recorded "Mamma Mia" for the soundtrack of Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again. Their version was released on 13 July 2018 alongside the rest of the soundtrack, by Capitol and Polydor Records. It was produced by Benny Andersson.
Charts
| Chart (2018) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| Ireland (IRMA)<ref name="Ire">Template:Cite web</ref> | 49 |
| New Zealand Hot Singles (RMNZ)<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> | 21 |
Certifications
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References
External links
- Mamma Mia – The Song that saved ABBA at abbasite.com
- Ethan Hein: “He noticed that the studio had a marimba sitting in the corner, and the rest is history”: A music professor breaks down the theory behind ABBA's Mamma Mia. Musicradar, 13 March 2025
Template:ABBA Template:ABBA songs Template:A*Teens Template:Authority control
- 1975 songs
- 1975 singles
- 1976 singles
- 1999 debut singles
- ABBA songs
- A-Teens songs
- Atlantic Records singles
- Disques Vogue singles
- Epic Records singles
- Irish Singles Chart number-one singles
- Music videos directed by Lasse Hallström
- Music videos shot in Sweden
- MCA Records singles
- Number-one singles in Australia
- Number-one singles in Denmark
- Number-one singles in Germany
- Number-one singles in Sweden
- Number-one singles in Switzerland
- Polar Music singles
- Polydor Records singles
- RCA Victor singles
- Songs about infidelity
- Songs written by Benny Andersson and Björn Ulvaeus
- Stockholm Records singles
- UK singles chart number-one singles