TM
When MAMMA MIA!, a new stage musical based on With Meryl Streep signed on to play Donna Sheridan, the inde-
the songs of ABBA, opened at the Prince Edward
Theatre in London on April 6, 1999, no one had
any idea that the overnight hit would become an
enduring worldwide phenomenon, the first block-
buster of the new millennium.
The story of the making of the MAMMA MIA! movie begins before
that auspicious West End opening.
Global Producer Judy Craymer knew ABBA’s Benny Andersson and
Björn Ulvaeus from working with them as executive producer on
the London premiere of the musical ‘Chess’ in the early 1980s.
The concept of MAMMA MIA! began with Judy’s idea of using ABBA
songs to tell a new story. Her inspiration really came from ‘The
Winner Takes It All’, an emotional roller coaster of a song about
the break up of a relationship. (‘Winner’ is sung on the film and
soundtrack by Meryl Streep).
Once Benny and Björn had endorsed Judy’s concept for the show,
playwright Catherine Johnson was chosen to write the book, and
renowned theatre director Phyllida Lloyd was invited to stage the
production.
One of the most successful groups of all time, ABBA dominated the
pop music charts between 1974 and 1982. The remarkable record
sales and the volume of hits – a dozen Top Twenty singles in the US
and nine Number Ones in the UK alone – made the Swedish group
international stars.
Since the London opening, MAMMA MIA! has been seen on stage
around the world by over 30 million people in twenty productions
in eight different languages, selling more than two billion dollars
worth of tickets at the box office.
With these extraordinary statistics, it was inevitable that MAMMA
MIA! would become a motion picture.
What was unusual was that the three women who led the creative
team for the stage musical, Judy Craymer (producer), Phyllida
Lloyd (director) and Catherine Johnson (writer) would repeat their
roles in the making of the MAMMA MIA! film.
Inspired by the story-telling magic of ABBA’s timeless songs,
MAMMA MIA’s romantic tale unfolds on a sun-soaked Greek island.
On the eve of her wedding, a daughter’s quest to discover the iden-
tity of her father brings three men from her mother’s past back to
the island they last visited 20 years ago.
pendent, strong-willed mother, other cast followed, with Julie
Walters and Christine Baranski playing Donna’s best friends,
Rosie and Tanya, respectively. A trio of Hollywood’s hottest men,
Pierce Brosnan (Sam Carmichael), Colin Firth (Harry Bright) and
Stellan Skarsgård (Bill Austin) joined to play the dads. Amanda
Seyfried (Big Love) and Dominic Cooper (The History Boys) were
cast as the young romantic couple, Sophie and Sky.
From the outset Benny Andersson and Björn Ulvaeus decided that
the classic ABBA sound should be featured on the MAMMA MIA!
soundtrack and it was also important that the recording stand
alone as a pop music album.
Benny and Björn reunited in Stockholm with the musicians who
played on the original ABBA songs to record the soundtrack in
February, 2007. This was the first time these musicians had
played these songs together since ABBA toured more than 25
years ago.
The fifteen month journey from those first recording sessions to
the completion of the sound-editing in New York could have been
a daunting experience, but for Benny every moment was a revela-
tion.
Along with producing the recording, Benny played keyboards.
Playing together again in the studio, the music came rushing
back. Says Benny, ‘We didn’t have to think about it. It was in the
fingers.’
Setting out to record one or two backing tracks a day, they man-
aged to record all the music beds in less than a week.
The actors joined together for the first time to record their vocals
in London in April, 2007, prior to the commencement of filming,
which began at Pinewood Studios June, 2007, and continued later
that summer on location on the beautiful Greek island paradises
of Skiathos and Skopelos, as well as Damouchari on the Pelion
Peninsula.
Although none of the actors had much experience in the recording
studio, they were undaunted and completely at ease singing the
classic ABBA songs. The sessions were a joyous process which
you can hear on this recording, that not only brings back that fan-
tastic experience of watching the film, but also perfectly captures
the heartwarming, feel-good spirit that is MAMMA MIA!
Honey, Honey
Benny Andersson,
Björn Ulvaeus
& Stig Anderson
Honey, honey
How he thrills me,
aha, honey, honey
Honey, honey
Nearly kills me,
aha, honey, honey
I've heard about him before
I wanted to know some more
And now I know
what they mean,
He’s a love machine
Oh, he makes me dizzy
Honey, honey
Let me feel it,
aha, honey, honey
Honey, honey
Don’t conceal it,
aha, honey, honey
The way that you
kiss goodnight
The way that you
hold me tight
I feel like I wanna sing
When you do your thing
Honey, honey
Touch me, baby,
aha, honey, honey
Honey, honey
Hold me, baby,
aha, honey, honey
You look like a movie star
But I love just who you are
And honey to say the least
You're a doggone beast
Honey, honey
How you thrill me,
aha, honey, honey
Honey, honey
Nearly kill me,
aha, honey, honey
I’ve heard about you before
I wanted to know some more
And now I’m about to see
What you mean to me
Money, Money, Money
Benny Andersson
& Björn Ulvaeus
I work all night,
I work all day
To pay the bills I have to pay
Ain’t it sad?
And still there
never seems to be
A single penny left for me
That's too bad
In my dreams I have a plan
If I got me a wealthy man
I wouldn’t have
to work at all
I’d fool around
and have a ball
Money, money, money
Must be funny
In a rich man’s world
Money, money, money
Always sunny
In a rich man’s world
A-ha
All the things I could do
If I had a little money
It’s a rich man’s world
It’s a rich man’s world
A man like that is
hard to find
But I can't get him
off my mind
Ain’t it sad?
And if he happens to be free
I bet he wouldn’t fancy me
That’s too bad
So I must leave,
I’ll have to go
To Las Vegas or Monaco
And win a fortune
in a game
My life will never
be the same
Money, money, money...
Mamma Mia
Benny Andersson,
Björn Ulvaeus
& Stig Anderson
I was cheated by you
And I think you know when
So I made up my mind
It must come to an end
Look at me now
Will I ever learn?
I don’t know how
But I suddenly lose control
There’s a fire within my soul
Just one look
and I can hear a bell ring
One more look
and I forget everything
Oh
Mamma mia,
here I go again
My, my, how can I resist you?
Mamma mia,
does it show again?
My, my, just how
much I’ve missed you
Yes, I’ve been brokenhearted
Blue since the day we parted
Why, why did I ever
let you go?
Mamma mia,
now I really know
My, my, I should not
have let you go
I was angry and sad
When I knew we were through
I can’t count all the times
I have cried over you
Look at me now
Will I ever learn?
I don’t know how
But I suddenly lose control
There’s a fire within my soul Having the time of your life I still see it all It was like shooting
Just one look Ooh In the tourist jam a sitting duck
and I can hear a bell ring See that girl ‘round the Notre Dame A little small-talk, a smile and baby
One more look Watch that scene Our last summer I was stuck
and I forget everything Diggin’ the Dancing Queen Walking hand in hand I still don’t know what you’ve done
with me
Oh You’re a teaser, Paris restaurants
A grown-up woman
Mamma mia, you turn ‘em on Our last summer
should never fall so easily
here I go again... Leave ’em burning and then you’re Morning croissants
I feel a kind of fear
gone Living for the day
Dancing Queen Looking out for another Worries far away When I don’t have you near
Benny Andersson, Unsatisfied
Anyone will do Our last summer
Björn Ulvaeus I skip my pride
You’re in the mood We could laugh and play
& Stig Anderson I beg you dear
for a dance And now you’re
And when you get the chance working in a bank Don’t go wasting
Ooh your emotion
You can dance You are the Dancing Queen... A family man
A football fan Lay all your love on me
You can jive Don’t go sharing your
Having the time of your life Our Last Summer And your name is Harry
devotion
Ooh Benny Andersson & How dull it seems
Lay all your love on me
See that girl Björn Ulvaeus Are you the hero of my dreams?
I’ve had a few little love affairs
Watch that scene I can still recall
I can still recall our last summer... They didn’t last very long and they’ve
Diggin’ the Dancing Queen Our last summer been pretty scarce
Friday night and the I still see it all I used to think that
Lay All Your Love
lights are low Walks along the Seine was sensible
On Me
Looking out for a place to go Laughing in the rain It makes the truth even more
Benny Andersson &
Where they play Our last summer incomprehensible
Björn Ulvaeus
the right music Memories that remain ‘cause everything is new
Getting in the swing We made our way Don’t go wasting And everything is you
You’ve come to look for a king along the river your emotion And all I’ve learned
Anybody could be that guy And we sat down Lay all your love on me Has overturned
Night is young and the in the grass I wasn’t jealous What can I do?
music’s high By the Eiffel Tower before we met Don’t go wasting
With a bit of rock music I was so happy we had met Now every man that your emotion...
Everything’s fine It was the age of no regret I see is a potential threat
You’re in the mood Oh yes And I’m possessive,
for a dance Those crazy years, it isn’t nice
And when you get the chance that was the time You’ve heard me saying that smok-
You are the Dancing Queen Of the flower-power ing was my only vice
Young and sweet But underneath But now it isn’t true
Only seventeen We had a fear of flying Now everything is new
Dancing Queen Of growing old And all I’ve learned
Feel the beat from A fear of slowly dying Has overturned
the tambourine We took a chance I beg of you
Like we were dancing Don’t go wasting
Oh yeah
our last dance your emotion
You can dance
You can jive I can still recall
our last summer Lay all your love on me
Super Trouper But it’s gonna be all right It’s so different from the world I’m Could you feel the same way too? I know what you think Where are those happy days Does Your
Benny Andersson & Everything will be so different livin’ in I wanna know The girl means business so They seem so hard to find Mother Know
Björn Ulvaeus When I’m on the stage tonight Tired of TV The name of the game I’ll offer her a drink I try to reach for you, Benny Andersson &
Tonight the I open the window and I have no friends Lookin’ mighty proud but you have closed your mind Björn Ulvaeus
Super Trouper Whatever happened
Super Trouper… I gaze into the night No one to see I see you leave your table, pushin’
lights are gonna find me You’re so hot, teasing me
So I’ll be there when you arrive But there’s nothing there And I am never invited through the crowd to our love?
But I won’t feel blue So you’re blue
The sight of you will prove to me I’m to see, no one in sight Now I am here I’m really glad you came I wish I understood
Like I always do But I can’t take a chance
still alive Is there a man out there? Talking to you It used to be so nice,
‘cause somewhere in the crowd You know the rules, you know on a kid like you
And when you take me in your arms Someone to hear my prayer No wonder I get excited it used to be so good
there’s you the game It’s something I couldn’t do
And hold me tight Gimme! Gimme!... Your smile, and the sound of your So when you’re near me,
I was sick and tired Master of the scene There’s that look in your eyes
I know it’s gonna mean so much voice darling can’t you hear me
of everything We’ve done it all before I can read in your face
tonight The Name And the way you see through me SOS
When I called you last And now we’re back to get That your feelings
Tonight the Of The Game Got a feeling, you give me no choice The love you gave me,
night from Glasgow some more are driving you wild
Super Trouper… Benny Andersson, And it means a lot to me nothing else can save me
All I do is eat and Ah, but boy you’re only
Björn Ulvaeus & So I wanna know You know what I mean SOS
sleep and sing a child
Gimme! Gimme! Gimme! (A Stig Anderson What’s the name of the game? … Voulez-vous (A-ha) When you’re gone
Wishing every show was Well I could dance
Man Take it now or leave it (A-ha) How can I even try to go on?
the last show with you honey
After Midnight) I’ve seen you twice Voulez-Vous Now is all we get (A-ha) When you’re gone
So imagine I was glad to hear you’re If you think it’s funny
Benny Andersson & In a short time Benny Andersson & Nothing promised, no regrets Though I try how can
coming Does your mother
Björn Ulvaeus Only a day since we started Björn Ulvaeus Voulez-vous (A-ha) I carry on?
Suddenly I feel all right And it’s It seems to me know that you’re out?
Ain’t no big decision (A-ha) You seem so far away
gonna be so different Half past twelve For every time People everywhere And I could chat with you baby
Though you are standing near
When I’m on the stage tonight And I’m watching the late show in I’m getting more A sense of expectation hangin’ in the You know what to do (A-ha) Flirt a little maybe
You made me feel alive
Tonight the my flat all alone open-hearted air La question c’est voulez-vous Does your mother
But something died I fear
Super Trouper lights How I hate to spend the evening on Your smile and the sound Givin’ out a spark And here we go again know that you’re out?
I really tried to make it out
are gonna find me my own of your voice Across the room your eyes are We know the start, we know the end Take it easy
I wish I understood
Shining like the sun Autumn winds And the way you see through me glowin’ in the dark Masters of the scene Take it easy
What happened to our love,
Smiling, having fun, Blowin’ outside my window as I look Got a feeling, you give me no choice And here we go again We’ve done it all before Better slow down boy
It used to be so good
Feeling like a number one around the room And it means a lot to me We know the start, we know the end That’s no way to go
And now we’re back to get some So when you’re near me,
Tonight the And it makes me so depressed to see So I wanna know Masters of the scene Does your mother know?
more darling can’t you hear me
Super Trouper beams the gloom What’s the name of the game? We’ve done it all before Take it easy
You know what I mean SOS
are gonna blind me Is there a man out there? Does it mean anything to you? And now we’re back to get some Take it easy
Voulez-vous (A-ha)… The love you gave me,
But I won’t feel blue Someone to hear my prayer What’s the name of the game? more Try to cool it boy
Voulez-vous nothing else can save me
Like I always do Gimme! Gimme! Gimme! Can you feel it the way I do? You know what I mean Play it nice and slow
A-ha, A-ha, A-ha SOS
‘cause somewhere in the A man after midnight Tell me please, ‘cause I have to know Voulez-vous (A-ha) Does your mother know?
Voulez-vous When you’re gone
crowd there’s you Won’t somebody help me I’m a curious child, beginning to Take it now or leave it (A-ha) I can see what you want
How can I even try to go on?
Facing twenty thousand Chase the shadows away grow Now is all we get (A-ha) A-ha, A-ha, A-ha But you seem pretty young
When you’re gone
of your friends Gimme! Gimme! Gimme! And you make me talk Nothing promised, no Voulez-vous (A-ha)… To be searching for
Though I try how can
How can anyone be so lonely A man after midnight And you make me feel regrets that kind of fun
I carry on?
Part of a success Take me through SOS So maybe I’m not the one
And you make me show Voulez-vous (A-ha) So when you’re near me,
that never ends the darkness Benny Andersson, Now you’re so cute,
What I’m trying to conceal Ain’t no big decision (A-ha) darling can’t you hear me
Still I’m thinking To the break of the day Björn Ulvaeus & I like your style
If I trust in you You know what to do (A-ha) SOS
about you only Movie stars Stig Anderson And I know what you mean
Would you let me down? La question c’est voulez-vous And the love you gave me,
There are moments when I think Find the end of the rainbow When you give me
Would you laugh at me Voulez-vous nothing else can save me
I’m going crazy with a fortune to win a flash of that smile
If I said I care for you? SOS
When you’re gone... But boy you’re only a child
Well I could dance
with you honey
If you think it’s funny
Does your mother
know that you’re out?
And I could chat
with you baby
Flirt a little maybe
Does your mother
know that you’re out?
Take it easy
Take it easy
Better slow down girl
That’s no way to go
Does your mother know?
Take it easy
Take it easy
Try to cool it girl
Play it nice and slow
Does your mother know?
Well I could dance
with you honey...
Slipping Through
My Fingers
Benny Andersson &
Björn Ulvaeus
Schoolbag in hand
She leaves home
in the early morning
Waving goodbye with an absent-
minded smile
I watch her go with a surge
of that well-known sadness
And I have to sit down
for a while
The feeling that I’m
losing her forever
And without really
entering her world
I’m glad whenever
I can share her laughter
That funny little girl
Slipping through my fingers
all the time
Slipping through my fingers
all the time
Do I really see what’s
in her mind
Each time I think
I'm close to knowing
She keeps on growing
Slipping through my fingers
all the time
Sleep in our eyes
Her and me at the
breakfast table
Barely awake,
I let precious time go by
Then when she’s gone
There’s that odd
melancholy feeling
And a sense of guilt
I can’t deny
What happened to those
wonderful adventures
The places I had planned
for us to go
Well, some of that we did but most
we didn’t
And why I just don’t know
Slipping through my fingers
all the time...
Sometimes I wish that
I could freeze the picture
And save it from the
funny tricks of time
Slipping through my
fingersSchoolbag in hand
She leaves home
in the early morning
Waving goodbye with an absent-
minded smile
The Winner
Takes It All
Benny Andersson &
Björn Ulvaeus
I don’t want to talk
About things we’ve
gone through
Though it’s hurting me
Now it's history
I’ve played all my cards
And that’s what you’ve done too
Nothing more to say
No more ace to play
The winner takes it all
The loser standing small
Beside the victory
That’s her destiny
I was in your arms
Thinking I belonged there
I figured it made sense
Building me a fence
Building me a home
Thinking I’d be strong there
But I was a fool
Playing by the rules
The gods may throw the dice
Their minds as cold as ice
And someone way down here
Loses someone dear
The winner takes it all
The loser has to fall
t's simple and it’s plain
Why should I complain
Tell me does she kiss
Like I used to kiss you?
Does it feel the same
When she calls your name?
Somewhere deep inside
You must know I miss you
But what can I say
Rules must be obeyed
The judges will decide
The likes of me abide
Spectators of the show
Always staying low
The game is on again In our lives we have walked, When I dream I Have A Dream
A lover or a friend some strange and lonely treks I’m alone with you Benny Andersson &
A big thing or a small Slightly worn but dignified It’s magic Björn Ulvaeus
The winner takes it all and not too old for sex You want me to leave it there
I don’t wanna talk Clear-headed and open-eyed Afraid of a love affair I have a dream
‘cause it makes me feel sad With nothing left untried But I think you know A song to sing
And I understand Standing calmly at the To help me cope
That I can’t let go
You’ve come to shake my hand crossroads, no desire to run With anything
If you change your mind
I apologize There’s no hurry any more If you see the wonder
I’m the first in line
If it makes you feel bad when all is said and done Of a fairy tale
Honey, I’m still free
Seeing me so tense Standing calmly at the You can take the future
Take a chance on me
No self-confidence – but you see crossroads… Even if you fail
If you need me, let me know
The winner takes it all I believe in angels
Gonna be around
The winner takes it all Take A Chance On Me Something good in
If you’ve got no place to go
The game is on again Benny Andersson & everything I see
When you’re feeling down
A lover or a friend Björn Ulvaeus
If you’re all alone I believe in angels
A big thing or a small
When the pretty birds have flown When I know the time
The winner takes it all If you change your mind
Honey I’m still free is right for me
The winner... I’m the first in line
Take a chance on me I’ll cross the stream
Honey, I’m still free
Gonna do my very best I have a dream
When All Is Said Take a chance on me
And it ain’t no lie I have a dream
And Done If you need me, let me know
If you put me to the test A fantasy
Benny Andersson & Gonna be around
If you’ve got no place to go If you let me try To help me through
Björn Ulvaeus Take a chance on me Reality
When you’re feeling down
Here’s to us one more toast Take a chance on me And my destination
If you’re all alone
and then we’ll pay the bill Oh you can take Makes it worth the while
When the pretty birds have flown
Deep inside both of us your time baby Pushing through the
Honey I’m still free
could feel the autumn chill Take a chance on me I’m in no hurry darkness
Birds of passage, you and me Gonna do my very best I know I’m gonna get you Still another mile
We fly instinctively And it ain’t no lie You don’t wanna hurt me I believe in angels
When the summer’s over and the If you put me to the test Baby don’t worry Something good in
dark clouds hide the sun If you let me try I ain’t gonna let you everything I see
Neither you nor I’m to blame Take a chance on me Let me tell you now I believe in angels
My love is strong enough
when all is said and done Take a chance on me When I know the time
To last when things are rough
It’s been there in my dreams, this We can go dancing is right for me
It’s magic
scene I see unfold We can go walking I’ll cross the stream
You say that I waste my time
True at last, flesh and blood, As long as we’re together I have a dream...
o cherish and to hold But I can’t get
Listen to some music
Careless fools will suffer, yes you off my mind
Maybe just talking
No I can’t let go
I know and I confess You’d get to know me better
Once I lost my way when something ‘cause I love you so
‘cause you know I’ve got
good had just begun If you change your mind...
So much that I wanna do
Lesson learned, it’s history when all
is said and done
MAMMA MIA! Musicians Choir Produced and Additional Recording Cover Photography Executive Producers ADDITIONAL CREDITS
THE MOVIE Piano & Keyboards Anna Afzelius arranged by by Steve Price, Chris Lorenzo Agius Judy Craymer, Björn FOR MUSIC IN
SOUNDTRACK CREDITS Benny Andersson Tobias Ahlsell Benny Andersson Barrett, Andy Dudman Photography Ulvaeus and Benny MAMMA MIA! THE MOVIE
Bass & Bouzouki Anki Albertsson Recorded by Peter Mountain Andersson for Littlestar
Cast Rutger Gunnarsson Anna Andersson Bernard Löhr Music Recorded at Photograph of Services Limited Supervising Music
Donna Meryl Streep Drums Michael Blomqvist Mixed by Mono Music Studio, Benny Andersson Editor
Sam Pierce Per Lindvall Magnus Borén Benny Andersson and Stockholm Mona Nörklit P 2008 and © 2008 Tony Lewis
Brosnan Guitars & Bouzouki Robert Carlson Bernard Löhr Atlantis Studio, Music Editor
Sara Dahlgren CD packaging designed A Littlestar Services
Harry Colin Firth Lasse Wellander Musical Director & Stockholm Limited Production. Robert Houston
Bill Stellan Percussion Johanna Eriksson Conductor Air Studios, by Dewynters Music Supervisor
Hans Johansson Logo design and CD
Skarsgård Jörgen Stenberg Martin Lowe Lyndhurst Hall packaging ©Littlestar Becky Bentham
Rosie Julie Walters Thérèse Löf Angel Studios, London For Littlestar Services
Acoustic Guitars Orchestral Services Limited. Assistant Music
Sky Dominic Lasse Jonsson Markus Lönneborg Limited
Arrangements Abbey Road Studios, Supervisor
Cooper Jenny Miina Business & Finance
Flute, Piccola and Göran Arnberg London Director Song credits Abbie Lister
Sophie Amanda Baritone Saxophone Mats Nilsson
Robin Olsson Orchestra Contractor Ashley Grisdale All songs published by Score Programmer/
Seyfried Jan Bengtson Isobel Griffiths
Tanya Christine Henrik Orwander Music Mixed at Marketing & Universal/Union Songs Additional
Recorder, Clarinet Martin Redhe Nord Orchestra Leader Mono Music Studio, Orchestrations
Baranski and Saxophones Communications AB. 1778415.
Pepper Philip Michael Stefan Rundqvist Thomas Bowes Stockholm Manager Rupert Christie
Pär Grebacken Music Co-ordinator
Ali Ashley Lilley Anna Rydgren Claire Teare
Alto Saxophone Jesper Sjölander Görel Hanser Music Mastered at
Lisa Rachel Perra Moraeus Marketing & ...and thanks to
McDowall Cecilia Skarby Assistant Music Sterling Sound Studio, Communications
Trumpet everyone who has
Robert Skowronski Co-ordinator New York by Co-ordinator
Leif Lindvall worked on this film.
Children of the Lotta Lillieström George Marino Liz McGinity
Tuba Italia Conti School Stenberg
Calle Jakobsson
Bouzouki, Guitar,
Violin
Kalle Moraeus