Ever since school started 3 weeks ago, I’ve been desperately trying to savour the last remnants of the summer, and nothing reminds me of summer more than the Mamma Mia soundtracks. So here are my opinions on all the songs from the Mamma Mia movie soundtrack rated from best to worst, based on the song, the singing, and its scene in the movie:
- Slipping Through My Fingers- Beautiful. I’ve never watched this part in the movie and not cried. Meryl Streep and Amanda Seyfried are both brilliant singers. The speaking part during the song when Sophie asks Donna if she’s letting her down before they proceed to sing together is probably the reason Mamma Mia is my favourite movie. I could quite literally talk about everything I love about this scene for hours.
- Mamma Mia- As the titular song, I felt this deserved second place, but even if it weren’t Mamma Mia would still place at the top. This incredibly written song brilliantly performed by Meryl Streep on the roof of the old goat house is one of the most fun and suspenseful songs in the whole movie, and the movie would not be the same, or exist really, without it.
- Super Trouper- This performance is the best thing they could’ve possibly done with this song. It is complete and utter perfection from the motioning for the staff to play the backing track to the “look, look, look, look, look” as they turned around as part of the choreography, not to mention the amazing singing, and the “world’s first girl power band”. Truly excellent all around.
- Honey, Honey- Starting off the soundtrack, this song exemplifies the fun, playful atmosphere of the whole movie and is sung perfectly. The scene is so much fun, and the scenery is beautiful, one of my absolute favourites!
- When All Is Said And Done- This song also makes me cry, the setting for the scene is so beautiful and it’s just got such good energy. There is not a single bad thing I can say about this song, I absolutely adore it.
- Dancing Queen- “You are the dancing queen, young and sweet, only seventeen” so these lyrics are obviously very heartfelt to me because I am only seventeen (please understand the reference). In all seriousness, this is the ultimate hype song and an absolute favourite of mine, and the scene is one of the most fun to watch and recreate.
- Our Last Summer- The aesthetic of this song is one of my favourites in the whole movie, and the song is one of my favourites, I just have to give it minus points for only average singing on the part of the dads.
- The Winner Takes It All- This song literally combines my two favourite things: Meryl Streep and Greece. This song is so beautiful and she sings and acts it perfectly.
- Does Your Mother Know- The singing? Impeccable. The dancing? Impeccable. Christine Baranski? Impeccable.
- Sos- While Pierce Brosnan is a… questionable singer, this is one of the most emotional, catchy, and brilliantly written songs, which all make up for the lack of singing skills. The scene is staged beautifully, from the preparations for the wedding to the iconic back-to-back wall shot, it’s truly brilliantly shot.
- Lay All Your Love On Me- Everything about this song and scene is absolute perfection from the song to the flash mob, the only reason it’s this low is because of Dominic Cooper’s singing and Dominic Cooper’s singing only.
- Take A Chance On Me- Having sung this song in my old school’s production “Broadway 91st Street”, I have a special place in my heart for this song. It’s excellently sung and terribly funny, and Julie Walters is a gem.
- Money, Money, Money- Meryl Streep’s incredible voice is exemplified in this song, and the scene is so much fun to watch. I have nothing negative to say about this song, the only reason this is so low is because I love the others more.
- Chiquitita- The only reason this is so low down is because it’s not actually technically in the soundtrack. Otherwise, it’s the perfect moment of comedy paired with wonderful singing.
- Voulez-Vous- This scene is truly spectacular from the dancing to the realisations of the fathers. That said, the singing is only okay, and it’s not the best song in the soundtrack, although still brilliant.
- I Have A Dream- This is an excellent song and really beautifully performed, and the fact that this song bookends the movie is really brilliant. I’m not a fan of the backing voices though, and the scenes with the song are only good in the full context of the movie, but taken alone, they’re quite boring.
- Gimme! Gimme! Gimme!- I have to admit, I do love this song and the scene in the movie. This is definitely the least best rather than one of the worst.
- The Name of the Game- As much as I love this song and think it’s excellently sung, I do think they made a good decision to cut this song from the movie as it just does not seem like a father/daughter song.
- Thank You For The Music- While Amanda Seyfried sings this beautifully, it’s just a bit boring for my taste. It also loses points for not being a part of the movie, however it is the perfect note on which to end.
In doing this, I actually managed to learn a couple of things. Firstly, all of the songs from the soundtrack are amazing. Secondly, no amount of obsessively watching Mamma Mia until you know every word, action, and expression off by heart will ever prepare you to rank the songs from the soundtrack. And finally, however much I wish it were summer right now, I think I have to face the fact that it is finally over, and instead move onto my autumn music, namely The Greatest Showman and Euphoria soundtracks.
