I Rank The Mama Mia! Soundtrack | The Odyssey Online
Start writing a post
Entertainment

I Rank The Mama Mia! Soundtrack

Tag along as I rank the soundtrack of Mama Mia! The Movie so I can feel something again.

209
I Rank The Mama Mia! Soundtrack
media.giphy.com

While I acknowledge that this movie was released in 2008, and there are other things I should be concerned with, I still feel as though Mama Mia! Original Motion Picture Soundtrack did not receive adequate praise. So I'm here to provide a ranking of the entire soundtrack of this 2000s jukebox romantic comedy musical whether you asked for it or not. I will be considering both the music and the scene to choose each song's rank. If you haven't seen this movie yet, first of all: you're dead to me, and second: please watch Mama Mia! immediately and revisit this. I'm going to play the soundtrack and rank the songs as I listen; I recommend you do the same!


1. Lay All Your Love On Me

The connection between Sophie and her fiancé in this song and steamy beach scene is overpowering. The young love and sexual energy between them is so apparent in their lusting body language and the lyrics of this ABBA masterpiece. Amanda Seyfried's beautiful voice laced with an ensemble of female background singers is absolutely angelic. The gorgeous male backup singers running out on the dock with choreography, flippers, and tiny swim trunks.... muah chef's kiss.

2. Dancing Queen

Who hasn't thrown their arms up and left it all on the dance floor to this iconic tune? We all want to be the dancing queen, young and sweet, only seventeen again. Parading through the streets of a Greek island in costume with the entire town singing and dancing behind you? Don't tell me that's not your ultimate dream in life. Even if you don't fantasize about Greek flash mobs, Dancing Queen is an absolute classic, an amazing party song, and a timeless tune that will be enjoyed for all of eternity.

3. Voulez-Vous

This song adorns the bachelor party's infiltration of the bachelorette party, and is impeccable in its chaotic and animal nature. The scene begins with the masked men climbing up the side of the mountain to meet the calling women. The men swing into the party on ropes and after a mad rush to find dance partners, the fiery rotating dance sequence begins around the soon-to-be-weds. The high energy and wild choreography puts this song at number three on my ranking list.

4. Mama Mia

ABBA, you really outdid yourself on this one. I can't even help myself from belting out the lyrics to this song with explosive emotion and aggressive jazz hands. Whenever I hear that little piano riff at the beginning, I get ready for my performance of a lifetime. Donna's (Meryl Streep) sudden discovery of her three ex-lovers and her dramatic display across the island will always be iconic.

5. Money, Money, Money

Rhythmic piano beats, fantasy yacht scenes, and Meryl Streep wailing out in despair… What more could you ask for? Donna fantasizes about her dream life while she's stuck running the old hotel and has a choreographed entourage of islanders enhance her performance, of course. This song is so undeniably catchy, there's no way you'll be able to resist joining in on the locals' chimes of, "Ain't it sad?" and "That's too bad!"

6. Gimme! Gimme! Gimme!

The initial rugged electric guitar riffs and the rather aggressive violin sequence that swoops in really lets the audience know what they're in for on this one: chaos. A cultish vibe is set for the bachelorette party scene; complete with spinning camera shots, dancing in the tiki-torch night, and an underlying note of human sacrifice. The hungry women scour the island for male companionship, and when they find men (two of Sophia's possible fathers) the girls drag them onto the dance floor. The beautiful women tie the men up and run their hands all over them while this amazing song blares at the party. Obviously, I love this scene.

7. Take a Chance on Me

After every other character has found love in the movie, Rosie gets up on the tables at the wedding reception and pursues Bill very aggressively and publicly… amazing stuff. Bill's horror combined with the crowd's support of Rosie's unapologetic flirting and man-chasing is a crowd pleaser. To top things off, the song ends nicely with a happily-ever-after feeling.

8. Does Your Mother Know?

When a MUCH younger man tries his chances with an experienced woman like Tanya (Christine Baranski), she reminds him that "Little boys who play with fire get their fingers burned." It's perfect to watch this beautiful, powerful, older woman be swooned over by a bunch of young men with her response being, "Does your mother know that you're out?" This song is such a flirtatious and comical moment to break up the dramatics of the film.

9. Super Trouper

I love this song, the choreography, the costumes, and the badass energy that these three older women serve in this performance. Donna and the Dynamos have really done it again. This amazing performance shows you that these ladies will never lose their youthful glow and their infinite bond with each other. And the baritone shoop-ba-ba… you just can't beat it.

10. Honey, Honey

Sophie reads her mother's diary of old loves during this song and reenacts some of the readings with her friends who double as backup singers. The playful nature of this song along with the naughty stories of her mother's youth always puts a smile on my face. Honey, Honey is a cheery sing-along and an amazing start to the film that sets the stage for the entire movie.

11. Our Last Summer

Although this is a slower, more heartfelt song compared to the other timeless bops, I still love this song. It's a feel good tune that creates sweet nostalgia and sets up the relationship between Sophie and her three possible dads. Old men reminiscing on their glory days is always interesting, I guess.

12. SOS

This is definitely near the bottom end of the ranking list but I enjoy this song nonetheless. While Sam and Donna play cat and mouse with their emotional past, they sing to one another but the other person never seems to hear their lover's desperate calls. It's no Dancing Queen of course, but it's a song to reconcile old love, and I can appreciate that.

13. Slipping Through My Fingers

I'll admit, this one is a tear-jerker, but it paints a beautiful picture of eternal motherly love. As Sophie gets ready for her wedding, her mother sings the ultimate anthem of growing up too fast as they share beautiful moments together in this emotionally charged song. But I'm pretty sad at this point so this song is getting bumped down a few ranks.

14. The Winner Takes It All

Meryl, please, take mercy on my heart; I can't stand this sadness. I purposefully listen to Mama Mia! to boost my mood and I literally just started crying. Although this is not what I came here for, the dramatics of this scene are on point as Sam yells streetcar-style, "Donna!" up the mountainside by the end of the song.


I did promise a ranking of the entire soundtrack, however, there are three more songs on the soundtrack that I didn't cover: When All Is Said And Done, The Name Of The Game, and I Have A Dream. These songs and scenes are way too boring and insignificant to include on my ranking of the most amazing songs of Mama Mia! The Movie. This has been a great time, and I'm in such a better mood from all of the signing and jazz hands I just did… I hope this brought some joy to you as well!

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Entertainment

15 Times Michael Scott's Life Was Worse Than Your Life

Because have you ever had to endure grilling your foot on a George Foreman?

1611
Michael Scott
NBC

Most of the time, the world's (self-proclaimed) greatest boss is just that, the greatest. I mean, come on, he's Michael Freakin' Scott after all! But every once in a while, his life hits a bit of a speed bump. (or he actually hits Meredith...) So if you personally are struggling through a hard time, you know what they say: misery loves company! Here are 15 times Michael Scott's life was worse than your life:

Keep Reading...Show less
Featured

12 Midnight NYE: Fun Ideas!

This isn't just for the single Pringles out there either, folks

16413
Friends celebrating the New Years!
StableDiffusion

When the clock strikes twelve midnight on New Year's Eve, do you ever find yourself lost regarding what to do during that big moment? It's a very important moment. It is the first moment of the New Year, doesn't it seem like you should be doing something grand, something meaningful, something spontaneous? Sure, many decide to spend the moment on the lips of another, but what good is that? Take a look at these other suggestions on how to ring in the New Year that are much more spectacular and exciting than a simple little kiss.

Keep Reading...Show less
piano
Digital Trends

I am very serious about the Christmas season. It's one of my favorite things, and I love it all from gift-giving to baking to the decorations, but I especially love Christmas music. Here are 11 songs you should consider adding to your Christmas playlists.

Keep Reading...Show less
campus
CampusExplorer

New year, new semester, not the same old thing. This semester will be a semester to redeem all the mistakes made in the previous five months.

1. I will wake up (sorta) on time for class.

Let's face it, last semester you woke up with enough time to brush your teeth and get to class and even then you were about 10 minutes late and rollin' in with some pretty unfortunate bed head. This semester we will set our alarms, wake up with time to get ready, and get to class on time!

Keep Reading...Show less
Student Life

The 5 Painfully True Stages Of Camping Out At The Library

For those long nights that turn into mornings when the struggle is real.

3446
woman reading a book while sitting on black leather 3-seat couch
Photo by Seven Shooter on Unsplash

And so it begins.

1. Walk in motivated and ready to rock

Camping out at the library is not for the faint of heart. You need to go in as a warrior. You usually have brought supplies (laptop, chargers, and textbooks) and sustenance (water, snacks, and blanket/sweatpants) since the battle will be for an undetermined length of time. Perhaps it is one assignment or perhaps it's four. You are motivated and prepared; you don’t doubt the assignment(s) will take time, but you know it couldn’t be that long.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments