Mamma Mia: The Story of the Song
Mamma Mia was a song written by the world-famous Swedish band ABBA. This song was released in 1975 after being recorded in a music studio.
Mamma Mia has become a well-known song around the world. It has been translated into different languages, it has reached number one in numerous countries and it has been covered by many other artists, namely Cher and Meryl Streep.
The title of the song “mamma mia” is an Italian expression, although this can be used in English too, meaning “my mother”. It is used to express surprise and exasperation. ABBA rested great importance on their song titles. The band’s manager, Stig Anderson, would often write the title first and it was the band’s task to create a song about this title. The story of this song is about somebody who has been deceived in love and decides to break up with said person, but can’t go through with this and falls in love with this person again and again every time they meet.
One of the key instruments you can hear in the background of this song is the marimba, an African percussion instrument made of wood. This instrument is a key feature in the song but was only added at the very last minute when the band were playing around with different instruments in the recording studio. It’s believed that the striking sound of this instrument matched well with the rhythm of the song.
Mamma Mia has gone on to be the title of a film sequel and a theatre production in the biggest theatrical cities in the world, including London’s West End and New York’s Broadway.
