Every Mamma Mia Song, Ranked

Summary The big musical numbers in Mamma Mia are the most memorable, bringing camp and fun to the film.

Performance-heavy songs stand out, overshadowing the more intimate numbers in ranking.

While vocals may not be perfect, the ensemble's dedication and charm add to the overall appeal of the film.

The movie adaptation of the beloved Broadway smash Mamma Mia was not afraid to go big in terms of its magical musical numbers, which made for some memorable sequences in the film. Instead, the movie brought a lot of camp and fun to the proceedings, which makes it stand out against the more dour and grounded musical interpretations of recent years. Even if the vocals aren't great, it just adds to the charm. The success of Mamma Mia led to a sequel, and there’s been speculation about Mamma Mia 3 for years.

The Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again songs were arguably better performed, but the best songs in Mamma Mia are the most over-the-top, the larger numbers that utilize the ensemble successfully. Meanwhile, the more intimate numbers manage to blow the audience away with the depth of emotional performance from the cast. When all the Mamma Mia songs are ranked, it's clear that the performance-heavy numbers are the standouts. There are still some missing ABBA songs that could be in Mamma Mia 3, but Mamma Mia did a great job weaving the songs into the story.

21 “I Do, I Do, I Do, I Do, I Do”

Sam Proposes To Donna

Mamma Mia is centered around the wedding of Sophie (Amanda Seyfried) and Sky (Dominic Cooper) on the fictional Greek island of Kalokairi, where Sophie grew up with her mother, Donna (Meryl Streep). Sophie grew up not knowing her father and invited three of Donna’s ex-lovers to the wedding in hopes that she’d find out the truth and one of them would be able to walk her down the aisle. When Sophie confessed why she invited the men to their wedding just before the ceremony, Sky didn’t take it well.

Donna and Sam (Pierce Brosnan), one of Sophie’s potential fathers, took over their wedding day. Mamma Mia never reveals Sophie’s real dad, but Sam’s performance of “I Do, I Do, I Do, I Do, I Do” made him her stepfather. Thankfully, with Brosnan’s less-than-stellar vocals, it’s a short performance. It’s all the wedding guests singing the chorus to convince Donna to say “I do” that makes it worthwhile. It’s a touching display from Sam that leads to a happy ending, but the song doesn’t even last a full minute.

20 “Chiquitita”

Tanya & Rosie Cheer Donna Up

“Chiquitita” wasn’t a major hit for ABBA, so perhaps it isn’t surprising that it’s not the best number in Mamma Mia. Still, it’s a sweet performance from Tanya (Christine Baranski) and Rosie (Julie Walters). The Dynamos of Donna and the Dynamos sing the song to Donna to try and cheer her up after she learns about Sophie's surprise wedding guests.

The song itself is all about trying to make someone feel better. The lyrics even include a line about being Chiquitita's “best friend.” Thus, it was the perfect song for Tanya and Rosie to sing. They performed it well, with their voices matching nicely. However, it takes place early in the film and isn’t on the Mamma Mia soundtrack, making it easy to look over.

"Chiqiquita" is not on the Mamma Mia soundtrack because ABBA gave the song's full rights to UNICEF and all proceeds from the song go to charity.

19 “When All Is Said And Done”

Donna & Sam's Wedding Reception

Following a surprise wedding, “When All Is Said and Done” is the song that tells the audience that, despite everything, Donna and Sam get their happy ending. While it’s a sweet song, it’s incredibly slow-paced after everything that has happened up to that point. It doesn’t allow their story to end with the same energy with which it begins. Fortunately, it’s not the last song in Mamma Mia, as that would leave audiences on a much lower note than anticipated.

There are much stronger performances from both Brosnan and Streep in the movie, and it’s not an incredibly memorable song compared to the rest of the Mamma Mia soundtrack. Like “Chiquitita,” it wasn’t a big ABBA song, so it also doesn’t have the benefit of being recognizable to viewers. “When All Is Said and Done” isn’t much of a step up from the song that takes place before it, “I Do.”

18 “SOS”

Donna & Sam Sing About Their Past

As aforementioned, Pierce Brosnan’s vocals are not the strongest. That is not a secret, and it’s not to say that Brosnan is bad. He’s fantastic in the role, and his lack of musical experience actually helps the character by displaying his charm and dedication. He really commits to his performance in “SOS,” and that makes it stand out.

Emotionally, the song is a strong one, but it’s not as gripping as the storyline of Donna watching Sophie grow up. The songs that showcase their mother-daughter relationship rank much higher than the ones selling the love between Donna and Sam. Donna and Sam’s relationship is much better showcased in the sequel movie Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again.

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17 “The Name Of The Game”

Mamma Mia was Amanda Seyfried’s first movie musical, but not her last, as it allowed her to show off her vocals. Seyfried sounds great on this version of “Name Of The Game.” It’s a slower-paced track, but it’s used to move the mystery of who Sophie’s father is forward.

Sophie questions whether it’s really Bill (Stellan Skarsgård) who is her father, which is who Seyfried wanted Sophie’s dad to be in Mamma Mia. While the performance is good, it’s overshadowed by so many other songs in the movie. The cast really excels in the big musical numbers, so it’s not a highly-ranked track for Mamma Mia.

A deleted Mamma Mia scene saw Sophie and Bill performing "Name Of The Game" together.

16 “Our Last Summer”

A Montage Of Sophie Hanging Out With Bill, Harry & Sam

This song marks the first time the audience gets to hear Colin Firth sing, and he’s surprisingly great. While he, like most of the cast, is not a professionally trained singer, his voice works well for a man who gave up his “rock and roll days.” Brosnan and Skarsgård joining him for the song, in which their characters tell Sophie about their past with her mother, works very well.

It’s not a high-energy song, which is why it doesn’t appeal to all Mamma Mia fans. It gives a great breather when watching the movie though, allowing for a quiet moment with all the fast-paced sequences of Sophie trying to figure out who her father is and Donna trying to avoid her past.

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15 “Waterloo”

Mamma Mia's End-Credits Sequence

“Waterloo” is performed by the cast during Mamma Mia’s end-credits sequence, but it doesn’t actually make it onto the soundtrack. That’s a shame since it’s a fun sequence for any movie fan who decides to watch the credits all the way through. The vocals aren’t perfect, but the entire group clearly had a good time recording it, which is what makes the song enjoyable.

Of course, “Waterloo” isn’t the best song in the first Mamma Mia song because there’s a better performance of it in the sequel. The song’s later performance, in the middle of a restaurant, puts the credit sequence to shame. For fans who have seen both, it's undeniable, Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again has the better “Waterloo.”

14 “I Have A Dream”

Mamma Mia's Opening Number

Like “Waterloo,” “I Have A Dream” gets rerecorded for the sequel as well. While Amanda Seyfried sings part of the song in the first movie, Lily James gets to sing more of it in the sequel. Seyfried’s voice, however, is showcased extremely well on the actual soundtrack album.

Unlike most of the other songs in Mamma Mia, “I Have A Dream” doesn’t get a big on-screen performance, but it still ranks well among them all. That’s because Seyfried makes the song an earnest explanation of what her character wants. Even when listening to the soundtrack without a scene to accompany it, Seyfried sells Sophie’s longing.

13 “Thank You For The Music”

Mamma Mia's Credits Song

“Thank You For The Music” does not appear in the movie proper, appearing in the end credits. It is also a bonus track on the CD version of Mamma Mia’s soundtrack. It’s paired with “I Have A Dream,” and the song plays after several seconds of silence when fans might have thought the song had ended. The ABBA track is a love letter to music, one of the very things that make fans love the movie so much.

Again, Amanda Seyfried gets the solo honors, and her voice is showcased beautifully. The song works as one that speaks for the fans, the characters, and the actors themselves. “Thank You For The Music” can also be directed at ABBA, whose music was the basis for the jukebox musical.

12 "Gimme! Gimme! Gimme! (A Man After Midnight)"

Sophie's Bachelorette Party

This ensemble number takes place at the bachelorette party after the attendees find two of Sophie's dads. The women crowd around Harry and Bill and tie them up to a post. It’s clear that the party wasn't what the women were expecting, and that the arrival of the men provided them with the type of entertainment they were craving.

Although the number is brief, it has great energy, and the music showcases the disco flair that makes ABBA's music so catchy. “Gimme! Gimme! Gimme! (A Man After Midnight)” was a hit for ABBA, and Mamma Mia does it justice. The movie doesn't need this particular number to be long because it's followed up with another number almost immediately.

11 “Voulez-Vous”

Sophie's Bachelorette Party Continues

"Voulez-Vous" is actually paired with the previous Mamma Mia song, as they both make the scene for the frantic-paced bachelorette party. The song takes place when the men and the women of the island are all together for a dance party. Arguably, the dance sequences here are better than “Dancing Queen.”

There’s some impressive footwork chronicled by the cameras for the song. However, the actual scene is chaotic and tense, showcasing Sophie’s confusion about who her biological father is and who wants to walk her down the aisle. Unfortunately, Seyfried never wants to hear this Mamma Mia song again, as she was embarrassed by her own dancing in the scene.

10 “Slipping Through My Fingers”

Donna & Sophie Get Ready For The Wedding

“Slipping Through My Fingers” is one of the prettiest songs in the Mamma Mia movies. While Donna laments how quickly Sophie is growing up, the song itself blends Streep’s and Seyfried’s vocals for some killer harmonies. The lyrics are equally beautiful, and they’re acted out perfectly.

Though the movies are fun spectacles involving huge dance numbers, comedies of errors, and reminiscing about lost love, the heart of the movie is Donna and Sophie’s relationship. The mother and daughter are extremely close, and they only want each other to be happy. Songs like this one remind the audience what the real heart of the movie is.

9 "Take A Chance On Me"

Towards the end of Mamma Mia, when it’s been established that Sam and Donna are going to have their happy ending, self-proclaimed "lone wolf" Rosie gives Bill an interesting proposition. She marches onto the table and proposes that she and Bill go out. The song is wonderfully upbeat and showcases Rosie's firecracker personality.

Although Bill's singing isn't that great, the nervousness in his voice accurately reflects his feelings during this scene. The performances are outlandish, but it works for the campy vibe the movie has. It’s also a much-needed energy boost following “I Do” and “When All Is Said and Done.”

8 "Super Trouper"

Donna And The Dynamos Perform At Sophie's Bachelorette Party

As a wedding gift, Donna, Rosie, and Tanya reunite their girl band from when they were younger for a special performance at Sophie’s bachelorette party. The best part of this performance is the choreography and costuming. The three women are perfectly coordinated in shiny disco jumpsuits and platform boots.

Streep also takes advantage of her wonderfully dramatic sleeves by incorporating them into her dance routine by swaying them back and forth to the music. It's a fun performance, and it's clear that Sophie is their biggest fan. Knowing the history behind Donna and the Dynamos thanks to Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again makes this performance even sweeter.

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7 "Does Your Mother Know"

This flirty number involves Tanya and a younger man who works on the island. It features the standout vocals of Baranski as well as a quirky dance routine on the beach that is full of fun stunts. Baranski's strong vocals and charismatic presence make this scene a very amusing watch. She shows the man who's boss and completely owns her sexuality. Baranski's performance would be as much at home on a Broadway stage as it is on the movie set, making theater lovers in the audience want to see the Broadway version of the story.

6 "Money, Money, Money"

In this relatable scene, Donna sings about her financial woes. As she shows her friends around the hotel, she comes to the realization that it is falling apart, which triggers her to break out into song to vocalize her frustrations.

The number balances out harsh realities with a fantasy scenario in which Donna doesn't have to worry about money. The fantasy sequence takes place on a large ship and has Streep in an amazingly dramatic stance at the front of the boat. It definitely showcases the dream of being rich without that sort of financial pressure that Donna finds herself suffering under.

5 "The Winner Takes It All"

Although many of Mamma Mia's greatest musical moments come from scenes that include elaborate choreography and backup vocals, this number, in which Donna tells Sam that she is done stressing over their relationship, is able to match them in energy due to Streep's powerhouse presence. It's a simple scene, but she cranks up the drama to the maximum.

Although Streep's voice is challenged in this song, she manages to blow the audience away. From the loud belting lines to the softer moments, viewers can really feel the emotion in the scene through Streep's voice. Her performance is aided by the gorgeous setting, most notably the dramatic mountainside staircase she has to run up towards the end of the song.

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4 "Lay All Your Love On Me"

"Lay All Your Love On Me" is a duet between Sophie and Sky (Dominic Cooper) before Sky's bachelor party. Within the song, Sky processes his love for Sophie and assures her that he is the only man she needs in her life.

The song plays up the chemistry between Seyfriend and Cooper to display the strong attraction between Sophie and Sky and the sexual tension that has built up in the days leading to their wedding. It's fun, sexy, and includes a hilarious dance sequence in which Sky and his groomsman dance on the dock in flippers. This one is an easy fan favorite.

3 "Honey, Honey"

In Sophie's first big number, she reads excerpts from her mother's diary to her friends in an attempt to figure out who her father is. ​​​The song is very sweet and youthful, showcasing Amanda Seyfried's singing abilities. With only her friends helping with background vocals, Seyfried's voice is center stage. Her face beams with happiness and excitement, and the energy she puts into the performance sets a standard for the rest of the film.

The song was also released as a single for the soundtrack internationally. It actually made the Top 100 charts in several countries around the world thanks to Seyfried's infectious enthusiasm.

2 "Mamma Mia"

The titular song is performed after Donna finds her three ex-lovers hiding out in her goathouse. It reflects the shock she feels when she sees them, as well as the flood of other emotions that come from seeing people from your past.

The music at the beginning of "Mamma Mia" does an excellent job of building anticipation before Donna finally breaks out into song. Streep is fabulous in this number. She juggles the vocal requirements, choreography, and physical comedy with ease. Fans will see this number performed very differently by Lily James in the sequel, but both versions are perfect for Donna's character.