With Amanda Seyfried recently confirming it’s on its way, Nova has the Mamma Mia 3 soundtrack ready to go, we’re breaking down the best ABBA classics not appearing in the series already and which characters should be singing them.
On a recent press tour, Amanda Seyfried had Mamma Mia fans’ hearts racing with teasers of a third installment. She told The Hollywood Reporter that hold ups could be due to Universal Studios’ focus on releasing Wicked: For Good later this year, and that with such a star studded cast, scheduling is always difficult.
So, to do our part of moving production along, or at least provide fans with the perfect playlist to tide themselves through another summer fantasising about love affairs on Greek islands, we have compiled a list of the best ABBA songs not yet appearing in Mamma Mia 1 or 2.
For the best listen-along experience, here is the full playlist:
Ring Ring
Perhaps the most conspicuous omission from the first two movies, this was the title track of ABBA’s 1973 debut album. Ring Ring is our pick for the movie-opener. Fulfilling the role that When I Kissed the Teacher played in the sequel, Ring Ring would open the threequel with the bang that it deserves, and should be sung by multiple characters as they lament not having heard from each other in a while, right before they come together for more drama, laughs and dancing.
If It Wasn’t For The Nights
Not a single, and not featured on ABBA Gold, this is perhaps our boldest call in this list. The 1979 disco anthem has flown under the radar, and with its release alongside Voulez-Vous, Angeleyes and Does Your Mother Know, it’s easy to understand why. Mamma Mia 3 is it’s time to shine. It perfectly fills the role of every musical’s ‘I want’ song, that should be sung by Amanda Seyfried’s Sophie as she laments the unhappiness that motivates action at the start of the movie.
Summer Night City
If there’s one thing a Mamma Mia movie can’t go without, it’s a party. Summer Night City is our pick for the newest ouzo-fueled montage of chaos, freedom and loose inhibitions at the beating heart of this series. If you don’t crave our heroine spiraling in her crisis while an island of people dance to Summer Night City, this might not be the movie for you.
Hasta Manana
Following its recent spike in popularity as a trending sound on TikTok, Hasta Manana is fresh on the ears of many. Its slow tempo and reminiscent lyrics are perfect for the familial and relationship conflicts that make Mamma Mia tick. Many of the character have reason to miss loved ones but our pick for this 1974 hit is Julie Walter’s Rosie, who’s ongoing love story with Bill is set to be a compelling side story for MM3.
Head Over Heels
ABBA somehow pulled this art-pop anthem seemingly from the future. With production that wouldn’t be out of place on Lady Gaga’s 2025 album MAYHEM. For us, this is the perfect song to capture the mother-daughter angst central to Mamma Mia. Head Over Heels is perfect for any parental figure in a crisis over their daughter, and could be sung by any combination of the fathers, the godmothers, or Sophie herself.
So Long
Waterloo energy meets empowering lyrics. So Long could have been written for Colin Firth’s Headbanger Harry to belt out as a motivational speech in Mamma Mia 3. Thankfully, ABBA had us covered 50 years ago.
Under Attack
As a Mamma Mia ‘feeling the struggle’ song, Under Attack fits like a glove. Give this one to Dominic Cooper and get him to bring that Lay All Your Love On Me energy from the first movie, the rest is taken care of.
Rock Me
If you told me that Stellan Skarsgård was already the person belting this one out on the original 1975 recording I’d believe you. Rock me is the perfect song for the climax of Bill and Rosie’s love story, full of optimism and celebration.
Lovelight
Christine Baranski’s Tanya is our pick to sing this well loved track from 1979. The half-spoken delivery of the verses is perfect for the comedic chops that brought us Does Your Mother Know? In the first movie.
That’s Me
With all-time ABBA lyrics like “It’s lonely to be free. But I’m not a man’s toy, I’ll never be.” That’s Me is 3 minutes 15 seconds of wall to wall girl power that our movie can’t live without. Let’s lock-in the rumours of Sabrina Carpenter playing Sophie’s daughter and give this one to her.
Eagle
Much has been speculated about Meryl Streep’s potential return to the series and what better way to deliver on such high hopes than our beloved Donna singing this ABBA classic. It’s a song of self love, high hopes and achievement. The perfect showstopper to finish the trilogy, sung by a radiant Donna from beyond the grave. The perfect moment, the perfect performer, the perfect song.
