[troutman]

http://www.allmusic.com/song/mamma-mia-mt0009209472

Although they started off with simple Eurovision-styled ditties like "People Need Love" and "Honey Honey," the songwriting team of Bjorn Ulvaeus and Benny Andersson rapidly progressed in prowess until they were able to craft pop nuggets that were almost symphonic in their complexity. "Mamma Mia" is a great example of this duo's ability to create densely crafted yet totally accessible tunes. The song draws its strength from a complex yet catchy melody full of serpentine twists that give it an almost Asian flavor. To give the song added variety, Ulvaeus and Anderson add a couple of melodic surprises in the form of a punchy pre-chorus bridge whose dramatic staccato sound revs listeners up for the chorus and a soaring mid-chorus bit designed to tug on the heartstrings. These surprise elements beef up the hook quotient of "Mamma Mia" while also giving it an unpredictable quality guaranteed to keep a listener enthralled. ABBA's recording of the song adds a layer of instrumental hooks, including a naggingly catchy xylophone hook that sets up the song and some sprightly string riffs that interact with the lead vocals in call-and-response fashion during the verses. The end result is a veritable funhouse of a pop song that became a big hit around the world and enduring favorite of ABBA fans.