Mamma Mia! How Can I Resist You?: The Inside Story of Mamma Mia! and the Songs of ABBA [Hardcover]

Judy Craymer (Author), Benny Andersson (Author), Bjorn Ulvaeus (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 17, 2006

In the 1970’s, the Swedish musical phenomenon known as ABBA—Agnetha Fältskog, Benny Andersson, Björn Ulvaeus, and Anni-Frid Lyngstad—succeeded in reinventing the world’s perception of pop. They produced hit after catchy hit, each one instantly recognizable, infectious, and irresistible. Nearly a quarter of a century later, these beloved songs gave birth to the blockbuster musical MAMMA MIA!, which became a legend in its own right. It opened in 85 cities and has since been seen by more than 20 million people throughout the world. This officially sanctioned book tells the double story of the band and the play—and it’s told by those know it best: two of the group’s singer/songwriters and MAMMA MIA! producer Judy Craymer. It’s colorful literally and figuratively, and jam-packed with illustrations from the group’s own archives. Through first-person recollections from ABBA members, intertwined with commentary from the MAMMA MIA! team, Thank You for the Music cuts through the thicket of myths and misconceptions that have grown up around ABBA to reveal what actually happened.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Worth it just for a peak at the bell bottom catsuits" DAILY RECORD --This text refers to the Paperback edition.

About the Author

Benny Andersson was born in 1946 in a suburb of Stockholm. Along with Bjorn Ulvaeus, he went on to become the creative force behind one of the most successful groups of all time. Bjorn Ulvaeus, in partnership with Benny Andersson, is the creative force behind ABBA, one of the most successful groups of all time. From 1974 to 1982 ABBA were a phenomenon. Dancing Queen reached No1 in 13 countries around the world and with 350 million records sold the band remains the world's second best selling band of all time, surpassed only by The Beatles. Judy Craymer is the Executive Producer of MAMMA MIA! and was the person who first saw the potential of a musical based on the songs of ABBA.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 264 pages
• Publisher: WN (October 17, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0297844210
• ISBN-13: 978-0297844211
• Product Dimensions: 12.1 x 9.1 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #988,205 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Mamma Mia!!! What a book!!!, July 13, 2007

By 

lover of young beauty "lover of young beauty" (Southern Indiana) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Mamma Mia! How Can I Resist You?: The Inside Story of Mamma Mia! and the Songs of ABBA (Hardcover)

After reading the 1994 book "ABBA-The Complete Recording Sessions" by Carl Magnus Palm, I thought I read all I ever would about how ABBA recorded some of their best known songs. However, this coffee table size book delves into greater detail on the origins of the 22 ABBA songs in the worldwide smash musical "Mamma Mia!" as well as great detail on the origins of the musical itself. It also goes into great detail on the foreign language versions of the musical. Any dismissive critics of ABBA (and you know who you are) would have to admit that Benny Andersson and Bjorn Ulvaeus (the two "B"s of ABBA) really knew what they were doing when they recorded all of those songs, based on all of the comments the 2 former ABBA members made regarding the ABBA recordings in this book. Hopefully it will be updated to include more info on the Russian language version that opened in Moscow in the fall of 2006.
And yes, the book contains plenty of photos of ABBA and the Mamma Mia! musical!!!
I also hope they update the book for the summer 2008 release of the film version. Meryl Streep and Pierce Brosnin will star!!!

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Mamma Mia, I LOVE this book., July 6, 2007

By 

Kevin Evans (Illinois) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Mamma Mia! How Can I Resist You?: The Inside Story of Mamma Mia! and the Songs of ABBA (Hardcover)

I admit it. I love Mamma Mia! Nothing makes me happier than watching the show. Reading this informative and loving book about the show, its beginings and its ongoing success takes you right back to your seat in a theater where you first saw Mamma Mia! on stage.

The photos are lush, colorful and interesting. The text is easy to read and gives a thorough account of how the show came to be and how it remains a constant night after night success around the globe.

It isn't often that something so dear to me personally gets such a loving treatment in book form. This is one of those rare times and it allows the reader to enjoy the celebration that IS Mamma Mia! over and over at their fingertips.

The large book is very reasonably priced considering its quality and the fine color photos throughout.

If you love Mamma Mia! you'll enjoy reading and owning this wonderfully adoring companion piece.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars I Do, I Do, I Do, I Do, I Do Believe That This is the Greatest Musical!, March 5, 2009

By 

D. Reed "The Movie Critic" (Elkton, MD USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Mamma Mia! How Can I Resist You?: The Inside Story of Mamma Mia! and the Songs of ABBA (Paperback)

A great read, I couldn't put it down. The information it provided gave a great insight as to what went into creating the show. I had no idea that Donna was originally intended to have a boyfriend or songs like "Rock Me", "Summer Night City" and even "Fernando" were at one point in the script or that even "Waterloo" wasn't even added to the encore until the show hit Toronto. I was however surprised that Judy Craymer, when they were developing the movie, wanted "I Do, I Do" out of the script. To me, that is one of those movie moments that are so cheesy that its sweet and romantic. Still wishing that "Under Attack", "One of Us" and "Knowing Me, Knowing You" were included in the film. Maybe they're saving those songs for the unlikely but highly rumored and discussed sequel.