7/9/08

Mamma Mia! Breakout the blue eyeshadow and shiny leggings once again....

Because the movie I have been anticipating the most after SATC opens next week, and I am about to be sucked into ABBA mania once again in my lifetime!

I was 7 years old when ABBA burst into my life with their win at the Eurovision Song Contest in 1974 with Waterloo, and my life was never the same again. Suddenly I 'got' the power of music on your soul, without doubt those glamorous girls set my course as a lifelong lover of all things blinging and sparkly. I wanted to be Anni-Frid the brunette and spent the next few years into my teens trying to get her auburn hair and my legs skinny enough for white satin leggings. Thanks to the wonders of Henna the first I achieved, the second I have given up as a bad job!

I knew the words to every song, played their music incessantly and rushed off to see ABBA - The Movie as soon as it was released. The tunes were just so darned catchy, the lyrics simple and easy to remember and the costumes were pure glam-pop! I had ABBA posters, pins, records (remember those!), clothing and of course all the dance moves.

I was so sad the day they announced their retirement, especially as I had never got to achieve my dream at the time of seeing them in concert. Fast forward 20 years and I did get to see Bjorn Again the best of the many ABBA tribute groups and had a very memorable night in Watford Town Hall with my friends. We all glammed up, I even had sparkly pink hair gel all through my 'do', platforms and no voice left the next day! In fact if you roll down to my 'guestbook' Lizzie has posted a piccie of us on this infamous night mid-concert.

A few years later I got to see Mamma Mia the musical in London's West End and spent the whole night up singing and dancing along. So when I heard they were making it into a movie I was thrilled. It's a fabulous musical anyway, then they cast Pierce Brosnan and Colin Firth in the lead roles and ever since I have been counting down the days! If only they could have squeezed Brad Pitt in there too ;-)

We are really hoping it gets to our area before my mum leaves so we can go together, she remembers my ABBA mania only too well. Even now I still can't resist a dose of Dancing Queen, Fernando and my fave - Mamma Mia!

I am more than over ready for the fast approaching ABBA revival, now I just need to get a new copy of ABBA Gold, as I wore my previous CD out long ago!

17 comments:

Pam said...

I have never seen this on stage and only know a minimal amount about the storyline, so I am really looking forward to being surprised by this one. It looks like great great fun!

Unknown said...

Pam - 'Knowing You, Knowing Me' you will absolutely lurve it girl! It's funny, romantic, fun and filled with fab singalong moments - oh and set in beautiful Greece!

Anonymous said...

I love ABBA!

I'm looking forward to the movie too. Our whole family is.

The stage version is come to OKC in September, in case you're interested.

Mary (Bookfan) said...

I saw the trailer for the movie a few weeks ago. "Dancing Queen" has been in my head since then. Can't wait to see it!

Victoria - Florence and Mary said...

I can't wait to get to the cinema and see this film either!

It's on my must-see list of musicals to see at the theatre too!

Victoria xx

Sherri said...

Sarah, any movie that has Pierce and Colin in it is for me!! My husband's uncle is 92 and he can't wait for it to come out-he's so excited. I told him not to get too excited since he has a defibrillator/pace maker implanted in his chest-don't want to pop that thing!!! I hope you can enjoy it with your Mum!!

Mmm said...

I LOVED ABBA, but then again, didn't everyone in England back then?! "Knowing me, knowing you" was my favourite. I can still recall every bit about that song and loved th evideo--it would even make me tear up as a schoolboy. I had a crush on the blonde singer too. I want to also see the movie, not for Colin or Pierce of course, but to relieve the music. Plus, it's set in Greece. Great.

Pamela Terry and Edward said...

I know, I know. What is it about ABBA?? Those songs are just addictive! I'll be in line for this one, too! And, I love Meryl as well, and Colin, and Greece!

Anonymous said...

I've seen the stage play twice. I'm anxiously awaiting to the film. The CD soundtrack from the movie was released yesterday. I couldn't resist buying it, as it was on sale at Target.

Rhea said...

I'm sorry, I have no idea who ABBA is. I'm a musical recluse though, and have had to have my hubby tell me everything.

That movie Mama Mia looks good!

Rhea said...

BTW, I've probably heard their music, just have no idea. That's usually the case.

Unknown said...

RHEA!!!!

Ok this has to be right up there with the time an old boss of mine told me he had never heard of Clint Eastwood!

I seriously thought you were taking the 'p' until you came back with more. You need to go online and find a site like iTunes, search ABBA and then play the little clip of a few of their tunes. If you still don't know who they are I will be truly gobsmacked my friend!

Sandi McBride said...

I loved Abba then, I love Abba now...I loved the videos of their songs on British TV and my children knew that "the Brits invented MTV"...of course they think they are Brits, lol, and I don't do a lot to discourage them, they seem so happy in their delusions...
Sandi

Mmm said...

Rhea's excuse is growing up in the US where ABBA wasn't so big-well, not everywhere here. It is shocking though for us, isn't it?!

Rhea said...

I do know Dancing Queen!!! I looked them up. They were big here in the U.S. as well apparently.

Sorry, didn't mean to scare ya. I do know who Clint Eastwood is, I promise! Dirty Harry. hehe

Unknown said...

PHEW! I really couldn't believe you didn't know any of their songs Rhea LOL!

After the movie, which you'll adore, you will be an ABBA fan too

Michelle said...

I love ABBA, too, and Craig introduced me to them! I know it sounds crazy, but I had never heard of them (well, I didn't know the name of them...I had heard "Dancing Queen, of course!) until we were chatting online. He sent me a CD over...and I loved it. I just saw this movie advertiesed tonight, and I am looking forward to seeing it now, too. (BTW, finally saw SATC and it totally ROCKEDDDD..you were so right!) :) Mich