I Wonder (Departure)
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"I Wonder (Departure)" is a song by
Usage in Mamma Mia! film
In a hypothetical sequel to Mamma Mia! put together by the British newspaper, The Daily Telegraph, the song is sung at a point in the musical where Sophie "dreams of cutting loose [from Sky] and heading abroad".[1] In the film Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again, the song is performed by Young Donna (played by Lily James) on the soundtrack album; however, the performance (early in the film prior to Donna leaving her friends) was deleted. The performance was included as an extra on the DVD release.
Synopsis
The song is about whether the narrator should leave behind everything she knows in order to pursue something greater. The book ABBA: Let The Music Speak argues that the song parallels Frida's own life story, in regard to the "momentous decision she took in her early 20s to leave her young family in pursuit of singing stardom".[2]
Release
A live recording of the song served as the flip side to the single "The Name of the Game",[3] recorded during the Australian leg of the tour.[2]
Composition
The lead vocal of the song is Frida. The Chicago Tribune notes that Frida stutters the line "I wonder ... it scares me".[4] The song has a string arrangement that is laced with the harp, French horn, and oboe.[2]
Critical reception
ABBA: Let the Music Speak says that Frida provides the song with "maximum emotional leverage", making it "the most intimate personal portrait" out of the three mini-musical tracks to be featured on ABBA: The Album. It adds that the song would "translate beautifully to the stage" and become a tearjerker. It goes on to mention that her internal conflict is handled well, concluding that "from wistful reflection to strident defiance and back again, Frida's performance...is up there with the greats of the genre".[2]
References
- ^ "How do you follow up a blockbuster like Mamma Mia?". Telegraph. Retrieved 2016-10-12.
- ^ ISBN 9780646496764.)
{{cite book}}:|first=has generic name (help)CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link - ISBN 9781908538239.
- ^ "Archives: Chicago Tribune - CAREER CHRONICLE NEW 4-DISC RELEASE ENCOMPASSES ABBA'S POP-HIT-FILLED HISTORY". Pqasb.pqarchiver.com. 1995-05-12. Archived from the original on 2016-10-13. Retrieved 2016-10-12.
