ABBA - MAMMA MIA! SOUNDTRACK GIVES ABBA FIRST US TOP TEN ALBUM

The soundtrack to hit musical Mamma Mia! has given Abba their first US top ten album.

The collection of Abba songs sung by the cast of the UK's number one movie debuted at number seven in the Billboard Hot 200 album chart.

The soundtrack - which features the likes of Meryl Streep, Pierce Brosnan and Julie Walters covering classic tracks by the Swedish pop greats - has sold some 865,000 copies worldwide and has reached the top ten in seven countries.

And while Abba Gold has re-entered the UK top five since the release of Mamma Mia!, the soundtrack is outselling the likes of Basshunter, Sharleen Spiteri and Coldplay and should reach the top spot next weekend.

HMV's Gennaro Castaldo commented: "The music featured in a film is increasingly a key component of its success, so it's no surprise that more and more people are buying soundtrack albums for the great songs they often feature.

"Throw in the iconic music of Abba, who probably has the widest appeal of any group, and you have a major hit on your hands - the Mamma Mia soundtrack has been HMV's biggest selling album of the past week."