About The Song
ABBA’s “The Winner Takes It All,” released in 1980, is a poignant and emotive pop ballad that showcases the group’s knack for crafting compelling melodies and heartfelt lyrics. Written by Benny Andersson and Björn Ulvaeus, the song’s haunting melody, melancholic atmosphere, and Agnetha Fältskog’s powerful vocals make it a standout track in ABBA’s repertoire.
With its introspective lyrics and dramatic orchestration, “The Winner Takes It All” delves into themes of heartbreak and acceptance. Fältskog’s emotive delivery captures the pain and vulnerability of a person grappling with the end of a relationship, while the sweeping instrumentation adds to the song’s emotional depth.
Upon its release, “The Winner Takes It All” became a major hit, topping the charts in numerous countries and earning widespread acclaim for its emotional resonance and ABBA’s masterful performance. Its success helped to solidify ABBA’s status as one of the most successful and enduring pop groups of all time, and the song remains a cherished favorite among fans around the world.
As we revisit “The Winner Takes It All,” we celebrate ABBA’s enduring legacy and the lasting impact of this iconic song. Its timeless beauty and universal themes of love and loss continue to resonate with audiences, reminding us of the power of music to capture the complexity of human emotion.
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Lyric
I don’t wanna talk
About things we’ve gone through
Though it’s hurting me
Now it’s history
I’ve played all my cards
And that’s what you’ve done too
Nothing more to say
No more ace to play
The winner takes it all
The loser’s standing small
Beside the victory
That’s her destiny
I was in your arms
Thinking I belonged there
I figured it made sense
Building me a fence
Building me a home
Thinking I’d be strong there
But I was a fool
Playing by the rules
The gods may throw a dice
Their minds as cold as ice
And someone way down here
Loses someone dear
The winner takes it all (takes it all)
The loser has to fall (has to fall)
It’s simple and it’s plain (it’s so plain)
Why should I complain? (Why complain?)
But tell me, does she kiss
Like I used to kiss you?
Does it feel the same
When she calls your name?
Somewhere deep inside
You must know I miss you
But what can I say?
Rules must be obeyed
The judges will decide (will decide)
The likes of me abide (me abide)
Spectators of the show (of the show)
Always staying low (staying low)
The game is on again (on again)
A lover or a friend (or a friend)
A big thing or a small (big or small)
The winner takes it all (takes it all)
I don’t wanna talk
If it makes you feel sad
And I understand
You’ve come to shake my hand
I apologize
If it makes you feel bad
Seeing me so tense
No self-confidence
But you see
The winner takes it all
The winner takes it all
So the winner takes it all
And the loser has to fall
Throw the dice, cold as ice
Way down here, someone dear
Takes it all, has to fall
And it’s plain, why complain?