About the song
“The Winner Takes It All,” a poignant ballad by ABBA from their 1980 album *Super Trouper*, stands as a testament to the band’s ability to craft emotionally resonant music that transcends generations. This song, written by Björn Ulvaeus and Benny Andersson, with lead vocals by Agnetha Fältskog, explores the aftermath of a relationship’s end with raw honesty and musical sophistication.
Released as the album’s lead single, “The Winner Takes It All” swiftly ascended to the top of charts across the globe, including the UK where it marked ABBA’s eighth number one hit. Its popularity endured, becoming a favorite in polls such as Channel 5’s 1999 survey of Britain’s favorite ABBA songs and ITV’s 2010 poll, where it claimed the top spot once again. It even earned the distinction of “Britain’s Favorite Break-Up Song” in a Channel Five program in 2006, solidifying its place in pop culture history.
The song’s origins trace back to a cottage on the island of Viggsö in the summer of 1979, where Ulvaeus and Andersson began crafting its melody and lyrics. Initially titled “The Story of My Life,” the song underwent transformation before adopting its final poignant form. Ulvaeus drew from personal experience, influenced by his recent divorce from Fältskog, though he emphasized that the song is more an artistic reflection than a direct portrayal of their relationship’s dissolution.
Musically, “The Winner Takes It All” is distinguished by its melancholic yet melodious composition in G-flat major, featuring a memorable piano motif and rich orchestration. Fältskog’s emotive delivery, coupled with harmonies from Anni-Frid Lyngstad and the band’s impeccable instrumentation, imbues the song with a deep sense of longing and introspection.
The accompanying music video, directed by Lasse Hallström, further underscores the song’s emotional core, juxtaposing scenes of Fältskog with reflective imagery that mirrors the song’s lyrical themes. Filmed shortly after Ulvaeus and Fältskog’s divorce, the video captures a poignant moment in the band’s history, adding layers of authenticity to the song’s narrative.
“The Winner Takes It All” remains one of ABBA’s most enduring hits, a testament to its universal appeal and timeless exploration of love and loss. Its success not only cemented ABBA’s status as one of the most iconic pop groups in history but also solidified their ability to touch hearts with music that speaks to the human experience in profound ways.
Video
Lyrics
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?