About the song
**Introduction to “The Winner Takes It All”**
“The Winner Takes It All” is a poignant ballad by the Swedish pop sensation ABBA, released as the first single from their seventh studio album, *Super Trouper*, in July 1980. This song is often regarded as one of ABBA’s most emotionally charged and critically acclaimed tracks. Written by the group’s core members, Björn Ulvaeus and Benny Andersson, the song is performed by Agnetha Fältskog, who delivers a deeply moving lead vocal that captures the essence of heartache and resignation.
The genesis of “The Winner Takes It All” occurred during the summer of 1979 at a cottage on Viggsö Island. Initially, the song bore the working title “The Story of My Life” and was envisioned as an uptempo track. However, after a brief period of reconsideration, Ulvaeus and Andersson shifted the song’s direction to a more reflective and French chanson-inspired arrangement, featuring a descending piano line. Ulvaeus, drawing from personal experiences and fueled by emotion, penned the lyrics swiftly, creating what he described as his most rapid songwriting achievement. The result was a song that resonates with a universal sense of loss and acceptance.
Despite public speculation, Ulvaeus has clarified that the song’s narrative, while inspired by his own divorce from Agnetha Fältskog, is fictional and not a direct reflection of their personal separation. The song’s powerful portrayal of a breakup was crafted to evoke empathy and introspection rather than to recount specific events. This ambiguity has led to much discussion about the song’s connection to real-life events, though Ulvaeus insists that it should be viewed through the lens of artistic expression.
Upon its release, “The Winner Takes It All” achieved significant commercial success. It soared to the top of the charts in several countries, including the United Kingdom, where it became ABBA’s eighth number one hit. In the United States, the song marked the group’s final top 10 hit, peaking at number eight on the Billboard Hot 100 and spending an impressive 26 weeks on the chart. The song also enjoyed success in other regions, reaching the top five in numerous countries and solidifying ABBA’s global presence.
The music video, directed by Lasse Hallström, was filmed on the Swedish island of Marstrand and poignantly reflects the emotional depth of the song. Featuring a black-and-white photo montage and intimate shots of Agnetha Fältskog, the video visually conveys the themes of solitude and introspection central to the song’s lyrics.
“The Winner Takes It All” continues to be celebrated as one of ABBA’s most significant and enduring works. In polls conducted in 1999 and 2010, it was voted Britain’s favorite ABBA song and was recognized as “Britain’s Favorite Break-Up Song” in a 2006 survey. As of September 2021, it remains one of the group’s top tracks in terms of sales and streaming figures, underscoring its lasting impact on fans and critics alike.
With its haunting melody and evocative lyrics, “The Winner Takes It All” stands as a testament to ABBA’s songwriting brilliance and emotional depth, securing its place as a timeless classic in the world of pop music.
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?