About The Song
The Winner Takes It All is a poignant ballad by the Swedish pop group ABBA, released in 1980 as the lead single from their album “Super Trouper.” The song delves into the bittersweet aftermath of a failed relationship, exploring themes of loss, regret, and the realization that sometimes, even in victory, there is a sense of emptiness.
The lyrics paint a vivid picture of a couple who has parted ways, with one partner acknowledging their success but acknowledging the emotional toll it has taken on the other. The song’s melancholic melody and Agnetha Fältskog’s soulful vocals convey the raw vulnerability and heartbreak experienced by the narrator. The opening lines, “I was the winner, I always played to win/But now the game is over and I’ve just begun,” encapsulate the bittersweet irony of the situation: the narrator has achieved success, but at a significant personal cost.
Throughout the song, the narrator grapples with the complexities of their emotions. They express feelings of guilt, regret, and longing, acknowledging the pain they have caused their former partner. The lyrics, “I gave you all my love, I gave you all my trust/But you threw it all away, like it didn’t mean a thing,” convey the narrator’s deep disappointment and betrayal.
Despite the pain, the song also conveys a sense of resilience and acceptance. The narrator recognizes that life goes on and that even in the face of loss, there is a need to move forward. The final lines, “I’m still the winner, I’m standing tall/But I’m losing you, that’s the worst of all,” suggest that while the narrator may have achieved external success, they have lost something far more valuable: their love and connection with their former partner.
The Winner Takes It All is a timeless song that continues to resonate with listeners decades after its release. Its poignant lyrics and haunting melody capture the universal emotions of loss, regret, and the bittersweet nature of success.
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Lyrics
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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
The loser has to fall
It’s simple and it’s plain
Why should I 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
The likes of me abide
Spectators of the show
Always staying low
The game is on again
A lover or a friend
A big thing or a small
The winner 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 a dice, cold as ice
Way down here, someone dear
Takes it all, has to fall
It seems plain to me