The Winner Takes It All
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Verse 1: Agnetha Fältskog
I don't wanna talk about things we've gone throughThough it's hurting me, now it's historyI've played all my cardsAnd that's what you've done, tooNothing more to say, no more ace to playChorus: Agnetha Fältskog
The winner takes it allThe loser standing smallBeside the victoryThat's her destinyVerse 2: Agnetha Fältskog
I was in your arms, thinkin' I belonged thereI figured it made sense building me a fenceBuilding me a home, thinking I'd be strong thereBut I was a fool playing by the rulesVerse 3: Agnetha Fältskog
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 youBut what can I say? Rules must be obeyedBridge: Agnetha Fältskog
I don't wanna talk if it makes you feel sadAnd I understand, you've come to shake my handI apologise if it makes you feel badSeeing me so tense, no self-confidenceChorus: Agnetha Fältskog
But you see, the winner takes it allThe winner takes it allOutro: Agnetha Fältskog, Anni-Frid Lingstad, Benny Andersson & Björn Ulvaeus
So the winner takes it allAnd the loser has to fallThrow a dice, cold as iceWay down here, someone dearTakes it all, has to fallYes, it's plain, why complain?What the song means
A woman processes her breakup by comparing love to a competition where there are clear winners and losers. She struggles between accepting her loss gracefully and confronting her pain about her ex moving on with someone new. The song explores themes of heartbreak, dignity, and life's inherent unfairness.
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playing by the rules — following the expected way of doing things
She means she followed relationship conventions but still lost
Song info
- Release date
- 1980-07-21
- Album
- Super Trouper
- Written by
- Björn Ulvaeus, Benny Andersson
- Produced by
- Björn Ulvaeus, Benny Andersson
