Completing a triptych of songs about pyrrhic victory in relationships, an ultimate breakup number by the Swedish pop quartet – heavily layered in irony because Agnetha Fältskog sang the lead in a work written by ex-husband Björn Ulvaeus. An obvious choice? Of course, but hard to ignore. Through the strains of despair, the lyrics of this 1980 hit are all about resignation, diplomacy and attempted empathy, and it must have been very strange for both parties when Fältskog sang it. Awkward, but clearly enlightening for their audience, the pair later claimed the song was more based in fiction than fact, Ulvaeus saying it came from imagining a divorcee left alone in a house, but it's impossible not to think it's fully about their marriage, one that could not cope with a decade of success, and the result, with children involved, in which there were no winners at all.
But as with their masterpiece, SOS, the strength of the song comes from a talent for turning simple chord changes and melody into powerful pop. Written on the piano in the key of F# major, it contains just two repeating musical phrases, and a falling, darker counterpoint played by Benny Andersson. Somehow cheesy and profound all at the same, with a video that seems equally full of cliche as well as true emotion, it shows huge commercial success and songwriting can, at least, win out.
[Verse 1]
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
[Chorus 1]
The winner takes it all
The loser's standing small
Beside the victory
That's her destiny
[Verse 2]
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
[Chorus 2]
The gods may throw the 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 seems plain)
Why should I complain? (Why complain)
[Verse 3]
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
[Chorus 3]
The judges will decide (They decide)
The likes of me abide (We 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)
[Verse 4]
I don't wanna talk
If it makes you feel sad
And I understand
You've come to shake my hand
I apologise
If it makes you feel bad
Seeing me so tense
No self-confidence
[Bridge]
But you see, the winner takes it all...
The winner takes it all...
[Outro]
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
Why complain ...
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