ABBA /Faith Hill The Winner Takes It All, with Benny Andersson on piano

© ROCK'N'ROLL HALL OF FAME

[@cowhanson]

after all these years...America finally recognizes ABBA...congrats ABBA you finally conquered America.

[@tootsie5052]

Such a beautiful song about one of the worst ordeals you may ever experience in your life. No one will ever capture the loss and pain of this song like Agnetha.

[@bdm1000]

No one will ever replace Faith Hill when it comes to her, but when it comes to ABBA, no one replaces Agnetha.

[@JHYNES742]

Faith actually did a great job... that being said... Agnetha is just Agnetha... noone can compare.

[@tinarobertsstudios]

Agnetha's heart. Agnetha's song. No one else will ever be able to do this song. It should be a law.

[@MsCheresse]

True!.Agnetha forever and only.

[@Str1000ac]

maybe Celine Dion

[@millermoreno4279]

Meryl Streep

[@ridza76]

this is a tribute dumb ass

[@hoctroviet]

Benny is the songwriter and if he was okay with Faith Hill covering, I guess it’s ok and settled then.

[@stuartrubin5730]

Faith did a fine job on a difficult song to sing so recognized as an Abba tune.

[@MrMarv1985]

This is a wonderful collaboration; Agnetha is indeed an extraordinary singer, and so is Ms. Hill, who looks absolutely luminous. A brilliant pairing--plain & simple.

[@hymanarbeseld9307]

No one can sing this song like Agnetha. I'm amazed that so many "name" singers tried and failed.

[@brunoderbli02]

Her singing was so deep and visceral, so sincere and painful, that it is difficult to do anything comparable. Most artists try to give “their personal stamp” to the interpretation, but they all fail miserably. I don't think there will ever be a version even close to the original.

[@fernandom.carlino2467]

Agnetha es única nadie puede cantarla solo ella...es un tema hecho esclusivo para ella...

[@tomkent4656]

Dana Winner.

[@bigtomo69er]

Just shows how difficult a song it is to sing. Agnetha is a boss!

[@SEEKNDEZTROY]

Yeah right!

[@Tex1STLady]

All singer have their own unique voices, and ways of singing a song. She wasn't trying to sound like ABBA. She was singing like Faith Hill. She nailed it! Thank you for sharing. I really enjoyed her version of this song.

[@joan-annebross9217]

She was awful.

[@pjtec4]

Listening to a contemporary singer perform an ABBA song only makes people appreciate how great ABBA really was, and why so much hysteria when ABBA announced new songs to be revealed....

[@hymanarbeseld9307]

Every singer should know that Agnetha owns this song for every reason you can think of. All their attempts prove it. New York 2018

[@helgabrunold776]

Agnetha is my all time favourite singer, but I love Faith Hill too! This song is really Agnetha's song forever! Both are unique, beautiful and so talented in their own ways! Faith had a lot of courage to sing this. I will always be a big fan of these blonde beautys and their amazing voices!

[@rf6724]

There is only one Agnetha. There is absolutely no comparing these voices. Agnetha,s voice stands out to any voice.

[@RickDanner]

agree

[@patrickmccarthy3123]

AGNETHA sings this song with a passion that no one can compete with probably because she was going through divorce at the time

[@bensisko3]

I agree. I usually do like Faith Hill's voice - but not in this song. It is Agnetha's song and always will be.

[@stromghouls]

make you realise how a hell of a signer agnetha was...

[@r.powell2351]

Agnetha's voice rang like a crystal bell. She had the most beautiful tone I have ever heard. Folks in the Opera world know this, as well as anyone who is a classically trained singer. And while Faith has a good voice, Agnetha's voice was a miracle. Agnetha never got the credit she deserved for having one of the most beautiful voices in the world. And she never gave herself the credit she deserved either. And the unfortunate fact that ABBA dressed like a Mentos commercial didn't help the fact that critics in the USA and UK didn't take them seriously enough.

[@robertradwanski7982]

+Roy Powell Agnetha..she is ...but not bell, old alone and unhappy person..she loves Bjorn...

[@r.powell2351]

You can't keep the talent God loaned you forever, mate. We all get old, right? However, in her youth, she shared her talent with the world. And she did, indeed, have one of the most beautiful voices ever. She was in a totally different league than Faith Hill. In pretty much every city and town in America, where I live, there’s someone who can sing as well as Faith Hill. But Agnetha had a extraordinarily rare quality and tone to her voice. As I said above-like a crystal bell…

[@hadoenough]

+Roy Powell They could have worn potato sacks with that quality of music and it would not have changed a thing....Critics are a lot dumber than they seem, and think the world revolves around their tastes."Critic" a nonsense job.

[@jeffreymcfadden9403]

+Roy Powell Sorry Roy, the critics in the USA often praised ABBA. It was often the socialist press in Europe who were jealous of ABBA. The socialist mentality in Sweden was at the time, not very kind to ABBA. What is this guys hang up on the USA critics? The USA press was very respectful towards ABBA.

[@hadoenough]

The record sales and longevity of their worldwide popularity is an end to all the negative comments about their artistry /voices, etc. Abba a legendary pop supergroup!

[@JohnnyNowhere]

Such a bittersweet performance. Only a shadow of what it could've - and should've - been.

[@mark11967AD]

In the second half of the song Faith could simply not carry the high notes and it fell flat. Agnetha is a legend both in her beautiful voice and heartfelt emotion. There simply is no greater voice in pop history and her charisma and joy along with the rest of ABBA in all their videos is timeless.

[@mleclair40]

Forever ABBA...l loved them back in the 70's and I love them today

[@jayejayecampbell3013]

Faith Hill is allowed to put her own take on this classic ABBA song !! she can't be Agnetha and she can;t have Bjorn and Frida to help her out !!

[@dianafontaine4018]

Agnetha did not need help on this song!!!!

[@carlodicarlogiovane6030]

Agneta Fältskog the best performance ever!

[@jtwilliams8895]

Abba and The Bee Gees! Two of my recent favorites, many years after their primes

[@ninjakram]

This is great for making you want to hear the original again immediately.

[@joewhite6421]

your right after hearing Faith Hill I will go back to the Greatest POP Soprano in over forty years ,Agnetha Falskog the Swed wiith a non Auto Tuned B2 - F7 range . Oh my aching ears..lol

[@ilprezzo]

This Performance shows again how difficult there Songs were and how high the Tessitura really is. She should have said NO! No one beats Agnetha in this.

[@wkrp71]

I agree with the above posters. Faith Hill does a less than adequate rendition of this song. It shows how amazing Agnetha voice was. Again, there will only be one and only one ABBA. ABBA, I miss you.

[@FranceBernardof0609]

Thank you for Faith Hill, however this song is so much part of Agnetha's life and ABBA's achievment that, no one can come close to her, for the emotion, the energy, the voice range, the truth in the feelings, the rythm, the beauty and everything that is packed into this all time ABBA's classic. It's no one fault, in my opinion it is simply impossible, even with Benny at the piano keyboard. Thank you for posting

[@kglez509]

I like Faith Too, but this song is just for Agnheta

[@rebeccadavis1392]

faith hill has a beautiful voice wish she would bring more new songs

[@abbaman545]

ABBA is my all time favorite band since i was 16. I am now 47 and still LOVE them as much today as I did back then...There are alot of remade ABBA songs done by various artists out there and a lot of them are very good, which I believe these various artists should be respected for paying tribute to this awesome band. FAITH HILL is a VERY talented and beautiful woman that knows her vocal range and hit the notes to the tee. She did an AWESOME performance of this song!!!! Happy Bday Agnetha!!

[@ajguerras]

#1 I love Faith Hill, #2 I love ABBa #3 Someone should have stopped this (at least after the first reharsal), this should have never have happened.

[@Leftatalbuquerque]

It's obvious that nobody gay was present. This never would have been allowed at the Dance Music Hall Of Fame. Can you imagine a Faith drag queen doing this song as part of her act?

[@stephenl6758]

Did you hear the Cher version on her ABBA album? She is perfect to pay homage to them while taking the music in a slightly different direction

[@primerib01]

Glorious. Thank You Faith for honoring Agnetha, and ABBA with this tribute. I have beleived since 1982, that ABBA's acheivements zoomed well beyond any genre. "Winner Takes It All" is exquisite craftsmanship. Powerful & Eternal.

[@sixstrings666]

She was not even close. And I love Faith Hill

[@deb2zen]

Faith Hill ROCKS!!!!

[@rf6724]

Not

[@brackenalexander1163]

Jesus these comments are cruel.... It's not like Faith was trying to top the charts. It was just A tribute people!

[@NisseOhlsen]

Bracken Alexander thanks. I agree. Agnetha was instrumental in the songs being written as they were. Benny and Bjørn naturally wrote Scandinavia timbres for Scandinavian voices.

[@kissmyassbitch5828]

faith is so beautiful and talented 😍

[@uruffianu]

maybe, but singing without autotune is clearly not one of her talents.

[@Susekin1]

I think as a country singer, Faith did a good job.

[@Emmabobby2]

Dear oh dear, I know how hard this song is to sing as I sing it myself but she really murders it! I'm sure she's a good singer but I agree with most of you guys, just goes to show what an amazing singer Agnetha was and how difficult this song is to sing, Agnetha made it sound easy. Poor Faith, not a good idea!

[@bransonlights]

Very very hard song to sing, Faith did a beautiful job. This was always one of my favorite Abba songs.

[@joko7062]

This song is just to big for her

[@donaldmarshall1409]

Faith Hill does very well with the song. Music is an ART. A painting that is hung on a wall, decorates a room; Sound that is heard in a room decorate the room with sound (sound vibrates in an environment, such as a room). The fact that Music decorates an environment, makes music an ART. Poety is a different Art than is Music; Peotry includes lyrics to songs. Not all lyrics seem to be peotic, however, the fact the lyrics are lyrics, they are classified as poems. Faith Hill has an audience who is greately pleased with her voice. . Different people like different paintings, and some paintings seem useless to some critics. However, each painting pleases someone. . I do admire Agnetha Åse Fältskog, who sang with ABBA (a swedish music group). Any artist may like another artist's work and choose to reproduce a song of another artist. Or, an Artist may be asked, by a producer or director, to perform a song of another person. . What ever the case, the AWARDS became presented, and the show became produced for public observation. . It is kind and courteous of Benny to appear and it is kind and courteous of Faith Hill to appear, also. It was very pleasing to observe Benny and Faith performing together. This may be the first time they performed together; I am pleased that both of them, over the years have, in their separate careers, presented music which brought them to the forefront of entertaiment. Their music works are indelibly archived for present and future generations to obseve.

[@ShelbySPB]

ABBA's music made my life better. I don't think I can offer a better compliment than that.

[@davejss]

My God, what a beautiful woman! All that and talent too. Doesn't seem fair....

[@johnnycab23513]

That old guy playing the piano seems pleased. That is all that matters. The sound of Benny on piano is as distinctive as Phil Collins on drums. A wonderful cover and tribute by one of ouur finest singers. Thank you for the video.

[@MrBlueSkyMrNight]

Well, this is a live performance. And she was 43 years old at the time. But there aren't any popular singers in the USA that can properly handle a song like this anyway. Vocal power and beauty was/is a rare combination - and it isn't found in pop music anymore.

[@Bigdaddynmomma2]

Nice job. But ABBA is better. In their prime those two ladies performed and sang like crystal and diamond -- pure, strong, WOW. And the ABBA back up vocals were super as well. Can't replace the originals!!! Thanks for the video post!!

[@jeffreymcfadden9403]

hey folks, this was live, not a studio recording. I heard the Faith was somewhat ill at the time. And, ask your self, who could have performed the song better? BTW, good luck getting Agnetha. this was a 1 time performance, besides how often do you get a chance to hear Benny at the piano? I was more interested in Benny than faith.

[@codymeyers3092]

I love you, Faith. Unfortunately people are bashing you not knowing you had a chest cold. I personally think you sounded amazing. Check out her performance of the time she sang this at her Soul2Soul concert. She was amazing.

[@francescocelso173]

It's not easy to sing this Abba masterpiece and Faith made a good job

[@MariaFernandes-sj4un]

Essa não chegou nem perto da voz da Agnetha ela é insubstituível maravilhosa Agnetha

[@30framessec]

If you were alive back then and listened to the radio then I think you knew who Abba was and if you have a soul can appreciate the ginourmous contribution Abba gave to music during this era.

[@abdvantage]

Aww...lovely! And also a reminder of how AGGA can't be replicated.

[@09sadhart]

i love ABBA and ilove faith hill... they're Great

[@williamwalsh9521]

Me too ! But faith hill just wrecked Anna s beautiful song ! 😰😰😰

[@PeterKampf]

Agnetha took emotions into this song. And these have been real. Nobody else could have done it like her. And right, nobody should copy these unique songs by ABBA.

[@andytrex]

I bought ABBA records in the 70's and Faith Hill CD's in the 90's. Excuses aside, this performance shows Faith's limitations as a vocalist and emphasises the vocal prowess of Agnetha Fatskog.

[@JenniferKlinger]

it is a such a funtastic song. it certainly would become a world wide #1 even nowadays. well done, faith

[@navymiguelito]

I think Faith did a good job with her interpretation of the song. ABBA purists will knock her for not being an Agnetha clone, but it would be tough for anyone to fill the shoes of the original artist. At least Benny approved.

[@RickDanner]

no one can come close to Agnetha and her voice or beauty

[@musicmanregina]

i take it back-this is rock-great job Faith!

[@songsungu]

How special is this,,,,,,,,,,,,,thanks, Christian

[@XmalD73]

Of course no-one could be as good as Agnetha, but I think Faith did a pretty good job. It's a terribly difficult song to sing, and was she perfect? No, but she did better than most vocalists would have done. Now the question is, who would you have liked to sing it? Could Christina Aquilera done more?

[@GrooveDoctor77Musician]

Nobody could sing that song like Agnetha ,and no matter ABBA deserved the hall of fame last time I checked they sold over 370 million albums not many acts can touch that figure

[@MrBlueSkyMrNight]

*Well, this is a live performance. And she was 43 years old at the time. But there aren't any popular singers that can properly handle a song like this anyway. Vocal power and beauty was/is a rare combination - and it isn't found in pop music anymore.*

[@thegrumpygenxer]

God Faith Hill is so f-ing hot!She's twice the age of most the pop artist out there, and could sing circles around them!!!

[@kmakkai]

I'm not agree with those comments. Faith is quite great voice, she sings the Abba song in Faith's style, with great dynamic. Let's don't forget, that the band behind her is not Abba band at all, so this is a cover, sounds different, nothing like the original. I love it.

[@djampitoechannel6345]

Excellent...I like it...

[@nurultea2051]

ABBA still no.1. I love them from i am child because my father always listen radio every morning.

[@maxine1200]

🇬🇧 She killed a terrific song, but anyone is brave singing this after the amazing voice of Agnetha!

[@joan-annebross9217]

Agnetha didn't have to yell. Her voice is unmatched.

[@rebeccadavis1392]

Beautiful voice

[@PianoGesang]

Even though I've seen Faith Hill doing some outstanding performances I must admit to her failing here, big time. You guys below are all right. They even took the song down a key (from F# to F) but she is still struggling and does not live up to the emotion the song requires. Also a little hard for her being in a stable relationship with Tim :-)

[@90AlmostFamous]

PianoGesang it's totally wrong song for her

[@MarioRenor]

The drummer steals the scene. He really kicks ass on this video

[@Ivanbelastegui]

This song has been sung by all kind of singers, pop, rock, opera, musicals and all of them failed to re-create the pure emotion you get even when you listen the opening line "I don´t wanna talk" sung by Agnetha Fältstog. At least in this version we can listen to Benny andersson playing this song live. Thanks for posting anyway

[@simonclark29041978]

It would have been good if all 4 members of ABBA performed such a ace band one that will be heard off in centuries to come ill love and listen to their music till the day I die

[@Grandpaw2511]

Celine Dion maybe but no one can do it like Agnetha, it will forever be her song.

[@TammyLReyes]

Agree, it is HER pain in this song, it is HER pain in that voice. Love this song but can't listen to it without tears from her pain.

[@Grandpaw2511]

Tammy Reyes You're so right Tammy. She didn't just sing her songs, she put part of herself into them.

[@dadashim52]

Grandpaw2511 absolutely you are right.

[@restlessbohemian26]

Celine Dion can't even touch Cyndi Lauper, let alone ABBA lol. DREAM ON!

[@bluecolor1600]

@David S. 👏👏👏

[@bmoore5868]

Agnetha has one of my favorite all time voices... this is just ok

[@lorifriedman8987]

A tribute to ABBA. Thank you.

[@MrCountrycuz]

Just watched Susan Boyle sing this song and she blew Faith Hill out of the water!

[@RedArrow73]

I'd say FH, in overdoing it, actually falls a bit short. In a way, showing the world how talented Agnetha is. The cross look on Benny's face gave it away.

[@iraquiles]

Essa é simplesmente o tema da minha vida!Björn e Benny parece que ditaram a minha história e oque eu sou nessa linda música!Certamente muitas pessoas pensam a mesma coisa em relaçaõ a essa música e sua vidas!

[@SAMYTHEA]

pretty voice but this song is made for Agnetha

[@kimberlywilcox2063]

Faith Hill sang it beautiful, and as I watched Mamma Mia , Meryl Streep actually sang it absolutely beautiful as well. They both did a fantastic job at shari n g the beautiful voices they have with such a gorgeous ,difficult song. FAITH HILL IS AWESOME TO SAY THE LEAST.....

[@joko7062]

1 Million Miles far away from Agnetha. Just with her voice this song sounds magic.

[@BUTCHSAWYER]

Faith Hill OWNED this song Listen to the band, she is in perfect sync, with them she is flawless If you are expecting the original, you are daft, go listen to the original By the way, I never cared for Faith until I heard her sing this song

[@niloaguiar5371]

Abba, apresentada pelo BEE GEES. Salve a eterna música!!!!!

[@sudiptakiran]

Agnetha owns this song. Period. Faith take a bow.

[@PMSSINGER]

First, I'd like to say that I LOVE ABBA and the original version of this song. After reading some of the comments here, I totally expected to hate this version. Faith Hill did an exceptional job on this song. And no she didn't sing it like a country song contrary to prior comments. As a musician and a singer myself, the only thing I noticed was the drummer picked up the tempo to much. I could tell she was a little uncomfortable with it but covered nicely. I hate it when drummers do that to me!

[@MrMikomi]

If you're a musician how come you can't tell that she was singing sharp?

[@PMSSINGER]

@@MrMikomi Because she's NOT singing sharp. You need to get your ears checked.

[@michellerojas793]

Wonderfull

[@sportsguy50000]

It's just shows how amazing Agnetha's voice truly is. Faith Hill is a good singer, but this is a difficult song. Now I know why they scrapped putting this on Faith Hill's greatest hits CD. (She was thinking about recording it.) Doesn't work with her voice.

[@Hollyleaf123100]

I do not understand why ABBA refused to sing together , what a shame to be so gifted and throw it away do to pride ,cleanly fans want them back together ! don't tell me they are to old cause journey , america and other bands still tour and sing !

[@formulecocotier]

The voices of the accompanying singers and Benny's piano were the only sounds worth listening to. Proof that country singers must never be asked to sing European pop masterpieces.

[@detesantos6488]

saudades do a bba

[@JamesTagompay]

the best hill love to many song great

[@mikespeir]

I don't mean any disrespect to Faith Hill, but hearing this rendition reminds me yet again of how very good Agnetha was.

[@evelyn305miami]

I cant take it anymore if it ain't broken dont fix it

[@zmaniaac1]

Rock on ABBA!!!

[@MultiJeff1979]

faith hill murdered the song hi-hi-hi .

[@Tocimah]

poor Faith sounds like she's going to bust a gasket. Agnetha truly had such a great voice. Agnetha sang with virtually no effort. What a range she had and strength and fluidness.

[@dimahkhan5203]

i have yet to hear someone who can sing as good as Agnetha. May be Frida, ....

[@bluecolor1600]

Not even Frida!

[@chelseacharger]

@@bluecolor1600 Frida was the boss when it came to ABBA's concert performances. Agnetha, by her own admission, preferred to be in the studio. It's a personal choice over who's voice and tone is preferable to ones ears. They were a formidable partnership.

[@bluecolor1600]

@@chelseacharger yep, a personal choice and a personal opinion! And I'll stick to it! I wasn't touring with them and I wasn't in the studio with them either, so I don't know who was the"boss" or not!👎🤣🙈

[@chelseacharger]

@@bluecolor1600 I was lucky (and old) enough to see them in concert in 1979and she was very impressive as a stage performer. They were a much better live band than they even gave themselves credit for. Agnetha and Frida each have particular vocal strengths, which B & B wisely utilised. As a vocal pairing they had 'all the bases covered'.

[@sammencia7945]

That three octave jump is a tough one.

[@joewhite6421]

Agnetha Falskog had an unmatched B2 - F7 range with Pitch perfect tone.

[@idea1407]

Actually, at the time ABBA conquered Europe and America. Though America got a case of amnesia. Faith does a good performance here.