Abba - The Winner Takes It All

Abba visited Paris on October 21-22 1980 to appear on the Stars tv show at the Pavillon Baltard in Nogent, which was broadcast on October 25. They performed The Winner Takes It All and Super Trouper after host Michel Drucker interviewed famous Italian actress Gina Lollobrigida, who asked Frida a couple of questions at the end.
The Winner Takes It All was recorded on June 6 1980, and had the working title "The Story Of My Life". It was released as a single on July 21 1980. It reached #1 in Belgium (2 months), Ireland, South Africa, Holland and UK and made the top 10 in another 14 countries. It was voted Britain's favorite break-up song in 2006.
Bjorn went home with a tape of the backing track to write the lyrics. The layers of French chanson suggested something melodramatic and emotional. On this night Bjorn opened a bottle of Scotch whisky and drank freely during the writing process. "I was drunk" he recalled "and the whole lyric came to me in a rush of emotion in one hour". Tears flowed in the recording studio after Agnetha recorded her lead vocal. She called The Winner Takes It All "the best of all Abba songs. The lyrics are deeply personal, and the music is unsurpassed. Singing it was like acting a part. I mustn't let my feelings take over. It was quite a while afterwards before I realised that we made a small masterpiece."
Benny recalls "As a melody its the simplest ever. There are only two different melody lines in it that are repeated throughout the whole song, and yet I think we managed to avoid a feeling of repetition. The song includes a lot of emotion and their is a counterpoint thing going on with the vocals in the backing track. That's the Brian Wilson influence. Counterpoint harmony, thats what the Beach Boys did all the time and what I always liked a lot."
Bjorn admits the lyrics were inspired by the heartbreak with Agnetha, but says the basis of the song "is the experience of a divorce, but it's fiction. There wasn't a winner or a loser in our case. A lot of people think it's straight out of reality, but it's not". The couple decided to separate in late 1978, and Agnetha moved out of their home on Christmas night December 25 1978. In January 1979 they filed for divorce, which was finalised in June 1980.
Agnetha and Bjorn explained the situation in an exclusive interview with Swedish newspaper Expressen on January 16 1979.
Agnetha: "What has happened only concerns the two of us. There's no point talking about what went wrong with our marriage. The fact is that Bjorn and myself can no longer live together."
Bjorn: "Its important to say this is an amicable divorce, if you can call it that. In the beginning it was all very romantic and we were in love. But after we got married bit by bit we began to move apart. Our tastes and opinions started to differ more and more. We thought that a second child would bring us closer together.
Agnetha: "Christian doesn't know about what's going on because he's too young but Linda understands. In the end the three of us sat down to talk about it. Its almost a month since we separated and I think she prefers to see that her two parents are happier now. And anyway I only live 7 minutes away from Bjorn. The news isn't a surprise to Benny and Frida because they're close to us and see how we work."
Bjorn: "Its not very nice to talk about all this in public. Which is why we won't be talking about our divorce any more in the future like we have done here. Its important that we stress that Abba is not going to break up. The group means so much to us."
Music / Lyrics: Benny Andersson, Bjorn Ulvaeus
Lead Vocal: Agnetha
I don't wanna talk
About the 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 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

[@MrRedemption1]

ABBA wird niemals alt es gibt immer Leute die sie lieben

[@forevcompetitor9052]

the background of this song makes it even more astounding..... she's singing this song just as her and her ex Bjorn were divorced.... and they are performin it together.. DANG

[@Miknovis]

They had handled it to stay friends. Love just ends sometimes and only mentally mature people could go through this without a devastating war. With luck to each other and go forward. I think personal relations in ABBA were a major part of success cause in their prime it was A+B B+A

[@heimfriedtorres5777]

Ohne diese Stimme würde es ABBA heute so nicht geben.

[@joepalmer3231]

Agnetha is in a class by herself when it comes to pouring emotion into a song. Amazing woman

[@VladSicoe]

IMO this is their best song. They had many great songs, but this one stands out as their best work!

[@eclipsioredstoneyt9580]

Best song by them indeed!

[@abbafanglosuk]

That's right Dallas, to us fans Bjorn was writing about the heartbreak of their divorce despite what he says and Agnetha is singing about herself despite what she says. That's why only Agnetha can do this song proper justice and delivers this dramatic emotional singing that is considered to be her best ever pertformance!

[@RickaramaTrama-lc1ys]

No one seems to be able to sing this like Agnetha does. If this song doesn't move you then you were born without emotion!!!!!!!!! Her natural beauty is breathtaking!

[@kenhatchett6433]

Best song ever recorded,a really true masterpiece

[@vilasalazar]

how well she holds the notes... what a voice

[@kenny1522]

Agnetha was absolutely class

[@tolgamert6324]

Agnetha is so talented and beautiful, she is the best...

[@chemarobles3444]

si, la mejor sin duda

[@ALRIGHTdieBand]

👍

[@joseolvera309]

Oh ,,yea

[@ladyluvsleez]

Abba was phenomenal even til this day

[@songsungu]

sadly in America this was the last hit. I cried when they were no longer coming on my radio. it is so great to see this performance. thank you so much. yours, Christian

[@Channel-nv7ls]

никто никогда не повторить и не спорадирует такой божественный оболденный чистый голос...такой неземной потрясающей красоты девушки женщины мамы двоих детей...агнетты фальцкогг...просто мой кумир...и любимая певица...во все времена...даже когда прошло...уже34года...как она когда то спела эту неземную и с душой спела эту песню...вот...никого сюда рядом не ставлю и не присоединяюсь к словам миллионов сказанных...на остальных мне начехать...это мой кумир и ничей больше...остальные валите отсюда...все я все сказал.

[@kennethhuang371]

THE WINNER TAKES IT ALL would be the final hit song for ABBA--a touching ballad about divorce that struck hard with listeners all over the world-Hits the top five in America. (1981) Agnetha shows her vocal range right here. Kenneth A Huang 9/3/22

[@yanki198]

This is the top song, the epitome of ABBA on a compositional level, the other songs are just the preamble, this is the top of the mountain for ABBA and one of the best songs of all time

[@twosuns2504]

Agnetha is blessed with an amazing voice.

[@FearPhoenix]

Bless Better Call Saul for introducing this

[@LinhNguyen-ub6ou]

Chuck McGill

[@fabianplayer24]

Revival.

[@Moicesy]

I discovered it on Glee

[@gabrielegabe]

There are so many that try to cover them but hey.. there is a reason why they were TOP my God... it's impossible to reach Aghneta's voice and technique. She's a pro. And a top pro. There is a reason why these guys are part of the pop music history.

[@abbafanglosuk]

She still has a place in most Abba fan's hearts today. You can't help but like Agnetha for all the ups and downs she went through in her life as well as being a great singer and songwriter. This song could document her lowest point at the divorce, but she sings it perfectly!

[@AdamDawson3]

I have heard 'The Winner Takes It All' more times than I can remember and the two long notes that Agnetha holds at the end of the song still take my breath away and she goes an octave higher her voice is fabulous the only person who can reach that note.

[@tubexfiler]

This song represents the idea of the game in this universe: 'only one will win or survive' - 'to be the one who survives you must be superior to all others' Originally it comes from jewel of dimensional knowledge, from one of it's chambers, wherein was shown, how one being becomes many many beings which compete with each other and then the last winner absorbs all the rest - so he 'suvives' It's an idea, which predisposes competiton and fighting

[@Ami_des_slows]

Encore une fois merci abbafanglosuk pour cette vidéo. A regarder et écouter sans modération en 2024 comme en 1979. 45 ans et toujours pas une ride (sauf sur mon visage) ! Ce morceau est sur ma playlist depuis 2014 et n'est pas prêt d'en sortir.

[@revaloche8246]

Agnetha ist so süß und vornehm. Sehr schöne Musik.

[@abbafanglosuk]

This is Abba from Sweden who were active during 1972-82. They're the 4th highest selling artist of all time behing the Beatles, Elvis and Michael Jackson with 370 million record sales. They're still selling today thanks to the worldwide success of Mamma Mia the Movie which contains their best songs - including this classic which has been voted the best breaking up song ever!

[@abbafanglosuk]

That's right Abba often performed to playback. They found it impossible to reproduce their mult-layered studio sound in a live environment and wanted the audience to hear their songs as they should be heard, rather than anything lesser!

[@claudiotedoldi2573]

abbafanglosuk Maybe you forgot the performance at Dick Cavett's show in 1982, where they played live 9 songs. I saw that video( you can find it easily on YT) . : it's a very very excellent perfornance!!!! They also played Super Trouper , on the same album of The Winner...strange they didn't play also this song...

[@jhwalsh93]

In terms of pop music ABBA really are in a league of their own

[@famkimaroyte8649]

Legendary performances of Agnetha. She is superd

[@Macskafogo]

"And I understand - you've come to shake my hand" -> it's incredibly how deeply this sentence touches me each time I hear it ...

[@abbafanglosuk]

The underlying chord is as simple as you can get: "da da - da da" repeated throughout. Its Benny's changes in rhythm with his piano playing to coincide with the emotional lyrics that makes it so dramatic and gives emphasis to Agnetha's singing!

[@abbafanglosuk]

Benny and Bjorn were known to be perfectionists and only released songs when every aspect was mixed just right. Wall-to-wall sound was always a feature of Abba songs!

[@sjj3357]

Beautiful but sad song sung by a sad beautiful and talented Agnetha, ABBA's music is the best:-)

[@ichhasseamerika]

Yes, I had forgotten how absolutely beautiful she was. I had a crush on her when I was 12. :)

[@crishanthaweerasinghe4360]

Bob Dobalina dn

[@sjcmj43]

Bob Dobalina Yes I still have that crush...

[@mtchair4me]

Still fantastic after all these years

[@plazmatixxprmental614]

+mtchair4me and will...

[@cocoricoendo6116]

Agnetha's voice is crystal clear.

[@fortinero45]

Abbafanglosuk Thanks for all these videos of Abba, I'm a fan of Abba and Agnetha from my country for many años.En Argentina met them in the 70s but now when I most enjoy is thanks to people like you tube and thank usted.Le (I'll go and forgive, but is translated by the system)

[@LittleSweety]

This song was 30 years ago no.5 in the world charts

[@Ami_des_slows]

Encore merci abbafanglosuk pour cette vidéo. A regarder et écouter sans modération en 2023 comme en 1979. 44 ans et toujours pas une ride (sauf sur mon visage) ! Ce morceau est sur ma playlist depuis 2014 et n'est pas prêt d'en sortir.

[@yhcgirl02]

True dat son!!! Agnetha is number three on my top 10 favorite singers of all-time. Celine Dion and Shania Twain are 1 and 2. But anyways, Agnetha is an amazing vocalist who can make any song sound beautiful.

[@qualqui]

Yeah John boy, this is one SUPER SONG!!! hmmm...came out in June of '80, this was such a favorite back home in utah, that i was amazed and surprised that Superbowl '81 choosed this song as the finale when the game finished,....then as with Björn and Aggie, no winner here,....thanx for the share good buddy, sendin' 5 shiny stars your way! = )

[@Ami_des_slows]

Merci abbafanglosuk pour cette vidéo. A regarder et écouter sans modération en 2022 comme en 1979. La France aussi adore. D'ailleurs, chanson excellemment reprise en français par Mireille Mathieu : Bravo tu as gagné.

[@WIESIEK58]

Nobody can equall to QUEEN AGNETHA!!!!!!

[@TheMiksu68]

I lived as child in Stockholm when ABBA won the European Song Contest Eurovision.

[@nAanis100]

This song is a masterpiece and ABBA is as Queen for me ! Two groups from heaven or whatever else but those groups are SO AMAZING SO TALENTED that sometime i am like ! Wow they are or they were living on the same planet and shared their amazing talent angels voices and then i am feeling lucky to had the chance to listen them and feeling great to be alive and being human.. 😍

[@abbafanglosuk]

Everyone knows what's coming as soon as the famous opening line is movingly delivered John! That's what made Abba so special - all the dramatic memorable moments in their songs, and there are plenty in this one!

[@samuelashley5011]

In all our eyes, the death of ABBA. They carried on for a bit but this it. The end of actual legends. They really are legends.

[@Therealkyle2022]

is it just me...or does she hav a f***in incredible voice? hahaha im only a young guy..but jesus...im kinda speechless hearing that. PEace OUt!

[@fortinero45]

Gracias abbafanglosuk por todos estos videos de abba,soy un fans de abba y de agnetha desde hace muchos años.En mi pais Argentina los conocimos en los años 70 pero ahora es cuando mas los disfruto gracias a you tube y a personas como usted.Le agradezco (le voy a pasar traducido y perdone pero es por sistema)

[@ElBeTros]

Wow, look how modest these girls were with their bodies. Oh, how times have changed...

[@dutchmiami]

my ALL time favourite and my crush Agnetha......so much love for you......

[@wislinman]

Good Lord, how Bjorn could write! I get tears in my eyes when I hear this masterpiece of a song.

[@Hermeterec]

from Jose' "Timo" Sepulveda..........Agnetha is impossibly beautiful........supremely talented........ABBA looks as though they descended to earth directly from heaven......

[@simonclark29041978]

Such a beautifully crafted song that just hits you in the centre of the heart

[@abbafanglosuk]

Well said Christina - I knew Abba took longer to get recognition in the States but they have recently conquered them again with Mamma Mia the Movie! This is one of their most famous awesome songs. Its amazingly personal, nobody else could write or sing anything approaching this good!

[@abbafanglosuk]

This was followed by Super Trouper and performed at Pavillon Baltard de Nogent in Paris on October 22 1980 for the Stars tv show in France - a nice treat for the audience and viewers to get two of their biggest hits!

[@MrRedemption1]

ABBA is undieable they will also be known in times when all others are alone

[@abbafanglosuk]

Yes this is often said to be her best ever singing performance. Given the lyrics and who wrote them, she could easily be singing about herself and gets evertthing just right in this emotional song!

[@gerryyuk]

what a song, wonderfully sung with magnificent accompaniment. But Oh! what a sad song, Must refer to millions of wives & husbands through thr world. Very emotional song superbly sung, deserved more recognition than it actually received.

[@Celli380]

This Song was never played live, just some TV Performances with Playback. I still love this Performances. Thank you for the Music, A B B & A =)

[@MaexxDesign]

Der Song ist in diesem Sinne so toll, weil man einfach wunderbar mitsingen kann und der Songtext bis auf "the winner takes it all" nicht wiederholt wird. Heutzutage hört man einen Refrain 3-4 Mal, der den ganzen Song ausmacht. Das ist hier anders, weil es keinen Refrain gibt. Darum liebe ich auch "Meat Loaf - I Would Do Anything For Love" ! Das Original von Abba ist schon fantastisch ! Meryl Streep setzt mit ihrer "Mamma Mia" Version aber noch mal einen drauf ! Vorallem am Ende.. Gänsehaut pur !

[@yotti82]

25 years later AND this song is really amazing!! I think this is "endless music". I'm sure in about 20 y. from now people will still listen to that song!! Luv it.

[@tullfan7872]

It's already been 36 years since it was made.

[@yotti82]

sorry, i meant 35y. later when i wrote it. ;)) But thank you. :-)

[@mintyfresh6909]

Stil listening to it know !

[@名はヒマジン]

アグネッタが離婚してその時の心境を熱唱したようなABBA最大の名曲です

[@terencebarrett2897]

Absolutely brilliant a beautiful band

[@abbafanglosuk]

That's Agnetha - have to agree with you she gets all the twists and turns just right!

[@abbafanglosuk]

That's right, she's been bringing us great songs for nearly 40 years ever since she left school and her deep singing voice is unique!

[@abbafanglosuk]

That's more than Cheltenham have doing lately Rustie, we're on a disastrous run and lost 0-4 at home to Crewe last week. All winners at our ground have been taken by the visitors since .....can't remember! You deserve sub Rustie, you've been following and praising my videos for a long time and its really appreciated by me!

[@abbafanglosuk]

Thanks Isabelle - yes we would have trouble just holding a pen steady if drinking whisky, but I think the Scandinavians used it to ward off the cold in their freezing winters and were much more used to it. Bjorn probably had all this bottled up inside him for a while following the split with Agnetha, and just needed a melodramatic tune like this to let all the emotions out + the whisky to free any inhibitions about writing of their personal heartbreak! Glad this has brought back some memories.

[@abbafanglosuk]

Yes Abba frequently did tv performances to playback as they could not reproduce their multi-layered studio sound in a live environment and wanted the audience to hear their songs as they were familar to hearing them.

[@Kolibri32]

Just Perfect !!! The Sound The Voice The Look...Perfect !!!!!!!!

[@Plushteddybear69]

Ahh, back then when the voice sounded exactly like the recording. God bless you queen Agnetha.

[@AstroSam66]

The song for the divorced and left behind... its sad but true. The winner takes it all!

[@kobebrayant1483]

Wow. Perfect

[@JohnnyLongoria58]

Love this song and the words in it. This lady has a beautiful voice.

[@fortinero45]

A veces me pregunto como puede ser que escucho los temas de abba durante tantos años y siempre me resulta como si fuera la primera vez,no me ocurre con ninguna otra banda

[@caquerio]

Thanks John. Although there are many sad songs on "Super Trouper" and "Visitors" albums (most of them, in fact) I think they were at their best. This is my favourite ABBA song; Agnetha's voice is just brilliant and full of emotion; my heart will always belong to her.

[@heba26rehan]

well said Abba , The winner is the only one who takes it all

[@dimitarpetrov1068]

timeless classic

[@babyloco8491]

Hey

[@williamoverly1617]

Frida is every bit as beautiful and talented.

[@youcuretube]

je me souviens de cette emission que j'avais vu en direct.j'entendais cette chanson pour la premiere fois qui a ete precedee ou suivie par SUPERTROUPER.sublime!!!!!

[@tullfan7872]

Agnetha called this a small masterpiece. She was being very modest (as usual)!

[@hystria]

she had quite a place in my heart as a teenager.

[@gaabriel1987]

This is the only song, that all hungarians know, so sad and beautiful...

[@joeyfersini1674]

I’m genuinely amazed

[@abbafanglosuk]

That's right Agnetha will always be the best and the only one to sing this great emotional song from personal experience as it was written about her!

[@Poessneck32]

Wahnsinn, da bekomm ich dauernd Gänsehaut wow very nice

[@SuperJajaco]

best pop song ever, past, present, future

[@luca36604]

Agnetha sei l'arte e la musica in persona. Brava, splendida. Luca da Torino, Italia Agnetha you are the art and the music in person. Good, beautiful. Luca of Turin, Italy

[@Pianda]

Unmatched! Whatever cover one listens to, it never reaches the original!

[@dorigoalegezzo]

Desde luego sigo pensando que han sido y siguen siendo los mejores. La voz de esta mujer, la variedad en sus canciones, la musicalidad y la presencia, son inigualables. Además, esta es una de las canciones más emocionantes en la historia de una separación. Es desgarradora la poesía, cuando Agnetha dice que creía estar protegida por esa valla construída... Enhorabuena, es un excelente vídeo en París...

[@susanhughs1031]

I wish we had music like this today

[@oobrocks]

Best version!

[@MusicBeauty2012]

One of the BEST song of all times!

[@eduardooscar309]

This is the best perfomance of a song that I've see in all my life Agnetha Fältskog does an amazing and fantastic interpretation with your sensitive voice

[@luca36604]

ABBA siete nel mio cuore. Splendida canzone, meravigliosa. Certe canzoni e certi artisti non tramontano mai. Luca da Torino, Italia ABBA are in my heart. Wonderful song, wonderful. Certain songs and certain artists never set. Luca Turin, Italy

[@GinyLiebt0]

ich liebe diese Gruppe und werde sie auch immer lieben .. ♥ danke papa, für diese tolle Kindheit mit dieser Musik

[@abbafanglosuk]

Both children came through the experience well Christian, as Agnetha slowed down her career to give more time to them. Linda has been a successful actress and has two daughters ages 8 and 2 with her fiancé Jens. She lives with her family in her own house on her mother's horse farm on an island near Stockholm. Christian went to university and studied physics and engineering. He designed computer games and now has a business partnership developing web-sites for others, including his sister.

[@Izadeparis]

it's amazing to know that this song was written when Bjorn was a bit drunk . it's seem that the alcohol bring out emotions in this case . Thanks for upload this TV show ...I was young when i saw it in live . And 28 years later Michel Drucker is alaways on FRench TV as TV host and hss the chance to interview Frida in Zermatt . have a good night John

[@abbafanglosuk]

Thanks Laura - yes this is a unique and very personal song with Agnetha singing these break-up lyrics written by her former husband. Everything about it is just right, with the tempo changes controlled perfectly for dramatic effect. It must be on Agnetha's mind that she is singing about herself, especially being stood alone throughout, but her performance is as perfect as ever. This is often thought to be her best ever singing performance and a musical masterpiece of emotional drama!

[@henrikekn]

Like an angel...wonderful voice

[@brianmurray591]

This is a better version than the official one.Better volume on your mobile

[@MrRonsof]

THE VERRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRY BEST GROUP EVER ! ! ! !

[@neusanair8302]

Essa canção é muito linda , igual a cantora e sua voz.Maravilhosa!!!😍😍😚😏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏