The Winner Takes It All
Solveig Slettahjell Lyrics
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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.
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...
The song "The Winner Takes It All" by Solveig Slettahjell was originally written by Benny Andersson and Björn Ulvaeus of the famous Swedish group ABBA. The song was released in 1980 and became one of their most popular hits. The song is about a woman who is dealing with the aftermath of a failed relationship. She critiques the idea of a game where there can only be one winner, and the pain that the loser has to endure. The lyrics express a deep sense of loss and regret, lamenting on how a love that was once so strong can dissipate so quickly.
The first verse sets the tone for the song as the woman doesn't want to revisit the past and talk about the things they've been through. She acknowledges that it may hurt, but she would rather move on. The second verse speaks to the woman's experience of thinking that she had a sense of belonging and home built around the love she shared with her partner, only to realize that it was all a false sense of security. The chorus is where the main theme of the song resides, where the winner takes all, and the loser must stand small, accepting their fate.
The bridge is where the woman questions her former partner's current relationship, wondering if their new lover kisses them the way she used to, and if it still feels the same for them. The woman acknowledges that rules must be obeyed, highlighting that sometimes, love isn't enough to keep two people together. Finally, in the last verse, the woman apologizes for the tension she feels around her former partner, knowing that she has lost the game.
Line by Line Meaning
I don't wanna talk about the things we've gone through
I don't want to discuss the past anymore
Though it's hurting me, now it's history.
Even though it hurts, it's in the past now
I've played all my cards and that's what you've done too.
I've done everything I can, and so have you
Nothing more to say, no more ace to play.
There's nothing left to talk about, no more strategies to employ
The winner takes it all, the loser standing small.
The one who comes out on top takes everything, while the loser is left with nothing
Beside the victory, that's her destiny.
Being the winner is her fate
I was in your arms, thinking I belonged there.
I felt at home in your loving embrace
I figured it made sense, building me a fence.
I thought it was logical to build a barrier around myself
Building me a home, thinking I'd be strong there
Creating a comfortable and safe place, hoping it would make me feel powerful
But I was a fool, playing by the rules.
I made a mistake by following the conventional way of doing things
The gods may throw a dice, their minds as cold as ice
Fate can be unpredictable and indifferent, without mercy or compassion
And someone, way down here, loses someone dear.
Down here, someone is losing someone they love
The winner takes it all, the loser has to fall.
In the end, the victor takes everything and the defeated person loses it all
It's simple and it's plain, why should I complain?
It's straightforward and obvious, so there's no point in complaining
But tell me, does she kiss like I used to kiss you?
I'm curious, does she kiss you the way I did?
Does it feel the same when she calls your name?
Does it feel as good when she says your name?
Somewhere deep inside, you must know I miss you
You must know that I miss you, even though I don't say it often
But what can I say? Rules must be obeyed.
But there's nothing I can do about it, I have to follow the rules
The judges will decide, the likes of me abide.
The judges will make the final decision, and ordinary people like me have to accept it
Spectators of the show always staying low.
We are mere observers of the drama, keeping a low profile
The game is on again, a lover or a friend?
The competition has started once more, but this time, is it about love or friendship?
A big thing or a small? The winner takes it all.
No matter how big or small the stakes, the winner takes everything
I don't wanna talk if it makes you feel sad
I don't want to bring up any topics that would cause you to feel upset
And I understand, you've come to shake my hand.
I appreciate that you're here to say goodbye
I apologize if it makes you feel bad
I'm sorry if I'm making you uncomfortable
Seeing me so tense, no self-confidence but you see.
You can see that I'm nervous and lacking self-confidence
The winner takes it all... The winner takes it all...
Once again, the victor takes everything
Writer(s): Benny Goran Bror Andersson, Bjoern K. Ulvaeus Copyright: Union Songs Musikforlag AB
Contributed by Vivian Y. Suggest a correction in the comments below.