The Winner Takes It All

"The Winner Takes It All", originally titled "The Story of My Life", was written by both Björn Ulvaeus and Benny Andersson, with Fältskog singing the lead vocal. The lyrics to the song were thought to mirror the divorce between Ulvaeus and Fältskog in 1979. However, Ulvaeus himself denies this, saying 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". According to The Winner Takes It All Songfacts, Ulvaeus has said that while he usually didn't use drugs or alcohol while writing, he had a bottle of brandy next to him while writing the lyrics for this song. It was very personal to him.

[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] 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] 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 (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] 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)