Thank you for the music! (hint, hint). Jim Adams tirelessly hosts Song Lyric Sunday and gives us the chance to share lots of favourite, and some not so familiar, songs.
The theme for this week seems to mirror life itself, with games, gambling, losing, and winning. We’ve probably all experienced a little bit of each of these. Hopefully with no excess that overwhelmed us.
If you fancy sharing one of your favourite songs you can find out how to participate, and also listen to all the great entries, here.
Today I’m sharing a song from ABBA, released as the first single from their Super Trouper album on 21 July 1980.
The Winner Takes It All which had the original demonstration title “The Story of My Life” – was written by Björn Ulvaeus and Benny Andersson, with Agnetha Fältskog singing the lead vocal.
Björn always denied the song was about his and Agnetha’s divorce, but it always seemed to be a bit of a coincidence, especially considering the original title. It is certainly sung with great passion, and seemingly with pain etched on Agnetha’s face.
In a 1999 poll for Channel 5, “The Winner Takes It All” was voted Britain’s favourite ABBA song. This feat was replicated in a 2010 poll for ITV. In a 2006 poll for a Channel Five programme, “The Winner Takes It All” was voted “Britain’s Favourite Break-Up Song.”
I hope you enjoy it.
About things we’ve gone through
Though it’s hurting me
Now it’s history
And that’s what you’ve done too
Nothing more to say
No more ace to play
The loser’s standing small
Beside the victory
That’s her destiny
Thinking I belonged there
I figured it made sense
Building me a fence
Thinking I’d be strong there
But I was a fool
Playing by the rules
Their minds as cold as ice
And someone way down here
Loses someone dear
The loser has to fall (Has to fall)
It’s simple and it’s plain (It’s so plain)
Why should I complain (Why complain)
Like I used to kiss you
Does it feel the same
When she calls your name
You must know I miss you
But what can I say
Rules must be obeyed
The likes of me abide (Me abide)
Spectators of the show (Of the show)
Always staying low (Staying low)
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)
If it makes you feel sad
And I understand
You’ve come to shake my hand
If it makes you feel bad
Seeing me so tense
No self-confidence
The winner takes it all
And the loser has to fall
Way down here, someone dear
And it’s plain, I complain
Songwriters: ULVAEUS BJOERN K / ANDERSSON BENNY GORAN BROR
……and a bonus of:
peter it was great to hear this song today, thanks for sharing it.
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This song is sooooo sad but it’s my all time favorite ABBA track so thanks so much for the share Peter 😊 xx
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That piano, those words. Very very good.
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The song strikes a nerve. The agony of the irony 😦
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Thanks for a classic share! 👍
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Nice choice and suits the prompt. Me? I would have gone for ‘The Gambler’
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What a cracking choice, Peter! Who can forget that video, & the pain that was etched on Agnetha’s face..heartbreaking! It was a huge coincidence if Bjorn reckoned it wasn’t about their breakup.
It’s interesting that it was originally going to be called “Story Of A Life” as a similar title popped up later, in 2009, by The Benny Andersson
Band, called, “Story Of A Heart.” It was the title of the album & a track on it..it’s an album I love, & wish he’d bring out another with those folks.
Ahh, and Thank You For The Music easily makes me tear up. When the children were small/teenagers it was always the end song of their dancing shows, a lovely sing-a-long opportunity too. But it’s ABBA, what’s not to like, eh?!
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It’s amazing what memories can be released by a music trigger. It even happens for some living with dementia, and that is a wonderful thing!
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Yes, it is..I have so many, as I’m sure you do, too! I love to see how music can immediately animate dementia sufferers, or calm them too. It’s been my salvation through many a bad time!
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Perfect song for the prompts! Thanks Peter 🙂💕
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Thank you!
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