Released: July 21, 1980
Songwriter: Björn Ulvaeus Benny Andersson
Producer: Björn Ulvaeus Benny Andersson
[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)
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)
The Definitive Collection
- Money, Money, Money
- Ring Ring
- Rock Me
- S.O.S.
- So Long
- Summer Night City [Single Version]
- Super Trouper
- Take a Chance on Me
- Thank You for the Music
- The Name of the Game
- The Visitors
- The Winner Takes It All
- Under Attack
- Voulez-Vous
- When All Is Said and Done
- Voulez-Vous (Extended US Promo Mix)
- The Day Before You Came
- Ring Ring [U.K. Remix]
- People Need Love
- One of Us
- On and On and On
- Waterloo
- Fernando
- Angeleyes
- Chiquitita
- Dancing Queen
- Does Your Mother Know
- Gimme! Gimme! Gimme! (A Man After Midnight)
- Hasta Mañana
- He Is Your Brother
- Head Over Heels
- Honey, Honey
- I Do, I Do, I Do, I Do, I Do
- I Have a Dream
- Knowing Me, Knowing You
- Lay All Your Love on Me
- Love Isn’t Easy (But It Sure Is Hard Enough)
- Mamma Mia
- Eagle [Single Version]
- Super Trouper (1980)
- Sessions® Presents The Greatest Hits Album (1982)
- The Singles: The First Ten Years (1982)
- Os Grandes Sucessos (1988)
- Gold: Greatest Hits (1992)
- Thank You for the Music (1994)
- The Definitive Collection (2001)
- 18 Hits (2005)
- Super Trouper (The Complete Studio Recordings Edition) (2005)
- Je T’Aime⁵ (2006)
- Super Trouper (Deluxe Edition) (2011)
- Tracks Of My Years With Ken Bruce (2014)
- NOW That’s What I Call Legends [UK] (2014)
- Mamma Mia
- Dancing Queen
- The Winner Takes It All
- Gimme! Gimme! Gimme! (A Man After Midnight)
- Super Trouper
- Fernando
- One of Us
- Waterloo
- Lay All Your Love on Me
- Chiquitita
- Andante, Andante
- Don’t Shut Me Down
- Slipping Through My Fingers
- Money, Money, Money
- Voulez-Vous
- When I Kissed the Teacher
- Happy New Year
- Thank You for the Music
- Why Did It Have to Be Me?
- My Love, My Life
- Chiquitita (Spanish Version)
- S.O.S.
- The Name of the Game
- Does Your Mother Know