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

The winner takes it all
The loser's 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 the 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)

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

So the winner takes it all
And the loser has to fall
Throw the dice, cold as ice
Way down here, someone dear
Takes it all, has to fall
It seems plain, why complain?


Lyrics submitted by Demau Senae

The Winner Takes It All Lyrics as written by Bjoern K Ulvaeus Benny Goran Bror Andersson

Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC

Lyrics powered by LyricFind

The Winner Takes It All song meanings
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26 Comments

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  • +5
    General Comment

    I broke up with someone on March 17th 2003. It is one of those things where he said he loves me but sees no future for us as anything more than friends. He has moved on... found someone else months before this date... but maintains he still wants to be friends with me... and to me, this song says exactly what I would like to tell him...

    nadahation June 26, 2003   Link
  • +4
    General Comment

    Almost everytime a relationship is formed, someone else is left behind. This is what this song is about.

    It's such an amazing and sad song.

    Outernationaliston September 26, 2006   Link
  • +3
    General Comment

    This song is basically about giving up to the person who she's been competing with, the person who won her lover's heart. Their love may have been great, but it's in the past now, it's history. She gave him everything she could, she "played by the rules," and remained faithful to their relationship but destiny (the gods) prevented it and let the other win instead. Although she still loves him, she knows that he's no longer hers, and so she must "abide" to remain what destiny proclaims. However, she remains hopeful, a "spectator of the show," that if their relationship fails, then she too will finally claim victory.

    arleenhon November 21, 2013   Link
  • +2
    General Comment

    This song reminds me of my parents, who separated about 3 weeks ago. My dad has left my mum for another woman, so this song really hits where it hurts at times.

    stormgirlon December 11, 2005   Link
  • +2
    General Comment

    älskar den här låter. Så sant!

    DA15Yon December 15, 2008   Link
  • +2
    General Comment

    Amazing song and sang with such emotion. I know it isn't really about their divorce but when she sings there is such emotion and her voice actually trembles in places. Especially where she sings: I don't want to 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.

    One of the best break up songs ever!

    zakinbristolon July 01, 2014   Link
  • +1
    General Comment

    This song is about Agnetha and Bjorn by the video but in real life Agnetha was the one who broke up with Bjorn because she did not want to be in the public eye and got sick of it all, things were not working out, and the relationship wasnt going well.. so this songs video is a little strange. But still a good song.

    bigdave69on December 20, 2004   Link
  • +1
    General Comment

    well its tru of the concern i thik about being abandoned but the end seems to say hey im still seeing you(on certain occasion) and im still involved at heart while there life theres hope

    buddieboyon February 21, 2007   Link
  • +1
    General Comment

    Hi guys, Though English is my second language and I am not that excellent in it, I absolutely admire this very song. However, there are some expressions I totally can't understrand and would appreciate it if somebody provide me with a plain definition for these expressions that follows: 1- The winner takes it all 2-The loser standing small Beside the victory 3- The gods may throw a dice 4- Spectators of the show Always staying low

    Thanks in advance!

    mkjusticeon August 04, 2008   Link
  • +1
    General Comment

    Here you go, the best I could:

    1) The winner takes it all- if you were to play a game such as basketball or poker, and you do a bet, the winner takes it all means the person that win takes all the money of the bids, in this song it is used to express the idea of losing a game and having to give up everything you own, in this case her feelings...

    2) The loser stands small- the person that lost is now useless, worthless and defense less compared to the winner.

    3) The god may throw a dice- means that iti is destiny there is no one who can make a dice turn out the way they want to .

    4) the spectators of the show always staying low- the people who are watching what is happening will not get involved.

    CabforCutieon August 17, 2008   Link

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