The Winner Takes It All – English Lyrics

• By: Abba
• Album: Mamma Mia

Lyrics & Translation

Explore the depths of heartbreak and resilience with ABBA's iconic song, "The Winner Takes It All." Delve into the emotional lyrics and discover how this song can help you understand the language of love and loss, making it a timeless piece for language learners and music enthusiasts alike.

[English]

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 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's so 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 (will decide)

The likes of me abide (me 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)

...

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

...

And it's plain, why complain?

...

Key Vocabulary

Vocabulary	Meanings
talk /tɔːk/ A1	verb - to express thoughts and feelings in words
hurting /ˈhɜːrtɪŋ/ B1	verb - causing emotional or physical pain
history /ˈhɪstəri/ A2	noun - the study of past events
winner /ˈwɪnər/ A2	noun - someone who wins a contest or competition
loser /ˈluːzər/ B1	noun - someone who loses a contest or competition
standing /ˈstændɪŋ/ A1	verb - to be on your feet
victory /ˈvɪktəri/ B1	noun - the act of defeating an opponent
destiny /ˈdestɪni/ B2	noun - the events that will necessarily happen to a particular person or thing in the future
arms /ɑːrmz/ A1	noun - the upper limbs of the human body
sense /sens/ A2	noun - a feeling that something is the case
building /ˈbɪldɪŋ/ A1	verb - constructing something
home /hoʊm/ A1	noun - the place where one lives
fool /fuːl/ B1	noun - a person who acts unwisely or imprudently
rules /ruːlz/ A2	noun - principles or regulations governing conduct or procedure
cold /koʊld/ A1	adjective - low temperature
kiss /kɪs/ A2	verb - to touch with the lips as a sign of love
name /neɪm/ A1	noun - a word or words by which someone or something is known
miss /mɪs/ A2	verb - to feel the absence of
judges /ˈdʒʌdʒɪz/ B1	noun - a public officer appointed to decide cases in a law court

Key Grammar Structures

• I don't wanna talk

  ➔ Negative form of the verb 'want' in informal speech.

  ➔ The phrase "I don't wanna" is a casual way of saying "I do not want to".

• Though it's hurting me

  ➔ Use of 'though' to introduce a contrast.

  ➔ The word "though" indicates that the speaker acknowledges the pain but still wants to express something.

• The winner takes it all

  ➔ Simple present tense to express a general truth.

  ➔ The phrase "The winner takes it all" suggests that the winner receives everything, a common saying in competitive contexts.

• But I was a fool

  ➔ Past simple tense to describe a completed action.

  ➔ The phrase "I was a fool" reflects on a past mistake or regret.

• The gods may throw a dice

  ➔ Modal verb 'may' to express possibility.

  ➔ The phrase "The gods may throw a dice" suggests that fate is uncertain and can change.

• Why should I complain?

  ➔ Use of 'should' to express obligation or expectation.

  ➔ The question "Why should I complain?" implies that there is no reason to complain about the situation.

• The game is on again

  ➔ Present continuous tense to indicate an ongoing action.

  ➔ The phrase "The game is on again" suggests that a new round of competition has started.