The Winner Takes It All

Released on July 21, 1980, as the lead single from their seventh studio album Super Trouper, "The Winner Takes It All" stands apart from ABBA's usual dance-floor anthems. Written by Björn Ulvaeus and Benny Andersson in G-flat major, the track features a slow, driving rhythm anchored by a melancholic piano intro and rich orchestral backing. Agnetha Fältskog delivers a raw vocal performance that conveys the quiet devastation of a relationship ending, even though the songwriters have consistently stated the lyrics were a dramatization rather than a strict account of their own marriage.

The song became an immediate commercial force, topping the charts in the United Kingdom, Belgium, Ireland, and the Netherlands while peaking at number eight on the US Billboard Hot 100. Its emotional depth resonated globally, leading to certifications of gold and platinum in multiple countries and helping drive sales for Super Trouper past the 10 million mark worldwide. A 2006 Channel Five poll named it Britain's favorite break-up song, cementing its place as a cultural touchstone that transcends the typical boundaries of 1970s disco-pop.

Decades later, the track continues to find new life across different media formats. In October 2026, it joined Spotify's "Billions Club," surpassing one billion streams to become ABBA's most-played song on the platform. Recent years have seen renewed attention through viral covers, including a May 2026 TikTok sensation by Meryl Streep, who famously performed the song in the film Mamma Mia!. The song remains a staple in musical theater productions and television competitions, with notable performances appearing on the finale of The Voice in December 2025. [edit]