The beauty of this song is that it came right from the heart, it wasn't nasty or full with vengeance. It is just sad so freaking sad, that i almost felt guilty as a man.
Björn and Agnetha commenting on "The Winner Takes It All": Björn: "It is the experience of a divorce, but it's fiction. There wasn't a winner or a loser in our case. A lot of people think it's straight out of reality, but it's not" "I sang a demo of it myself which a lot of people liked and said, you have to sing that. But I saw the sensible thing of course, it had to go to Agnetha. I remember coming to the studio with it and everyone said, Oh this is great, wonderful It was strange hearing her singing it. It was more like an actress doing something when she sang it, but deeply moving. Afterwards there were a few tears as well." "Usually it's not a good idea to write when you're drunk, but it all came out on that one. By the time I wrote 'The gods may throw their dice' the bottle was empty." Agnetha: "... The fact that he wrote it exactly when we divorced is touching really. It was fantastic to do that song because I could put in such feeling. I didn't mind sharing it with the public. It didn't feel wrong. There is so much in that song. It was a mixture of what I felt and what Björn felt... "
Yes, thank you for sharing. For 30 years or so, I always knew this song was deeply emotional and connected to the band. Now I know the whole story and it all makes sense. Thanks again.
Bjorn just said what he said for the press, but he wrote it one night, drunk, after she dumped him. His revenge was to reverse the lyrics and get her to sing it with the roles reversed. Not that she was a winner, Agnetha left Bjorn after he did not not respect her efforts to put motherhood first. Its complicated.
@@darrelljebb4544 And George Harrison sang "Something" with Eric Clapton, the man who "stole" his wife (the wife he wrote "Something" for) … Artists are weird. They see pain as an opportunity to create art
@@KeithGadget Sure, although I'm going to guess you don't actually mean "incestuous" unless they were related? …. Perhaps promiscuous or licentious or even the more positive "variety": polyamorous :) … being in a real life sit-com... is another way of putting it... ;)
A few facts about The Winner Takes It All: - It originally had the title "The Story of My Life" - Björn needed a strong drink to be able to complete the song - It was, and still is Agnetha's favourite ABBA song - The song topped the chart in the UK in 1980, and peaked at number 8 in the US. It also reached number one in Belgium, Ireland, the Netherlands, and South Africa. It only reached number two in the bands native country, Sweden 😐 - The music video was recorded just 10 days after their divorce was finalized
This is just one of the many songs I listened to when I was just a child and didn't really think of the lyrics. Listening to it as an adult, it hits you, don't it?
@@digbyinthedoghouse7455 Indeed. On a lighter note, imagine singing along to 'Kisses of Fire' as a child of 10 yrs old. 'I've had my share of love affairs and they were nothing compared to this..' ...lol.
You're right Louisa. I was in my twenties when ABBA was at their peak and I remember singing along with them, but now the lyrics strike a deeper chord within me. Like Karen Carpenter.....so many of the songs she sang were like an autobiography of herself, but I never thought that at the time.
This song reminds me of when me and my former wife were told to pick up a newborn little girl from the hospital because her parents weren't able to take care of her.., That was our job as a foster family.., We had 3 kids of our own and they all loved her like it was their little sister ❤️ After 3 years the authorities called and said that the father of the girl now was ready to take care of her, allthough we were told at her birth that it was never gonna happen.., We all lost a part of our hearts the day we had to give her away to her biological father - and our family never was the same again.., Our marriage didn't last and we never really talked about it since.., The little girl always is in my heart and I hope She is fine and one day will look me up of she finds out about her childhood. I love you Maja 🇩🇰❤️ And I miss my wife
Chills... literal chills. I love ABBA!!! I would sell everything to see them in concert. I went to see a tribute band with my mom and she was shocked I knew all the songs. She’s like... you really love ABBA... ah yeah mom, they are my spirit animals.
Bjorn, in purple, wrote it for Agnetha to sing, about THEIR divorce. That woman should have a fricking medal. She nailed it unfathomably. And he’s smiling away, oblivious...❤️💔❤️
@@OlgaPogozheva LOL! Trolly! Poor little helpless me?😁 "Cruel beyond compare." - Nothing new under the sun - understand, adapt - it's objective reality. Get some sunglasses or embrace existence as eternally victimised - we are all treated same - on that level inside that realm. 😎 ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-L_hK7HjmwVQ.html But yeah - hurt - it's a bugger - beauty of life! 🙀 ❤ ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-aEuWVHzRWpo.html IT IS - WHAT IT IS
@@atomicbong7597 I think you are mentally ill, so I'll just pity you, poor deranged baby, who obviously was somehow abused and tries to project his insecurities upon random people on the web. I hope you'll find some peace someday, poor thing.
@@OlgaPogozheva Thank you for your framing 'this' as to the 'other'. I'd rather learn the hidden aspect of 'self' - to see it for what 'it' is in me - through honest expression of what you see - than to keep myself slave to my fears and denials - too afraid to show my true self - in hopes of learning to understand - who I am. Thank you for sharing your observation with me - not faking it cruelly like most everybody else. It will take time - for me to truely appreciate and embrace what you say in full - but I will know that I would not be able to see what is true in me - without embracing your view in full. Judge me for what I am with labels. Know what is mine to suffer - I surrender to the force that will heal me and help me overcome my limits. I am servant - and in debt - for what I will evolve and become - is in no small part enabled by those with grace and mercy in the likes of you. Thank you - for not being cruel. 💞 ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-d_HlPboLRL8.html
I was always a Classic 70s rock guy, but even in high school in the 70s, everyone I knew had ABBA. It was supposed to not be cool. but they just were too good to ignore. now, they are at the top of my play list.
And that's one of many reasons why high school sucks ass. Peer pressure trying to dictate what you should and shouldn't listen to in music is just complete bullshit. Listen to what you want to. Fuck everyone who disagrees. If only we all knew at the time that school popularity didn't mean anything outside of school once school's over lol.
Written in classical minor (mineur) with voices of all four and female voices were double dubbed at a higher pitch (higher notes). Then you get the typical full harmonic ABBA sound.
@@masculineguy37 Back in the late 80's I was told by a studiotechnician they used something novel back then called 'exciter' - I thought it was compressor/de-esser - but your "double dubbed at a higher pitch" comment seem to spark my memory to be closer description. TY 👌
I recall being a child and listening to these lyrics knowing squat about love, relationships and divorce or heartbreak and bawling my eyes out. After living life for 53 years, this song doesn't nget easier to listen to. It's heart-wrenching. I can't imagine writing and performing something like this. It's either brave or masochistic, lol.
The loser has to fall! Such an awesome song! And yea, they were still good friends and remained professional even though they were divorcing. Beautiful voice indeed!
@@jamelakajamal Yep yep! The opposite of the members of Fleetwood Mac...read up on their story someday. They went through same stuff except they broke up and wrote solo songs that took jabs at each other. crazy
@@shawnschroeder549 Actually Fleetwood Mac stayed together after the McVies divorced and Stevie and Lindsey ended their relationship. That was around 1977. Although they did write songs about each other like "Go Your Own Way" the lineup stayed together for another 10 years until Lindsey left in 1987. Then they all reunited in the late 90s.
@@marianorman6640 I totally agree. The song is beautifully written and she sings it so beautifully, and it doesn't really do him any favours, so maybe he also realised he was a fool.
@@llamaskank as far as I know, there was another story. They had different oppinion about further life - he wanted to prolong the career, but she wanted to have a good family
This is one of the greatest breakup song ever, specially when the ex-husband is the lyricist and playing guitar standing right next to you and his ex-wife is singing it!! It brings tears to my eyes every time I listen!!
When I watch these video's it's like watch a person hearing music for the first, I never thought of just how much the younger generation really missed out on, makes a person think and appreciate what we had back in the day.
ABBA were the bain of my rock n roll years as a teen - thankfully, I grew up and appreciate now both their pop sensibility as song writers and their pure talent as songers, arrangers and performers. Songs like this one, SOS, Fernando and Mamma Mia are just pop perfection.
One of the absolute most POWERFUL AND EMOTIONAL songs EVER! Every word, every line and every phrase of music: Perfection. Her voice here is just incredible. The complete song just sweeps you away like nothing else. Just incredible.
@@oliviarogers3559 don't trust Wikipedia, trust us swedes. I'm a swede who (as most of us) grew up on Abba. One of the two first records I've got from my father when I was 3-4 years old was the Abba Album Ring Ring, I don't remember getting it but remember dancing and singing to it. Check this out: In this interview Agnetha states that it actually was written about their relationship/divorce. And that it also included parts regarding Anni-Frid and Bennys divorce. Try Google translate if you want the details. Nu berättar dock Agneta Fältskog i en stor intervju med tidningens You Magazine att låten visst handlar om uppbrottet - och att det är hennes favoritlåt med Abba. - Björn skrev den om oss efter att vårt äktenskap gick i kras. Det faktum att han skrev den precis när vi skilde oss är rörande faktiskt. Det gjorde mig inget. Det var fantastiskt att göra den låten eftersom jag kunde lägga in så mycket känsla, säger hon till tidningen.Hon berättar att låten även kom att skildrade bandkollegorna Anni-Frid Lyngstad och Benny Anderssons skilsmässa samt hur hon kände inför att lämna ut så mycket av sig själv i låten www.expressen.se/noje/skilsmassolaten-ar-faltskogs-favorit/
@@deportedsouls3165 Wikipedia is right on this - it is indeed fiction, although inspired by Björn's and Agnetha's own experiences during the divorce. //Another Swede (that has spoken to Ulvaeus about it).
@@deportedsouls3165 Given that it was Björn who wrote the song, I think statements by him as to what moved him are a bit more reliable - Agnetha might have seen something in the song that he didn't, all the more given how hard the divorce hit her.
@@deportedsouls3165 Well, interpretation is always subjective and the author doesn't control the interpretation of his work - for HER, it might have very much been about their specific divorce, but it seems for HIM, that wasn't the intention. Though in any case, her feelings and interpretation certainly would have influenced her delivery, and as such, your interpretation could be considered correct inasmuch as it concerns the song AS SUNG by her.
Such an Angelic voice, LOVE This band. Your commentary is Hysterical, when you asked " Is that him there, in the purple suit" I just Busted my side's!!! 😁🙈💜
This song always gets me in tears, like every damn time I listen to it. It's indeed the greatest heartbreaking song in history of music! Thanks for reacting to this particular song, man. I really appreciate it. And do more ABBA please!!
"The judges will decide, the likes of me abide". Band member (on guitar) Björn Ulveaus who was married to Agneta 1971-78, wrote those lyrics for his ex wife.
Man, this is the best reaction to this song i ve ever seen. Thank you ! They had another divorce, Frida & Benny. "When all is said and done" was the result. You should listen to !
They were able to convey emotions in many different songs whether the songs involved them or not. I felt that there were other songs that may have caused them to think about how they would feel a sad situation in a particular song. “Knowing Me Knowing You” was one of those songs. Thanks for another Great reaction! You show such sympathy and empathy for those who have gone through very rough times in their lives.
Not every. Not even most. She's definitely pretty. But some people are just not attracted to blonde white women. Stop holding this up as the standard of beauty.
@@megavega4 It's just a way to emphasise how popular she was back then, he/she doesn't actually mean that she was EVERY persons dream girl. This should be quite easy to understand if you're above the age of 15
@@timiniho these days I don't assume anything. People love to push their dogma around. If you have a barely functioning brain you should be able to observe that for yourself.
The back story is one thing, but WOW. HER VOICE... crisp live recordings are worth everything with a voice like that. I'm 52 now and still can't shake off the teenage crush I had for her..
The group basically played out their divorces in their music. For all the world to see. I don't know how they did it but they were brilliant. Such raw emotions there.
43 years have passed and this song still pushes on my heart, now that I have a few breakups under my belt to fully understand it. The song also shines a light on our Western focus on our feelings today; as it sings of the strain we endure while sublimating them. A global masterpiece.
Agnetha had/has such an amazing voice - and she and Frida were able to blend their voices so well. Of course, having such great music and lyrics to work with doesn't hurt. I really enjoy your reactions, so carry on!
If you want to react to something different check out this ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-3sjh6Hq2QmY.html It is Spångaforsens Brus by the Swedish band Råg i Ryggen....Swedish prog from 1975 :D The å is pronounced almost like the o in fog ^^
This is a beautiful heart breaking song sung by a beautiful woman.who IS WEARING CLOTHES. Gone are the days when a a beautiful woman kept her clothes on and relied on her voice to sell a song.
I always felt like she was talking about the death of a love that took the two of them to the heights of great love and the agony and loss of the end of their love.
I grew up with this album, and I love every song on it. You have picked one of my favorite songs to react to. Thank you so much for this. You rock dude!
Best break song ever. Super super hiper mega deep. The 80's are unmatched and Abba too. Portugal here for the Goat Eminem always since day one and forever but also for other legendary good stuff. Thanks for reacting. Salutes.
From what I understand, this song was kind of about the break up of both marriages. Agnetha (the singer) & Bjorn (on her right with the guitar) were going thru a break up and I think that the other 2 (Frida & Benny (pianist)) were as well. You can see the pain in Agnetha's eyes as she is singing. 👍👍
"Knowing Me, Knowing You" is their best tune, but they have LOTS of great tunes! Love your reactions - they're so diverse! I just watched some of your RUSH reactions (my favorite band) and now this - this is great stuff!
Their songs still stand the test of time as classic masterpieces. Thank you ABBA. I was a little boy when they were at their highest and still love all their hits.
Bjorn denies the song is about his and Agnetha's divorce, saying the basis of the song "is the experience of a divorce, but it's fiction. 'Cause one thing I can say is that there wasn't a winner or a loser in our case. A lot of people think it's straight out of reality, but it's not". Bjorn admits that the sad experience of his and Agnetha's divorce the previous year left its mark on the lyrics--- Hmmm ....
Both couples split about that time, and the band just broke up a few after....sadly...by the way Agnetha and Frida are with no doubt two of the greatest voices in pop history....good reaction man!..👍🏻
When All Is Said And Done is a fantastic song. More energetic and with a message of accepting both your past together and your future living apart (or possibly living in parallel as happens with exes who are still friends).
@@mikaelmm1 yes and they are really picky about letting their songs be sampled. The first group they let sample their music were The Fugees and it was their song name of the game, but I can't remember the name of the fugees song but they had a music video for it and John forte was in it.
Yes, Björn, the purple suit guy did write the lyrics about their divorce. He has said later that there were no winners in the divorce. Fact is though that he remarried a literal copy of his first wife and that Agnetha has remarried, divorced and have had several relationships but nothing that have lasted. This is her favourite Abba song.
I remember this being played during coverage of the Philadelphia Eagles' locker room in 1980 after the Eagles had lost the Super Bowl to the Oakland Raiders.
As a child growing up on a housing estate in the south, UK, my childhood was saturated in ABBA when they were actually ABBA making history. Whenever I listen to them today, I'm filled with a craving to return to the 70s. To leave this crazy, not what I thought it would be, future and return to more beautiful and innocent times. I knew, even back then as a child, that ABBA and their music was something special. I wish I had a time machine.
The fabulous four still give me hope and strength with their music, especially lyrics, in an alien language. They are timeless. By the way, I am 58 and am from Pakistan. Just try to join the poles. An old man from a third world country. I could buy their stuff from my country. They were so popular then, they are even more now. Love ABBA. ANEYYETA is her name's pronunciation.
This is the only reaction from a guy I've seen so far who actually felt the emotion of this song. The other guys have only touched on the performance, voice, lyrics & beat of the music (which are all amazing by the way!) but all these amazing combinationd should move a person to the sadness she's singing.
The song is about a woman who meets her ex and reflects on their relationship in which she "Played by the rules" and still got cheated on. I love the line "Spectators of the show, always staying low" meaning mutual friends who watched it all play out and kept their heads down and mouths shut so as not to be seen to taking sides. Many have covered this song but nobody will ever sing it like Agnetha does , she own's it. Voice of an angel.
