CAFFE` LATTE` TOP 2000 TRACKS
THE TOP 100
#5 THE WINNER TAKES IT ALL
ABBA
(1980)
Writers: Bjorn Ulvaeus & Benny Andersson
ABBA entered the 1980s with a new album entitled 'Super Trouper'. Its 1st single was the touching ballad "The Winner Takes It All". The group's biggest hits had mostly been upbeat and light Europop such as "Dancing Queen", "Mamma Mia", "Waterloo" and "Gimme! Gimme! Gimme! (A Man After Midnight)". When "The Winner..." was dropped, it attracted compliments even from the band's detractors. Not only had Bjorn Ulvaues encapsulated the pain and readjustment that was the inevitable outcome of a break-up in his lyrics, but Benny Andersson composed a mighty arrangement to enhance the mood.
The choice of Agnetha Faltskog for the lead on this powerful track proved ABBA's most astute decision. No other vocalist possessed the ability to bring to life Ulvaeus' raw lyrics. Faltskog not only had been a part of his ABBA experience; she had been married to him. No-one understood what he was conveying in his composition as well as his ex-wife. More so than on any other ABBA recording, Faltskog applied her own intuitive skills and interpretation in the execution. This was to be her most significant contribution to the impressive ABBA canon. It is no wonder then that "The Winner..." is often cited as ABBA's best song and it tops polls listing the greatest break-up songs.
It's hard to fathom now, but Ulvaeus had initially considered singing the lead vocal on "The Winner...". The song would have lacked its impact in the hands of anyone other than Faltskog. Her delivery gave it an autobiographical dimension that has been retained over subsequent decades.
The single was issued mid-1980. It topped the charts in Britain, parts of Europe, South Africa and Ireland. In the USA, the disc made #1 on the AC chart and peaked at #8 Pop. "The Winner" also reached the Top 10 in Australia, Canada and Zimbabwe.
Faltskog's precision as lead vocalist makes remaking this ABBA classic a daunting task. Of the worthy covers 2 stand out. Mirelle Mathieu recorded a French version entitled "Bravo, Tu As Gagné". This late 1980 remake features the original ABBA backing track and background vocals by Andersson, Ulvaeus and Frida Lyngstad. Meryl Streep's rendition in the 2008 movie version of the musical "Mamma Mia!" is dramatic and heartrending.
The choice of Agnetha Faltskog for the lead on this powerful track proved ABBA's most astute decision. No other vocalist possessed the ability to bring to life Ulvaeus' raw lyrics. Faltskog not only had been a part of his ABBA experience; she had been married to him. No-one understood what he was conveying in his composition as well as his ex-wife. More so than on any other ABBA recording, Faltskog applied her own intuitive skills and interpretation in the execution. This was to be her most significant contribution to the impressive ABBA canon. It is no wonder then that "The Winner..." is often cited as ABBA's best song and it tops polls listing the greatest break-up songs.
It's hard to fathom now, but Ulvaeus had initially considered singing the lead vocal on "The Winner...". The song would have lacked its impact in the hands of anyone other than Faltskog. Her delivery gave it an autobiographical dimension that has been retained over subsequent decades.
The single was issued mid-1980. It topped the charts in Britain, parts of Europe, South Africa and Ireland. In the USA, the disc made #1 on the AC chart and peaked at #8 Pop. "The Winner" also reached the Top 10 in Australia, Canada and Zimbabwe.
Faltskog's precision as lead vocalist makes remaking this ABBA classic a daunting task. Of the worthy covers 2 stand out. Mirelle Mathieu recorded a French version entitled "Bravo, Tu As Gagné". This late 1980 remake features the original ABBA backing track and background vocals by Andersson, Ulvaeus and Frida Lyngstad. Meryl Streep's rendition in the 2008 movie version of the musical "Mamma Mia!" is dramatic and heartrending.
Each week, 1 new song from the remaining Top 10 will be added, while another 2 are also included from #1501-2000 on the other weekdays. Check back here for an update of the 2000.
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