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The Winner Takes It All

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1/20
Sound:
123456789101112131415eBGDAE1O1234
Step 1 / 20Position: 2
1 index2 middle3 ring4 pinkyO open
Title: The Winner Takes It All
Artist: ABBA
Transcribed in friendly G, ABBA's recording is in F#, however.
To match the key of the recording:
- transpose this chord sheet -1 to F# or
- tune down the guitar on step to Eb-Ab-Db-G-Bb-Eb or
- transpose this chord sheet -2 to F and use a capo 1st fret
- transpose this chord sheet -5 to D and use a capo 4th fret (my preferred option)
Novice players may leave out the slash chords (see voicings below) and just
play the regular shapes (E7 instead of E7/G#, D instead of D/F# etc.).
SPECIAL CHORDS
G-shapes D-shapes (transpose -5) F-shapes (transpose -2)
E-A-D-G-B-e E-A-D-G-B-e E-A-D-G-B-e
E7/G# 4-x-0-1-0-0 B7/D# x-x-1-2-0-2 D7/F# 2-x-0-2-1-2
D/F# 2-x-0-2-3-2 A/C# x-4-2-2-2-0 C/E x-x-2-0-1-0
Am/E 0-x-2-2-1-0 Em/B x-2-x-0-0-0 Gm/D x-x-0-3-3-3
[Intro] / [Chorus] and [Bridge]
Transpose -5 to D + capo 4
D1 + 2 + 3 + 4 + D1 + 2 F#7+ 3 + 4 + Bm1 + 2 + 3 + 4 + Bm1 + 2 B7/D#+ 3 + 4 +
e|----3-----2-----|0---------------|----0-----------|----------------|
B|----3-----3-----|3-----3---------|----------3-----|2-----0---------|
G|2---2-----2-----|2-----3---------|4---4-----4-----|4-----2---------|
D|0---------------|------4---------|4---------------|4-----1---------|
A|----------------|----------------|2---------------|2---------------|
E|----------------|----------------|----------------|----------------|
Em1 + 2 + 3 + 4 + 1 + 2 + 3 + 4 + A1 + 2 + 3 + 4 + 1 + 2 + 3 + 4 +
e|----5-----3-----|2-----0---------|----------------|----------------|
B|----0-----0-----|0-----0---------|----3-----2-----|0---------------|
G|0---0-----0-----|0-----0---------|2---2-----2-----|2-----2---------|
D|----------------|----------------|2---------------|2-----2---------|
A|2---------------|----------------|0---------------|0-----0---------|
E|0---------------|----------------|----------------|----------------|
[Intro]
| G| G   B7| Em| Em   E7/G#|
| Am| % | D| % |
| G| G   B7| Em| Em   E7/G#|
| Am| % | D| % |
[Verse]
I don't wanna Gtalk
About things we've D/F#gone through
Though it's hurting Am/Eme
Now it's histoDry
I've played all Gmy cards
And that's what you've D/F#done too
Nothing more to Am/Esay
No more ace to Dplay
[Chorus]
The winner takes it Gall
The B7loser standing Emsmall
BeE7/G#side the victoAmry
That's her destiDny
[Verse]
I was in your Garms
Thinking I beD/F#longed there
I figured it made Am/Esense
Building me a Dfence
Building me a Ghome
Thinking I'd be D/F#strong there
But I was a Am/Efool
Playing by the Drules
[Bridge]
The gods may throw a Gdice
Their B7minds as cold as Emice
And E7/G#someone Amway down here
Loses someone Ddear
[Chorus]
The winner takes it Gall
The B7loser has to Emfall
It's E7/G#simple and it's Amplain
Why should I comDplain?
[Verse]
But tell me Gdoes she kiss
Like I used to D/F#kiss you?
Does it feel the Am/Esame
When she calls your Dname?
Somewhere deep Ginside
You must know I D/F#miss you
But what can I Am/Esay
Rules must be oDbeyed
[Bridge 2]
The judges Gwill decide
The B7likes of me aEmbide
SpecE7/G#tators of the Amshow
Always staying Dlow
[Bridge 3]
The game is on aGgain
A B7lover or a Emfriend
A E7/G#big thing or a Amsmall
The winner takes it Dall
[Verse]
I don't wanna Gtalk
If it makes you D/F#feel sad
And I undersAm/Etand
You've come to shake my Dhand
I apoloGgize
If it makes you D/F#feel bad
Seeing me so Am/Etense
No self-confiDdence, but you see …Z
[Outro]
| G| G   B7| Em| Em   E7/G#|
The winner takes it all
[ E7/G#] | Am| % | D| % |
The winner takes it all ...
GSo the winB7ner Emtakes it Ema -E/G#all
AmAnd the loser Dhas to fall
GThrow a di-B7ice, Emcold as EmiceE/G#  
AmWay down here, Dsomeone dear
GTakes it a-B7all, Emhas to EmfallE/G#  
AmIt seems plain to me .D..
(fade out over last lines)
All chords in this song (9)

The story behind the song

This ballad delves into the raw emotions of a relationship's end, exploring the pain and resignation that can accompany a divorce. Though the writer denies it's directly about his own experience, he acknowledges it captures the universal feeling of such a split, where one person feels like the "winner" and the other, the "loser." The song's poignant lyrics, penned quickly and emotionally, resonated deeply with the lead vocalist. It plays like a heartfelt reflection on loss and acceptance in the wake of a love that has run its course.

AI-written from these sources:The Winner Takes It All — Wikipedia ↗ABBA — Wikipedia ↗MusicBrainz ↗

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About The Winner Takes It All Chords by ABBA

Learn how to play The Winner Takes It All by ABBA with free guitar chords, lyrics, and interactive chord diagrams. Search for “The Winner Takes It All chords”, “The Winner Takes It All guitar chords”, or “ABBA The Winner Takes It All chords” and you will find this page — transpose to any key, tap chords for diagrams, and use auto-scroll while you play. Perfect for beginners looking for easy The Winner Takes It All chords and for experienced players who want accurate The Winner Takes It All lyrics and chords in one place. Common chords in this song include G, F, Eb, Ab, Db, Bb.

FAQ — The Winner Takes It All by ABBA

How do I play "The Winner Takes It All" by ABBA on guitar?

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Can I transpose "The Winner Takes It All" to a different key?

Yes. Use the transpose buttons on the song page to shift "The Winner Takes It All" up or down by half-steps so it matches your vocal range or capo position.

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Is "The Winner Takes It All" easy to play on guitar?

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What key is "The Winner Takes It All" in?

The chords for "The Winner Takes It All" show the original chord names (including G, F, Eb, Ab, Db, Bb). Use transpose to move the song into any key that fits your voice or capo.