The Winner Takes It All Chords & Tabs
by ABBA
[Version Description]
Strumming Patterns:
Basic Pattern:
BPM: 125
Denominator: 8
Triplet: No
Measures: [1, 202, 1, 101, 202, 101, 1, 101]
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
D D F#7 Bm Bm B7/D#
1 + 2 + 3 + 4 + 1 + 2 + 3 + 4 + 1 + 2 + 3 + 4 + 1 + 2 + 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|----------------|----------------|----------------|----------------|
Em A
1 + 2 + 3 + 4 + 1 + 2 + 3 + 4 + 1 + 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
| Am | % | D | % |
G G B7 Em Em
| Am | % | D | % |
[Verse]
G
I don't wanna talk
D/F#
About things we've gone through
Am/E
Though it's hurting me
D
Now it's history
G
I've played all my cards
D/F#
And that's what you've done too
Am/E
Nothing more to say
D
No more ace to play
[Chorus]
G
The winner takes it all
B7 Em
The loser standing small
E7/G# Am
Beside the victory
D
That's her destiny
[Verse]
G
I was in your arms
D/F#
Thinking I belonged there
Am/E
I figured it made sense
D
Building me a fence
G
Building me a home
D/F#
Thinking I'd be strong there
Am/E
But I was a fool
D
Playing by the rules
[Bridge]
G
The gods may throw a dice
B7 Em
Their minds as cold as ice
E7/G# Am
And someone way down here
D
Loses someone dear
[Chorus]
G
The winner takes it all
B7 Em
The loser has to fall
E7/G# Am
It's simple and it's plain
D
Why should I complain?
[Verse]
G
But tell me does she kiss
D/F#
Like I used to kiss you?
Am/E
Does it feel the same
D
When she calls your name?
G
Somewhere deep inside
D/F#
You must know I miss you
Am/E
But what can I say
D
Rules must be obeyed
[Bridge 2]
G
The judges will decide
B7 Em
The likes of me abide
E7/G# Am
Spectators of the show
D
Always staying low
[Bridge 3]
G
The game is on again
B7 Em
A lover or a friend
E7/G# Am
A big thing or a small
D
The winner takes it all
[Verse]
G
I don't wanna talk
D/F#
If it makes you feel sad
Am/E
And I understand
D
You've come to shake my hand
G
I apologize
D/F#
If it makes you feel bad
Am/E
Seeing me so tense
D
No self-confidence, but you see …Z
[Outro]
G G
The winner takes it all
[ E7/G# ] | Am | % | D | % |
The winner takes it all ...
G B7 Em Em E/G#
So the winner takes it a -all
Am D
And the loser has to fall
G B7 Em Em E/G#
Throw a di-ice, cold as ice
Am D
Way down here, someone dear
G B7 Em Em E/G#
Takes it a-all, has to fall
Am D
It seems plain to me ...
(fade out over last lines)
