Drum Sheet – Abba – The Winner Takes It All

The Winner Takes It All by ABBA is one of the band’s most emotionally charged and beautifully crafted songs, featuring a deeply personal narrative and a strikingly elegant drum arrangement. Released in 1980 as the lead single from their album Super Trouper, the song became a worldwide hit, resonating with listeners due to its poignant lyrics and soaring melody.

The song was primarily written by Benny Andersson and Björn Ulvaeus, with Agnetha Fältskog delivering a heartfelt vocal performance. While Ulvaeus has stated that the song is not directly autobiographical, it was written in the aftermath of his divorce from Agnetha, making its themes of heartbreak and loss feel incredibly real. The lyrics paint a picture of a painful breakup, where one person walks away victorious while the other is left to cope with the emotional devastation.

Musically, The Winner Takes It All begins with a delicate piano introduction, setting a melancholic tone that gradually builds into a sweeping ballad. The drumming, performed by Ola Brunkert, plays a crucial yet understated role in shaping the song’s dynamics. In the verses, the percussion is minimal, allowing Agnetha’s vocals and the piano to take center stage. As the song progresses, the drums subtly build, adding gentle cymbal swells and soft snare accents that heighten the emotional weight. By the time the chorus arrives, the drums contribute a steady yet unobtrusive pulse, reinforcing the grandeur of the melody without overpowering its raw vulnerability.

One of the most notable aspects of the drumming in The Winner Takes It All is its restraint. Unlike ABBA’s more rhythmically driven tracks, this song relies on a measured, almost orchestral approach. The fills are sparse but perfectly placed, particularly in the final chorus, where the gradual build of the percussion mirrors the song’s emotional climax.

ABBA performed The Winner Takes It All extensively during their final years as a touring act, and it remains one of their most iconic live songs. Even after the group disbanded, the song continued to be a staple in tribute performances and stage productions like Mamma Mia!. For fans of the drums in this track, it’s a masterclass in subtlety—showing how percussion can elevate a song’s emotional depth without dominating the arrangement.