About the song
ABBA‘s “Waterloo” is a landmark in pop music history, marking the Swedish group’s rise to fame after winning the Eurovision Song Contest in 1974. This song, with its infectious melody and upbeat tempo, captures ABBA’s knack for creating timeless and universally appealing pop hits.
The track starts with a vibrant, piano-driven intro and a driving beat that sets an energetic tone. “Waterloo” cleverly uses the metaphor of Napoleon’s defeat to describe the surrender to love, delivered with charm by Agnetha Fältskog and Anni-Frid Lyngstad’s harmonized vocals. The lyrics are playful yet poignant, adding depth to the catchy tune.
The production is lush and polished, featuring saxophones and a rich rhythm section that give the song a dynamic, full sound. Benny Andersson and Björn Ulvaeus’s songwriting shines through in the triumphant chorus, making it impossible not to sing along.
“Waterloo” is more than just a song; it’s an anthem of joy and triumph that launched ABBA into global stardom. Its enduring popularity showcases the group’s talent and the timeless appeal of their music. Listening to it today, the excitement and energy that ABBA brought to the stage are still palpable, making it a classic that continues to resonate with audiences worldwide.
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Lyric
My, myAt Waterloo, Napoleon did surrenderOh, yeahAnd I have met my destiny in quite a similar wayThe history book on the shelfIs always repeating itselfWaterlooI was defeated, you won the warWaterlooPromise to love you forevermoreWaterlooCouldn’t escape if I wanted toWaterlooKnowing my fate is to be with youWa-Wa-Wa-Wa-WaterlooFinally facing my WaterlooMy, myI tried to hold you back, but you were strongerOh, yeahAnd now it seems my only chance is giving up the fightAnd how could I ever refuseI feel like I win when I loseWaterlooI was defeated, you won the warWaterlooPromise to love you for ever moreWaterlooCouldn’t escape if I wanted toWaterlooKnowing my fate is to be with youWa-Wa-Wa-Wa-WaterlooFinally facing my WaterlooSo how could I ever refuseI feel like I win when I loseWaterlooCouldn’t escape if I wanted toWaterlooKnowing my fate is to be with youWa-Wa-Wa-Wa-WaterlooFinally facing my WaterlooOoh-ooh, WaterlooKnowing my fate is to be with youWa-Wa-Wa-Wa-WaterlooFinally facing my WaterlooOoh-ooh, Waterloo…