In a recent interview, Bjorn Ulvaeus admitted to writing ‘The Winner Takes It All,’ while consuming alcohol.
The iconic co-founder and co-writer of ABBA – who gave up booze in 2007 – revealed that, while he rarely penned songs while under the influence of spirits, he was drinking when he wrote the band’s international hit and, in retrospect, remains amazed the song came out as well as it did.
Speaking with The Times newspaper, the now 79-year old musician said:
“I wrote that song very quickly while drinking whisky during my drinking days. I rarely wrote while intoxicated because you look at the words the next day and it’s garbage.” “But most of ‘The Winner Takes It All’ is actually good. It’s not a personal story, but I tried to find the detail of a real human pain.”
Bjorn began his ascent to worldwide fame when he represented Sweden and won the 1974 Eurovision Song Contest with the song ‘Waterloo’ under the ABBA moniker, alongside his ex-wife Agnetha Faltskog, Anni-Frid Lyngstad, and Benny Andersson.
Insisting that while he enjoyed a few drinks during the band’s hey day, ABBA was never considered a troublesome group as the worst thing they ever did was fail to tidy up their hotel rooms.
“I can assure you there are no hidden ABBA scandals, no blemish on our image …” “There were instances when we didn’t leave hotel rooms in quite the order they were in when we came.” “But nothing like the Who driving a Rolls Royce into a swimming pool,” said Bjorn.
Not the only member of ABBA to adopt a sober lifestyle, Bjorn’s co-star Benny Andersson gave up alcohol, calling it the “best decision” he’s ever made.
In an interview with the Daily Mail newspaper, Andersson said “I wasn’t feeling well without alcohol, so I knew that I was in trouble.” “I sought help and I got it. I knew that if I continued drinking there was a risk I would lose everything. If you drink enough for a long enough time, you will lose things ..” ” [Giving up alcohol is] one of the best things I’ve done. Quitting smoking was OK too. I quit smoking on my 40th birthday. Quitting drinking was a necessity. It was getting in the way of everything, as it does. It takes up all the space, all the time. So it’s really something to get off your shoulders. It feels good.”
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Author: Saul Goode
Photo: Anders Hesselbom – Public Domain