“Waterloo” was Swedish pop group ABBA’s breakout song (and also the first single to be released under the name “ABBA”), winning the 1974 Eurovision Song Contest.
The song metaphorically compares a woman “surrendering to her conqueror” (giving up resisting a man’s advances) to Napoleon surrendering...
[Verse 1]
My, my
At Waterloo Napoleon did surrender
Oh, yeah
And I have met my destiny in quite a similar way
[Pre-Chorus]
The history book on the shelf
Is always repeating itself
[Chorus]
Waterloo, I was defeated, you won the war
Waterloo, promise to love you forevermore
Waterloo, couldn't escape if I wanted to
Waterloo, knowing my fate is to be with you
Woah, woah, woah, woah, Waterloo
Finally facing my Waterloo
[Verse 2]
My, my
I tried to hold you back, but you were stronger
Oh, yeah
And now it seems my only chance is giving up the fight
[Pre-Chorus]
And how could I ever refuse?
I feel like I win when I lose
[Chorus]
Waterloo, I was defeated, you won the war
Waterloo, promise to love you forevermore
Waterloo, couldn't escape if I wanted to
Waterloo, knowing my fate is to be with you
Woah, woah, woah, woah, Waterloo
Finally facing my Waterloo
[Pre-Chorus]
So how could I ever refuse?
I feel like I win when I lose
[Outro]
Waterloo, couldn't escape if I wanted to
Waterloo, knowing my fate is to be with you
Woah, woah, woah, woah, Waterloo
Finally facing my Waterloo
Woo-ooh-ooh-ooh
Waterloo, knowing my fate is to be with you
Woah, woah, woah, woah, Waterloo
Finally facing my Waterloo
Woo-ooh-ooh-ooh
Waterloo, knowing my fate is to be with you
Waterloo was written by Björn Ulvaeus & Benny Andersson & Stig Anderson.
Waterloo was produced by Benny Andersson & Björn Ulvaeus.