Introduction
“Waterloo” is a song by Swedish pop group ABBA, released in 1974. It became their breakthrough hit and propelled them to international stardom. The song was composed by Benny Andersson and Björn Ulvaeus, with lyrics by Stig Anderson, and was the winning entry for Sweden in the Eurovision Song Contest that year. The performance of “Waterloo” at Eurovision in Brighton, England, marked the beginning of ABBA’s worldwide success.
The song’s lyrics are a metaphor for a romantic relationship, comparing the feeling of surrender to the defeat of Napoleon at the Battle of Waterloo. The lyrics speak of someone falling in love and being unable to resist their feelings, just as Napoleon could not escape his fate. The upbeat, catchy melody, combined with ABBA’s distinctive harmonies and engaging performance, captured the essence of 1970s pop music and helped the song stand out among the Eurovision entries.
“Waterloo” was a massive commercial success, topping charts across Europe and beyond, and it became ABBA’s first number-one hit in the United Kingdom. The song’s success set the stage for ABBA’s prolific career, as they went on to release numerous hits throughout the 1970s and early 1980s, such as “Dancing Queen” and “Mamma Mia.”
The official lyric video for “Waterloo” features the song’s lyrics overlaid on visuals of the group’s original performances and iconic imagery, capturing the spirit of ABBA’s early years. Waterloo remains one of the most memorable and influential pop songs of all time, cementing ABBA’s legacy in music history.