Lyrics: Waterloo by ABBA
My, my At Waterloo Napoleon did surrender Oh, yeah And I have met my destiny in quite a similar way The history book on the shelf Is always repeating itself 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 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 And how could I ever refuse? I feel like I win when I lose 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 So how could I ever refuse? I feel like I win when I lose 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
Analyzing the Lyrics of “Waterloo”
A Historical Metaphor for Love
“Waterloo” by ABBA cleverly uses the famous historical event—the Battle of Waterloo—as a metaphor for surrendering in love. The song’s narrator draws a parallel between Napoleon’s defeat and their own experience of falling for someone, suggesting that just as Napoleon could not evade his fate, neither can the singer resist the pull of love.
Love as a Battle
Throughout the song, phrases like “I was defeated, you won the war” and “couldn’t escape if I wanted to” paint love as a form of battle. However, the defeat here is not bitter; instead, it is embraced. The narrator recognizes that surrendering to love feels more like a victory than a loss. This theme is reinforced by lines such as “I feel like I win when I lose,” highlighting the joy and liberation found in giving in to genuine emotion.
Cycles and Destiny
The reference to “the history book on the shelf / is always repeating itself” suggests that the experience of falling in love—and perhaps feeling powerless in its presence—is a timeless, universal story. The song presents the idea that love, like history, has patterns that people inevitably follow, making the narrator’s surrender feel both fated and shared across time.
Final Reflections
“Waterloo” stands out for its upbeat tempo and catchy chorus, making the theme of surrender feel joyful rather than tragic. The song’s ability to turn a significant historical defeat into a celebration of love’s inevitability is part of what makes it a pop classic.
Song Credits
“Waterloo” was written by Benny Andersson, Björn Ulvaeus, and Stig Anderson. The song was released in 1974 on the Polar Music label. It famously won the Eurovision Song Contest that year and became one of ABBA’s signature hits.