ABBA won the Eurovision Song Contest with “Waterloo” in 1974. The Swedish group performed the song at the contest in Brighton, England, and its victory launched them toward worldwide fame.
“Waterloo” was written by Benny Andersson, Björn Ulvaeus, and Stig Anderson. Its lyrics compare romantic surrender with Napoleon Bonaparte’s defeat at the Battle of Waterloo in 1815, giving the song a historical theme beneath its energetic pop arrangement.
The victory was Sweden’s first Eurovision win. ABBA’s performance, colorful costumes, and distinctive combination of pop hooks and glam-rock style made an immediate impression, and “Waterloo” became an international hit soon afterward.
The song is often confused with ABBA’s later global hits such as “Dancing Queen” or “Mamma Mia.” Those songs became hugely popular, but neither won Eurovision; “Waterloo” is the contest-winning song that introduced ABBA to a much wider audience.