Hello! Below you'll find my "Waterloo" chords & lyrics chart as well as a tutorial video on how to play the piano accompaniment.
This piano-centric song by ABBA is super fun and catchy.
Enjoy!
Waterloo Piano Tutorial
Here's a piano tutorial video for Waterloo:
Waterloo Chords & Lyrics
[Intro]
| D | X4
| D | X4
[Verse]
D E/D A/C# G/B A
My, my, at Waterloo Napoleon did surrender
D E/D A/C# G/B
Oh yeah, and I have met my destiny in
D E/D A/C# G/B A
My, my, at Waterloo Napoleon did surrender
D E/D A/C# G/B
Oh yeah, and I have met my destiny in
D/A A Bm
Quite a similar way
Bm
The history book on the shelf
E/G# | A G | D/F# A/E |
Is always repeating itself
Bm
The history book on the shelf
E/G# | A G | D/F# A/E |
Is always repeating itself
[Chorus]
D G
Waterloo - I was defeated, you won the war
A D A*
Waterloo - Promise to love you for ever more
D G
Waterloo - Couldn't escape if I wanted to
A D
Waterloo - Knowing my fate is to be with you
A
Wo-wo-wo-wo, Waterloo
D G
Waterloo - I was defeated, you won the war
A D A*
Waterloo - Promise to love you for ever more
D G
Waterloo - Couldn't escape if I wanted to
A D
Waterloo - Knowing my fate is to be with you
A
Wo-wo-wo-wo, Waterloo
A | D | D | D | D |
Finally facing my Waterloo
[Verse]
D E/D A/C# G/B A
My, my, I tried to hold you back but you were stronger
D E/D A/C#
Oh yeah, and now it seems my only
D E/D A/C# G/B A
My, my, I tried to hold you back but you were stronger
D E/D A/C#
Oh yeah, and now it seems my only
G/B D/A A Bm
Chance is giving up the fight
Bm
And how could I ever refuse
E/G# | A G | D/F# A/E |
I feel like I win when I lose
Bm
And how could I ever refuse
E/G# | A G | D/F# A/E |
I feel like I win when I lose
[Chorus]
D G
Waterloo - I was defeated, you won the war
A D A*
Waterloo - Promise to love you for ever more
D G
Waterloo - Couldn't escape if I wanted to
A D
Waterloo - Knowing my fate is to be with you
A | D | D |
Wo-wo-wo-wo, Waterloo - Finally facing my Waterloo
Waterloo - I was defeated, you won the war
A D A*
Waterloo - Promise to love you for ever more
D G
Waterloo - Couldn't escape if I wanted to
A D
Waterloo - Knowing my fate is to be with you
A | D | D |
Wo-wo-wo-wo, Waterloo - Finally facing my Waterloo
[Bridge]
Bm
So how could I ever refuse
E/G# | A |
I feel like I win when I lose
Bm
So how could I ever refuse
E/G# | A |
I feel like I win when I lose
[Chorus]
D G
Waterloo - Couldn't escape if I wanted to
A D
Waterloo - Knowing my fate is to be with you
A
Wo-wo-wo-wo, Waterloo - Finally facing my
D G
Waterloo - Couldn't escape if I wanted to
A D
Waterloo - Knowing my fate is to be with you
A
Wo-wo-wo-wo, Waterloo - Finally facing my
D
Waterloo Oooh-oooh
A D
Waterloo - Knowing my fate is to be with you
A D
Wo-wo-wo-wo, Waterloo - Finally facing my Waterloo
Waterloo - Knowing my fate is to be with you
A D
Wo-wo-wo-wo, Waterloo - Finally facing my Waterloo
This document is the author's own work and represents his interpretation of this song. It's intended solely for private study, scholarship or research.
This chord chart is here only to support online learning. We recommend buying official transcripts from a licensed and reputable publisher.
Waterloo Piano Tips
1. Take It Slow: It's counterintuitive, but the quickest way to get comfortable and sound great playing a song is to practice it very slowly at first. Steady rhythm and counting are crucial to sounding like a pro, so let yourself get used to feeling the beat at a slow, easy tempo. Once you can nail "Waterloo" slowly, *gradually* speed it up. You'll sound much better than if you jumped in at full speed!
2. Use The Pedal Wisely: Utilize the sustain pedal to connect the chords smoothly, timing your lifts with the arrival of a new chord. For help with sustain pedal timing, check out this video.
3. Simplify if need be: "Waterloo" still sounds great even if you simply hold out the chords and ignore most of the rhythm patterns and extra details in the tutorial video. Feel free to keep it simple, especially if you sing while playing. As you get comfortable, you can always add the fancy stuff later.
