I Know Him So Well
"I Know Him So Well" | |
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Single by Elaine Paige and Barbara Dickson | |
from the album Chess, Gold and Love Hurts | |
B-side | "Chess" (London Symphony Orchestra) |
Released | December 1984[1] |
Recorded | 1984 |
Genre | Pop |
Length | 4:15 |
Label | RCA |
Songwriter(s) | |
Producer(s) |
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Music video | |
"I Know Him So Well" on YouTube |
"I Know Him So Well" is a duet from the concept album and subsequent musical Chess by Tim Rice, Benny Andersson and Björn Ulvaeus. It was originally sung by Elaine Paige (as Florence) and Barbara Dickson (as Svetlana). In this duet, two women – Svetlana, the Russian chess champion's estranged wife, and Florence, his mistress – express their bittersweet feelings for him and at seeing their relationships fall apart.
History
The chorus of the song is based on the chorus of "I Am an A", a song performed live during Andersson and Ulvaeus' group ABBA's 1977 tour.[2] Although "I Am an A" was never released officially, it circulated on various bootlegs and is readily available on YouTube.
Original version
The duet was first released worldwide on the Chess double LP, often referred to as a concept album or album musical, in the autumn of 1984. Later it was released as a single by Paige and Dickson, the duet reaching number one in the UK Singles Chart for four weeks in 1985.[3] They laid down their vocals separately and never met during the recording of the song, only for the video and subsequent performances on Top of the Pops and the European tours.[1][4] This recording remains in the Guinness Book of Records as the biggest selling UK chart single ever by a female duo. Paige also appeared in the original London West End stage production of Chess. The song peaked at number 21 in Australia.[5]
In the United Kingdom on 18 September 2004, the BBC's All-Time Greatest Love Songs (hosted by Lionel Richie) saw the duet performed live by Paige and Dickson, together for the first time in 20 years, to a rapturous reception. Paige played her solo demo recording of the song on her BBC Radio 2 show, Elaine Paige on Sunday.
In January 2011, the Official Charts Company released a list of the top 10 All Time Best Selling Duets in which "I Know Him So Well" was placed seventh in the chart.[6]
Paige and Dickson also recorded Spanish-language lyrics for release as "Lo Creo Conocer". The single was never released though.[7]
Charts
Weekly charts
Chart (1985) | Peak position |
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Australia (Kent Music Report)[8] | 21 |
Ireland (IRMA)[9] | 1 |
New Zealand (Recorded Music NZ) | 9 |
UK Singles (OCC) | 1 |
Year-end charts
Chart (1985) | Position |
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Australia (Kent Music Report)[10] | 88 |
UK Singles (OCC)[11] | 2 |
Original recording credits
- Benny Andersson – keyboards, synthesizers
- Barbara Dickson – vocals
- Anders Eljas – keyboards, synthesizers
- Rutger Gunnarsson – bass
- Per Lindvall – drums, percussion
- Elaine Paige – vocals
- Lasse Wellander – guitars
- Writers and producers – Benny Andersson, Tim Rice, Björn Ulvaeus
- Arrangement – Benny Andersson, Anders Eljas
- Engineer and mixer – Michael B. Tretow
Cissy Houston and Whitney Houston version
"I Know Him So Well" | ||||
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Single by Cissy Houston and Whitney Houston | ||||
from the album Whitney | ||||
B-side |
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Released | 30 November 1988 | |||
Recorded | 1986–1987 | |||
Genre | ||||
Length | 4:30 | |||
Label | Arista | |||
Songwriter(s) | ||||
Producer(s) | Narada Michael Walden | |||
Whitney Houston singles chronology | ||||
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Licensed audio | ||||
"I Know Him So Well" on YouTube |
In 1987, a studio version of "I Know Him So Well" was recorded as a duet by Cissy Houston and her daughter Whitney Houston for Whitney's second album, Whitney. It was released as the 6th and final single from Whitney on 30 November 1988 in Australia, Germany, Netherlands, and Spain. There was no official music video produced for the Houston duet of song, however there are live performance video-recordings. The song version was included in the North American leg of Houston's Moment of Truth World Tour. The single was not promoted as heavily as previous singles from Whitney.
Critical reception
Robert Hilburn of the Los Angeles Times praised the duet, saying, "The album ends on a graceful, intimate note as Houston is joined by her mother, singer Cissy Houston, on 'I Know Him So Well', a ballad from the musical Chess."[12] Rolling Stone's Vince Alleti criticized the song and production, saying, "Walden covers all these bases, out-schlocking Masser with 'I Know Him So Well'—a genuine if frankly derivative show tune (from Tim Rice's Chess) treated here with deadly reverence..."[13] St. Petersburg Times called the duet lifting and praised the mother's role: "Mom adds a brief, welcome moment of grainy soulfulness to the album."[14]
Chart performance
This single peaked at number 46 in Germany[15] and in the Netherlands it peaked at number 14.[16]
Formats and track listings
- Europe, CD maxi single[17]
- "I Know Him So Well" – 4:26
- "Just the Lonely Talking Again" – 5:30
- "You're Still My Man" – 4:15
- Europe, 7" vinyl[18]
- A: "I Know Him So Well" – 4:26
- B: "Just the Lonely Talking Again" – 5:30
- German, 12" vinyl[19]
- A1: "I Know Him So Well" – 4:26
- B1: "Just the Lonely Talking Again" – 5:30
- B2: "You're Still My Man" – 4:15
Charts
Chart (1988) | Peak position |
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Belgium (Ultratop 50 Flanders)[20] | 19 |
Germany (Official German Charts)[21] | 46 |
Netherlands (Dutch Top 40)[22] | 14 |
Netherlands (Single Top 100)[23] | 16 |
Steps version
"I Know Him So Well" | ||||
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Single by Steps | ||||
from the album The Last Dance | ||||
A-side | "Words Are Not Enough" | |||
B-side | "Bittersweet" | |||
Released | 3 December 2001[24] | |||
Length | 3:23 | |||
Label | ||||
Songwriter(s) | ||||
Producer(s) |
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Steps singles chronology | ||||
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Music video | ||||
"I Know Him So Well" on YouTube |
British musical group Steps originally recorded "I Know Him So Well" for the 1999 Abbamania compilation, and the song later appeared on Steps' own The Last Dance collection. It was released as a single together with "Words Are Not Enough" in 2001 as the group's fifteenth single release, and the group's last single to be released before their Boxing Day split later the same month.
Chart performance
The single entered the charts at number five in the United Kingdom but quickly fell out of the top ten to number 14 the following week. It spent eleven weeks in total in the top 75 despite much lower sales than the group's previous singles. It also peaked at number 21 in Ireland.
Track listings
UK CD single[25]
- "Words Are Not Enough" – 3:24
- "I Know Him So Well" – 4:14
- "Bittersweet" – 3:58
- "Words Are Not Enough" (video) – 3:24
UK cassette single[26]
- "Words Are Not Enough" – 3:24
- "I Know Him So Well" – 4:14
- "Bittersweet" – 3:58
Personnel
- Claire Richards – lead vocals
- Lisa Scott-Lee – lead vocals
- Faye Tozer – lead vocals
- Lee Latchford-Evans – backing vocals
- Ian "H" Watkins – backing vocals
Charts
Chart (2001–2002) | Peak position |
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Europe (Eurochart Hot 100)[27] | 27 |
Ireland (IRMA)[28] | 21 |
Romania (Romanian Top 100)[29] | 85 |
Scotland (OCC)[30] | 4 |
UK Singles (OCC)[31] | 5 |
UK Indie (OCC)[32] | 3 |
Geraldine McQueen and Susan Boyle version
"I Know Him So Well" | ||||
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Single by Geraldine McQueen (Peter Kay) and Susan Boyle | ||||
Released | 21 March 2011 | |||
Recorded | 2011 | |||
Genre | Pop | |||
Songwriter(s) | ||||
Peter Kay singles chronology | ||||
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Susan Boyle singles chronology | ||||
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Parody video | ||||
"I Know Him So Well" on YouTube |
"I Know Him So Well" was recorded by Peter Kay and Susan Boyle for Comic Relief 2011,[33] with Kay appearing as his alter ego Geraldine McQueen. Their version reached number 11 on the UK Singles Chart. A parody music video was also created.
Melanie C version
"I Know Him So Well" | ||||
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Single by Melanie C featuring Emma Bunton | ||||
from the album Stages | ||||
B-side | "You'll Never Walk Alone" | |||
Released | 11 November 2012 | |||
Recorded | Spring 2012 | |||
Genre | Pop rock | |||
Length |
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Label | Red Girl | |||
Songwriter(s) | ||||
Producer(s) | Peter-John Vettese | |||
Melanie C singles chronology | ||||
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Emma Bunton singles chronology | ||||
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Music video | ||||
"I Know Him So Well" on YouTube |
"I Know Him So Well" was also covered by English recording artist Melanie C. The song was the first single[34] to be taken from Melanie C's musical theatre-inspired and sixth studio album Stages. The song is a duet with Melanie C's fellow Spice Girls group member Emma Bunton. The song was released as a single on 11 November 2012.[34] The b-side of the single is a cover of "You'll Never Walk Alone" from the musical Carousel.[35] The music video for the song premiered on YouTube on 12 November 2012.
Formats and track listings
These are the formats and track listings of major single releases of "I Know Him So Well".
- Digital download
- "I Know Him So Well"
- "You'll Never Walk Alone"
- Limited CD single[36]
- "I Know Him So Well"
- "You'll Never Walk Alone"
- Digital download
- "I Know Him So Well" (radio edit)
Live performances
Melanie C and Bunton performed the song on
- This Morning
- BBC Children in Need
- Live at Shepherd's Bush Empire
- The Alan Titchmarsh Show
- Loose Women
Charts
Chart (2012) | Peak position |
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UK Singles (OCC)[37] | 153 |
UK Indie (OCC) | 14 |
Release history
Country | Date | Format |
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Worldwide | 11 November 2012 | Digital download, CD single |
Other versions
The song has been covered in non-charting versions by several notable performers.
- Originally recorded in 1985 during sessions for The Broadway Album, Barbra Streisand released her version featuring Mr. Mister's Richard Page on her 1991 box set Just for the Record...
- Pianist Richard Clayderman included an instrumental version on his 1987 album, Songs of Love.[38]
- Singers John Barrowman and Daniel Boys covered the song on Barrowman's 2008 album Music Music Music.[39]
- In 2014, Charlotte Jaconelli and Kerry Ellis performed the song on Jaconelli's solo debut album, Solitaire.[40]
- Sheridan Smith sang the song with Amanda Holden on Holden's 2020 debut album Songs from My Heart.[41]
- In 2022, YouTuber singer–songwriter AJ Rafael released a single version along with filmmaker and singer Chance Calloway to raise funds for The Trevor Project.[42]
References
- ^ a b Elaine Paige And Barbara Dickson - I Know Him So Well OfficialCharts
- ^ "Bright Lights Dark Shadows: The Real Story of ABBA", Carl Magnus Palm, p. 471
- ^ Roberts, David (2006). British Hit Singles & Albums (19th ed.). London: Guinness World Records Limited. pp. 445–6. ISBN 1-904994-10-5.
- ^ Discography - I KNOW HIM SO WELL Archived 2009-07-15 at the Wayback Machine Barbara Dickson
- ^ Kent, David (1993). Australian Chart Book 1970–1992 (illustrated ed.). St Ives, N.S.W.: Australian Chart Book. p. 90. ISBN 0-646-11917-6.
- ^ ALL TIME BEST SELLING DUETS Archived 20 July 2011 at the Wayback Machine Elaine Paige, 5 January 2011
- ^ "ELAINE PAIGE y BARBARA DICKSON: Lo Creo Conocer (Versión en español de "I Know Him So Well" 1984) - YouTube". YouTube. Archived from the original on 7 January 2016. Retrieved 4 January 2016.
- ^ Kent, David (1993). Australian Chart Book 1970–1992 (illustrated ed.). St Ives, N.S.W.: Australian Chart Book. p. 228. ISBN 0-646-11917-6.
- ^ "Official Irish Singles Chart". www.irish-charts.com. Retrieved 30 April 2023.
- ^ "Kent Music Report No 599 – 30 December 1985 > National Top 100 Singles for 1985". Kent Music Report. Retrieved 23 January 2023 – via Imgur.
- ^ "Official Top 40 best-selling songs of 1985". Official Charts. Retrieved 23 January 2023.
- ^ Robert Hilburn (June 1, 1987). "Album Review : Houston: Commercial Sparkle, Artistic Fizz". Articles.latimes.com. Retrieved 2014-03-29.
- ^ "Whitney | Album Reviews". Rolling Stone. 1987-08-13. Archived from the original on 2011-06-28. Retrieved 2014-03-29.
- ^ ERIC SNIDER; ANNELISE WAMSLEY (14 June 1987). "Whitney pulls out another bag of hits Series: RECORDS". Tampa Bay Times. Archived from the original on 13 November 2012. Retrieved 29 March 2014 – via Pqasb.pqarchiver.com.
- ^ "charts.de". charts.de. Retrieved 29 March 2014.[dead link]
- ^ [1][dead link]
- ^ "I Know Him So Well" (1988, CD) at Discogs
- ^ I Know Him So Well (EU Vinyl Single liner notes). Whitney Houston. Europe: Arista. 1988. 111.904.
{{cite AV media notes}}
: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link) - ^ I Know Him So Well (GER Vinyl Maxi Single liner notes). Whitney Houston. Germany: Arista Records. 1988. 611.904.
{{cite AV media notes}}
: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link) - ^ "Cissy & Whitney Houston – I Know Him So Well" (in Dutch). Ultratop 50.
- ^ "Houston, Whitney; Houston, Cissy – I Know Him So Well" (in German). GfK Entertainment charts. Retrieved February 13, 2019.
- ^ "Nederlandse Top 40 – Whitney Houston" (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40.
- ^ "Cissy & Whitney Houston – I Know Him So Well" (in Dutch). Single Top 100.
- ^ "New Releases – For Week Starting December 3, 2001: Singles". Music Week. 1 December 2001. p. 23.
- ^ Words Are Not Enough / I Know Him So Well (UK CD single liner notes). Steps. Jive Records, Ebul Records. 2001. 9201452.
{{cite AV media notes}}
: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link) - ^ Words Are Not Enough / I Know Him So Well (UK cassette single sleeve). Steps. Jive Records, Ebul Records. 2001. 9201454.
{{cite AV media notes}}
: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link) - ^ "Eurochart Hot 100 Singles" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 19, no. 52. 22 December 2002. p. 23. Retrieved 8 March 2020.
- ^ "The Irish Charts – Search Results – Words Are Not Enough". Irish Singles Chart. Retrieved 22 November 2018.
- ^ "Arhiva romanian top 100 – Editia 3, saptamina 21.01–27.01, 2002" (in Romanian). Romanian Top 100. Archived from the original on 13 February 2005. Retrieved 6 May 2020.
- ^ "Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 22 November 2018.
- ^ "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 22 November 2018.
- ^ "Official Independent Singles Chart Top 50". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 22 November 2018.
- ^ According to reports Susan Boyle and Peter Kay are set to do a duet[permanent dead link] STV, 28 February 2011
- ^ a b Melanie C (15 October 2012). "Melanie C featuring Emma Bunton - 'I Know Him So Well' - Out November 11". MelanieC.net. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 29 March 2014.
- ^ "You'll Never Walk Alone". MelanieC.net. 19 October 2012. Archived from the original on 24 December 2013. Retrieved 29 March 2014.
- ^ "Melanie C - Discography". Melaniec.net. Archived from the original on 30 March 2014. Retrieved 29 March 2014.
- ^ "The Official UK Singles Chart for the week ending October 22, 2012". UKChartsPlus (475). Milton Keynes: IQ Ware Ltd.
- ^ Richard Clayderman – Songs Of Love at Discogs.com
- ^ John Barrowman - Music Music Music at Discogs.com
- ^ Charlotte Jaconelli – Solitaire at Discogs.com
- ^ "Amanda Holden releases debut album Songs From My Heart". Heart. 2 October 2020. Retrieved 9 May 2022.
- ^ "AJ Rafael & Chance Calloway Drop "I Know Him So Well" for The Trevor Project". HypnoticAsia.com. April 26, 2022. Retrieved May 9, 2022.
- 1984 songs
- 1984 singles
- 1988 singles
- 2001 singles
- 2011 singles
- 2012 singles
- 1980s ballads
- Elaine Paige songs
- Barbara Dickson songs
- Barbra Streisand songs
- Charity singles
- Comic Relief singles
- Contemporary R&B ballads
- Emma Bunton songs
- Female vocal duets
- Jive Records singles
- Melanie C songs
- Pete Waterman Entertainment singles
- Pop ballads
- Songs from Chess (musical)
- Songs with lyrics by Tim Rice
- Songs written by Benny Andersson and Björn Ulvaeus
- Soul ballads
- Steps (group) songs
- Susan Boyle songs
- UK Singles Chart number-one singles
- Whitney Houston songs