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I Know Him So Well
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"I Know Him So Well"
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]
Format
7" single
12" single
Recorded
1984
Genre
Pop
Length
4:15
Label
RCA
Songwriter(s)
Benny Andersson
Tim Rice
Björn Ulvaeus
Producer(s)
Björn Ulvaeus
Benny Andersson
Tim Rice
"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.
Contents
[hide]
1 Original version
1.1 Original recording credits
2 Cissy Houston and Whitney Houston version
2.1 Critical reception
2.2 Chart performance
2.3 Track listings and formats
2.4 Chart positions
3 Geraldine McQueen and Susan Boyle version
4 Melanie C version
4.1 Formats and track listings
4.2 Live performances
4.3 Charts
4.4 Release history
5 Other cover versions
6 References
7 External links
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.[2] 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][3] 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.
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.[4]
Paige and Dickson also recorded Spanish-language lyrics for release as "Lo Creo Conocer". The single was never released though.[5]
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"
Single by Cissy Houston and Whitney Houston
from the album Whitney
B-side
"Just The Lonely Talking Again" "You're Still My Man"
Released
November 30, 1988
Format
CD Single, Maxi-Single, 7" single, 12" single
Recorded
1986–1987
Genre
Soul
gospel
R&B
Length
4:30
Label
Arista
Songwriter(s)
Tim Rice, Björn Ulvaeus, Benny Andersson
Producer(s)
Narada Michael Walden
Whitney Houston singles chronology
"Love Will Save the Day"
(1988) "I Know Him So Well"
(1988) "One Moment in Time"
(1988)
"Love Will Save the Day"
(1988) "I Know Him So Well"
(1988) "One Moment in Time"
(1988)
Whitney track listing
"Where Do Broken Hearts Go"
(10) "I Know Him So Well"
(11)
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 a final and 6th single from Whitney on November 30, 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 Whitney Houston North American leg of the 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 thus: "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.[6] Rolling Stone's Vince Alleti criticized the song and production: "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..."[7] 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."[8]
Chart performance
This single peaked at number 46 in Germany[9] and in the Netherlands it peaked at number 14.[10] The single did not appear in the Bubbling Under Hot 100 chart, unlike the 4 previous singles which all reached the Top 10.
Track listings and formats
CD single (Germany)
"I Know Him So Well" – 4:26
"Just The Lonely Talking Again" – 5:30
"You're Still My Man" – 4:15
7" Single (Germany)
A "I Know Him So Well" – 4:26
B "Just The Lonely Talking Again" – 5:30
12" Single (Germany)
A1 "I Know Him So Well" – 4:26
B1 "Just The Lonely Talking Again" – 5:30
B2 "You're Still My Man" – 4:15
Chart positions
Chart (1988)
Peak
position
Germany (Official German Charts)[11] 46
Netherlands (Dutch Top 40)[12] 14
Geraldine McQueen and Susan Boyle version
"I Know Him So Well"
Single by Geraldine McQueen (Peter Kay) and Susan Boyle
Released
March 21, 2011
Format
CD single, digital download
Recorded
2011
Genre
Pop
Songwriter(s)
Tim Rice, Björn Ulvaeus, Benny Andersson
Peter Kay singles chronology
"The Official BBC Children in Need Medley"
(2009) "I Know Him So Well"
(2011)
"The Official BBC Children in Need Medley"
(2009) "I Know Him So Well"
(2011)
Susan Boyle singles chronology
"Perfect Day"
(2010) Perfect Day2010 "I Know Him So Well "
(2011) I Know Him So Well2011 "You Have to Be There"
(2011) You Have to Be There2011
"I Know Him So Well" was recorded by Peter Kay and Susan Boyle for Comic Relief 2011,[13] with Kay appearing as his alter ego Geraldine McQueen. Their version reached number 11 on the UK Singles Chart. A spoof music video was also created.
Melanie C version
"I Know Him So Well"
Single by Melanie C featuring Emma Bunton
from the album Stages
B-side
"You'll Never Walk Alone"
Released
11 November 2012 (2012-11-11)
Format
CD single
digital download
Recorded
Spring 2012
Genre
Pop
pop rock
Length
4:24 (album version)
3:27 (radio edit)
Label
Red Girl
Songwriter(s)
Benny Andersson, Tim Rice, Björn Ulvaeus
Producer(s)
Peter-John Vettese
Melanie C singles chronology
"Let There Be Love"
(2011) "I Know Him So Well"
(2012) "Loving You"
(2013)
"Let There Be Love"
(2011) "I Know Him So Well"
(2012) "Loving You"
(2013)
Emma Bunton singles chronology
"All I Need to Know"
(2007) All I Need to Know2007 "I Know Him So Well"
(2012) I Know Him So Well2012
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[14] to be taken from Melanie C's musical theatre-inspired and sixth studio album Stages. The song is a duet with Chisholm's fellow Spice Girls group member Emma Bunton. The song was released as a single on 11 November 2012.[14] The b-side of the single is a cover of "You'll Never Walk Alone" from the musical Carousel.[15] 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[16]
"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
UK Singles Charts[17]
153
UK Indie Chart
14
Release history
Country
Date
Format
Worldwide 11 November 2012 Digital download, CD single
Other cover versions
This section needs additional citations for verification. Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed. (March 2018) (Learn how and when to remove this template message)
The song has been covered by other music artists including:
Cilla Black covered the song for her 1985 album Surprisingly Cilla
Barbra Streisand for her 1985 album The Broadway Album; the track was later included on her 1991 box-set Just for the Record
The Shadows on their 1986 album Moonlight Shadows (instrumental version)
Richard Clayderman recorded the song for his 1987 album Songs of Love
Willeke Alberti and Simone Kleinsma in 1989 as a Dutch version renamed "Ik Ken Hem Te Goed"
Steps for the 1999 Abbamania tribute album; their version was later released as a single in support of their 2001 compilation album, Gold: Greatest Hits when it was released as a double A-side along with the song "Words Are Not Enough"
John Barrowman on his 2008 album Music Music Music, with Daniel Boys
Idina Menzel and Kerry Ellis performed a version of the song at the concert version of Chess at the Royal Albert Hall with the London Philharmonic Orchestra
Elaine Paige and Susan Boyle, who performed a live cover of the song on the TV program I Dreamed a Dream: The Susan Boyle Story. Paige also recorded a vocal for a version to be included on Boyle's album, which wasn't ultimately included in the release.
References
^ Jump up to: a b Elaine Paige And Barbara Dickson - I Know Him So Well OfficialCharts
Jump up ^ Roberts, David (2006). British Hit Singles & Albums (19th ed.). London: Guinness World Records Limited. pp. 445–6. ISBN 1-904994-10-5.
Jump up ^ Discography - I KNOW HIM SO WELL Barbara Dickson
Jump up ^ ALL TIME BEST SELLING DUETS Archived 2011-07-20 at the Wayback Machine. Elaine Paige, 5 January 2011
Jump up ^ [1][dead link]
Jump up ^ Robert Hilburn (June 1, 1987). "Album Review : Houston: Commercial Sparkle, Artistic Fizz". Articles.latimes.com. Retrieved 2014-03-29.
Jump up ^ "Whitney | Album Reviews". Rolling Stone. 1987-08-13. Retrieved 2014-03-29.
Jump up ^ ERIC SNIDER; ANNELISE WAMSLEY (1987-06-14). "Whitney pulls out another bag of hits Series: RECORDS". Tampa Bay Times. Archived from the original on Nov 13, 2012. Retrieved 2014-03-29 – via Pqasb.pqarchiver.com.
Jump up ^ "charts.de". charts.de. Retrieved 2014-03-29.
Jump up ^ [2][dead link]
Jump up ^ "Musicline.de – Houston, Whitney; Houston, Cissy Single-Chartverfolgung" (in German). Media Control Charts. PhonoNet GmbH.
Jump up ^ "Nederlandse Top 40 – Whitney Houston, Cissy Houston" (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40.
Jump up ^ According to reports Susan Boyle and Peter Kay are set to do a duet STV, 28 February 2011
^ Jump up to: a b Melanie C (2012-10-15). "Melanie C featuring Emma Bunton - 'I Know Him So Well' - Out November 11". MelanieC.net. Archived from the original on 2016-03-04. Retrieved 2014-03-29.
Jump up ^ "You'll Never Walk Alone". MelanieC.net. 2012-10-19. Archived from the original on 2013-12-24. Retrieved 2014-03-29.
Jump up ^ "Melanie C - Discography". Melaniec.net. Archived from the original on 2014-03-30. Retrieved 2014-03-29.
Jump up ^ "The Official UK Singles Chart for the week ending October 22, 2012". UKChartsPlus. Milton Keynes: IQ Ware Ltd (475). |access-date= requires |url= (help)
External links
Preceded by
"I Want to Know What Love Is" by Foreigner UK number one single
3 February 1985 - 3 March 1985 Succeeded by
"You Spin Me Round (Like a Record)" by Dead or Alive
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"I Know Him So Well"
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