The Meaning Behind The Song: I Know Him So Well by Elaine Paige & Barbara Dickson

“I Know Him So Well” is a duet performed by Elaine Paige and Barbara Dickson. The song was written by Tim Rice and Benny Andersson, and released in 1984. The song is an emotional ballad that explores the complicated and sometimes bittersweet experience of knowing someone so well that you can predict their actions, yet not being able to save them from their own mistakes.

Table of Contents

The Lyrics

The lyrics of the song capture the emotional complexity of knowing someone intimately. The song opens with the lines:

“Nothing is so good it lasts eternally
Perfect situations must go wrong
But this has never yet prevented me
Wanting far too much for far too long”

The lyrics touch upon the wistful feeling of holding onto something perfect, even though it’s bound to end eventually. The song then goes on to describe the intricate and nuanced understanding the narrator has of the person they love:

“Time and time again I see him staring out the window
At a world that’s passing us by
I begin to cry when I hear him say
It’s time to die”

The song talks about the fear of losing someone you know so well to their own self-destructive tendencies. However, it also looks at the beauty of the person and the relationship, despite its imperfections.

Interpretation

The song has been interpreted in many ways since its release. Some see it as a love song, singing about the pain of separation. Others see it as a song about friendship, highlighting the beauty of understanding another person intimately.

However, the most common interpretation of the song is that of a two people who know each other so well that they can predict each other’s actions, but they are still unable to save one another from their own flaws. “I Know Him So Well” highlights the emotional complexity of such a relationship, where the love and understanding between two individuals are bound to be tested by life’s unpredictable twists and turns.

Impact

The song was originally written for the musical Chess, and it’s been widely regarded as one of the highlights of the show. It won the Ivor Novello Award for Best Song Musically and Lyrically in 1985.

Since its release, the song has become a classic, and has been covered by various artists, including Whitney Houston, Celine Dion and Barbra Streisand. The song’s timeless message of love, loss and understanding has resonated with audiences worldwide.

FAQs

1. What inspired Tim Rice and Benny Andersson to write “I Know Him So Well”?

Tim Rice and Benny Andersson wrote “I Know Him So Well” for their musical Chess. The song was part of a love triangle that played out between the three main characters of the show.

2. Who performed “I Know Him So Well” first?

“I Know Him So Well” was first performed by Elaine Paige and Barbara Dickson for the album Chess, released in 1984.

3. What is the meaning behind the song?

The song explores the emotional complexities of knowing someone intimately, how sometimes we can be so close to someone and yet powerless to save them from their own self-destructive tendencies.

4. What is the message of the song?

The song’s main message is about the beauty and pain of understanding another person so intimately. It’s about the bittersweet realization that even though we know someone so well, we may not be able to save them from themselves.

5. Why is the song so popular?

The song’s timeless message of love, loss and understanding has resonated with audiences worldwide. Its emotional depth and complexity make it a song that speaks to many people.

6. What other artists have covered “I Know Him So Well”?

The song has been covered by several artists, including Whitney Houston, Celine Dion, and Barbra Streisand.

7. What awards has the song won?

“I Know Him So Well” won the Ivor Novello Award for Best Song Musically and Lyrically in 1985.

8. Was the song a commercial success?

The original version of the song, by Elaine Paige and Barbara Dickson, reached Number One in the UK Singles Chart, and stayed there for four weeks.

9. What impact has the song had on popular culture?

The song has become a classic and is regarded as one of the highlights of the musical Chess. Moreover, its message has permeated popular culture and has contributed to shaping the way we think about love, understanding, and loss.

10. What emotions does the song evoke?

“I Know Him So Well” evokes emotions of longing, understanding, loss, and acceptance. It’s a song about the beauty and pain of loving someone so intimately that you know everything about them and yet, for all that knowledge, you’re powerless to save them from their own self-destructive tendencies.

11. What lessons can we learn from the song?

The song teaches us the importance of cherishing the people we love while they’re still around. It teaches us to accept the things we cannot change and to cherish the beauty of life’s imperfections.

12. What is the appeal of “I Know Him So Well” to audiences all over the world?

The appeal of the song lies in its emotional complexity and timeless message of love, loss, and understanding, making it a relatable hymn for people all over the world. The song shows us that even in the most complicated of relationships, the beauty of understanding and unbreakable bonds can still exist.

ncG1vNJzZminnJnBqrnEpqysoZNjsLC5jq2fnmWdmq6vtc2gZJudmJ67pXnToZxmq5%2BjtG61jKSlqK9dnbauedKoZLCdnKF6o8WMnqOaoZ6aerGtyKCcZpqRp6%2BivsBmm6Kbm6i8r3s%3D