So here I was searching for a Melanie C song after she was in the UK English girl group Spice Girls. I stumble on a rendition from her and Emily Button of the powerhouse ballad and theatre hit from the musical Chess called I Know Him So Well. I could’ve sworn I’d already written about this classic (the original), but low and behold not to be. So here we are today.
Move over Mel C (your turn is coming), I want to rewind to a time before the Spice Girls – back when singers like Elaine Paige were still dominating the stage and airwaves. A theatrical giant, she needs no introduction, already appearing here with her version of Memory from Cats and The Rose by Bette Midler. Listening to I Know Him So Well again, I was reminded of a time when a strong voice, emotional delivery, and real performance chops were what really counted. It captures a whole era of pop-adjacent theatre that could still command mainstream attention.
The following was abridged from the Wikipedia reference below:
I Know Him So Well originated from Chess, a musical written by lyricist Tim Rice with music composed by ABBA’s Benny Andersson and Björn Ulvaeus. The duet is performed by two characters – Florence and Svetlana – who find themselves entangled in a love triangle with the same man. The song is steeped in melancholy and quiet resignation, as the two women reflect on the man they both loved and the choices they made.
The chorus of the song (according to Wikipedia) is based on the chorus of I Am an A, a song performed live during Andersson and Ulvaeus’ group ABBA’s 1977 tour. Although I Am an A was never released officially, you can hear a version from their 1977 Australian show in the link above.
I Know Him So Well was released as a single by Paige and Dickson, the duet reaching number one in the UK Singles Chart for four weeks in 1985. 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. 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.
References:
1. I Know Him So Well – Wikipedia
“The more I live, the more I learn. The more I learn, the more I realize, the less I know.”- Michel Legrand
Observation Blogger 
It’s a lovely song, Matt. I listened to it. A wonderful music review! Have a blessed week ahead.
Sorry for the delayed response Hazel – your comment appeared in my ‘Spam’ folder.
Thanks for your kind words and I’m chuffed you liked the song. You too, have a lovely week friend.
My pleasure, Matt. Love and gratitude!
it was a different time…really nice
They don’t make them like they used to.
While it’s not the music I usually listen to, the vocals are outstanding, no question!
When I was relistening to it yesterday, that was what stood out for me as well – just magnificent singing; the likes you don’t really hear anymore in modern music.