I Know Him So Well

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.[https://archive.org/details/brightlightsdark00carl/page/471 "Bright Lights Dark Shadows: The Real Story of ABBA", Carl Magnus Palm, p. 471] Although "I Am an A" was never released officially, it circulated on various bootlegs.

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.{{cite book

| first= David

| last= Roberts

| year= 2006

| title= British Hit Singles & Albums

| edition= 19th

| publisher= Guinness World Records Limited

| location= London

| isbn= 1-904994-10-5

| pages= 445–6}} 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.[http://www.barbaradickson.net/i_know_him_so_well.html Discography - I KNOW HIM SO WELL] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090715112722/http://www.barbaradickson.net/i_know_him_so_well.html |date=2009-07-15 }} Barbara Dickson 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.{{cite book|last=Kent|first=David|author-link=David Kent (historian)|title=Australian Chart Book 1970–1992|edition=illustrated|publisher=Australian Chart Book|location=St Ives, N.S.W.|year=1993|isbn=0-646-11917-6|page=90}}

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.[http://www.elainepaige.com/Elaine-Paige-Barbara-Dickson-I-Know-Him-So-Well-All-Time-Best-Selling-Duets.htm ALL TIME BEST SELLING DUETS] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110720030454/http://www.elainepaige.com/Elaine-Paige-Barbara-Dickson-I-Know-Him-So-Well-All-Time-Best-Selling-Duets.htm |date=20 July 2011 }} Elaine Paige, 5 January 2011

Paige and Dickson also recorded Spanish-language lyrics for release as "Lo Creo Conocer". The single was never released though.{{Cite web |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HDkCKIFlD84 |title=ELAINE PAIGE y BARBARA DICKSON: Lo Creo Conocer (Versión en español de "I Know Him So Well" 1984) - YouTube |website=YouTube |access-date=4 January 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160107071844/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HDkCKIFlD84 |archive-date=7 January 2016 |url-status=dead }}

• 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

{{Infobox song

| name = I Know Him So Well

| cover = I_Know_Him_So_Well_by_Whitney_%26_Cissy_Houston.jpg

| alt =

| type = single

| artist = Cissy Houston and Whitney Houston

| album = Whitney

| B-side =

• "Just the Lonely Talking Again"
• "You're Still My Man"

| released = 30 November 1988

| recorded = 1986–1987

| studio =

| venue =

| genre =

• Soul
• gospel
• R&B

| length = 4:30

| label = Arista

| writer =

• Tim Rice
• Björn Ulvaeus
• Benny Andersson

| producer = Narada Michael Walden

| chronology = Whitney Houston

| prev_title = One Moment in Time

| prev_year = 1988

| next_title = It Isn't, It Wasn't, It Ain't Never Gonna Be

| next_year = 1989

| misc = {{External music video|header=Licensed audio|{{YouTube|UomwE7tYfTI|"I Know Him So Well"}}}}

}}

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.

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."{{cite news|author=Robert Hilburn |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1987-06-01-ca-5509-story.html |title=Album Review : Houston: Commercial Sparkle, Artistic Fizz |publisher=Articles.latimes.com |date=June 1, 1987 |access-date=2014-03-29}} 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..."{{cite web |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/albumreviews/whitney-19870813 |title=Whitney | Album Reviews |publisher=Rolling Stone |date=1987-08-13 |access-date=2014-03-29 |archive-date=2011-06-28 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110628230956/http://www.rollingstone.com/music/albumreviews/whitney-19870813 |url-status=dead }} 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."{{cite news|url=https://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/tampabay/access/50027928.html?FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:FT&date=Jun+14%252C+1987&author=ERIC+SNIDER%253BANNELISE+WAMSLEY&pub=St.+Petersburg+Times&edition=&startpage=2.E&desc=Whitney+pulls+out+another+bag+of+hits+Series%253A+RECORDS|title=Whitney pulls out another bag of hits Series: RECORDS|author=ERIC SNIDER|author2=ANNELISE WAMSLEY|work=Tampa Bay Times|via=Pqasb.pqarchiver.com|date=14 June 1987|access-date=29 March 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121113215627/http://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/tampabay/access/50027928.html?FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:FT&date=Jun+14%252C+1987&author=ERIC+SNIDER%253BANNELISE+WAMSLEY&pub=St.+Petersburg+Times&edition=&startpage=2.E&desc=Whitney+pulls+out+another+bag+of+hits+Series%253A+RECORDS|archive-date=13 November 2012|url-status=dead}}

This single peaked at number 46 in Germany{{cite web|url=http://www.officialcharts.de/suche.asp?search=whitney+houston&country=de&kategorie=single |archive-url=https://archive.today/20141018163628/http://www.officialcharts.de/suche.asp?search=whitney+houston&country=de&kategorie=single |url-status=dead |archive-date=October 18, 2014 |title=charts.de |publisher=charts.de |access-date=29 March 2014}} and in the Netherlands it peaked at number 14.[http://www.top40.nl/search.aspx?keyword=Whitney%20Houston ]{{dead link|date=March 2014}}

• Europe, CD maxi single[https://www.discogs.com/release/1927119-Cissy-Whitney-Houston-I-Know-Him-So-Well "I Know Him So Well" (1988, CD)] at Discogs

1. "I Know Him So Well" – 4:26
2. "Just the Lonely Talking Again" – 5:30
3. "You're Still My Man" – 4:15

• Europe, 7" vinyl{{cite AV media notes |title=I Know Him So Well|others=Whitney Houston |date=1988 |type=EU Vinyl Single liner notes |location =Europe|publisher=Arista |id=111.904}}

:A: "I Know Him So Well" – 4:26

:B: "Just the Lonely Talking Again" – 5:30

• German, 12" vinyl{{cite AV media notes |title=I Know Him So Well|others=Whitney Houston |date=1988 |type=GER Vinyl Maxi Single liner notes |location =Germany|publisher=Arista Records |id=611.904}}

:A1: "I Know Him So Well" – 4:26

:B1: "Just the Lonely Talking Again" – 5:30

:B2: "You're Still My Man" – 4:15

{{Infobox song

| name = I Know Him So Well

| cover =

| alt =

| type = single

| artist = Steps

| album = The Last Dance

| A-side = Words Are Not Enough

| B-side = Bittersweet

| released = {{start date|2001|12|3|df=y}}{{cite magazine|title=New Releases – For Week Starting December 3, 2001: Singles|magazine=Music Week|page=23|date=1 December 2001}}

| recorded =

| studio = PWL (London, England)

| length = 3:23

| label =

• Jive
• Ebul

| writer =

• Benny Andersson
• Björn Ulvaeus
• Tim Rice

| producer =

• Dan Frampton
• Pete Waterman

| prev_title = Chain Reaction

| prev_year = 2001

| title = Words Are Not Enough

| title2 = I Know Him So Well

| next_title = Light Up the World

| next_year = 2012

| misc = {{External music video|{{YouTube|Ts6-sJE6ruE|"I Know Him So Well"}}}}

}}

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.

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.

UK CD single{{cite AV media notes|title=Words Are Not Enough / I Know Him So Well|year=2001|type=UK CD single liner notes|publisher=Jive Records, Ebul Records|id=9201452}}

1. "Words Are Not Enough" – 3:24
2. "I Know Him So Well" – 4:14
3. "Bittersweet" – 3:58
4. "Words Are Not Enough" (video) – 3:24

UK cassette single{{cite AV media notes|title=Words Are Not Enough / I Know Him So Well|year=2001|type=UK cassette single sleeve|publisher=Jive Records, Ebul Records|id=9201454}}

1. "Words Are Not Enough" – 3:24
2. "I Know Him So Well" – 4:14
3. "Bittersweet" – 3:58

Credits are adapted from the "Words Are Not Enough" / "I Know Him So Well" liner notes.

Recording

• Recorded at PWL Studios (London, England)
• Mixed at PWL Studios (London, England)
• Mastered at Transfermation (London, England)

Personnel

• Songwriting – Benny Andersson, Björn Ulvaeus, Tim Rice
• Production – Dan Frampton, Pete Waterman
• Mixing – Dan Frampton
• Engineering – Dan Frampton

{{Infobox song

| name = I Know Him So Well

| cover = Susan and peter I know him so well.jpg

| alt =

| type = single

| artist = Geraldine McQueen (Peter Kay) and Susan Boyle

| album =

| released = 21 March 2011

| recorded = 2011

| studio =

| venue =

| genre = Pop

| length =

| label =

| writer =

• Tim Rice
• Björn Ulvaeus
• Benny Andersson

| producer =

| chronology = Peter Kay

| prev_title = The Official BBC Children in Need Medley

| prev_year = 2009

| next_title =

| next_year =

| misc = {{Extra chronology

| artist = Susan Boyle

| type = singles

| prev_title = Perfect Day

| prev_year = 2010

| title = I Know Him So Well

| year = 2011

| next_title = You Have to Be There

| next_year = 2011

}}

{{External music video|header=Parody video|{{YouTube|-PIb30o7W9Q|"I Know Him So Well"}}}}

}}

"I Know Him So Well" was recorded by Peter Kay and Susan Boyle for Comic Relief 2011,[https://web.archive.org/web/20110303081707/http://entertainment.stv.tv/showbiz/231655-according-to-reports-susan-boyle-and-peter-kay-are-set-to-do-a-duet/ According to reports Susan Boyle and Peter Kay are set to do a duet] STV, 28 February 2011 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.

{{Clear}}

{{Infobox song

| name = I Know Him So Well

| cover = I Know Him So Well MelC Emma.jpg

| alt =

| type = single

| artist = Melanie C featuring Emma Bunton

| album = Stages

| B-side = You'll Never Walk Alone

| released = {{start date|2012|11|11|df=y}}

| recorded = Spring 2012

| studio =

| venue =

| genre = Pop rock

| length =

• 4:24 (album version)
• 3:27 (radio edit)

| label = Red Girl

| writer =

• Benny Andersson
• Tim Rice
• Björn Ulvaeus

| producer = Peter-John Vettese

| chronology = Melanie C

| prev_title = Let There Be Love

| prev_year = 2011

| next_title = Loving You

| next_year = 2013

| misc = {{Extra chronology

| artist = Emma Bunton

| type = singles

| prev_title = All I Need to Know

| prev_year = 2007

| title = I Know Him So Well

| year = 2012

| next_title = Baby Please Don't Stop

| next_year = 2019

}}

{{External music video|{{YouTube|7eO0hhfq5RM|"I Know Him So Well"}}}}

}}

"I Know Him So Well" was also covered by English recording artist Melanie C. The song was the first single{{cite web|url=http://www.melaniec.net/news/archive/818-melanie-c-featuring-emma-bunton-i-know-him-so-well-out-november-11th |title=Melanie C featuring Emma Bunton - 'I Know Him So Well' - Out November 11 |publisher=MelanieC.net |date=15 October 2012 |access-date=29 March 2014 |author=Melanie C |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304212051/http://melaniec.net/news/archive/818-melanie-c-featuring-emma-bunton-i-know-him-so-well-out-november-11th |archive-date=4 March 2016 }} 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. The b-side of the single is a cover of "You'll Never Walk Alone" from the musical Carousel.{{cite web |url=http://www.melaniec.net/news/archive/821-youll-never-walk-alone |title=You'll Never Walk Alone |publisher=MelanieC.net |date=19 October 2012 |access-date=29 March 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131224093627/http://www.melaniec.net/news/archive/821-youll-never-walk-alone |archive-date=24 December 2013 }} The music video for the song premiered on YouTube on 12 November 2012.

These are the formats and track listings of major single releases of "I Know Him So Well".

• Digital download

1. "I Know Him So Well"
2. "You'll Never Walk Alone"

• Limited CD single{{cite web|url=http://www.melaniec.net/music/discography/category/i-know-him-so-well-single/|title=Melanie C - Discography|publisher=Melaniec.net|access-date=29 March 2014|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140330005023/http://www.melaniec.net/music/discography/category/i-know-him-so-well-single/|archive-date=30 March 2014}}

1. "I Know Him So Well"
2. "You'll Never Walk Alone"

• Digital download

1. "I Know Him So Well" (radio edit)

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

The song has been covered in non-charting versions by several notable performers.

• Pianist Richard Clayderman included an instrumental version on his 1987 album, Songs of Love.{{cn|date=March 2025}}
• Singers John Barrowman and Daniel Boys covered the song on Barrowman's 2008 album Music Music Music.{{cn|date=March 2025}}
• In 2014, Charlotte Jaconelli and Kerry Ellis performed the song on Jaconelli's solo debut album, Solitaire.{{cn|date=March 2025}}
• Sheridan Smith sang the song with Amanda Holden on Holden's 2020 debut album Songs from My Heart.{{cite web|url=https://www.heart.co.uk/radio/shows-presenters/heart-breakfast-jamie-theakston-amanda-holden/amanda-holden-releases-debut-album-songs-from-my-heart/|title=Amanda Holden releases debut album Songs From My Heart|website=Heart|date=2 October 2020|accessdate=9 May 2022}}
• 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.{{cite web|date=April 26, 2022|accessdate=May 9, 2022|title=AJ Rafael & Chance Calloway Drop "I Know Him So Well" for The Trevor Project|url=https://www.hypnoticasia.com/aj-rafael-chance-calloway-dropi-know-him-so-wellfor-the-trevor-project/|publisher=HypnoticAsia.com}}

{{Reflist}}

{{Elaine Paige}}

{{Whitney Houston singles}}

{{Melanie C singles}}

{{Emma Bunton}}

{{Susan Boyle}}

{{Authority control}}

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Category:Pop ballads

Category:Songs from Chess (musical)

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Category:UK singles chart number-one singles

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