I Know Him So Well
Elaine Paige · Performance [1996]
Perfect situations must go wrong
But this has never yet prevented me
Wanting far too much for far too long
Looking back, I could have played it differently
Won a few more moments, who can tell
But it took time to understand the man
Now at least I know I know him well
Wasn't it good? (Oh so good)
Wasn't he fine? (Oh so fine)
Isn't it madness, he can't be mine?
But in the end, he needs a little bit more than me,
More security (He needs his fantasy and freedom)
I know him so well
No one in your life is with you constantly
No one is completely on your side
And though I move my world to be with him
Still the gap between us is too wide
Looking back, I could have played it differently
(Looking back now I could have played it some other way)
Learned about the man before I fell
(I was just a little careless)
But I was ever so much younger then
(Maybe, so much younger then)
Now at least I know I know him well
Wasn't it good? (Oh so good)
Wasn't he fine? (Oh so fine)
Isn't it madness, he won't be mine?
Didn't I know, how it would go?
If I knew from the start,
Why am I falling apart?
Wasn't it good?
Wasn't he fine?
Isn't it madness, he won't be mine?
But in the end, he needs a little bit more than me,
More security (He needs his fantasy and freedom)
I know him so well
It took time to understand him,
I know him so well.
I Know Him So Well
Elaine Paige's rendition of 'I Know Him So Well' stands as a defining moment in her extensive catalogue of musical theatre and pop recordings. Originally a duet from the Andrew Lloyd Webber musical Evita, Paige's solo interpretation captures the emotional weight of the character Evita Perón reflecting on her relationship with Che. This recording, featured on the 1996 album Performance, showcases her signature dramatic delivery and powerful vocal control. The track highlights her ability to convey deep narrative emotion, a hallmark of her work across decades of stage and studio performances. As a staple of her discography, the song remains a testament to her enduring influence in the world of British musical theatre and vocal performance.