I Know Him So Well.(from CHESS) Barbra Streisand + Brooklyn

[Raptormon132]

Not bad. I recon it would've interesting if Jodi Benson sang it with her.

[kpasanski]

I had no idea Barbra did this song. Does anyone know what album this is on?

[JefferyK]

@kpasanski It's on the "Just For the Record" boxed set and highlights CD.

[markliebergall]

I was at Erasmus with Barbara and Bobby F. Great to see some of the old photos and people.

[secondaryactons]

I wish she released this song as a single in the '80's. It didn't work for The Broadway album but it would have been perfect for Till I loved You.

[mumusings]

One of the most beautiful songs ever!

[Nautilus1972]

@jeffbazell1Isn't he the guy that blew his brains out ?

[BBballPlayaGirl]

their timings were off. expected a little more cuz shes amazing

[Marrizka1]

lovely song :) so powerfull, please watch my version:)

[mickritt]

I enjoy this beautiful song and the performances by the various artists, but I love the performance by Dana Winner and Belle Perez.

[mmlinma]

yes, they complement each other. Elaine stresses every syllable while Susan was just pure wholesomeness. one is sophisticated the other refreshing.

[Imforeverone88]

Let me tell you all- I've listened to almost all the different instances of this song on Youtube and the one that really holds me and shakes me from within is the one with Susan Boyle and Elaine Paige. Something about Elaine at that age with the fierce good looks and Susan's humility is so attractive.

[bryantan89]

Listening to this song makes me feel so loved.

[EmilyDoesRandomStuff]

Barbra streisand as in the duck sauce lady?

[kemoblue4u]

I just graduated from Erasmus Hall last summer.

[baland2006]

gorgeous performance!

[ekaydea]

I love Barbra Streisand but the best version of this song is by the British girl group Steps, it has no equal.

[rexel666]

Loved it until the bridge.

[Evilqueen1985]

she's singing a duet with herself... its a different interpretation of this song, I prefer Elaine Paige and Barbra Dickson... this version is just overly theatrical and doesnt seem as sad as it should...

[letsmakemusicbaby]

from this to Duck Sauce.

[AbrahamDiner]

Barbra on LARRY KING LIVE Dec 15, 2010

LK- Two jeish from Brooklyn, what are doing here...so is it

true you are out of Brooklyn but Brooklyn is still in you?

BS- Of course, it will always be. It will always be there.

a street sense, a pragmatism, people yelling out of the

windows and sitting on the stoop singing...the neighbors

caring about you on some way.."

[nofreedomofspeech]

Half of ABBA did the lyrics

[lifasal]

excelente!!!!!

[SherlockHerculeMorse]

This is great to hear! So glad to have found it posted here! Thanks albertdiner!

[ajmannn1]

Barbra Streisand once again takes an outstanding song and makes it her very own to the extent that ANYONE other than her performing it would be utter disappointment. She is totally brilliant in her intelligent intrepretive phrasing & emotional expression as a true master of this art.

Happily, she is a very intelligent human being & more than generous to charitable causes in health & education. May God Bless her!

[Bobby1t]

This is amazing. Who ever did this thank you so much.. I heard this recording on a rare CD thtat I have and never thought it would be used likethis. Thank you.

[stewwalk]

Glad we all have opinions. I doubt that any song barbara streisand covers is the best ever. IMO barbara is overrated. shes been in some movies and sang a few songs. As far as raw talent is concerned, I have heard 12 years old sing better than her. I imagine you grew up on barbara streisand. many would say whitney houstons version would bury this version into the ground.

[urbanstorm1000]

@stewwalk What a pathetic individual you are, no doubt writing your stupid inane comment to render some kind of response, which you have achieved! Barbra is renowned among PROFESSIONALS (doubtful you are one of those) as THE VOICE. She has lasted over 50 years, not something that is attained by 12 years old or something that will be matched by her current "paid" contemporary artists. She has most genres of music , including classical. She is the most revered/celebrated female artist of our time.

[albertdiner]

@jeffbazell1

Richard Page performed backing vocals on Barbra Streisand's 1985 recording of "I Know Him So Well" for The Broadway Album. He was one of the vocalist of the

group Mr. MISTER.

[maureen1938]

Another fantastic video from Barbra Streisand, she's one of the best. Thanks for posting.

[tbspeaks]

This indeed the new benchmark for an exceptional song. Superb interpretation Barbra, oh and thank you!

[hairspraluva]

is she dueting herself????

[zaborwi]

I have always loved this version...Barbra is beyond perfection...this is a 10+++++

[necktieguy1]

What a great arrangement to this Broadway tune. It makes me feel as if I am in the audience watching this song being performed. Thanks for this post.

[fkd1963]

big disappointment. barbra, this is a song for two WOMEN. and the arrangement is tacky. thanks, david foster!

[PopCulture20]

@fkd1963 and you are?????? what do you do for a living? are you a composer JACKASS? EXACTLY!!!!

[fkd1963]

@PopCulture20 Oh, boy. Another insane Barbra fan. . . .stand back, folks.

[Bouquetfragrance1]

バーブラ・ストライサンドの、I know　Him　So　Wellは、いい音色していて、きれいです、きにいりました。

[Raluquita]

I honestly think Elaine Paige is overrated.. She doesn't put soul in her songs. This one sung by Barbra is WAY better than the original. Take I dreamed a dream for example too. Susan Boyle beat her there badly ! Elaine sings cause she wants to sing. Doesn't look to me that she ever FEELS to sing.

[blanchefan]

There was a woman who commented about Barbra during the intermission of the New Year's Eve (1999) Timeless concert (on the DVD): "Her voice just goes through you--and becomes part of who you are." Wow. That happened for me with "I Know Him So Well." The lyrics suddenly had personal relevance to me; they touched some unconscious place in me that echoed intensely, emotionally. I have the "Just for the Record" CD, yet somehow had missed this performance. Bobby Fischer motif worked so well!

[lifasal]

QUE BELLA VERSION!

[ibreakchains]

I find Streisand's personality to be sooo annoying...but one must recognize her unmatched ability to transform any song into magic.

[PopCulture20]

The Whitney Houston version with her mother, Cissy Houston, was sooooo much better than this version!!!!!

[olejnik82]

R.I.P. Bobby Fischer

[mbutterfly89]

I really love her voice. I hope one day I could meet and sing with her. hahahahahahaha!

[BrutalTruth1]

Although five years younger than Bobby Fischer and Barbra Streisand, I grew up in the same neighborhood, I remember well the Hawthorne Chess Club (with Bobby and his mentor teachers Bill Lombardy and Jack Collins) and Erasmus High before moving to Queens and Martin Van Buren (another cauldron of talent and brains then). This rendition and its accompanying video is a masterpiece, a time machine virtually taking us back to a different time and emotion that will never be again. Thank you.

[TRUEMAN8919]

barbara streisand bobby fischer genius

[tbspeaks]

Barbra, you never cease to amaze me. This version is absolutely smooth, painfully emotive yet beautifully done. Thank you.

[fbredenkamp1]

@tbspeaks Truer words are hardly ever spoken........

[bigfanization]

sorry but not nearly as good as the original

[rightmoment]

@bigfanization

I agree with you. This is not a patch on the original Paige/Dickson version.

[1977jenna]

Yeah...Björn and Benny are not of this world! It´s amazing how many great songs they´ve written! Nothing but pure geniouses!

[Danehill]

Ah, Benny and Bjorn could really write a tune, couldn't they? Beautiful.

[earlscourtsw10]

Barbara Dickson sings this far better...

[rightmoment]

@earlscourtsw10

Barbara Dickson sings everything better!!

[dyebat]

Might want to check out the newest version of this song with Elaine Paige & Susan Boyle from Susan's special on 12/13/09. Really good rapport between the 2 singers.

[Vidcar1]

Arrrghh! Barbra Streisand?!?!

[nikoteng]

arrrgggg in a good way or bad???? hehe... i love barbra..

[Chrisyt272]

Nice job albertdiner! I've always loved this song when Elaine Paige (and that other woman-- forgive me I am drawing a complete blank on her name) sings it, but now I am at a crossroads... not sure which I like better...lol. Thanks again for the video, it was great!

[essoeee]

haha, owned  V

[DisneyPoltergeist]

this song really describes me right now, I met a really cute boy and he turned out to be everything I ever wanted in a guy cute, funny, nice, sweet, kind but then I had fallen extremly hard for him and then I found out he was gay, so it really really describes me if you listen to it.

[nancyfloressantos]

I have been longing to hear this song....again.......Thanks for having it shared.

[srkadict]

She makes it sound like a prayer !! Amazing !!! Such thrills !!

[ricmarc]

wow! i have never heard this version. it is superb!

[cypruschick]

When I was 20 and my boyfriend chucked me I listened to this song oh about 1000 times! Tragic! Great song though xxx

[andrineus]

I still prefer swedish version with Helen and Josefin.. translation is never as good as original... and Helens voice for me is the most beautiful (even comparing to such stars as Barbra or Whitney)

[dmaranan]

but wasn't this written in english? the lyrics are by tim rice.

[gosesnuff]

that's true it's originally written in english and then translated into swedish.... and in that process the songs lost all their charm too...

[Theatralisdiva]

Whitney Houston & Cissy Houston's version was the best.

[rightmoment]

@Theatralisdiva

Only for deaf people with no style or taste

[mecloptera]

3.10 = genius

[cormackcarr]

I read somewhere that Barbra was going to record this with Olivia Newton-John, but ONJ was unavailable at the time.

[nmsoberguy]

The BEST version of this song I have heard by anyone.

[wseabuck]

Oh no...Now Barbra owns this standard in my opinion. Seems whenever she chooses a song that version becomes the best ever, no matter who has sung the original. I hadn't heard this before and now Elaine Page is history.

[albertdiner]

Barbra Streisand is today the best

interpreter of theatre songs. It´s not just

the voice. Its the phrasing and the

intelligence that shines through.

[Nautilus1972]

@albertdiner Bernadette Peters far exceeds Streisand in phrasing and execution. Streisand is all about singing by the numbers. And how is there a male singing this duet?> Is he gay?

[Bobby1t]

@wseabuck Whitney Houston did an awesome duet with her mother of this song on her second album, though nothing compared to this.

[RailroadBill76]

@wseabuck ...I've got a bridge to sell, that you might be interested in.

[tjallew]

@RailroadBill76

+100% the musik but Time Rice with he's master

tutch off Englich lyrik was very important in a emortel

peace off thise musik theatra Björn is ofcourse quite good to but

with out maistro Tim????

But where is the film???? -

sorry dyslektiv Swed-Anglo-Amerikan lingvestik

[vhagues]

She is magnificent!!!

[Anavyia]

I agree it`s beautiful

[Celtinea]

You may say anyhing you want about this, but I find it heard to swallow for anyone to call this horrible. It doesn't have to be your favorite, but it is sung magnificently - with strong feeling and flawless control.

[staysweet1214]

another great intepretation by Barbra Streisand!

[brotherjohn25]

This version was terrible. The best was ABBA as well as Elaine Paige.

[Eorzean]

LOL. Good to hear you like Barbra's version NOW. :) You say this version WAS terrible. And then ABBA's and Elaine Page's WERE best before.

[jacobsimon]

I can just hear the two Abba girls singing this. As if it were written for them. Which it kind of was.

[rightmoment]

@jacobsimon

What is this obsession with those two dull, boring, women from ABBA. Thank God they didn't get their anaemic, characterless voices on this song.

[rightmoment]

@PopCulture20

What does someone who rates the crude, vulgar, trashy Houston version of this song know about style or talent?

[agintis1]

They sing the song the way they see it and it rocks, art

[Sunnyeric1965]

Wow, great version, like the original better, butt his is great, wish there was a version with the voices of frida and agnetha, picture that, would be perfect.

[werns1984]

i love this song so much and remindes me on better times...

[swansong95]

this song is so ABBA...

[etanhornist]

That's because it was composed by Bjorn Ulvaeus & Benny Andersson, the two men from ABBA. Same music credits as Mamma Mia!

[swansong95]

yh i know...hardly anyone has heard of chess, and most of those who have don't know who wrote it. me and my friend learnt this in our singing lesson - it's so fun to sing!!!

[Kabir408]

I liked this version most....

I'm listing over and over....

[cwecub]

the best version is Whitney and Sissy Houston..and i won't hear anymore on the subject!!

[87redsilver]

They don't sing the melody right . Too many varaiations .

[87redsilver]

I meant too many variations in the Whitney and Sissy Houston's version-with all due respect .

[gibbopg]

Agreed...while I like Whitney, I couldn't listen to the whole version as I felt they were distoting the simple, but beautiful, melody of this song. I like Barbra's version ...but after just hearing all three...Elaine Page and Barabara Dickson take the honours.

[milllanegirl]

Superb version by the Grand Dame. Sorry but the original by ElainePaige and Barbara Dickson cannot be discounted.Wise choice by Andrew Lloyd Webber.

[HyperionCT]

Andrew Lloyd Webber had nothing to do with Chess.  His former partner Tim Rice wrote the lyrics, but music is by the guys from ABBA.

[ilovebarbra2]

I agree. Other singer sing and that's great but, Barbra tells the story.

[agintis1]

Thanks for this jewel from Barbra. I listened to the other You Tube versions and found that the performers got hung up on their own styles. Barbra sings the song like she had something to tell us , but with music . She has made my life a little bit brighter. Bravo, Art

[ilovebarbra2]

I agree with nealbrice Barbra has made my world a much,much better and happier place to live. loveya Barb.

[rj1p]

do they really? I'd been quite accommodating. Tell me it's not true.

[Brigadirok]

Great performance. It is what the authors meant and implied to convey to their listeners. My sincere bows to Streisand. This coverage of the song is the best alongside with that by Dana Winner and Belle Perez. I think both versions are perfect and unrivalled in their own ways. Thank you for sharing.

[scotch21]

it is so nice. thanks for this video.

[tutufun]

Love it all !

[LogicHead]

Gosh, so deeply calming. As if inside, I found what was peaceful.

The commentary on the side is the first I've heard of the connection between Bobby Fisher and Barbra Streisand. Although Fisher led a brutal life, I was touched (quite unexpectedly) when I heard he passed away last year. Those final words to a loving "stranger" who took him in in Iceland "Nothing is as soothing as the touch of another's hand".

This upload weaves together so much of humanity's best.

My sincere thanks.

[albertdiner]

Very interesting to read Bobby Fischer's

last words before he passed away. I have

seen it translated as Nothing eases suffering like human touch. •

[LogicHead]

Indeed and I suspect it is from a man who is as qualified as any to say it.

albertdiner, your upload here is the only video on YouTube I have found which takes me to another place. I have had similar experiences in Europe, Africa, Asia and Australia. Online, this is the first. I am placed in both the corporeal and ethereal if I can express it that way. It is sublime.

I can only think to express my gratitude. Thanks.

Tom.

[albertdiner]

Thank you for your kind comments. This period of Barbra Streisand and Bobby Fischer´s life fascinates me. Bobby Fischer was becoming well known while Barbra was still struggling. I hope that Barbra will write more on this period in her forthcoming autobiography. Barbra and Bobby ate lunch together at the school cafeteria. She has admitted she has a crush on him. That last phrase spoken by Bobby Fischer before he passed away is like Barbra´s message in THE PRINCE OF TIDES,1992 film.

[LogicHead]

I haven't seen the film but may well do so now. The year co-incides with Fischer's coming out of seclusion to play a re-match of the 1972 World Chess Championship against Boris Spassky. It was held in Yugoslavia when the USA had a standing sports embargo on any events being played there. This made Fischer a fugitive from the USA and cost him his citizenship. It is also funny how the IOC does not recognise chess as a sport. His life, as is the case with all of us, was certainly a complex one.

[LogicHead]

The above is some trivia but I wonder whether she may have coaxed him out of seclusion or indeed how much contact they had after their days at Erasmus.

This is why his connection to Streisand surprises me so. His life was a pawn used by both sides in the Cold War and global politics yet hers receives honours all round. Again, may he rest in peace and may she continue to shine in life.

[albertdiner]

I suppose that Bobby and Barbra saw

each other again perhaps by chance encounter. Bobby lived in Los Angeles

and Barbra in Malibu. Not too far from

each other. Barbra must have been

fascinated by Bobby´s fame when he

was 15 yrs.old.

[kjnasheville]

Thank you. I have always admired how she overcame her early years with grace and fortitude. I was much luckier, but fell so short of my life's dreams.

[nealbrice]

Take it easy on yourself. That is not what it is all about. Enjoy the gift that Streisand gives us. That is our perfection........Knowing what makes us happy. She makes me happy on soooo many levels...... Thank you Strei for making my life soooo much better.

[agintis1]

Hi Albert : I had never heard Barbra sing this song from Chess but I enjoyed the song and just as much the pictures. Streisand is a talent but also a lesson in determination . Thanks for posting this , you added to my day . ART in US

[ZestyLemonBoi]

Lovely!!!!

[fivish]

I just love Babs.

Barrowman sucks!

[Pacabelle]

Does anyone who is the male singer in this song?

[albertdiner]

someone wrote me as follows:

"Richard Page was lead singer for 80's group Mr. Mister among other things. He's an amazing vocalist. Look on myspace for mr. mister and you'll be rewarded. Also he's had a solo album and other interesting projects. "

[guitarmad26]

I love this song!!!!!

[rivieracar1992]

I think Barbra's first little boyfriend from school was Bobby Fisher from the school chess club. The rest is history.

[miki1969s]

Awesome and unforgetable song , also her voice!

[AdriannaDutra]

I saw the original chess, 23 years ago in london. Well is not possible to describe.Now I cannot remember the actors.But it was one of the best plays I have saw in my life.(brasil)

[mikk9891]

The original swedish version was much better, I love Barbara Streisand and have nothing against her i just prefer Chess

[hotchilli75]

yurickmatrix i've seen all ur beautiful posts and i can say we have exactly thesame kind of music taste. well done bro. keep the good work and i'll appreciate if u can get the song titled "a woman defined by you", by anita baker , or aretha franklin . not too sure which of them sang it

[ZestyLemonBoi]

One of my favourite songs!!!!

[billyboylb]

Great performance. This should've been a hit single!

[xXTheProMeisterXx]

Hate it. What's with the silly idea of adding a man so that it will have a 'girl power' vibe. Totally ruined the song. "She needs security", yeah right.

[lou2u]

I actually agree with you. I wish Barbara would have multi-tracked this song with just her vocals. She could have sang all the background vocals herself. After all, then she would have had the best singer in the world singing backing vocals:-)

[bettinana]

This song is originally sung by two female characters. Using the male for altered harmonies and select lines allows the song to still make sense without bringing another woman to sing half of it. That is to say, this really was the best way to have Babs sing as much as possible.

[nsbriggs]

original was alot better

[fingal61]

Bjorn Viveaus? Who's he? ;)

Anyhow... this was a great performance of one of the best female voices ever.

[albertdiner]

It was an error that I noticed after I uploaded the video. The correct identity is

Music by: Bjorn Ulvaeus.

thank you.

[kbk15]

Bjørn Ulvaeus was one of the greatest musicians in the seventees.. He was one of the ABBA

[Qumak13]

I will never stop wondering how this song would sound had Agnetha and Frida sung it...

I did not know that my beloved Barbra S. dis that too - one and only, as always.

[ZIEBELL5]

Ah, Im so happy that Barbra did this too!!!

AMAZING!

[Sinny1992]

OMG! it makes me so sad to hear this, it sounds very similar to a song called "I am an A" performed by all the members of ABBA in 1977, the lyrics in the song "I am an A" where from happy times and to hear this from Benny and bjorn with so sad lyrics... turns me down :'(

[atmybest4]

This is nice! I also like Whitney & Cissy Houston's version.

[udonthavetotellme]

Celine grrreat but Barbara forever legendary!  Best regards...

[punisher21200]

This is a great song by Barbra! I hope the rest of The Broadway album and Back 2 broadway unreleased recording sessions get released on DVD!! Barbra please play Norma desmond in Sunset Boulevard!! I would love to see you on the silver screen again!! Your the Queen!! Heil Heil. "Looking back I could played things along the way" I was so much younger then. Wasn't it good. All ya does anyone know who is singing back up on this song? Who is the male back up singer?

[albertdiner]

Someone identified the back up singer as

Richard Page. "jordanb69 (2 months ago)

Richard Page was lead singer for 80's group Mr. Mister among other things. He's an amazing vocalist. Look on myspace for mr. mister and you'll be rewarded. Also he's had a solo album and other interesting projects."

[kearneyxxx]

unreal song

[fafayu]

The best version ever!! Barbra,you are amazingly the best! andt thanks albertdiner

[gibtshiernochwas]

das haben wir in musik in der schule gesungen...

[albertdiner]

wunderbar...eines schones lied.

[nks487]

ist gud.

[Reddutte]

i love this song...

[cinderella3888]

PERFECT LYRICS!! I can't think of another English song that the lyrics are as good as this one. When I was a child, I don't get the exact meaning of this song, but when I grow up, I think the lyrics are very touching and to the point, just perfect!!!

There are different versions of this song but I think this one is the best!!

[albertdiner]

"Leonora Ketyer of Scottsdale arrives at the Feb. 26 Brooklyn Reunion proudly wearing her Brooklyn College T-shirt. A graduate of Erasmus Hall High School, she said she has many fond memories of singing in the school choir with her former Erasmus Hall classmates Neil Diamond, Barbra Streisand and Lainie Kazan."

[tomasp2]

Al, your video is very original! Thanks!

[albertdiner]

Thanks. I always liked this song, and I'm even

surprised it didn't become a big hit. I was

so surprised no one had uploaded it on youtube. And I was always fascinated by Erasmus Hall H.S. in the 1950s.

[albertdiner]

I cannot identify the male singer doing

the back-up vocal, and even a part of the song at the very end. He's not identified

on the CD. I know that Stevie Wonder played

Harmonica in the song CANT'T HELP LOVING THAT

MAN on THE BROADWAY ALBUM, at Barbra's request. If he sang at the end of I KNOW HIM

SO WELL, I'm not sure. Anyone out there knows? . CALLING ALL BARBRA STREISAND EXPERTS: Who's the male vocal in the song

I KNOW HIM SO WELL ( recorded in 1985).?

[tomasp2]

It's Richard Page. Sorry, I have no more info on him.

[albertdiner]

Thank you so much for this information.

[jordanb69]

Richard Page was lead singer for 80's group Mr. Mister among other things. He's an amazing vocalist. Look on myspace for mr. mister and you'll be rewarded. Also he's had a solo album and other interesting projects.

[miragod]

O, forgot to thank you for this video, love your video's (or did I tell you that already?)

[albertdiner]

from book HER NAME IS BARBRA by Randall Riese

(1993)p.52:" the only boy in school on whom

Barbra had a crush ( or at least the only boy

she later professed to caring about)was future

chess champion Bobby Fischer. She was attracted to his eccentricities and peculiarities and would cast amorous glances in his direction as he flipped through the

pages of the MAD magazines he was always reading"

NOTE: Can anyone confirm this quote from the

book?

[miragod]

Can't confirm this quote but she talks about her crush on Bobby Fischer in that famous Playboy interview

[albertdiner]

Erasmus Hall By Barbara G.Pearlman "Gotchagal"

I went to Erasmus Hall High School with Kenny Vance. He led the boy's group of singers and I led a girl's. We sang in those wonderful resonant old marble hallways inbetween classes, going from one to the other. How fortunate we were to be there at the beginning of the Doo Wop and Rock & Roll eras! One of our classmates was Bobby Fischer, the chess genius, and another one was Barbra Streisand. They were probably the two oddest pupils in the school

[albertdiner]

"Bobby Fischer attended Erasmus Hall High School at the same time as Barbra Streisand. The student council of Erasmus Hall awarded him a gold medal for his chess achievements. Fischer dropped out of Erasmus in 1959 at age 16, the minimum age for doing so, saying that school had little more to offer him."

[xxxlilmissdisneyxxx]

This is good - lovely song =) X