CHESS THE MUSICAL - TRIVIA

The song “I Know Him So Well,” with lyrics by Tim Rice and music by Benny Andersson and Björn Ulvaeus, became a major hit.

The single reached the number 1 position on the British singles chart for four weeks and to this day still stands as the biggest-selling record by a female duo, according to the Guinness Book of Records.

Elaine Paige and Barbara Dickson recorded their vocals separately and did not meet in person until they came together for the promotional video and subsequent live performances.

“One Night in Bangkok” became one of the era’s most memorable synth-pop hits. Murray Head delivers the song’s distinctive quasi-rapped verses, while Swedish singer Anders Glenmark performs the melodic chorus.

Controversial in Thailand: The song’s satirical portrayal of Bangkok and its nightlife reportedly led to it being banned from radio broadcasts in Thailand during the 1980s. The lyric “everything but Yul Brynner” refers to Brynner’s famous role as the King of Siam in The King and I.

A global No. 1: The song topped the charts in countries including Australia, Finland, Switzerland, Belgium, Denmark, the Netherlands, South Africa and West Germany.

It peaked at No. 3 in the US and Canada, No. 2 in several other countries, and No. 12 in the UK.

Fun fact: A song about Bangkok from a musical about chess became a worldwide pop hit—despite never actually reaching No. 1 in either the US or UK.

Credit: @TheShowMustGoOn / https://www.facebook.com/showsmustgoon