His awards include seven Tonys, three Grammys including Best Contemporary Classical Composition for Requiem, seven Oliviers, a Golden Globe, an Oscar, two International Emmys, the Praemium Imperiale, the Richard Rodgers Award for Excellence in Musical Theatre, a BASCA Fellowship and the Kennedy Center Honor.
He currently owns six London theatres, including the Theatre Royal, Drury Lane and the London Palladium.
I Don't Know How To Love Him
Andrew Lloyd Webber Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
What to do, how to move him
I've been changed, yes really changed
In these past few days, when I've seen myself
I seem like someone else
I don't know how to take this
I don't see why he moves me
And I've had so many men before
In very many ways
He's just one more
Should I bring him down?
Should I scream and shout?
Should I speak of love
Let my feelings out?
I never thought I'd come to this
What's it all about?
Don't you think it's rather funny
I should be in this position
I'm the one who's always been
So calm, so cool, no lover's fool
Running every show
He scares me so
I never thought I'd come to this
What's it all about?
Yet, if he said he loved me
I'd be lost. I'd be frightened
I couldn't cope, just couldn't cope
I'd turn my head. I'd back away
I wouldn't want to know
He scares me so
I want him so
I love him so
The song "I Don't Know How to Love Him" is from the musical "Jesus Christ Superstar" by Andrew Lloyd Webber. The lyrics describe Mary Magdalene's conflicted feelings towards Jesus as she begins to realize her love for him. Mary is overwhelmed by this newfound emotion and isn't sure how to express it to Jesus. She doesn't understand why he has such a strong effect on her and feels scared and vulnerable around him.
The first verse talks about how Mary has been changed by Jesus' presence in her life. She sees herself differently and doesn't know how to react to these new feelings. The second verse is where Mary questions her emotions and the reasons behind them. She wonders if she should express her true feelings to Jesus or keep them to herself. She is afraid of being rejected by him and doesn't want to lose him altogether.
The third verse is where the song reaches its climax. Mary admits that she loves Jesus, but is still unsure of how to express her love for him. She is overcome by her feelings and doesn't know how to cope with them. She fears that if Jesus were to reciprocate her love, she wouldn't be able to handle it.
Overall, the song explores the complicated nature of love and the fear that comes with it. Mary's emotional journey is one that many people can relate to, as they struggle to come to terms with their own feelings and how to express them to others.
Line by Line Meaning
I don't know how to love him
I am uncertain about how to express my feelings of love for him.
What to do, how to move him
I am unsure about the actions I should take to win him over.
I've been changed, yes really changed
My recent experiences with him have transformed me in unexpected ways.
In these past few days, when I've seen myself
My recent interactions with him have caused me to reflect deeply on my own identity.
I seem like someone else
As a result of these experiences, I no longer recognize myself.
I don't know how to take this
I am struggling to cope with the intensity of my emotions for him.
I don't see why he moves me
I am perplexed about why I am so drawn to him.
He's a man. He's just a man
Despite my strong feelings for him, he is still just a human being.
And I've had so many men before
I have been in relationships with many other men in the past.
In very many ways
These past relationships have been varied and diverse.
He's just one more
Compared to my past relationships, he is just another man.
Should I bring him down?
Should I try to undermine him or sabotage our relationship?
Should I scream and shout?
Should I express my emotions in a volatile or aggressive way?
Should I speak of love
Let my feelings out?
Should I confess my true feelings to him and express my love openly?
I never thought I'd come to this
What's it all about?
Reflecting on my current predicament, I am confused and surprised by the depth of my feelings for him.
Don't you think it's rather funny
Isn't it ironic that I, who have always been so in control of my emotions, am now in this position?
I should be in this position
Given my track record in past relationships, I never thought I would be so vulnerable to another person.
I'm the one who's always been
So calm, so cool, no lover's fool
Running every show
In contrast to my current emotional turmoil, I have always been in control and independent in my previous relationships.
He scares me so
Despite my feelings of love for him, he also intimidates and frightens me.
Yet, if he said he loved me
I'd be lost. I'd be frightened
I couldn't cope, just couldn't cope
If he were to reciprocate my feelings of love, I would be overwhelmed by emotion and unable to handle it.
I'd turn my head. I'd back away
I wouldn't want to know
In the face of overwhelming emotion, I would be tempted to retreat and avoid the situation altogether.
He scares me so
Despite my fear and uncertainty, I can't help but be drawn to him and the intense emotions he inspires in me.
I want him so
I love him so
Despite all my doubts and anxieties, I am deeply in love with him and desire him intensely.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Andrew Lloyd Webber, Tim Rice
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@lavoxii
I don't know how to love him
What to do, how to move him
I've been changed, yes really changed
In these past few days, when I've seen myself
I seem like someone else
I don't know how to take this
I don't see why he moves me
He's a man. He's just a man
And I've had so many men before
In very many ways
He's just one more
Should I bring him down?
Should I scream and shout?
Should I speak of love
Let my feelings out?
I never thought I'd come to this
What's it all about?
Don't you think it's rather funny
I should be in this position
I'm the one who's always been
So calm, so cool, no lover's fool
Running every show
He scares me so
I never thought I'd come to this
@hotelsecurity6992
What's it all about?
Yet, if he said he loved me
I'd be lost, I'd be frightened
I couldn't cope, just couldn't cope
I'd turn my head, I'd back away
I wouldn't want to know
He scares me so
I want him so
I love him so
@scubawrestler
If you were a sinner, who were about to be stoned to death by the religious zealots of the time, suddenly confronted by God Himself, who forgave you, would you not also feel this kind of awe, confusion, and love all rolled up into one incomprehensible emotion? This hauntingly beautiful showstopper captures all of those feelings perfectly. I've heard this sung by dozens of other stars, all of whom have great voices. This tops them all.
@harrietthespy2119
Yes...if you thought so little of yourself (because of how you’d been treated by society), and then a very loving, strong, inspired person stood up for you in the coolest, most piercing way ever (I imagine Jesus writing in the dust, inviting the perfect human to go ahead and throw the first stone and then...winking at the prostitute in a “Don’t worry, we’ve got this,” way), you’d melt (or I would!).
@johnpesto6221
,,
@donnachancey9037
Amen! Perfectly Said!
@charlesmick7465
Do you mean by say a homosexual zealot?
@katbis2176
Your comment captures many feelings perfectly. I love how you said "would you not also feel this kind of awe, confusion & love all rolled up into 1 incomprehensible emotion?"
I remember when my Mom bought this album I was about 12 or 13. I can still picture that rectangular booklet w/the lyrics. Even though I was, this song really kicked up emotions. Yvonne Elliman has an extraordinarily beautiful voice. In this song, primarily, you can honestly feel her confusion. She truly doesn't know how to love Him or if she should love him.
This album is an all time favorite!! I hadn't listened to it in over 20 yrs and I still knew almost all of the words.
Thank you for your moving comment ❤
@user-mw8um6mc3v
This will always be Yvonnes song.
@allencollins6031
Thank you Andrew.
@mimilights
Theee best ever. The version forever in our memories Boomers! ❤️✝️❤️
@sejrec56
Every time I listen to her, it really brings me to tears !!
She sings with such conviction