Someone Else's Story
Chess Lyrics


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Long ago
In someone else's lifetime
Someone with my name
Who looked a lot like me
Came to know
A man and made a promise
He only had to say
And that's where she would be
Lately
Although her feelings run just as deep
The promise she made has grown impossible to keep
And yet I wish it wasn't so
Will he miss me if I go?

In a way
It's someone else's story
I don't see myself
As taking part at all
Yesterday
A girl that I was fond of
Finally could see
The writing on the wall
Sadly
She realized she'd left him behind
And sadder than that she knew he wouldn't even mind
And though there's nothing left to say
Would he listen if I stay?

It's all very well to say you fool it's now or never
I could be choosing
No choices whatsoever

I could be
In someone else's story
In someone else's life
And he could be in mine
I don't see
A reason to be lonely
I should take my chances
Further down the line
And if
That girl I knew should ask my advice
Oh I wouldn't hesitate she needn't ask me twice
Go now!
I'd tell her that for free




Trouble is, the girl is me
The story is, the girl is me

Overall Meaning

The song "Someone Else's Story" by Chess is a beautiful ballad that revolves around the theme of longing and unfulfilled desires. The song is narrated in a first-person perspective, where the singer talks about a past life where someone with her name and likeness made a promise to a man. The promise was that she would always be there whenever he called upon her. As time passed, the promise became impossible to keep, and the woman wonders if the man will miss her if she goes away. The song goes on to say that it's someone else's story, and the singer doesn't see herself taking part at all.


The lyrics are about the hardships of love and the complexity of relationships. They highlight how promises made in the past can become difficult to keep as time passes. The song also addresses the struggle of finding a reason to be lonely and taking chances further down the line. The singer's sentiments are that she wishes the man would miss her if she left but knows that things may not be that simple.


Line by Line Meaning

Long ago
In a distant past


In someone else's lifetime
During a different person's experience


Someone with my name
A person with the same name as me


Who looked a lot like me
Was physically similar to me


Came to know
Met and became familiar with


A man and made a promise
Made a commitment to a man


He only had to say
She would do anything for him upon his request


And that's where she would be
She was loyal and would follow him anywhere


Lately
Recently


Although her feelings run just as deep
Even though her emotions are as strong as they were before


The promise she made has grown impossible to keep
The previous commitment is now unattainable


And yet I wish it wasn't so
Despite the reality, she desires a different outcome


Will he miss me if I go?
She questions if he will feel her absence


In a way
To a certain extent


It's someone else's story
The situation is not entirely hers


I don't see myself
I don't believe I play a significant role


As taking part at all
As being fully involved


Yesterday
The day before today


A girl that I was fond of
A female individual whom she held dear


Finally could see
Eventually realized


The writing on the wall
The manifestation of an unavoidable outcome


Sadly
Unhappily


She realized she'd left him behind
It became apparent that she had moved on while he has not


And sadder than that she knew he wouldn't even mind
She is more upset because he will not care about their separation


And though there's nothing left to say
Even though there are no proper words to express it


Would he listen if I stay?
She wonders if he would hear her out if she doesn't leave


I could be
It is possible that I am


In someone else's story
Playing a minor role in another person's situation


In someone else's life
Existing in another individual's world


And he could be in mine
Likewise, the other person could also factor in her life


I don't see
I fail to comprehend


A reason to be lonely
An explanation for the feeling of isolation


I should take my chances
She should take risks in life


Further down the line
In the future


And if
If ever


That girl I knew should ask my advice
If the woman from the previous scenario seeks guidance from her


Oh I wouldn't hesitate she needn't ask me twice
She would willingly help her without hesitation


Go now!
She urges the other character to move on


I'd tell her that for free
She would offer this advice without any charge


Trouble is, the girl is me
The individual who needs to heed her own counsel is herself




Contributed by Lucas F. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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Most interesting comments from YouTube:

Gabby P

Long ago
In someone else's lifetime
Someone with my name
Who looked a lot like me
Came to know
A man and made a promise
He only had to say
And that's where she would be
Lately
Although the feelings run just as deep
The promise she made has grown impossible to keep
And yet I wish it wasn't so
Will he miss me if I go?
In a way
It's someone else's story
I don't see myself
As taking part at all
Yesterday
A girl that I was fond of
Finally could see
The writing on the wall
Sadly
She realized she'd left him behind
And sadder than that she knew he wouldn't even mind
And though there's nothing left to say
Would he listen if I stay?
It's all very well to say you fool it's now or never
I could be choosing
No choices whatsoever.
I could be
In someone else's story
In someone else's life
And he could be in mine
I don't see
A reason to be lonely
I could take my chances
Further down the line
And if
That girl I knew should ask my advice
Oh I wouldn't hesitate she needn't ask me twice
Go now!
I'd tell her that for free
Trouble is, the girl is me
The story is, the girl is me.



Jason Green

Svetlana Lyrics:

Long ago
In someone else's lifetime
Someone with my name
Who looked a lot like me
Came to know a man
And made a promise:
He only had to say
And that's where she would be

Lately although the feelings
Run just as deep
The promise she made
Has grown impossible to keep
Because, he let the story die
Leaving her to wonder why

In a way
It's someone else's story
I don't see myself
As taking part at all
Yesterday
This girl that I was fond of
Came to know the truth,
The writing on the wall

Sadly, the words described
An empty affair
And sadder than that
She knew he wouldn't even care
Her life, no longer his concern
What to do and where to turn

It's all very well to say
"She's free, it's now or never"
She feels she's facing
No choices whatsoever

I could be in someone else's story
In someone else's life
And he could be in mine
I don't see a reason to be lonely
I could take my chances
Further down the line
And if that girl I knew
Should ask my advice
Oh, I wouldn't hesitate
She needn't ask me twice
"Go now!"
I'd tell her that for free
Trouble is the girl is me
The story is the girl is me



Sophie E.

Lyrics:
Long ago
In someone else's lifetime
Someone with my name
Who looked a lot like me
Came to know
A man and made a promise
He only had to say
And thats where she would be
Lately although the feelings run just as deep
The promise she made has grown impossible to keep
And yet
I wish it wasnt so
Will he miss me if I go
In a way
In someone else's story
I dont see myself as taking part at all
Yesterday
A girl that I was fond of
Finally could see the writing on the wall
Sadly she realized she'd left him behind
And sadder than that she knew
He wouldn't even mind
And though, there's nothing left to say
Would he listen if I stay
It's all very well to say you fool its now or never
I could be choosing
No choices whatsoever
I could be
In someone else's story
In someone else's life
And he could be in mine
I don't see
A reason to be lonely
I could take my chances
Further down the line
And if that girl I knew should ask my advice
Oh I wouldn't hesitate
She needn't ask me twice
Go now
I'd tell her that for free
Trouble is the girl is me
The story is a girl is me



All comments from YouTube:

LightsCameraMusic

Judy Kuhn has a voice like no other. The vibrato, the phrasing, and the seamless transition between registers is outstanding. No nasality or strain in her belted high notes either. Impeccable.

Rob Miles

Judy Kuhn is the first person to ever sing this amazing song, and she absolutely nails it. Other people have a tough job to come close.

German Shepherd

And the only "Florence" to sing it. In the many rewrites of the show it became a Svetlana song. Still great but makes no sense. This is a Florence song coming to grips with her relationship with The American/Freddy.

Julian Wolfe

Judy Kuhn is simply one of the greatest singers on Broadway- EVER!  her placement is impeccable and her phrasing and the way she sings from her heart is GREATNESS personified. She master's every word by DOING SOMETHING WITH EVERY NOTE- truly AWESOME!

Bruce Livett

No argument there. Judy Kuhn remains the best inn my opinion.

Joel Beyer

The absolute best!

Detectivefiction

I've always felt that everything Judy Kuhn sings is perfection.

vcaus

In my opinion Judy Kuhn's version and Helen Sjöholm's version are both superb, individual interpretations and can't be compared one to the another. I could listen to both over & over again. Benny and Bjorn's expressive melody is haunting and timeless.

herman schroder

I agree the two versions are both superb in their own right. I'm not sure if you know about the ABBA boys other masterpiece ''Kristina''. There is an English version of the play in concert format recorded at Carnegie Hall, NY in 2009. The lead singer is Helen Sjoholm as well and she is magnificent not only as a singer but stage actor as well. In my humble opinion the best there is. Take a look at her rendition's of ''Home'' and ''You have to there'' in that concert and then her earlier Swedish versions from the original Swedish production. They are simply stunning.

Orion Forte

MY GO TO LAST MINUTE AUDITION SONG. it fits my voice perfectly and it's the prettiest song EVER.

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