Chess (musical)

Chess is a musical with lyrics by Tim Rice and music by Björn Ulvaeus and Benny Andersson, formerly of ABBA. The story involves a romantic triangle between two players in a world chess championship, and a woman who manages one and falls in love with the other. Although the protagonists were not intended to represent any specific individuals, the characters’ personalities are loosely based on those of Victor Korchnoi and Bobby Fischer. Merano We'll give you a welcome that's typically Tirol,For then we are sure of our ground.Right now we're Italian — we used to be German.The border keeps shifting around. Citizens of Merano Has the mob's sporting tasteAltered overnight?Have they found new sophistication?Not yet! They just want to seeIf the nice guy beats the bum.If it's East-WestAnd the money's sky-high,They all come. The American Where I Want to Be Once I had dreams,Now they're obsessions.Hopes became needs,Lovers possessions. The Russian Now I'm where I want to be and who I want to beAnd doing what I always said I wouldAnd yet I feel I haven't won at allRunning for my life and never looking backIn case there's someone right behind to shoot me downAnd say he always knew I'd fall. The Russian The Opening Ceremony Arbiter: I'm on the case, can't be fooledAny objection is overruled.Don't try to tempt me — you've no hope.I don't like women, I don't take dope.I'm the Arbiter. I know the score.Chorus: From square one he'll be watching all 64. A Model of Decorum and Tranquillity <TD>Molokov: <TD><TD>Florence: <TD> It's very sad <TD> <TD> How sad <TD> To see the ancient and <TD> <TD> To see <TD> Distinguished game <TD> <TD> What used <TD> That used to be <TD> <TD> To be <TD> <TD>Molokov and Florence:<TD> <TD> <TD> A model of decorum and tranquility <TD> <TD> <TD> Become like any other sport <TD> <TD> <TD> A battleground for rival ideologies <TD> <TD> <TD> To slug it out with glee <TD> Nobody's Side Everybody's playing the gameBut nobody's rules are the sameNobody's on nobody's side. Florence Never make a promise or planTake a little love where you canNobody's on nobody's side. Florence Never be the first to believeNever be the last to deceive Nobody's on nobody's side. Florence Mountain Duet I don't know why I can't think of anythingI would rather doThan be wasting my timeOn mountains with you. Florence and The Russian Florence Quits Who'd ever think it?Such a squalid little endingWatching you descendingJust as far as you can go I'm learning things I didn't want to knowWho'd ever guess it?This would be the situation —One more observation —How'd we ever get this farBefore you showed me what you really are? Florence and The American Anthem Long before nations' lines were drawnWhen no flags flew when no armies stoodMy land was born. The Russian How can I leave her?Where would I start?Let man's petty nations tear themselves apartMy land's only borders lieAround my heart. The Russian One Night in Bangkok One night in Bangkok and the world's your oysterThe bars are temples but the pearls ain't free.You'll find a god in every golden cloisterAnd if you're lucky then the god's a she I can feel an angel sliding up to me. Company I get my kicks above the waistline, sunshine. The American One night in Bangkok makes a hard man humbleNot much between despair and ecstasyOne night in Bangkok and the tough guys tumbleCan't be too careful with your companyI can feel the devil walking next to me. Company I'd let you watch, I would invite you. But the queens we use would not excite you. The American I Know Him so Well Florence: But in the end he needs a little bit more than me —More securitySvetlana: He needs his fantasy and freedomFlorence: I know him so wellSvetlana: It took time to understand himFlorence and Svetlana: I know him so well. Pity the Child Pity the child who knew his parentsSaw their faults Saw their love die before his eyesPity the child that wiseHe never asked did I cause your distress?Just in case they said yes. The American Pity instead the careless motherWhat she missedWhat she lost when she let me goAnd I wonder does she knowI wouldn't call — a crazy thing to doJust in case she said "Who?" The American Endgame Anyone can beA husband, loverSooner them than meWhen they discoverTheir domestic bliss isShelter for their failing. The Russian Is there no one in my lifeWho does not claimThe right to stealMy work, my nameMy success, my fameAnd my freedom? The Russian Epilogue: You and I You and IWe've seen it allChasing our hearts' desireBut we go on pretendingStories like oursHave happy endings. The Russian and Florence Category:Musicals