Okay, so I know this isn’t the Easter part of the rock opera, Jesus Christ Superstar. Still, ‘I Don’t Know How to Love Him’ performed by Yvonne Elliman one of the best songs in a musical drama full of best songs. The video and lyrics are below.
This video is from the original movie production in 1973 of Jesus Christ Superstar. I saw it on stage in Atlanta sometime in the mid-1970s and later saw the movie. I have the DVD now and watch it every once in a while for nostalgia’s sake. Its a very 1960s hippie version of the Passion Play. The story of the Passion of Christ is acted out by hippies who arrive in Israel on a bus. They unpack their costumes and props and so the story begins … and ends as they load back into the bus and drive away pensively looking back towards the story they have just told.
Part of the dramatic impact of this telling of the martyrdom of Christ is there is a creative use of anachronism that embraces modern culture while maintaining a connection to the historical events of the story. Ancient Roman soldiers have tanks and helicopters, the story that is as old as the ages is told through the rock music of the 1960s yet the story is as old as the ages. In so doing, Christ’s Passion is expressed in a way that the characters are people we understand and can relate to.
The video below is of Yvonne Elliman as Mary Magdalene singing ‘I Don’t Know How to Love Him’.
I Don’t Know How to Love Him - Video
Yvonne Elliman - Jesus Christ Superstar
and forget all about us tonight.
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.
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.