[Nonononstop]

A quick backstory:

When I was in a first year student in college, my ex-girlfriend introduced me to Miss Saigon. I knew almost every song by heart and often sang along, as I'm sure most of us do alone in the room. 10 years later, last week, I was on a road trip and decided to purchase Miss Saigon on a whim. Bought the Original London Cast recording, making sure Lea Salonga was listed. (As a side note, I don't know Lea Salonga in any other context other than this musical). As long as she was listed, I knew I must have the same version as the one I listened to in college.

I was surprised at how much of the words came back to me as I listened and sang along.

Now, when the song, "Now that I've Seen Her" came up, I started to belt, "It's HER OR ME..." and I was shocked that the words didn't match.

I instantly started to question the version I bought. The CSR didn't have Lea Salonga listed, and as I said, I don't know Lea Salonga from anywhere else other than this musical, so I must have the right version.

Am I going crazy or is there a OLC with "It's Her or Me" on it? Or Has the OLC always had the "Now that's I've Seen Her" version? And if that's the case, how is it that I know the "It's Her or Me" song at all?

I'm really confused and I desperately need someone to explain and tell me if there is a copy of Miss Saigon with the "It's Her or Me" version on it. I've checked Amazon and Ebay and they have the OLC or the Highlights (the OLC Highlights, I've noticed did list "It's Her or Me" as one of it's tracks, which further added to my confusion.)

I'd greatly appreciate any help and explaination from anyone.

Thank very much to you all.


- A returned fan of Miss Saigon

[Emperor of the Fiends]

The OLC has always had "Now that I've seen her". Are you sure the copy you once had was an official release, not a copy on CD or casette?

[The Very Angry Woman]

From what I remember, it really depends on which one you have and when it was released, because I remember seeing a cassette version which said "Her or Me," but the CD says "Now that I've Seen Her," even though that's not the name of the song on the actual recording.

[Jordan]

I have the double CD of the OLC here in my hands right now. I've just checked the listing on the rear and it shows 'Now That I've Seen Her'. The libretto enclosed lists 'Her Or Me' and includes the lyrics to 'Her Or Me' in the appropriate part of the book.

I've just checked the CD; it plays 'Her Or Me'.

For info, the catalogue number is Encore CD 5.

There must have been a re-press with 'Now That I've Seen Her' as I've heard it on the OLC when I borrowed it from a friend when I didn't own it.

[Nonononstop]

OMG!!!!

There are two versions of the OLC? Well, I had a sneaking suspicion but couldn't find any version of it that had "Her or Me" listed as a song.

Well, thank you guys so much for the response. I'll have to be on the hunt for the OLC with the "Her or Me" version of the song.

[The Very Angry Woman]

I'm not really sure and now I've confused myself. Oops.

I do know that part about the reprinted booklet is true, though.

[Fantine]

[Nonononstop]

I've searched high and low on the internet and haven't come up with any copies of OLC with "Her or Me" listed as a song. I feel like pulling out my hair.

Anyone have ideas on where else I can look, besides actually going into CD stores, which do not usually carry the double disk sets but only the Highlights version.

And, just for my personal info, anyone know WHY the "Her or Me" song was changed to "Now that I've Seen Her" in the first place? I haven't found a website that ever explained it. I found one that only acknowledged that there was a change long ago.

...grrr... the Truth is Out There?

[Claire L]

Can't help with where to find one now but thought I'd add that my original copy of the OLC had 'Her Or Me' too, it was vinyl though.

[All_For_Laura]

I have both double cd sets The International and The London

On the international its "Now that I've seen her"

On the London CD its "Her or Me"

[Nonononstop]

Are you sure about that? I'm holding the Original London Cast Recording in my hand, (the copy that I own), and it clearly lists "Now That I've Seen Her" on the disk. Perhaps you mean the International Version lists "Her or Me"?

If not, then there must be two different OLC versions out there. I'd love to here a reply from you to be sure because I just have to know now. Thanks so much!

[Jordan]

[Nonononstop]

Hence the reason for the post in the first place, back in college, when I was first introduced to this musical, I new the song as "Her or Me", it was even listed as such. This OLC, which i purchased at Barnes and Noble a few months ago, lists and plays the song as "Now that I've seen Her", which confused and shocked the hell out of me. For a second I thought maybe I imagined "her or me" version, or that it was a dream.

Anyhow, I'm not sure what you mean by serial number, but the only set of numbers I was able to find on the both CDs and the booklet reads as follows:

9 24271-2
BK02

Looking at the lyrics of "Now that I've seen her", in the booklet, you can tell the page was reprinted. The fonts completely different from the entire booklet itself. It's smaller and thinner.

So, if we both have true copies of the OLC, then this proves that there are in fact two versions out there. This really upsets me because I have no idea how I'm ever going to find the "Her or Me" version now, concidering only the Libretto lists the song accurately.

[Jordan]

Sorry, by serial number, I meant the catalogue number which on mine is Encore CD 5.

The only thing that you can do is check second hand shops I guess. Mine was second hand. I think there may also be a change in the length of Kim's Nighmare/Fall of Saigon.

[Claire L]

I have 'Her Or Me' on my computer. Assuming it's not breaking any rules here (since it's out of print?) I don't mind sending it to whoever's looking for it.

[Nonononstop]

Thanks for the info Gayboy, I really appreciate all your help in straightening out this little curious piece of business of mine.

Claire L, WOW, that's really nice of you. Thank you so much. I'm not actually sure of the rules for that sort of thing either, but I guess if we dont' do it through this forum site, it might be ok. But that's only speculation on my part.

If you want, you can email me at doily3000@yahoo.com and we can talk about what's the best and easiest way for you to share the file. Also, please let me know how I can return the favor for you. Thank you so much.

[liza_minelli]

This is a song im doing for my Grade 5 musical theatre. On the Miss Saigon Original London Soundtrack version of the music it has "Its her or me" so im guessing it must have in the show, but my singing teacher has bought the broadway version and thats Now That Ive Seen Her.

[spickens]

My OLC version of the CD purchased in the US in about 1991 has "HER OR ME" printed on the disk, libretto, and back cover. When playing it in MS Media Player I had noticed that the song title that it fetched from wherever it fetches such information didn't appear in that song's lyrics but hadn't given it that much thought. How odd that they changed it.

-S

[UACTheatre]

if you don't mind, would you send it to me? we'll be doing this show this summer and I am confused to this whole thing. Thanks! UACTheatre@aol.com

[vicki_girl]

For those that are interested, I found an ebay item that appears to have the song "Her or Me" on its track listing. Unfortunately, it's the Highlights version.


http://cgi.ebay.com/Miss-Saigon-Highlights-Cast-Recording_W0QQitemZ4857721758QQcategoryZ307QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

EDIT:
Allright, looking around ebay, it appears that the HIGLIGHTS version has "Her or Me". The OLC recording, 2-disc set has "Now That I've Seen Her." While this seemed odd at first, I remebered that I have both the Highlights and the 2-disc recording of Phantom of the Opera. At least one of the songs is different, maybe two. I can't remeber which ones. I've listened to both so many times all the lyrics are familiar now.

[Jordan]

[Phantomb]

"It's Her or Me" was the original title and lyrics of the song as recorded in the Original London Cast.

When the Complete Symphonic was recorded it had been changed to "Now That I've Seen Her".

The reason for this was that reaction garnered from audience surveys had revealed that the character Ellen was being seen as somewhat of a "bad guy" because of the confrontational overtones of the song.

The change to "Now That I've Seen Her" was made to alleviate concerns and create more sympathy for Ellen's character.

[NurseCodeBlue]

Isn't the 'Her or Me' on the cassette version different from the OLC cd? Claire Moore opens the song differently if I remember correctly.

Where's that damn cassette now!?!

[Eponine93]

I have the OLC, which was purchased before I was born. On the CD cover and the actual MP3 file, it says "Now That I've Seen Her." However, the lyrics are "Her Or Me". I have the sheet music book and for that song, it has "Now That I've Seen Her (formerly Her Or Me)"

Did Claire Moore record "Now That I've Seen Her"?

[sherwills]

[sherwills]

[duringtheafter]

Hey, guys.
I have an original OLC recording on CD with "Her or Me" on it.

Some other background:
- The Vocal Selections book lists "Now That I've Seen Her (Formerly 'Her or Me')."

- There was a TV special aired before Miss Saigon hit Broadway (I believe it was called "The Heat Is On" or something pithy like that). In it, they show the original Ellen rehearsing the song that would later become "Her or Me" and eventually "Now That I've Seen Her." The lyrics she is singing are COMPLETELY different from both recorded versions.

- If you are lucky enough to have the vocal score from Miss Saigon, the one that's floating around the Internet has an early version of this song called "A Man I Don't Know At All." The lyrics are very different, except that the "chorus" (for lack of a better word) is "Now that I've seen her..." This version is dated 3/10/89.

What this info implies is that they had an original version (or two or three...) that became "Her or Me" for the official London opening, which then morphed into "Now That I've Seen Her" (using some of the original lyrics from "A Man I Don't Know At All").

We all know this kind of rewriting happens with musicals.

AS FOR THE RECORDINGS... this actually happens a lot more than people realize, without much fanfare.

I remember a friend bought the ALADDIN soundtrack (to the Disney film) right before the film came out. I listened to it a lot and became familiar with both the songs and the instrumental tracks.

About six months after the movie came out, I bought my own copy. All the sung tracks were the same, but the instrumental tracks varied in a few places--especially the Finale. I went back and listened to the original pressing of Aladdin, and it sounded like they had "tracked in" some stuff from The Little Mermaid or Beauty and the Beast. My guess is that, before the film was 100% finalized, they printed the CDs (with a few "temp tracks" or similar) because they wanted to get them out to the marketplace.

After final editing on the film was done, the composers tweaked some material and/or rewrote it, and Disney released another version so that the new CDs followed the film.

Why bother? For that reason: so that it follows the film and is truly the soundtrack.

I believe, with Miss Saigon, it was the (end of the) mega-musical era, and Cameron Mackintosh had the money to go back and do the re-press. The creative team clearly wanted to have a "representative" CD for the OLC, and they wanted to revise "Her or Me."

P.S. I wish we could go back to "Sacred Bird." Although it's not perfect, it actually works better than the 85 endings they came up with after it.

[Pounce]

At amazon.com the OLC Highlights CD is listed as having "Her or Me"

Miss Saigon on amazon.com

[Quique]

My brother's copy, which he purchased shortly after it was first released in 1989, has "Her Or Me."

My copy, which I purchased in the mid-90's, has "Now That I've Seen Her."

Yes, there are two versions sung by Claire Moore.

[What Is This Feeling?]

I love Now That I've Seen Her! Her Or Me? I've never heard that version before. I have the OLC on cd.

[Eponine93]

[What Is This Feeling?]

sure we can arrange that

[wickedgirl87]

omg.,i swear, i had have my cd soundtrack of miss saigon since couple years ago when i saw the show, and i never(i mean it, never) think about the song titles O.o
the soundtrack i have, in the back it is " Now That I've Seen Her" but when I play the song, it is "Her or Me" ! exaktly like u said O.o

[music is my life!!!]

i am always confused about this song

i'm certain that i love it though!

[shakalakababy]

now i'm really confused. My cd says it has Her or Me and the song is titled her or me but the lyrics are now that i've seen her. I have OLC highlights.

[liza_minelli]

Sorry to bring back an old thread, but I'm even more confused now:

As I said ages ago, I sang Now That I've Seen Her for my grade five (doing my degree now, how time flies..) and I remember that in the sheet music the lyrics were:
There are days,
There are days when your life clouds over
And the world gets so dark
That all at once you can't tell night from day
There are times,
There are times when your heart cries this isn't happening
etc



Now, I have the complete recording with Joanna Ampil/Ruthie Henshall and the song is also called Now That I've Seen Her.
However this one starts like this:
It's alright,
It's alright when I just imagine
There's no face, She's not real
I can tell myself it's all okay
But she's here,
And my heart cries this isn't happening..

And then it pretty much goes back to the sheet music, apart from a few verse lyrics swapped around a bit.

(Oh god, those were both from memory. I am truly a Saigon addict)

I told my singing teacher and he said "Oh, your's must be 'it's her or me'", but it's not.

anyone help? because I'm confused.

[zombiefl12]

I have the OLC complete and it is listed as "Now That I've Seen Her". It starts with "There are days, there are days when your life clouds over..."

I also have the OLC highlights and it is listed as "Her or Me", but it also starts with "There are days..."

In addition I have the sheet music (vocal/piano), which lists it as "Now That I've Seen Her (formerly Her or Me), however it begins with the "Its alright".

All in all its rather strange...

[Kerry_ROCKS!]

Two Words.........
Kerry Ellis

*faints*

Does anybody know where i can get the sheet music where Ellen sings 'i don't hate this girl, even so' instead of 'She is not some fling from long ago' the second time the chorus is sung? Because i really want to do that version for my singing diploma.?

[zombiefl12]

My Piano/Vocal Selections Book has that line in the second verse of her or me:

"Now that I've seen her, she's more than a name
I don't hate this girl, even so.
Now that I've seen her I can't stay the same.
Who's the man that I always trusted?
Now I have to know."

I bought the book a year or so ago, but I have no way to know whether its part of the original printing or an updated one...so best of luck finding the version you want.

[mastachen]

I'm pretty sure there's only one version of the vocal selections out. Legally, that is.

[Lars]

I bought the cd when I first saw Miss Saigon at the theatre, and I had only heard Now that... once and was completely disappointed to have Her or Me instead on the cd. Made the Ellen on stage and Ellen on cd two different persons.

I have the

OLC: It states "Now that I've seen her" on the case, but the lyrics Claire Moore/Ellen sings is "Her or me".

OLC Highlights: It states "Her or me", but Claire Moore/Ellen sings "Now that I've seen her"

Complete recording: It states NTISH and Ruthie Henshall/Ellen sings NTISH

They got Claire Moore into the studio to sing the new version for OLC and I heard they re-released the OLC 2 cd set as well with the new lyrics sung, however, Claire's NTISH is slightly different from Ruthies on the complete recording.