ChimpanA Breathe New Fire Into “I Don’t Know How To Love Him”
- Rock Metal Machine
- Apr 3
- 2 min read
CHIMPANA
ChimpanA return with a striking reinterpretation of the classic song “I Don’t Know How To Love Him” from Jesus Christ Superstar, offering a powerful and contemporary reimagining of one of musical theatre’s most emotionally resonant pieces.
Released on Good Friday, 3 April 2026, the new track [and official video] draws on both personal history and a fresh creative perspective to bring new depth to the iconic composition by Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice.
At the core of ChimpanA are songwriter, producer and multi-instrumentalist Rob Reed and vocalist and performer Steve Balsamo, who collaborate with a rotating cast of exceptional musicians including celebrated players Ged Lynch (drums) and Guy Pratt (bass), whose subtle, expressive performances help shape band’s cinematic atmosphere.
The arrangement of “I Don’t Know How To Love Him” balances intimacy with grandeur, blending atmospheric production with an emotionally direct vocal performance.
The song also carries a unique personal connection for Balsamo, who famously played Jesus in Jesus Christ Superstar in the 1990s. The inspiration for this reinterpretation began when Reed attended a recent concert featuring Tim Rice discussing the songs he had written throughout his career.
Hearing “I Don’t Know How To Love Him” again reminded him just how timeless and affecting the song is. Rob says, “I’d forgotten what an absolute classic this song is, and in a concert of certified bangers that Sir Tim has written, it stood out as being so, so beautiful.”.
Inspired by modern reinterpretations of the musical - including recent gender-swapped performances and productions, especially Cynthia Erivo’s recent turn as Jesus - ChimpanA decided to explore a new perspective: what happens when the voice of Jesus sings Mary Magdalene’s words?
When Balsamo experimented with performing the song from this angle, the emotional result was immediate and powerful.
The vulnerability in the lyric takes on a new dimension, transforming the song into a reflection on identity, devotion and human uncertainty.
“Having played Jesus years ago, I never imagined I’d revisit Superstar in this way,” says Balsamo. “But singing Mary’s words felt incredibly honest. The song suddenly became about confusion, compassion and humanity rather than role or character.”
The timing also felt right. With renewed interest in Jesus Christ Superstar and new productions bringing the story to fresh audiences — including an upcoming staging featuring Sam Ryder in the titular role - ChimpanA saw an opportunity to honour the legacy of the song while presenting a version that feels both timeless and contemporary.
What They Said About The Band...
“Combines genres and has a beating, authentic heart... defragments your brain and helps you ponder your life”
theprogmind.com
“An ambitious and unorthodox triumph”
Prog magazine
Deep Dive Into Issue 114
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