I Saw Her Again
Encyclopedia
"I Saw Her Again" is a pop song recorded by the U.S. vocal group the Mamas & the Papas
in 1966. Co-written by band members John Phillips
and Denny Doherty
, it was released as a single
in June 1966 (WLS played it most of that month) and peaked at number one on the RPM
Canadian Singles Chart, number 11 on the UK Singles Chart
, and number five on the Billboard
Hot 100
pop singles chart in July 1966. It appeared on their eponymous second album in September 1966.
One of three co-writes by the two male members of the group (the others being "Got a Feelin'" and "For the Love of Ivy"), "I Saw Her Again" was inspired by Doherty's brief affair with Michelle Phillips
, then married to John Phillips, which resulted in the brief expulsion of Michelle. During recording, lead singer Doherty came in too early with the first line of the third chorus, a mistake that was intentionally left in by producer Lou Adler
during mixing. John Sebastian
later mimicked this mistake in the Lovin' Spoonful
song, "Darling Be Home Soon." Kenny Loggins
' "I'm Alright" repeated the theme in 1980.
A light-hearted music video
was made to promote the single, in which the four members arrive outside a clothes shop by car and motorcycle, then try on various garments before lying on the floor and hurling the clothes around.
One of the group's most popular songs, "I Saw Her Again" has been featured on numerous compilation albums, and is frequently titled "I Saw Her Again Last Night", such as on the sleeve of their first hits collection Farewell to the First Golden Era in October 1967.
The mono 45 version completely omits the orchestra instrumental section heard on the stereo mix, most likely to reduce the running time for the single release, as most 45's of that era were similarly edited for radio play.
The Mamas & the Papas
The Mamas & the Papas were a Canadian/American vocal group of the 1960s . The group recorded and performed from 1965 to 1968 with a short reunion in 1971, releasing five albums and 11 Top 40 hit singles...
in 1966. Co-written by band members John Phillips
John Phillips (musician)
John Edmund Andrew Phillips , was an American singer, guitarist, songwriter and promoter . Known as Papa John, Phillips was a member and leader of the singing group The Mamas & the Papas...
and Denny Doherty
Denny Doherty
Dennis Gerrard Stephen Doherty was a Canadian singer and songwriter. He was most widely known as a founding member of the 1960s musical group The Mamas & the Papas.-Early career:...
, it was released as a single
Single (music)
In music, a single or record single is a type of release, typically a recording of fewer tracks than an LP or a CD. This can be released for sale to the public in a variety of different formats. In most cases, the single is a song that is released separately from an album, but it can still appear...
in June 1966 (WLS played it most of that month) and peaked at number one on the RPM
RPM (magazine)
RPM was a Canadian music industry publication that featured song and album charts for Canada. The publication was founded by Walt Grealis in February 1964, supported through its existence by record label owner Stan Klees. RPM ceased publication in November 2000.RPM stood for "Records, Promotion,...
Canadian Singles Chart, number 11 on the UK Singles Chart
UK Singles Chart
The UK Singles Chart is compiled by The Official Charts Company on behalf of the British record-industry. The full chart contains the top selling 200 singles in the United Kingdom based upon combined record sales and download numbers, though some media outlets only list the Top 40 or the Top 75 ...
, and number five on the Billboard
Billboard (magazine)
Billboard is a weekly American magazine devoted to the music industry, and is one of the oldest trade magazines in the world. It maintains several internationally recognized music charts that track the most popular songs and albums in various categories on a weekly basis...
Hot 100
Billboard Hot 100
The Billboard Hot 100 is the United States music industry standard singles popularity chart issued weekly by Billboard magazine. Chart rankings are based on radio play and sales; the tracking-week for sales begins on Monday and ends on Sunday, while the radio play tracking-week runs from Wednesday...
pop singles chart in July 1966. It appeared on their eponymous second album in September 1966.
One of three co-writes by the two male members of the group (the others being "Got a Feelin'" and "For the Love of Ivy"), "I Saw Her Again" was inspired by Doherty's brief affair with Michelle Phillips
Michelle Phillips
Michelle Phillips is an American singer, songwriter, and actress. She gained fame as a member of the 1960s group The Mamas & the Papas, and is the last surviving original member of the group.-Early life:...
, then married to John Phillips, which resulted in the brief expulsion of Michelle. During recording, lead singer Doherty came in too early with the first line of the third chorus, a mistake that was intentionally left in by producer Lou Adler
Lou Adler
Lou Adler is an American record producer, manager, and director.-Life and career:Adler was born in Chicago, Illinois in December 1933, and raised in East Los Angeles. In 1964, Adler founded and co-owned Dunhill Records. He was President of the label as well as the chief record producer from 1964...
during mixing. John Sebastian
John Sebastian
John Benson Sebastian Jr. is an American singer, songwriter, guitarist and autoharpist. He is best known as a founder of The Lovin' Spoonful, a band inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2000...
later mimicked this mistake in the Lovin' Spoonful
The Lovin' Spoonful
The Lovin' Spoonful is an American pop rock band of the 1960s, named to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2000. When asked about his band, leader John Sebastian said it sounded like a combination of "Mississippi John Hurt and Chuck Berry," prompting his friend, Fritz Richmond, to suggest the name...
song, "Darling Be Home Soon." Kenny Loggins
Kenny Loggins
During the next decade, Loggins recorded so many successful songs for film soundtracks that he was referred to as, King of the Movie Soundtrack.He began with "I'm Alright" , "Mr. Night", and "Lead the Way" from Caddyshack...
' "I'm Alright" repeated the theme in 1980.
A light-hearted music video
Music video
A music video or song video is a short film integrating a song and imagery, produced for promotional or artistic purposes. Modern music videos are primarily made and used as a marketing device intended to promote the sale of music recordings...
was made to promote the single, in which the four members arrive outside a clothes shop by car and motorcycle, then try on various garments before lying on the floor and hurling the clothes around.
One of the group's most popular songs, "I Saw Her Again" has been featured on numerous compilation albums, and is frequently titled "I Saw Her Again Last Night", such as on the sleeve of their first hits collection Farewell to the First Golden Era in October 1967.
The mono 45 version completely omits the orchestra instrumental section heard on the stereo mix, most likely to reduce the running time for the single release, as most 45's of that era were similarly edited for radio play.