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 Michelle's brief expulsion from the band.[1] 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.[1]
A light-hearted film 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.
I Saw Her Again
The Mamas & the Papas Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And you know that I shouldn't
To string her along's just not right
If I couldn't I wouldn't
But what can I do, I'm lonely too
And it makes me feel so good to know
You'll never leave me
Now she thinks that I love her
Because that's what I said
Though I never think of her
But what can I do, I'm lonely too
And it makes me feel so good to know
You'll never leave me
Every time I see that girl
You know I want to lay down and die
But I really need that girl
Don't know why I'm livin' a lie
It makes me want to cry
I saw her again last night
And you know that I shouldn't
To string her along's just not right
If I couldn't I wouldn't
But what can I do, I'm lonely too
And it makes me feel so good to know
You'll never leave me
But what can I do, I'm lonely too
And it makes me feel so good to know
You'll never leave me
Every time I see that girl
You know I want to lay down and die
But I really need that girl
Don't know why I'm livin' a lie
It makes me want to cry
I saw her again last night
And you know that I shouldn't
To string her along's just not right
If I couldn't I wouldn't
I'm in way over my head
Now she thinks that I love her
Because that's what I said
The Mamas & the Papas’ hit song “I Saw Her Again” is about the guilt and complexity of a love triangle. The lyrics paint a vivid picture of a person who is caught up in a situation that they know is wrong, but they can’t seem to help themselves. The first two lines of the song establish the central conflict: “I saw her again last night / And you know that I shouldn't.” The singer is torn between his feelings for two women: the person he’s singing to and the woman he saw the night before. He acknowledges that he shouldn’t be stringing her along, but he can’t help it, because he’s lonely too.
The song is filled with a sense of resignation, as if the singer is trapped in this situation and can’t see a way out. The line “But what can I do, I’m lonely too” is repeated throughout the song, emphasizing the singer’s feelings of helplessness. He knows that he’s hurting both women, but he can’t seem to stop himself. Despite this, he takes solace in the fact that the person he’s singing to will never leave him, providing some sense of stability in an otherwise tumultuous situation.
Overall, “I Saw Her Again” is a poignant and complex exploration of love, guilt, and the human heart. It captures the messy reality of relationships and the many emotions that go into them. The song is a testament to The Mamas & the Papas’ songwriting abilities, and it remains a classic to this day.
Line by Line Meaning
I saw her again last night
I met her again last night
And you know that I shouldn't
And you know it's not right
To string her along's just not right
It's not right to deceive her
If I couldn't I wouldn't
If I didn't have to, I wouldn't
But what can I do, I'm lonely too
But what can I do, I'm also lonely
And it makes me feel so good to know
And it makes me happy to think
You'll never leave me
You'll always be with me
I'm in way over my head
I'm in a difficult situation
Now she thinks that I love her
Now she believes I'm in love with her
Because that's what I said
Because I told her so
Though I never think of her
Even though I don't really care for her
Every time I see that girl
Whenever I see her
You know I want to lay down and die
I feel terrible
But I really need that girl
But I really need her
Don't know why I'm livin' a lie
Don't know why I'm pretending
It makes me want to cry
It makes me feel sad
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: DENNIS DOHERTY, JOHN EDMUND ANDREW PHILLIPS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@MsSoundguy
Cass...one of the most distinctive and beautiful voices...ever.
@claymoorer6595
If you didn't grow up listening to the music of the 60's and 70's, when rock and roll and pop were brand new, I really feel sorry for you..you missed awesomeness at its finest!
@GeorgeVreelandHill
I wish I was back in the 1960s again.
I miss music like this.
@mickwilbury4572
Not everybody knows that this song was about Michelle's affair with Denny, how she was fired, replaced by Jill Gibson, and then hired again. I've tried to show the story through the pictures of this slideshow. Did you notice that at the end of the video, both covers for the album are displayed? With Jill Gibson and then Michelle? Thank you for your comment,
@BIRISHPM
Great song. I'm glad they left Denny's mistake in - some how it makes it even more special. Thanks for the fabulous music, John, Denny, Michelle, and the incredible Cass Elliot. Rest in peace, John, Denny, and Cass.
@carlosacevedo8530
I really like this song! It reminds me of an old girlfriend I once had back in 1967. Thanks for the memories! Rest in peace, Mama Cass.
@soulsender1
One of the best ever harmony groups fabulous sound of the 60s summer and living life to the fullest I love the Mamas & Pappas sensational always many thanks for many many years of pleasure and reminding me of all those geat summers in a decade that changed the world. Pat Allen an original british Mod and fan of yours.
@Wa1kerBros4Ever
Love it near the end when Denny comes in too early.... they said it was a mistake but it sounded so good they kept it in.
@MegaGator39
40 years later....this is still better than the garbage they play today
@edwardanthony7283
God I still love that song! It was their best!