The Mamas & the Papas: Inside the Band's Love Quadrangle, Drug Problems and Hit Songs

About the Song

The Mamas & the Papas were an American folk rock vocal group that recorded and performed from 1965 to 1968. The group consisted of four members: Denny Doherty, Cass Elliot, John Phillips, and Michelle Phillips. They were known for their distinctive harmonies and their eclectic mix of musical styles, which included folk, rock, pop, and psychedelic music.

“I Saw Her Again” is one of the Mamas & the Papas’ most popular songs. It was written by John Phillips and released in 1966 as the second single from their second album, The Mamas & the Papas. The song reached number five on the Billboard Hot 100 chart and became a worldwide hit.

The song is a classic example of the Mamas & the Papas’ sound. It features their signature harmonies and a catchy melody. The lyrics of the song are about a man who sees his ex-lover again and is reminded of their time together. The song is full of nostalgia and longing, and it captures the essence of heartbreak.

“I Saw Her Again” has been covered by many artists over the years, including The Beach Boys, The Carpenters, and Elton John. It is a timeless classic that continues to be enjoyed by generations of listeners.

Here are some additional details about the song:

  • The song was written by John Phillips, who was the leader of the Mamas & the Papas.
  • The song was produced by Lou Adler, who was also the producer of the Mamas & the Papas’ other albums.
  • The song was recorded in Los Angeles, California.
  • The song was released in 1966 as the second single from the Mamas & the Papas’ second album, The Mamas & the Papas.
  • The song reached number five on the Billboard Hot 100 chart and became a worldwide hit.

Here are some interesting facts about the song:

  • The song was inspired by John Phillips’ ex-wife, Michelle Phillips.
  • The song was originally recorded as a demo by John Phillips and Michelle Phillips.
  • The song was featured in the 1967 film The Graduate.
  • The song has been covered by many artists over the years, including The Beach Boys, The Carpenters, and Elton John.

Stream The Mamas & The Papas - California Dreamin' (Mita Gami Edit) by Mita Gami | Listen online for free on SoundCloud

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Lyrics: I Saw Her Again

I saw her again last night,
And you know that I shouldn’t
Just string her along; it’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
She’ll never leave me.I’m in way over my head;
Now she thinks that I love her (yeah, yeah)
Because that’s what I said
Though I never think of her.
(No, no, never think of her)But what can I do? I’m lonely too.
And it makes me feel so good to know
(And it makes me feel so good to know…)
She’ll never leave me.Every time I see that girl,
You know I wanna lay down and die.
But I really need that girl
Though I’m living a lie;
(Though I’m living a lie…)
It makes me wanna cryI saw her again last night,
And you know that I shouldn’t
Just string her along; it’s just not right.
If I couldn’t then I wouldn’t,
But what can I do, I’m lonely too.
And it makes me feel so good to know
She’ll never leave me.
(to know…know)But what can I do? I’m lonely too.
Yeah, and it makes me feel so good to know
She’ll never leave me.

Every time I see that girl,
You know I wanna lay down and die.
But I really need that girl
Though I’m living a lie
(Though I’m living a lie…)
It makes me wanna cry.

I saw her…
I saw her again last night.
And you know that I shouldn’t (no, no)
Just string her along; it’s just not right.
If I couldn’t, I wouldn’t;
I’m in way over my head (you say…)
Now she thinks that I love her (yeah, yeah)
Because that’s what I said…

You Missed

Dolly Parton turned a simple handmade coat into one of the most powerful songs of her life because to her, it was never really about the fabric. “Coat of Many Colors” sprang directly from Dolly’s growing-up years in East Tennessee. Her mother, Avie Lee, pieced the jacket together by sewing colorful rags the family already owned. Cash was mighty tight, so there was no running down to the store for brand-new clothes. Instead, Avie Lee took what was on hand and stitched together something warm for her little girl to wear. While the needle flew, she shared the Bible story of Joseph and his coat of many colors, turning an ordinary piece of clothing into something special in Dolly’s eyes. Proudly wearing that coat to school, Dolly felt rich, but the other kids saw it differently. They laughed at the patches and teased her for having so little. Years down the road, Dolly penned those childhood memories into “Coat of Many Colors.” Released in 1971, the tune became a shining example of why her songwriting touched so many souls. She never tried to hide hard times or dress up her youth to look prettier than it was. She simply laid the sting of teasing side-by-side with the deep love that stitched the coat together, letting that honest truth speak for itself. The song eventually grew far beyond that original vinyl record. Its spirit inspired the 2015 television movie Dolly Parton’s Coat of Many Colors, followed by Christmas of Many Colors: Circle of Love the very next year. Those films opened a window into Dolly’s mountain home, introducing folks to the hardworking parents and siblings who shaped her long before the bright lights found her. By then, Dolly had worn glittering stage gowns worth more than her family could ever have dreamed. Yet the garment folks remember best remains that humble little coat stitched by a mother’s loving hands when buying something new simply wasn’t in the cards. That is why the memory stayed alive. The scraps faded away, but the lesson underneath never did.