Have You Seen Her
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| "Have You Seen Her" | ||
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| Single by The Chi-Lites | ||
| Released | 1971 | |
| Genre | R&B/Soul | |
| Length | 5:11 | |
| Label | Brunswick Records | |
| Writer(s) | Eugene Record Barbara Acklin |
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| Chart positions | ||
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"Have You Seen Her" is a hit single recorded by the soul vocal group, The Chi-Lites, and released on Brunswick Records in 1971. Composed by the lead singer Eugene Record and Barbara Acklin, the song was included on the group's 1971 album (For God's Sake) Give More Power to the People.
[edit] Song
In tight four-part harmonies, Record and the other three Chi-Lites repeat the interrogative chorus almost obsessively, as if their minds are completely fixated on the whereabouts of Record's lost love. Yet, interestingly, Record sings his solo parts in the verses not with the sort of impassioned pleading suggested by Barbara Acklin's pained lyrics, but in a buttoned-up, restrained tenor that sounds as if he's afraid that if he betrays more than the slightest hint of emotion, he's going to collapse. As always, Record's production skills keep the sound lush, but not overbaked, giving the song a sophisticated edge that makes it one of the most urbane soul hits of the era.
The Chi-Lites recorded "Have You Seen Her" in a style owing much to the doo-wop traditions of the late 1950s, following the success of another such song earlier in the year, The Temptations' "Just My Imagination (Running Away with Me)". The song peaked at number three on the Billboard Hot 100, and reached the top of the Billboard R&B Singles chart in November of 1971. It also reached number three in the UK Singles Chart in February 1972.
The most significant cover of "Have You Seen Her" was recorded by MC Hammer, for his successful 1990 LP, Please Hammer Don't Hurt 'Em.
[edit] Charts
- #1 Billboard Black Singles
- #3 Billboard Pop Singles
