The Chi-Lites, “Have You Seen Her” | Throwback Vibez 🕶️🎶

In the 40^th edition of Throwback Vibez (2022), we recollect and reflect on “Have You Seen Her” by The Chi-Lites. 

The vibes, the vibes, those Throwback Vibez 🕶️🎶! Throwback Vibez 🕶️🎶 is a column that celebrates awesome songs from the past.  The records that grace Throwback Vibez 🕶️🎶 are older, but that doesn’t necessarily mean that they’re ancient – no fossils 🦴! All genres of music are welcome – we don’t discriminate ‘round here! In the 40^th edition of Throwback Vibez 🕶️🎶 (2022), we recollect and reflect on 🎵 “Have You Seen Her”, performed by 🎙 The Chi-Lites. 

Theme & Lyrics ✍

“Well, I know I can’t hide from a memory / ‘Though day after day I’ve tried / I keep sayin’ she’ll be back / But today again, I lied.” Those spoken word lyrics performed by 🎙 Eugene Record grace one of the greatest soul songs of all time, 🎵 “Have You Seen Her”. 🎙 The Chi-Lites were a highly successful soul collective formed in Chicago, Illinois that was able to land many hits including no. 1 hit 🎵 “Oh Girl” and the ‘chilly’ ballad, 🎵 “Coldest Days of My Life”.  “Have You Seen Her,” like “Oh Girl,” was a pop hit, peaking at no. 3 on the Billboard Hot 100. The record originally appeared on the 1971 album, 💿 (For God’s Sake) Give More Power to the People, though it’s more easily accessible on greatest hits compilations.

Those spoken word lyrics precede the main attraction:

“Oh, I see her face everywhere I go

On the street and even at the picture show

Have you seen her?

Tell me, have you seen her?”

Basically, The Chi-Lites are searching for their exes, and lament the fact that she’s – they’re – no longer there and, apparently, aren’t coming back.  To quote 🎙 Anthony Hamilton, 🎵 “She’s Gone”.  There’ll be no reconciliation despite the love pain experienced, sigh. “Why, oh why / Did she have to leave and go away,” they sing dramatically, continuing, “Ooh, oh, I’ve been used to having someone to lean on / And I’m lost, baby, I’m lost.” While there’s ample sadness (and falsetto) over the loss and expiration of love, that Eugene Record helmed backdrop is incredibly soulful – straight flames 🔥🔥🔥! In addition to singing and producing, Eugene also penned the record alongside 🎼✍ Barbara Acklin.  Fittingly, towards the end of this five-and-a-half-minute bop, there’s additional spoken word as Record continues reflecting on the loss.

“As another day comes to an end

I’m lookin’ for a letter or somethin’

Anything that she would send

With all the people I know

I’m still a lonely man

You know, it’s funny

But I thought I had her in the palm of my hand.”

Final Thoughts 💭

“Oh doo-doo-doo-doo-doo-doo / Have you seen her? Tell me, have you seen her?” #Classic and honestly, what else is there to say? 🎵 “Have You Seen Her” by 🎙 The Chi-Lites speaks for itself.  This, folks, is what Throwback Vibez 🕶️🎶 is all about.

🎙 The Chi-Lites • 💿 (For God’s Sake) Give More Power to the People • 🏷 Brunswick Record Corp. • 🗓 1971

The Chi-Lites, “Have You Seen Her”: Throwback Vibez 🕶️🎶 No. 40 (2022) [📷: Brent Faulkner, Brunswick Record Corp., Gerhard G., JL G via Pixabay,  Karl Hörnfeldt via Unsplash, The Musical Hype]