If You See Her, Say Hello

Album: Blood on the Tracks (1974)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • In Still on the Road: The songs of Bob Dylan 1974–2006, author and Dylan scholar Clinton Heylin states, "'If You See Her, Say Hello' has been written down with the ink still went from last night's tears."

    The statement comes across a bit melodramatic, but still it accurately captures the feeling of raw emotionality in this song, which many Dylan fans consider to be among the very best of his career.

    In the song, Dylan sings about a woman he's lost after suffering a "falling-out." He's hurt, but there's no anger or vindictiveness, and he wishes her the best in life.

    Whatever makes her happy, I won't stand in the way

    Blood in the Tracks was made in the aftermath of Dylan's divorce from Sara Lownds, and it's easy to tie those feelings into this song, even if the lyrics don't seem to be literally autobiographical.
  • Dylan initially recorded this song in New York in September, but he reworked and rerecorded it a few months later in Minneapolis. The final version was put down on December 30, 1974, at Sound 80 recording studio.
  • The song has no bass because bass player Bill Peterson had to leave the studio for personal business.
  • Bill Berg played drums on this track. Dylan loved what he heard and asked Berg to be his drummer for an upcoming European tour. For reasons unknown, Berg declined.
  • Leave it to Dylan to get an exotic locale in his lyric:

    If you see her, say hello, she might be in Tangier

    Tangier is a city in northwestern Morocco.

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

Alan Merrill of The Arrows

Alan Merrill of The ArrowsSongwriter Interviews

In her days with The Runaways, Joan Jett saw The Arrows perform "I Love Rock And Roll," which Alan Merrill co-wrote - that story and much more from this glam rock pioneer.

Dave Mason

Dave MasonSongwriter Interviews

Dave reveals the inspiration for "Feelin' Alright" and explains how the first song he ever wrote became the biggest hit for his band Traffic.

Peter Lord

Peter LordSongwriter Interviews

You may not recognize his name, but you will certainly recognize Peter Lord's songs. He wrote the bevy of hits from Paula Abdul's second album, Spellbound.

Rock Stars of Horror

Rock Stars of HorrorMusic Quiz

Rock Stars - especially those in the metal realm - are often enlisted for horror movies. See if you know can match the rocker to the role.

Bill Withers

Bill WithersSongwriter Interviews

Soul music legend Bill Withers on how life experience and the company you keep leads to classic songs like "Lean On Me."

Al Kooper

Al KooperSongwriter Interviews

Kooper produced Lynyrd Skynyrd, played with Dylan and the Stones, and formed BS&T.