The Zombies – She’s Not There

About The Song

“She’s Not There” is the debut single by the British rock band The Zombies, released in July 1964. Written by keyboardist Rod Argent, the song reached No. 12 in the UK Singles Chart and became a bigger success in America, peaking at No. 2 on the Billboard Hot 100 in December 1964. The origins of the song emerged from winning a talent contest that provided funds for recording sessions. The song “She’s Not There” by The Zombies, written by keyboardist Rod Argent, tells a story of emotional detachment and a lost connection. Argent explained that the song was inspired by John Lee Hooker’s “No One Told Me”. However, the melody and chords of the two songs differ significantly.

The lyrics of “She’s Not There” describe a person who is absent, and the singer expresses their detachment, stating, “It’s too late to say you’re sorry, how would I know, why should I care?”. The song’s symbolic imagery of a lost love is reflected in the lines “She’s not there, well, let me tell you about the way she looked.”. The song’s haunting and hypnotic melody, as well as its themes of loss and emotional detachment, contributed to its popularity in the 1960s and remain influential today.