Rod Argent built the lyrics of "She's Not There" from a John Lee Hooker song, whose title – "No One Told Me" – became a part of the opening phrase of "She's Not There". Following an April 29, 1964, performance by the Zombies at St AlbansMarket Hall, Argent played the one verse he had written of the song for Ken Jones who was set to produce the band's first recording session. Jones encouraged Argent to write a second verse, intending for the band to record it. Argent recalls: "I wrote the song for Colin's range" — referring to Zombies' vocalist Colin Blunstone – "I could hear him singing it in my mind". The song's genres and musical styles are described by authors and music journalists as jazz rock, beat and pop rock. "She's Not There" was the second of four songs recorded by the Zombies at a June 22, 1964 recording session at Decca's West Hampstead Studio No. 2. The backing tracks needed seven takes. One of the song's most distinctive features is Argent's electric piano sound; the instrument used was a Hohner Pianet. The backing vocals are in a folk-influenced close-harmony style. To make the single sound stronger for single release, Ken Jones organised Hugh Grundy to record a strident drum line overdub which only appears on the original mono single mix. In 2002, Ace/Big Beat releases The Decca Stereo Anthology, a 48-track 2-CD release which mixed all the Decca/Parrot recordings into true stereo for the first time. As the multitrack for "She's Not There" does not contain the additional, stronger drum line, Grundy specially re-created for this stereo remix project. According to the lyrics of this song, the narrator has unsatisfactory dealings with an untrustworthy woman. He reproaches unspecified associates for failing to warn him of her unsavoury character: "Well no one told me about her / The way she lied." The real inspiration behind the song, however, was Argent's first love, Patricia, who called off their wedding weeks before and broke his heart. This minor key, jazz-tinged single was first aired in the United States during the first week in August 1964, on New Yorkrockradio stationWINS by Stan Z. Burns, who debuted it on his daily noontime "Hot Spot" segment, during which new songs were played. The tune began to catch on in early autumn and eventually reached No. 2 on the Billboard Hot 100 in December 1964. It was kept from the No.1 spot by "Mr. Lonely" by Bobby Vinton.
Album releases
The song was later released both on The Zombies' UK album Begin Here and US album The Zombies. It was also included on the soundtrack to the 1979 feature film More American Graffiti.
"She's Not There" was a hit for Santana when it appeared on their 1977 album Moonflower. Their version peaked at No. 11 in the UK. It was also a hit in the US, reaching No. 27 and No. 20. Their take on it features Greg Walker as the lead vocalist.
