A-side "Tangled Up in Blue" Genre Folk rock Label Columbia | Released January 1975 Length 4:49 | |
Recorded December 30, 1974 at Sound 80 in Minneapolis, Minnesota | ||
"If You See Her, Say Hello" is a song by Bob Dylan released in 1975 on his 15th studio album, Blood on the Tracks, and as a single B-side. It is one of five songs on the album that Dylan initially recorded in New York City in September 1974 and then re-recorded in Minneapolis in December that year, the later recording becoming the album track (and single). One of the September 1974 outtakes was included on The Bootleg Series Volumes 1–3 (Rare & Unreleased) 1961–1991.
The song describes an anonymous lost love, who no longer loves the persona after they had "a falling-out". Although the persona clearly feels wounded by the breakup: "Our separation, It pierced me to the heart", he appears not to resent the anonymous character, declaring "Oh, whatever makes her happy, I won't stand in the way."
Covers and alternative versions
There is an Italian version by singer Francesco De Gregori, called "Non Dirle Che Non È Così".
Jeff Buckley covered the song in a live performance on his album Live at Sin-é.
The Brazilian singer Renato Russo covered the song changing the title and lyrics to "If you see him, say hello".
Dylan has performed alternate versions of the song in concert. His 1976 Lakeland, Florida performance has different lyrics for every verse.