She & Him emerged as one of the most charming and unexpected musical collaborations of the mid-2000s indie folk revival, an American duo blending the timeless vocal stylings of actress Zooey Deschanel with the deft, vintage-inspired production and guitar work of singer-songwriter M. Ward. Formed in Portland, Oregon in 2006, the project began when M. Ward was asked to contribute to the soundtrack for Zooey Deschanel's film The Go-Getter. Impressed by a demo tape of songs she had written, he proposed they record an album together, forging a partnership that would yield a prolific and beloved catalog of original pop and classic cover songs.

Their debut album, Volume One, was released on Merge Records in March 2008, introducing a sound that was both nostalgic and fresh. Defined by Zooey Deschanel's clear, melodious voice and M. Ward's warm, textured arrangements, the record featured the single "Why Do You Let Me Stay Here" and established their signature aesthetic—a blend of 1960s girl-group pop, country twang, and straightforward singer-songwriter folk. The duo was quickly associated with a wave of earnest, accessible indie music that found mainstream popularity during that era.

Building on their initial success, She & Him released Volume Two in 2010, which debuted at number six on the Billboard 200 chart and featured a popular holiday-themed EP later that year. Their creative output remained steady with Volume 3 in 2013 and a second holiday album, Christmas Party, in 2016. A significant milestone came in 2014 with the release of Classics, an album of covers paying homage to iconic songs from artists like Dusty Springfield and Frank Sinatra, showcasing Zooey Deschanel's interpretive skills and the duo's reverence for the Great American Songbook.

Beyond their studio work, She & Him developed a reputation for engaging live performances, often expanding their touring lineup to include a full band. The duo also contributed music to various soundtracks and television shows, including Zooey Deschanel's own series New Girl. Their collaboration is marked by a clear division of creative labor, with Zooey Deschanel serving as the primary songwriter and vocalist while M. Ward handles production, arrangements, and instrumentation. This harmonious partnership has allowed She & Him to maintain a consistent and distinctive sound across their career, carving out a unique and enduring space in the landscape of modern indie pop.