"Lies" is a song written by Beau Charles and Buddy Randell and performed by The Knickerbockers. It reached #20 on the U.S. pop chart in 1965. It was featured on their 1966 album Lies. It is famous for often being mistaken for a Beatles track due to its similarities to their style and harmonies. The single was produced by Jerry Fuller. The song does not feature any guitar solo that has the similar sound to George Harrison's style of playing. The song is about rejected love relationships, stating that the lies that the girl is saying to them are breaking their hearts, and warning the girl that they will be lonely when the man breaks up their love relationship on account of her endless lies. Here is what original Knickerbockers member Beau Charles said on the song recalling the behind the scenes story behind it: "We desperately tried to write something that sounded like the British Invasion'. We wrote 'Lies' in less than one half hour. We demo-ed it in New York." After a Jerry Fuller inspired re-arrangement, the track was recorded at Sunset Sound in West Hollywood with Bruce Botnick as the Engineer. Things were not quite right, so the multi-track master was taken to Leon Russell's house in Hollywood Hills. Jerry Fuller knew Leon and "Leon had this great little studio - just a four track". The band recorded the vocals there and overdubbed a new guitar part that was recorded from a beat up old Fender guitar amp that gave the guitar sound a meaty, edgy feel".
Other versions
The Ventures released a version of the song on their 1965 album Where the Action Is.
Nancy Sinatra released a version of the song on her 1966 album Boots.
The T-Bones released a version of the song on their 1966 album No Matter What Shape .
Gary Lewis & the Playboys released a version of the song on their 1967 album Gary Lewis & the Playboys.
Lulu released a version of the song on their 1966 album From Lulu...with Love.
Styx released a version of the song on their 1974 album Man of Miracles.
Tarney/Spencer Band released a version of the song on their 1979 album Run for Your Life.
Linda Ronstadt released a version of the song on her 1982 album Get Closer.
The Delmonas released a version of the song on their 1985 album Dangerous Charms.
The Undead released a version of the song on their 1986 album Never Say Die!
The Landlords released a version of the song on their 1987 EPOur Favorite Songs!