Beautiful Lies (Jean Shepard song)

Last updated
"Beautiful Lies"
Jean Shepard--Beautiful Lies.jpg
Single by Jean Shepard
A-side "I Thought of You"
ReleasedSeptember 1955
RecordedApril 1955
Studio Capitol Studios
Genre
Length2:46
Label Capitol
Songwriter(s) Jack Rhodes
Producer(s) Ken Nelson
Jean Shepard singles chronology
"A Satisfied Mind"
(1955)
"Beautiful Lies"
(1955)
"I Learned It All from You"
(1955)

"Beautiful Lies" is a song written by Jack Rhodes and recorded by American country singer Jean Shepard. It was released in September 1955 by Capitol Records as a single. It became Shepard's fifth top ten single on the US country chart in her career and was given positive reception by critics.

Contents

Background, recording and content

Jean Shepard recorded a pair of duets with Ferlin Husky in 1953 ("A Dear John Letter" and "Forgive Me, John") that both became commercial successes. As a solo artist, she had her first commercial success with 1955's "A Satisfied Mind". This would be followed the same year by "Beautiful Lies". [2] The song was composed by Jack Rhodes. [3] The song's main character insists he tells her words she wants to hear even if he does not believe them himself. [4] Shepard recorded the track at Hollywood's Capitol Studios in April 1955. The session was produced by Ken Nelson. [3]

Release, critical reception and chart performance

"Beautiful Lies" was released by Capitol Records as a seven-inch vinyl record single in September 1955. On the A side was the track "I Thought of You". [3] The song received a positive reception following its release. Cash Box magazine described the track as "feelingful". [5] When reviewing Shepard's box set The Melody Ranch Girl (which featured "Beautiful Lies"), AllMusic's Thom Owens wrote that Shepard's performance on the track was full of "fiery, passionate honky tonk". [6] Shepard herself said of the track, "I like the song but I had a lot that I liked better." [7] "Beautiful Lies" made a higher position on the US Billboard country chart than its A-side "I Thought of You". [5] [7] Entering the chart in October 1955, [4] "Beautiful Lies" reached the number four position later that year. It became her fifth top ten Billboard country single and third as a solo artist. [8] [9]

Track listing

7" vinyl single [3]

Charts

Weekly chart performance for "Beautiful Lies"
Chart (1955)Peak
position
US Hot Country Songs ( Billboard ) [10] 4

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Billie Jo Spears</span> American country music singer (1938–2011)

Billie Jo Spears was an American country music singer. She was known for a series of singles whose characters often represented women in assertive positions. Among these recordings was a song about sexual harassment, and a song about rekindling sexual desire ".

"Suddenly There's a Valley" is a popular song written by Chuck Meyer and Biff Jones and published in 1955.

Thomas Charles Bresh, sometimes spelled Tom Bresh, was an American country music guitarist and singer. Active from the 1970s, Bresh charted multiple singles on the Billboard Hot Country Songs charts.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jean Shepard</span> American country singer (1933–2016)

Jean Shepard was an American honky-tonk singer-songwriter who is often acknowledged as a pioneer for women in country music. Shepard released a total of 73 singles to the Hot Country Songs chart, one of which reached the number-one spot. She recorded a total of 24 studio albums between 1956 and 1981, and became a member of the Grand Ole Opry in 1955.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Break It to Me Gently</span>

"Break It to Me Gently" is a pop song written by blues musician Joe Seneca with lyrics by Diane Lampert. Both Brenda Lee and Juice Newton were met with considerable success with their versions of the song.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jean Shepard discography</span>

The discography of American country singer Jean Shepard contains 29 studio albums, 12 compilation albums, two live albums, 1 box set album, 72 lead and collaborative singles, four promotional singles, two other charted songs and nine album appearances. Her first singles were released by Capitol Records in 1953, beginning with "Crying Steel Guitar Waltz". Her next two releases featured vocals by Shepard and a recitation by Ferlin Husky. The first was "A Dear John Letter", Shepard's only number one single on the US Hot Country Songs chart. It also reached number four on the US pop chart and number three in Australia. The second was "Forgive Me, John", which reached the US country top five, the US pop top 30 and the Australia top 20. In 1955, her solo singles "A Satisfied Mind" and "Beautiful Lies" both reached number four on the US Hot Country Songs chart. Their B-sides also charted on the US country chart: "Take Possession" and "I Thought of You". The latter peaked in the US country top ten.

<i>I Only Wanted You</i> 1986 studio album by Marie Osmond

I Only Wanted You is a studio album by American singer Marie Osmond. It was released by the Capitol and Curb record labels in August 1986. The album was a collection of ten tracks recorded in a country pop production. Included was a duet with Paul Davis titled "You're Still New to Me", which became a chart-topping country single. Three additional singles were part of the album: the title track, "Everybody's Crazy 'Bout My Baby" and "Cry Just a Little". The album itself reached the top 20 of the US country chart. It was given positive reviews from critics.

<i>All in Love</i> 1988 studio album by Marie Osmond

All in Love is a studio album by American singer Marie Osmond. It was released by Capitol Records and Curb Records in July 1988. The album featured a total of ten tracks that were cut with a country pop production. Among its tracks was a duet with Paul Davis called "Sweet Life". The track was among three charting singles included on All in Love. The additional singles were "Without a Trace" and "I'm in Love and He's in Dallas". All in Love made the top 40 of the US country chart and was given mixed reviews from critics.

"A Satisfied Mind" is a song written by Joe "Red" Hayes and Jack Rhodes. Hayes explained the origin of the song in an interview: "The song came from my mother. Everything in the song are things I heard her say over the years. I put a lot of thought into the song before I came up with the title. One day my father-in-law asked me who I thought the richest man in the world was, and I mentioned some names. He said, 'You're wrong; it is the man with a satisfied mind.'"

<i>Songs of a Love Affair</i> 1956 studio album by Jean Shepard

Songs of a Love Affair is the debut studio album by American country artist Jean Shepard. The album was released in May 1956 on Capitol Records and was produced by Ken Nelson. The release has been said to have been one of country music's first concept albums in history and also one of the first to be released by a female country music artist. The album's concept focused on an extramarital love affair between a husband and another lover. The album is told from the point of the view of the wife. The disc was released originally on vinyl, but later released on CD and to digital markets.

<i>Lonesome Love</i> 1958 studio album by Jean Shepard

Lonesome Love is a studio album by American country artist Jean Shepard. The album was released in December 1958 by Capitol Records and was produced by Ken Nelson. It was another album released by another central theme, focused mostly on songs about lost love. The album was a collection of 12 tracks, featuring both new material and cover tunes. It was met with positive reviews from music publications following its release.

"The Tip of My Fingers", also titled "The Tips of My Fingers", is a song written and originally recorded by American country music singer Bill Anderson. First included on his 1962 album Bill Anderson Sings Country Heart Songs, the song was a Top Ten country single for him in 1960.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Melba Montgomery discography</span>

The discography of American country artist, Melba Montgomery contains 29 studio albums, eight compilation albums, 61 singles, one other charting song and has appeared on five albums. Of her studio albums, 22 are solo releases while seven are collaborative releases. Of her singles, 42 are solo releases while 18 are collaborative. Montgomery collaborated with George Jones on 1963's "We Must Have Been Out of Our Minds", which reached number three on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart. Together, they recorded several studio albums including What's in Our Heart (1963), which reached number three on the Billboard Top Country Albums chart. The United Artists and Musicor labels issued several more singles by the pair. Among them were the top 25 songs "Multiply the Heartaches" (1965) and "Party Pickin'" (1967). She also collaborated with Gene Pitney during the sixties on the top 20 single "Baby Ain't That Fine" (1965). Both United Artists and Musicor issued several solo studio albums and singles by Montgomery during the sixties also. Among them was the charting single "Hall of Shame" (1963) and the 1967 LP, Don't Keep Me Lonely Too Long (1967).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">I Thought of You</span> 1955 single by Jean Shepard

"I Thought of You" is a song composed by Jimmy Rollins that was recorded by American country singer Jean Shepard. Released as a single in 1955, it became a top ten song on the US country chart in 1955, becoming Shepard's fourth top ten recording in her career. It was given positive reviews by publications following its release.

<i>Heartaches and Tears</i> 1962 studio album by Jean Shepard

Heartaches and Tears is a studio album by American country singer Jean Shepard. It was released by Capitol Records in March 1962 with a total of 12 tracks. The tracks mixed both new material and cover tunes. Among its new tracks was the single "How Long Does It Hurt ". It was the fourth studio album of her career and fifth overall. The album was met with positive reviews from publications.

<i>The Best of Jean Shepard</i> 1963 compilation album by Jean Shepard

The Best of Jean Shepard is a compilation album by American country singer Jean Shepard. It was released in September 1963 by Capitol Records and was her second compilation released in her career. The album featured 12 tracks, four of which were top ten singles on the US country chart: "A Dear John Letter", "Forgive Me, John", "A Satisfied Mind" and "Beautiful Lies". The compilation received positive reviews following its release.

"The Wonders You Perform" is a song written by Jerry Chesnut, and recorded by American country music artist Tammy Wynette. It was released as a single in November 1970.

<i>Reckless Love Affair</i> 1967 studio album by Wanda Jackson

Reckless Love Affair is a studio album by American recording artist Wanda Jackson. It was released in March 1967 via Capitol Records and included 12 tracks. It was Jackson's tenth studio album release and was a collection of songs tailored towards the country music market. Reckless Love Affair included four singles that reached charting positions on the American country chart, including the top 20 hit "Tears Will Be the Chaser for Your Wine". The album itself reached charting positions in the United States and received a positive review following its initial release.

<i>When Its Time to Fall in Love Again</i> 1974 studio album by Wanda Jackson

When It's Time to Fall in Love Again is a studio album by American recording artist Wanda Jackson. It was released in 1974 via Myrrh Records and contained ten tracks. It was the first collection of country music recordings released following Jackson's departure from Capitol Records in 1973 and was her twenty-second album in her career. The project included two singles. The second single, "Come on Home ", made chart positions on the American country songs survey in 1974.

<i>Lighthearted and Blue</i> 1964 studio album by Jean Shepard

Lighthearted and Blue is a studio album by American country singer Jean Shepard. It was released in October 1964 by Capitol Records and was her fifth studio album. It was the first studio project released following the death of Shepard's husband in a plane crash in 1963. The album was a collection of 12 cover songs that was reviewed positively by both Billboard and AllMusic. It was her first album to make the US country chart as well.

References

  1. 1 2 ""Beautiful Lies": Jean Shepard". AllMusic . Retrieved 9 May 2024.
  2. Cooper, Dan. "Jean Shepard Biography". AllMusic . Retrieved 7 May 2024.
  3. 1 2 3 4 Shepard, Jean (September 1955). ""I Thought of You"/"Beautiful Lies" (7" vinyl single)". Capitol Records . F-3222.
  4. 1 2 "Jean Shepard". Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum . Retrieved 9 May 2024.
  5. 1 2 "The Cash Box Country Reviews: Bullseye of the Week" (PDF). Cash Box . September 3, 1955. p. 28. Retrieved 7 May 2024.
  6. Owens, Thom. "The Melody Ranch Girl: Jean Shepard: Songs, reviews, credits". AllMusic . Retrieved 7 May 2024.
  7. 1 2 Shepard, Jean (2014). Down Through the Years. Don Wise Productions. p. 89. ISBN   978-0944391068.
  8. Whitburn, Joel (2008). Hot Country Songs 1944 to 2008. Record Research, Inc. ISBN   978-0-89820-177-2.
  9. Whitburn, Joel (2004). The Billboard Book Of Top 40 Country Hits: 1944-2006, Second edition. Record Research. p. 88.
  10. "Jean Shepard Chart History (Hot Country Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved May 10, 2024.