Lies (The Knickerbockers song)

Last updated
"Lies"
Single by The Knickerbockers
from the album Lies
B-side "The Coming Generation"
ReleasedNovember 1965 (1965-11)
Recorded Sunset Sound, West Hollywood
Genre
Length2:40
Label Challenge
Songwriter(s) Beau Charles, Buddy Randell
Producer(s) Jerry Fuller
The Knickerbockers singles chronology
"Jerk Town"
(1965)		"Lies"
(1965)		"One Track Mind"
(1966)

"Lies" is a song written by Beau Charles and Buddy Randell. It was performed by The Knickerbockers and produced by Jerry Fuller. It reached #20 on the U.S. pop chart and #11 in Canada in 1966. [1] [2] It was featured on their 1966 album Lies [3] and is famous for often being mistaken for a Beatles track due to its similarities to their style and harmonies. [4]

Contents

Background

Beau Charles has said of writing and recording the song, "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". [5]

With the three-way vocal harmonies, sung by John Charles, Beau Charles, and Buddy Randall, Lies stood out due to its Beatles-esque sound. The Knickerbockers would become regulars on Dick Clark's Where The Action Is. Their debut album was released a few months later, in early 1966, and was named after the hit, and featured the song on there too. [6] Lies entered the Billboard Hot 100 in the final week of December 1965 [7] went to number 20 on the charts in late January 1966, [8] and was, in total, on the Hot 100 for thirteen weeks, before leaving the charts in February 1966, last placed at number 34. [9]

Personnel

Other versions

See also

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References

  1. ↑ "The Knickerbockers, "Lies" Chart Position" . Retrieved March 17, 2019.
  2. ↑ "RPM Play Sheet - January 24, 1966" (PDF).
  3. ↑ "The Knickerbockers, Lies". Discogs . 1966. Retrieved March 17, 2019.
  4. ↑ Dennis, Jon (10 November 2011). "Old music: The Knickerbockers – One Track Mind". The Guardian.
  5. ↑ Retrieved June 4th,2019
  6. ↑ "Lies (song by The Knickerbockers) ••• Music VF, US & UK hits charts". www.musicvf.com. Retrieved 2023-04-10.
  7. ↑ tolsen (2013-01-02). "Billboard Hot 100". Billboard. Retrieved 2023-04-10.
  8. ↑ tolsen (2013-01-02). "Billboard Hot 100". Billboard. Retrieved 2023-04-10.
  9. ↑ tolsen (2013-01-02). "Billboard Hot 100". Billboard. Retrieved 2023-04-10.
  10. ↑ "The Ventures, Where the Action Is". Discogs . 1965. Retrieved March 17, 2019.
  11. ↑ "Nancy Sinatra, Boots". Discogs . 1966. Retrieved March 17, 2019.
  12. ↑ "The T-Bones, No Matter What Shape (Your Stomach's In)". Discogs . 1966. Retrieved March 17, 2019.
  13. ↑ "Gary Lewis & the Playboys, Gary Lewis & the Playboys". Discogs . 1967. Retrieved March 17, 2019.
  14. ↑ "Lulu, From Lulu...with Love". Discogs . 1967. Retrieved March 17, 2019.
  15. ↑ "Styx, Man of Miracles". Discogs . November 1974. Retrieved March 17, 2019.
  16. ↑ "Single Picks" (PDF). Record World. August 17, 1974. p. 12. Retrieved 2023-03-15.
  17. ↑ "Tarney/Spencer Band, Run for Your Life". Discogs . 1979. Retrieved March 17, 2019.
  18. ↑ "Linda Ronstadt, Get Closer". Discogs . 1982. Retrieved March 17, 2019.
  19. ↑ "The Delmonas, Dangerous Charms". Discogs . 1985. Retrieved March 17, 2019.
  20. ↑ "The Undead, Never Say Die!". Discogs . 1986. Retrieved March 17, 2019.
  21. ↑ "The Landlords, Our Favorite Songs!". Discogs . 1987. Retrieved March 17, 2019.
  22. ↑ "The Basement Wall, There Goes the Neighborhood! Volume 2 Featuring The Basement Wall". Discogs . 1993. Retrieved March 17, 2019.
  23. ↑ "The Fireballs, Firebeat! The Great Lost Vocal Album". Discogs . Retrieved March 17, 2019.
  24. ↑ "The Brymers, Sacrifice". Discogs . Retrieved March 17, 2019.
  25. ↑ "The Black Belles, "What Can I Do?" Single Release". Discogs . Retrieved March 17, 2019.
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