Lies (En Vogue song)
"Lies" is a song from American R&B/pop group En Vogue. It is the second single from their debut hit album Born to Sing. Written and produced by Thomas McElroy and Denzil Foster, it became the group's second single to top the Billboard R&B singles chart. The single peaked at number thirty-eight, it was also their second US Billboard Hot 100 top 40 hit.[2]
"Lies" | ||||
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U.S. 12-inch vinyl single | ||||
Single by En Vogue | ||||
from the album Born to Sing | ||||
Released | June 27, 1990 | |||
Recorded | October—November 1989 (vocals)[1] May 1990 (remix) | |||
Studio | Can Am Studios, CA | |||
Genre | ||||
Length | 4:16 (LP Mix) 4:14 (Avant Garde Remix Edit) | |||
Label | Atlantic | |||
Songwriter(s) |
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Producer(s) | ||||
En Vogue singles chronology | ||||
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Music video | ||||
"Lies" on YouTube |
The song is led by Dawn Robinson and Cindy Herron with ad libs from Maxine Jones and Terry Ellis on the ending vamp.
Critical reception
Matthew Hocter from Albumism noted Robinson’s "incredible vocals coupled with the group’s brilliant interplay and that fresh new jill swing sound of the ‘90s."[3] AllMusic editor Jose F. Promis stated that the song "proved that all members of the quartet were equally adept at handling lead vocals."[4] Bill Coleman from Billboard wrote that it "continues to emphasize sparkling harmonizing, though swinging instrumental base grooves hard." He noted that it "sounds like another major hit."[5]
David Giles from Music Week called it "a more commercial track", adding, "far much of the time it sounds like a Diana Ross record, until an almost angry rap cuts in towards the end."[6] The Network Forty described the single as "sophomore".[7] Edward Hill from The Plain Dealer noted that "Lies" "shuffles with the Soul II Soul technique."[8] William Shaw from Smash Hits said that it has "a brilliant, wriggly funk rhythm made up of a great chunky mixture of parping sounds and chugging guitars and it's also got those trademark En Vogue warbling harmonies."[9]
Track listings and formats
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Charts
Weekly charts
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Year-end charts
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See also
References
- En Vogue "Lies": Producers: Denzil Foster, Thomas McElroy. Copyright Encyclopedia
- Whitburn, Joel (2004). Top R&B/Hip-Hop Singles: 1942-2004. Record Research. p. 189.
- Hocter, Matthew (April 2, 2020). "En Vogue's Debut Album 'Born To Sing' Turns 30: Anniversary Retrospective". Albumism. Retrieved April 3, 2020.
- "En Vogue - Born to Sing". AllMusic. Retrieved February 15, 2020.
- "Single Reviews" (PDF). Billboard. August 18, 1990. p. 77. Retrieved February 15, 2020.
- Giles, David (July 21, 1990). "Singles" (PDF). Music Week. p. 19. Retrieved October 30, 2020.
- "Top 40: Music Meeting" (PDF). The Network Forty. August 10, 1990. p. 30. Retrieved March 21, 2020.
- Hill, Edward (May 4, 1990). "En Vogue can wail with best girl groups". The Plain Dealer. Retrieved March 25, 2020.
- "Review: Singles". Smash Hits. No. 303. July 11, 1990. p. 45. Retrieved March 8, 2020.
- "Dutchcharts.nl – En Vogue – Lies" (in Dutch). Single Top 100. Retrieved February 12, 2018.
- "En Vogue Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved February 11, 2018.
- "En Vogue Chart History (Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved February 11, 2018.
- "En Vogue Chart History (Dance Club Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved February 11, 2018.
- "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved February 12, 2018.
- "R&B/Hip-Hop Songs – Year-End 1990". Billboard. Retrieved February 12, 2018.