True Lies (song)

"True Lies" is a song written by Al Anderson, Sara Evans and Sharon Rice. It was first recorded and released by American country artist, Sara Evans, as her debut single. Released in 1997, "True Lies" became a minor hit on the Billboard country chart and was later included on her debut studio album, Three Chords and the Truth. The song received positive reviews from critics.

"True Lies"
Single by Sara Evans
from the album Three Chords and the Truth
B-side"The Week the River Raged"
ReleasedApril 7, 1997 (1997-04-07)
StudioMad Dog Studios
Genre
Length2:34
LabelRCA Nashville
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)Pete Anderson
Sara Evans singles chronology
"True Lies"
(1997)		 "Three Chords and the Truth"
(1997)

Background

"True Lies" was co-written by Sara Evans, along with songwriters Al Anderson and Sharon Rice. The song was recorded at Mad Dog Studios, which was located in Burbank, California. The session was produced by Pete Anderson, who also produced Evans's first studio album. Evan's next two hits would also be produced by Anderson. The album's other songs were recorded during the same sessions, including its title track and the single "Shame About That."[2] The Washington Post described "True Lies" as a ballad filled with "heartache" that has an "outlook for love isn't nearly so bleak."[3]

Critical reception

"True Lies" received positive reviews from music writers and critics. Mike Joyce of The Washington Post found similarities between the track and older country ballads by Patsy Cline in his review of her 1997 studio album. "Evans opens the album by displaying her vocal resemblance to Cline on the ballad "True Lies." The similarity is striking, but what makes the song moving isn't the way Evans cannily evokes Cline's tone and phrasing," he wrote.[3] In reviewing her debut album, Grant Alden of No Depression compared Evans's delivery on the album's contemporary songs (such as "True Lies") to be similar in quality to that of jazz singer Julie London: "Evans sings with a pure tone, swoops into notes with unmistakable joy, and has marvelous phrasing."[4]

Release and chart performance

"True Lies" was released as Evans's debut single on April 7, 1997 via RCA Records. It was issued as a 7" vinyl single and included "The Week the River Raged" as the B-side.[5] The song spent six weeks on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart and became a minor hit that year. It peaked at number 59 in the spring of 1997.[6] "True Lies" was later issued on Evans' debut studio album entitled Three Chords and the Truth. The song was the album's opening track.[7] "True Lies" would be one of three singles spawned from Three Chords and the Truth between 1997 and 1998. All three would only become minor country hits.[5]

Track listing

7" vinyl single[5]

  • "True Lies" – 2:34
  • "The Week the River Raged" – 4:02

Charts
Chart (1997) Peak
position
US Hot Country Songs (Billboard)[8] 59

References
  1. Foster, Ben. "Favorite Songs by Favorite Artists: Sara Evans". Country Universe. Retrieved 28 October 2020.
  2. Evans, Sara (July 1, 997). "Three Chords and the Truth (CD Liner Notes and Album Information)". RCA Records.
  3. Joycem, Mike. "SARA EVANS, JASON SELLERS & THE BRAND NEW OPRY". The Washington Post. Retrieved 28 October 2020.
  4. Alden, Grant. "Sara Evans – Three Chords and the Truth". No Depression. Retrieved 28 October 2020.
  5. Whitburn, Joel (2008). Hot Country Songs 1944 to 2008. Record Research, Inc. ISBN 978-0-89820-177-2.
  6. "Sara Evans chart history (Country Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved 28 October 2020.
  7. Campbell, Al. "Three Chords and the Truth: Sara Evans: Songs, Reviews, Credits". Allmusic. Retrieved 28 October 2020.
  8. "Sara Evans Chart History (Hot Country Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved October 27, 2020.
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