He's a Liar
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| "He's a Liar" | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | ||||
| Single by Bee Gees | ||||
| from the album Living Eyes | ||||
| B-side | "He's a Liar" (Instrumental) | |||
| Released | 19 September 1981 | |||
| Recorded | February – June 1981 | |||
| Genre | Rock[1] | |||
| Length | 4:00 4:36 (extended intro) | |||
| Label | RSO | |||
| Songwriter(s) | Barry, Robin & Maurice Gibb | |||
| Producer(s) |
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| Bee Gees singles chronology | ||||
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"He's a Liar" is a song by the Bee Gees, released on 19 September 1981 as the first single from their album Living Eyes.[2] The song was written by brothers Barry, Robin and Maurice Gibb.
Background[edit]
Unlike the last three Bee Gees albums – which included primarily their established, longstanding studio and touring band – "He's a Liar" features an array of studio musicians: Don Felder of Eagles on lead guitars; Harold Cowart on bass; Steve Gadd on drums; and Richard Tee on piano. A version with a slightly longer intro was released as a 12-inch single in Germany and later on the Japan-only compilation Rare Collection. It was recorded between the months of February and June 1981.[3] This song is rumored to have been inspired by the feud the Bee Gees were having with their record manager, Robert Stigwood, at the time. The brothers would later reconcile with Stigwood and remain good friends.
Release and aftermath[edit]
Even though this song sounded nothing like the Bee Gees' disco-era singles, the backlash had pigeonholed the Bee Gees as a disco act and radio stations were reluctant to play any new Bee Gees music. After six consecutive number-one singles in the US, "He's a Liar" peaked at number 30, which was far from the heights of their success in the late '70s. The song did better in Belgium and the Netherlands.
In Italy, the single sold 60,000 copies in two weeks.[4] The song's only appearance on a compilation was 1990's Tales from the Brothers Gibb.
Record World said that it has "a loping rhythm, recurring synthesizer bass figure" and "the Bee Gees' trademark harmonies."[5]
Music video[edit]
A video was made for the song which featured the three Gibb brothers and Sixteen Candles actress Haviland Morris. Robin portrays a man who is a lover of a woman, played by Haviland. However, Maurice spots the pair kissing, and he shoots them. After fleeing from the house, Maurice evades the police on foot, nearly getting caught. Eventually, he is cornered and thrown into a police car but manages to escape. In the last shot, a car drives down a darkened street and Maurice follows on foot, still being pursued by police. An ambulance with Robin and Haviland inside follows as the video and song fades out. The brothers also mime to the song in several shots.
Chart performance[edit]
| Chart (1981) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| Australia (Kent Music Report)[6] | 38 |
| Belgium (Ultratop 50 Flanders)[7] | 15 |
| Canada Top Singles (RPM)[8] | 33 |
| Germany (Official German Charts)[9] | 68 |
| Netherlands (Dutch Top 40)[10] | 12 |
| Netherlands (Single Top 100)[11] | 17 |
| UK Singles (Official Charts Company) | 82 |
| US Billboard Hot 100[12] | 30 |
| US Cash Box | 40 |
| US Record World | 43 |
References[edit]
- ^ Stanley, Bob (13 September 2013). "Islands in the Stream: the Bee Gees". Yeah Yeah Yeah: The Story of Modern Pop. Faber & Faber. p. 479. ISBN 978-0-571-28198-5.
- ^ "Billboard: Bee Gees - 'He's a Liar'". Billboard. September 19, 1981. Retrieved 8 March 2015.
- ^ Brennan, Joseph. "Gibb Songs: 1981". Retrieved 8 March 2015.
- ^ Fornari), Francesco (25 October 1981). "I Bee Gees irrompono domani sul mercato poi toccherà a Police, Zero e Frank Sinatra". La Stampa (in Italian). Retrieved 7 December 2021.
- ^ "Hits of the Week" (PDF). Record World. September 19, 1981. p. 1. Retrieved 2023-03-01.
- ^ Kent, David (1993). Australian Chart Book 1970–1992: 23 years of hit singles & albums from the top 100 charts. St Ives, N.S.W, Australia: Australian Chart Book. ISBN 0-646-11917-6.
- ^ "Bee Gees – He's a Liar" (in Dutch). Ultratop 50. Retrieved 25 March 2024.
- ^ "Top RPM Singles: Issue 0427." RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved 25 March 2024.
- ^ "Bee Gees – He's a Liar" (in German). GfK Entertainment charts. Retrieved 25 March 2024.
- ^ "Nederlandse Top 40 – week 42, 1981" (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40. Retrieved 25 March 2024.
- ^ "Bee Gees – He's a Liar" (in Dutch). Single Top 100. Retrieved 25 March 2024.
- ^ "Bee Gees Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved 25 March 2024.
