He's a Liar

"He's a Liar" was the first single from the Bee Gees album Living Eyes released on 19 September 1981.[1] It had been approximately two years since the last Bee Gees single had been released. The song was written by brothers Barry, Robin and Maurice Gibb.

"He's a Liar"
Single by Bee Gees
from the album Living Eyes
B-side"He's a Liar" (Instrumental)
Released19 September 1981
RecordedFebruary  June 1981
Length4:00
4:36 (extended intro)
LabelRSO
Songwriter(s)Barry, Robin & Maurice Gibb
Producer(s)Bee Gees, Albhy Galuten, Karl Richardson
Bee Gees singles chronology
"Spirits (Having Flown)"
(1979)
"He's a Liar"
(1981)
"Living Eyes"
(1981)

Information

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.[2] It's said this song was inspired by the Bee Gees feud with their record manager Robert Stigwood at the time.

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 #30, which was a far cry from the dizzying heights of their success in the late '70s. However, the song did better in Greece, the Netherlands, Spain, Italy, and France.

In Italy the single sold 60,000 copies in two weeks.[3]

Music Video

A video was made for the song which featured all 3 brothers and Sixteen Candles actress Haviland Morris. Robin portrays a man who is in love with a woman, played by Haviland, and the two get shot by Maurice. Maurice evades the police on foot, nearly getting caught. He is cornered and thrown into a police car, but escapes. In the last shot, a car drives down a street and Maurice follows, still being pursued by police. The brothers also mime to the song in several shots.

Chart performance

Chart (1981) Peak
position
Australia (Kent Music Report) 38
Austria 30
Belgium (Ultratop 50) 10
Canada (RPM) 33
France (SNEP) 19
Germany (Media Control Charts) 68
Greece 1
Italy (FIMI) 5
Netherlands (Dutch Top 40) 12
Spain (PROMUSICAE) 6
UK Singles (Official Charts Company) 82
US Billboard Hot 100 30
US Cash Box 40
US Record World 43

References

  1. "Billboard: Bee Gees - 'He's a Liar'". Billboard. September 19, 1981. Retrieved 8 March 2015.
  2. Brennan, Joseph. "Gibb Songs: 1981". Retrieved 8 March 2015.
  3. 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.
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