It’s no secret that people lie. We do it all the time, for a variety of reasons. Sometimes we’re trying to protect someone’s feelings; other times we’re trying to save our own skin. And sometimes, we just don’t want to deal with the consequences of telling the truth.
Lying is a complex and fascinating topic, and one that has been explored in song for centuries. From country ballads about cheating lovers to soulful R&B tunes about broken trust, these 20 songs explore the many different ways that lying can affect our lives.
By the way, if you’re interested in songs about lying, you may also want to read songs about being honest, songs about boyfriends, songs about broken trust, songs about cheating, and songs about confession.I Love the Way You Lie – Eminem feat. Rihanna
Released in 2010, “I Love the Way You Lie” is a duet by rapper Eminem and singer Rihanna. The song was written by Eminem, Rihanna and Alexander Grant, and produced by Alex da Kid. The lyrics explore the nature of abusive relationships, with both parties lying to each other about their feelings in order to stay together.
The song was a massive success, topping the charts in over 20 countries. It was also nominated for a Grammy Award for Best Rap/Sung Collaboration.
Bad Liar – Selena Gomez
Bad Liar is a song about deceit and being caught in a web of lies. Gomez sings about a relationship that’s falling apart, and how she can’t keep up the act anymore. The lyrics are haunting and relatable, and the song is quickly becoming a fan favorite. Its lyrics are the definition of honesty about relationships. Some lines that stand out are, “I’m trying to hide the way I need you/I’m trying to stop the words from spilling over/And once again I’ve got nothing to hold onto.” It’s an emotional song about pretending everything is okay when it isn’t.
Love Lies – Khalid
Love Lies by Khalid and Normani is a soulful ballad about a relationship that has ended due to dishonesty. The song speaks to the pain that comes from being lied to, and the frustration of not being able to trust the person you loved. Khalid and Normani’s powerful vocals make this song an emotional powerhouse. Its lyrics are incredibly specific, which makes it all the more effective. Some of the lyrics are, “I don’t wanna fall for you, if I can’t be all yours/ And you don’t wanna see me shine if only in the dark.” This song is an honest look at what happens when trust is broken.
Liar – Camila Cabello
In Camila Cabello’s Liar, the singer-songwriter explores the feeling of being lied to. She sings about how it feels to be betrayed by someone you trust, and how that pain can be difficult to overcome. The song is a powerful reminder that honesty is always the best policy, and that lies can often do more harm than good. Its lyrics are filled with passion and pain, making it a truly effective song about lying. Some of the best lyrics include “Now here’s your confession, so you know it’s true/What I felt for you was real” and “Tell me how could you do this to me?”
How do You Sleep – Sam Smith
How do You Sleep? is a song by English singer Sam Smith. It was written by Smith, Jimmy Napes and Stargate. The song was released on 18 July 2019 as the lead single from Smith’s forthcoming second studio album. The track is about British singer-songwriter Taylor Swift and her feud with rapper Kanye West. Its lyrics discuss how Swift’s “lies” and fame have hurt people. How do You Sleep? peaked at number 5 on the UK Singles Chart and number 1 on the UK iTunes Store.
Lie to Me – 5 Seconds of Summer
5 Seconds of Summer’s “Lie to Me” is all about being in a relationship where you can’t trust the other person. The lyrics talk about how it’s not worth trying to have a connection with someone who is always going to be dishonest. Ultimately, the song is about learning to let go of someone who can’t be truthful. Some people who may be able to relate to “Lie to Me” include those who have been cheated on or dealt with a partner who was emotionally manipulative. Many people can relate to the feeling of not being able to trust someone. This song offers a solution: rather than trying to push through something that won’t work, it’s better to move on and find someone who is more trustworthy.
Lies – Black Keys
Lies is a song by the Black Keys. It was released as a single on October 29, 2013. The song is featured on the band’s eighth studio album, Turn Blue. The track was written by Dan Auerbach and Patrick Carney. Lies is about Auerbach’s former girlfriend, who he suspected of cheating on him. Its lyrics are about how he can’t tolerate lying. The song was recorded in New Orleans at Preservation Hall and was produced by Tchad Blake.
Lies is a track from the band’s album “Turn Blue”. It was released as a single on October 29, 2013. A music video for the song premiered on December 9, 2013 through Vevo. The video was directed by Theo Wenner and features actress/model Taylor Bagley as the protagonist who has to deal with an unruly ex-boyfriend, played by actor Judah Domke.
Lie – NF
NF’s song “Lie” is a powerful contemplation of the many ways in which we deceive ourselves and others. The lyrics explore the idea that sometimes it’s easier to tell a lie than to face the truth, and that often our lies can be more damaging than the truth itself. The song is a poignant reminder of the importance of honesty and openness in our relationships. Its lyrics are based on the idea of a person who is lying to themselves and who is “afraid to let go” of that lie.
The song was released as part of his album Therapy Session, which was written following the passing of his father. It stands as one of NF’s most popular songs, with nearly 70 million views on his YouTube channel.
“Lie” by NF is the first song about lying on this list. It was released in 2017 as part of his album Therapy Session. The song discusses the idea that it can be easier to lie than tell the truth, and that our lies sometimes hurt ourselves more than others.
You Lie – The Band Perry
The Band Perry’s 2010 single “You Lie” tells the story of a relationship that’s built on a foundation of lies. The song’s protagonist sings about how she’s been lied to and cheated on in the past, and how she doesn’t want to be hurt that way again. She begs her lover to tell her the truth, even if it hurts, because she’d rather know the truth than be kept in the dark. Its lyrics include, “So you can wipe off the lipstick and Whisper in my ear/Say you don’t love me/And I’ll believe you.”
Beautiful Liar – Beyonce and Shakira
Beautiful Liar by Beyonce and Shakira is a song about two women who are caught in a web of lies. They have been lied to by the same man and they are both angry and hurt. They decide to get together and vent their frustrations with each other.
The song is full of anger and betrayal, but it also has a sense of solidarity between the two women. Its lyrics are full of lies and deception, especially the line where they sing “But there’s no reason you and I should be alone/Is it too late to remember how it feels to love?” It is clear that the man they are both in love with has destroyed their trust, but Beyonce and Shakira don’t want that to stop them from having each other’s backs.
The song has a happy, upbeat tone despite the many lies it tells throughout. Beyonce and Shakira sing about all the “beautiful” things they will do together now that they are united against their common enemy (the man who cheated on them both).
Little Lies – Fleetwood Mac
Little Lies is a song by Fleetwood Mac from their 1987 album Tango in the Night. The song was written by Stevie Nicks and was produced by Nicks and Lindsey Buckingham. The song reached number three on the Billboard Hot 100 chart.
The lyrics of the song are about a woman who is in a relationship with a man who is cheating on her. She knows about his infidelity, but chooses to ignore it. She tells herself little lies in order to make herself feel better. Many people have speculated that the inspiration for this song was Nicks’ own relationship with former romantic partner Lindsey Buckingham.
Lips are Movin’ – Meghan Trainor
Lips are Movin’ is a song about a woman who is fed up with her partner’s constant lies. She sings about how she’s had enough of being lied to, and how she’s going to leave him if he doesn’t start being truthful. The song is a powerful statement of defiance, and it’s clear that Trainor isn’t going to put up with being deceived any longer. Its lyrics are catchy and compelling, but they also tell a strong story as well as provide a solid beat.
The song begins with some simple piano playing, which sets the tone of the track. It’s soft and melodic, before Trainor breaks out into her first verse. The lyrics she sings are about how her partner is trying to convince her that he’s changed, and how he keeps telling her that the lies are over. However, this is all a lie to win her back, as his lips are moving and he’s clearly uttering falsehoods.
Lyin’ Eyes – Eagles
“Lyin’ Eyes” is a song by the Eagles, and it was released as a single in 1975. The song was written by Don Henley and Glenn Frey, and it was the first single from the album One of These Nights. “Lyin’ Eyes” reached number 6 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart, and it became one of the Eagles’ signature songs. The song is about a man who is in a relationship with a woman who is always lying to him. Its lyrics are about the sorrow of being deceived, and it is not an apologetic song.
Take It On the Run – REO Speedwagon
Take It On the Run is a power ballad about a dishonest relationship. The song is about a man who is caught cheating on his girlfriend, and he’s trying to run away from the consequences. He’s trying to avoid the guilt and pain that he knows he’ll have to face. The song is full of regret and sadness, and it’s a powerful reminder that honesty is always the best policy. Its lyrics are just as emotionally charged, with lines like “I know that I’ll regret the day/That I did what I did to you” and “What am I gonna tell my heart/Now that we’re apart?”.
Bad Liar – Imagine Dragons
Bad Liar is a song by Imagine Dragons that was released as a single on May 17, 2017. The song was written by the band’s lead vocalist Dan Reynolds, Wayne Sermon, Ben McKee, and Daniel Platzman. It is about a person who is in a relationship with someone they’re not supposed to be with. Some lines of the song mention “hear (your) secrets” and “know your darkest fears”, which are references to keeping things hidden.
The song is about lying, as suggested by the title. The lyrics are also pretty straightforward by saying that his lover knows that he is cheating on her. He then tries to convince himself that this relationship is okay by asking “if love is blind, then why am I so afraid?”
White Liar – Miranda Lambert
White Liar is a song by American country music artist Miranda Lambert. Released in 2009 as the lead single from her second studio album, Revolution, the song peaked at number five on the US Billboard Hot Country Songs chart. Lambert wrote the song with Bleu Edmondson and Luke Laird.
The song is about a woman who is tired of being lied to by her partner and decides to confront him. She asks him if he’s ever told her a white lie, and when he admits that he has, she tells him that she doesn’t want to be lied to anymore and ends the relationship.
Jive Talkin’ – the Bee Gees
“Jive Talkin'” is a song by the Bee Gees, released as the first single from their 1975 album Main Course. The song was written by Barry, Robin and Maurice Gibb. “Jive Talkin'” was the group’s third number one hit on the Billboard Hot 100 chart in the US.
The song is about a man who is lying to his lover, telling her that he is doing well when he is actually doing poorly. He says that he is “jive talkin'” because he doesn’t want her to know the truth.
Would I Lie to You – The Eurythmics
The Eurythmics hit the charts in 1982 with the soulful ballad, “Would I Lie to You.” The song explores the dilemma of whether or not to tell a white lie in order to protect someone’s feelings. Singer Annie Lennox asks herself if she’s willing to deceive her lover in order to keep the peace. The answer, of course, is no – she would never lie to him. The song is a beautiful meditation on the importance of honesty in relationships. Its lyrics are simple and its melody is undeniably catchy.
Honesty – Billy Joel
Billy Joel sings about the importance of honesty in relationships in his song “Honesty”. He reflects on the need for both partners in a relationship to be truthful with each other, and the pain that can come from lying. He also recognises the temptation to lie, but ultimately concludes that honesty is always the best policy. Some of the greatest songs ever have been those about being caught in a lie, from “I’m Crying” by Stephen Bishop to “In The Air Tonight” by Phil Collins. Honesty is important in all relationships, but that applies especially to romantic partners and friends.
A Beautiful Lie – Thirty Seconds to Mars
A Beautiful Lie is a song by Thirty Seconds to Mars that explores the theme of deception. The lyrics talk about how people often tell lies in order to make themselves look better, and how this can ultimately lead to ruin. The song is a powerful reminder that honesty is always the best policy, and that it’s important to be truthful with yourself and others. Its lyrics are touching, and it’s clear that the song explores a relatable subject. Many people have suffered due to others’ lies, but it’s also important to remember that everyone has told a lie at some point in their lives. It’s an important lesson about how lying can be so easily avoided, so long as you always tell the truth.
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