Eurythmics – Would I Lie To You

I had just met my first serious girlfriend when this song came out. I never paid much attention to the Eurythmics when I first heard them because they were so keyboard-heavy…this changed my feelings toward them. This was out when I graduated and I liked the R&B direction they were going with this song.

Dave Stewart had said that he came up with this riff after trying to make a “killer R&B riff.” He said Annie Lennox wasn’t sure about the song at first because it was so different than their usual sound. Unlike their earlier synth-heavy work, this song had a heavier rock and R&B influence, featuring a strong brass section and Stevie Wonder’s former guitarist, Jimmy Zavala, on harmonica. Lennox also had to change her delivery for this song. 

Some fans have speculated the lyrics reflect tension between Annie Lennox and Dave Stewart, who had previously been a couple before forming the band. However, neither of them has confirmed it directly.

This song was released in 1985, and it peaked at #5 on the Billboard 100, #17 on the UK Charts, and #2 in Canada. They were voted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2022. The song came off of the album Be Yourself Tonight. The album peaked at #9 on the Billboard Album Charts, #3 in Canada, #2 in New Zealand, and #3 in the UK in 1985. 

Dave Stewart: “When we started putting it down the song had a lot of energy and inspired Annie to come up with the great lyric, ‘Would I Lie To You” and a melody with very odd answering harmonies, ‘Now, would I say something that wasn’t true.’ These harmonies are very unusual and Annie is a genius at working them out very quickly in her head. The song started to be a fusion between Stax type R&B and Eurythmics.”

Would I Lie To You?

Would I lie to you?
Would I lie to you honey?
Now would I say something that wasn’t true?
I’m asking you sugar
Would I lie to you?

My friends – know what’s in store.
I won’t be here anymore.
I’ve packed my bags
I’ve cleaned the floor.
Watch me walkin’.
Walkin’ out the door.

(Believe me – I’ll make it make it)

Tell you straight – no intervention.
To your face – no deception.
You’re the biggest fake.
That much is true.
Had all I can take.
Now I’m leaving you

(Believe me – I’ll make it make it)

[Chorus repeats]

(Watch me – watch me! Ooh yea)

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Author: Badfinger (Max)

Power Pop fan, Baseball, Beatles, Alternative music, old movies, and tv show fan. Also anything to do with pop culture in the 60s and 70s... I'm also a songwriter, bass and guitar player. Not the slightest bit interested in politics at all.

33 thoughts on “Eurythmics – Would I Lie To You”

  2. Never bought this but I watched the video when it comes on as that’s a great guitar riff followed by a killer lead vocal.
    Amazing they called it quits when they were on top like The Police did. Cool post dude

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  3. Wow, what a great song, never hear it before. After all the clapping about 3 and a half minutes into this, it goes into this Beatles Day tripper vibe which was really cool. I also liked the way the crowd responded when Annie Lennox first came on stage in the first video.

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  4. Classic group & a classic song…good stuff Max! They were a part of the avalanche of ‘Synth Pop’ & ‘New Wave’ that knocked the dominant L.A. Pop (Yacht Rock) sound completely off of the charts in ’83.

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  6. Pingback: Eurythmics – Would I Lie To You – MobsterTiger

  7. a good song, it never occurred to me before you mentioned it how R&B it was and how different than their first few releases. They were quite diverse musically, this was definitely one of their more rockin’ songs

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  10. Well, I absolutely love Eurythmics, all that early 80s synth stuff is in my New Wave wheelhouse–but, yeah, the rocker in me was pleased when this one came out. Dave Stewart is a tremendous musician, songwriter and producer and Annie Lennox…wow! Just wow! What a great singer! One of the best, I think and she’s a serious songwriter in her own right.

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  11. The album that this was on was the first that I bought of theirs (on cassette). My best friend had their first two albums. It’s funny, but I just heard this song the other day on the radio station we play at work, and I hadn’t heard it in ages. One of my favorites of theirs. Annie Lennox can sing anything in my opinion. And Dave Stewart has talent that won’t quit.

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  13. I always loved “Would I Lie to You,” which nicely showcases Annie Lennox’s amazing vocals. Even though nowadays I’m generally not very fond of synth pop, I have to say I also still enjoy other Eurythmics songs like “Sweet Dreams” and “Here Comes the Rain Again.” A big reason is Lennox’s singing.

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  16. The album this is taken from is one of their best in my view. I liked this track, also Baby’s Coming Back and the duet with Elvis Costello, Adrian. She certainly has a classy voice!

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  17. I’ve always loved this song of theirs. (Will give the live version a go without the visuals, another time. Too much flicker/strobe gives me migraines). The guitar on the official video is reminiscent of the Kinks’ early stuff. I also love ‘Missionary Man’ – it’s got a similar vibe. And if you get a chance, try Annie Lennox’s version of I love you like a Ball and Chain. (I’ll try to put it in the comment) .

    Don’t think they’ll be your cup of tea, (I was surprised that I like them) but I’ve been listening recently to Lo Moon, one member of which is Dave Stewart’s son.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B_Cl7OVvvS0

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  18. I like a lot of their hits, but I haven’t heard this one as much. It’s pretty busy, which is cool – like a commercial producer would have tidied it up and made it more streamlined and less interesting.

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      2. “Walking On Broken Glass”…. I don’t know why but I kept thinking that was a Sqeeze original song…to me they could done that perfectly as well. Yea…great pop song. Missionary Man is another one someone else brought up I forgot about.

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