How Many Lies? Explained

How Many Lies?
Cover:SpandauBalletHowManyLies.jpg
Type:single
Artist:Spandau Ballet
Album:Through the Barricades
B-Side:"Communication" (live)
Released:2 February 1987[1]
Recorded:1986
Label:CBS
Producer:
Prev Title:Through the Barricades
Prev Year:1986
Next Title:Raw
Next Year:1988

"How Many Lies?" is a song by English new wave band Spandau Ballet, released as the third single from their 1986 album Through the Barricades. It charted in several countries but received mixed reviews. It was the band's last UK top 40 single.

Release and commercial performance

"How Many Lies?" was released in the UK on 2 February 1987[1] and peaked at number 34 on the UK Singles Chart. It also reached number 5 in Italy, number 17 in Ireland, number 23 in the Netherlands, number 25 in Belgium, number 32 in Spain, number 66 on the European Hot 100 and number 86 in Canada.

Critical reception

Critics were divided in their opinions upon its release. The reviews of the song for US retailers and radio stations in Billboard and Cash Box magazines noted that it was the first single released there from the Through the Barricades album. The editors of Billboard also wrote that the "rueful rock ballad's thrumming choral production recalls the artier days of 10cc."[2] The editors of Cash Box opined, "With distinctive style and sophistication, the group's Epic debut should challenge CHR playlists."[3] Number Ones Max Bell wrote, "Worth buying for the lyrics alone", described Kemp's songwriting as a "masterpiece" and Steve Norman's saxophone playing as "majestic", and averred that Hadley's singing "would leave Luciano Pavarotti breathless with admiration".[4] Jane Wilkes of Record Mirror placed her review of the song in the category she labelled "The Pits".[5] Smash Hits guest critic Wayne Hussey wrote, "This is a predictably manicured and mild-mannered song with god-awful sentiments."[6]

Track listings

A. "How Many Lies" – 4:33

B. "Communication" (live) – 3:41

A. "How Many Lies" – 4:33

B. "Snakes and Lovers" – 4:30

A. "How Many Lies" – 5:23

B1. "Communication" (live) – 3:41

B2. "How Many Lies" (instrumental) – 5:23

Charts

Chart (1987)! scope="col"
Peak
position
Europe (European Hot 100 Singles)[10] 66
Italy (Musica e dischi)[11] 5
Spain (AFYVE)[12] 32

Notes and References

  1. 31 January 1987. News digest. Record Mirror. 14. flickr.com. 7 April 2022.
  2. . Reviews > Singles > Pop > Picks > Spandau Ballet – How Many Lies. 21 March 1987. Billboard. 75. 9 December 2023.
  3. . Single Releases >Feature Picks >Spandau Ballet – How Many Lies. 21 March 1987. Cashbox. 9. 9 December 2023.
  4. Bell . Max . Spandau Ballet: How Many Lies . . 191 . 14 February 1987 . 38 . 25 November 2023.
  5. Wilkes. Jane. Spandau Ballet: "How Many Lies" . . 34 . 6 . 7 February 1987 . 12. 24 November 2023.
  6. Hussey. Wayne. Wayne Hussey. Spandau Ballet: "How Many Lies" . . 9 . 2 . 28 January – 10 February 1987 . 49. 24 November 2023.
  7. How Many Lies . Spandau Ballet. 1987. 7-inch single liner notes. CBS. SPANS2.
  8. How Many Lies . Spandau Ballet. 1987. 7-inch single liner notes. Epic Records. 34-06664.
  9. How Many Lies . Spandau Ballet. 1987. 12-inch single liner notes. CBS. SPANST2.
  10. European Hot 100 Singles . . 4 . 9 . 7 March 1987 . 15 . 29800226 . World Radio History.
  11. Web site: Classifiche . . it . 24 June 2022. Select "Singoli" in the "Tipo" field, type "How Many Lies" in the "Titolo" field and press "cerca".
  12. Book: Salaverrie, Fernando . September 2005 . Sólo éxitos: año a año, 1959–2002 . es . 1st . Madrid . . 84-8048-639-2.