No More Lies (The Moody Blues song)

"No More Lies"
"No More Lies"
Single by The Moody Blues
from the album Sur la Mer
B-side	"River of Endless Love"
Released	10 October 1988 (US); 5 December 1988 (UK)
Recorded	1987–1988
Genre	Pop
Length	5:13 (album / single); 3:47 (USA promo single)
Label	Polydor
Songwriter(s)	Justin Hayward
Producer(s)	Tony Visconti
The Moody Blues singles chronology
Music video
	"No More Lies" on YouTube

"No More Lies" is the second single released from the Moody Blues 1988 album Sur la Mer. As a single, it charted at #15 on the Adult Contemporary chart in 1988. Like the album's previous single, "I Know You're Out There Somewhere," "No More Lies" was written by Justin Hayward.

Lyrics and music

Hayward sings the lead vocals and John Lodge provides counterpoint with his backing vocals.^[2] Music journalist Geoffrey Freakes described "No More Lies" as being a "breezy acoustic and electric guitar-driven tune" but said that "although mildly memorable, it's the kind of song you feel [Hayward] could dash off in his sleep."^[2] Freakes described the drum and bass parts as sounding "synthetic" but the keyboards as "stirring".^[2]

Reception

Richmond Times-Dispatch critic John Wirt said that "No More Lies" "features the warm, sincere vocals of Justin Hayward."^[3] Daily Press critic Joseph Pryweller felt that the song is marred by "syrupy, Mrs. Butterworth-type about lovers walking by the ocean."^[4] In his review of Sur la Mer, Portage Daily Register critic Jim Roach felt the song was "hit record material", saying that "the smooth texture of full sounding acoustic guitars with impeccably played electrics provide the perfect setting for the romantic unhurried vocal."^[5] Sun record reviewers John McCurdy and Ron Judd felt it was an "average song" that the group turned into "pure magic with a stunning vocal performance."^[6]

Midder critic Will Fenton rated "No More Lies" as the Moody Blues' 6th greatest song, calling it "uplifting and inspirational" with "a catchy melody and optimistic lyrics".^[7] Fenton said that "The song’s themes of hope and faith emphasize the idea that telling the truth can ultimately lead to a better future."^[7] Ultimate Classic Rock critic Nick DeRiso described the song as "pillow-soft".^[8]

Music video

A music video was created for "No More Lies", directed by Danny Kleinman and produced by Jane Reardon.^[9] Although he did not play on the song (or on any song on Sur la Mer), Ray Thomas is seen "playing" tambourine on the music video, and is also shown on the picture sleeve of the single.^[2] Billboard described the video as combining "live performance with cell animation and color Xerography."^[9]

Chart positions

Year	Chart	Position
1988	Adult Contemporary	15^[10]

Personnel

Justin Hayward: acoustic and electric guitars, vocals
John Lodge: bass guitar
Patrick Moraz: keyboards
Graeme Edge: drums, percussion

References

^ "Music Week" (PDF). p. 43.
^ ^a ^b ^c ^d Freakes, Geoffrey (2019). The Moody Blues: Every Album, Every Song. Sonicbond. p. 105. ISBN 9781789520422.
^ Wirt, John (October 31, 1988). "Moodies are more than nostalgia act". Richmond Times-Dispatch. p. B-9. Retrieved 2023-01-31 – via newspapers.com.
^ Pryweller, Joseph (November 2, 1999). "Moody Blues' vision dims with age". Daily Press. p. C2. Retrieved 2023-01-31 – via newspapers.com.
^ Roach, Jim (July 30, 1988). "New Moody Blues' album shows professional talent". Portage Daily Register. p. 26. Retrieved 2023-01-31 – via newspapers.com.
^ McCurdy, John; Judd, Ron (June 24, 1988). "Rock in review". Kitsap Sun. p. 3. Retrieved 2023-01-31 – via newspapers.com.
^ ^a ^b Fenton, Will (9 August 2023). "13 Best Moody Blues Songs Of All Time (Greatest Hits)". Midder. Retrieved 2024-02-14.
^ DeRiso, Nick (June 6, 2023). "How the Moody Blues Reached a Synth-Pop Dead End on 'Sur la Mer'". Ultimate Classic Rock. Retrieved 2024-02-16.
^ ^a ^b "Video Track" (PDF). Billboard. October 15, 1988. pp. 44–46. Retrieved 2023-01-31.
^ "The Moody Blues: Adult Contemporary". Billboard. Retrieved 2023-01-31.