"Liar" is a song by the British rock band Queen, written by the lead singer Freddie Mercury in 1970. The song featured on the band's 1973 debut album Queen. A heavily truncated version of "Liar" was released as a single – backed with "Doing All Right" – in the United States and New Zealand by Elektra Records in February 1974.
The music video consisted of the band miming to the song on a sound stage. "Liar" was the band's second videoclip and it was filmed one year before it was released as a single.
This is one of three Queen tracks, the others being "Now I'm Here" and "Under Pressure" (their collaboration originally with David Bowie), to feature a Hammond organ.
Composition This song makes use of the flanging effect, especially on the drums and cowbell. This is also the longest song on the album. John Deacon played a bass solo during the instrumental passage.
Reception Cash Box called it a "top flight, tightly delivered rocker" with an accent on "bass and lead guitar with energetic lead vocal and harmony performances."
Personnel Freddie Mercury – lead and backing vocals, Hammond organ Brian May – acoustic and electric guitars, backing vocals Roger Taylor – drums, woodblock, cowbell, backing vocals John Deacon – bass guitar
Track listing "Liar" (Freddie Mercury) – 3:03 "Doing All Right" (Brian May, Tim Staffell) – 4:09
Appearances Queen (1973) At the Beeb (1989) Live at the Rainbow '74 (2014) A Night at the Odeon – Hammersmith 1975 (2015) On Air (2016)
Legacy/cover versions Comedy heavy metal band Bad News used the opening riff and other song structures in their song "Hey, Hey, Bad News". Brian May produced their self-titled album and played on their cover of "Bohemian Rhapsody" from the same album.
Notes
External links
Lyrics at Queen official website "Liar" at Queenpedia [ "Liar" song review] at Allmusic