How Many Lies?

"How Many Lies?" was released in the UK on 2 February 1987^[1] and peaked at number 34 on the UK Singles Chart.^[2] It also reached number 5 in Italy,^[3] number 17 in Ireland,^[4] number 23 in the Netherlands,^[5] number 25 in Belgium,^[6] number 32 in Spain,^[7] number 66 on the European Hot 100^[8] and number 86 in Canada.^[9]

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."^[10] The editors of Cash Box opined, "With distinctive style and sophistication, the group's Epic debut should challenge CHR playlists."^[11] Number One's 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".^[12] Jane Wilkes of Record Mirror placed her review of the song in the category she labelled "The Pits".^[13] Smash Hits guest critic Wayne Hussey wrote, "This is a predictably manicured and mild-mannered song with god-awful sentiments."^[14]