Artist: Justin Gray
Title: Why Would I Lie?
Released: 2nd November 2017
Length: 3:53
Genre: Soul, Funk, Disco
Written By: J.Gray, C.Hudson
Produced By: Starsmith
Label: Five Pesky Kids
From The Album: BRIGHTSIDE
Why Would I Lie? is a song by Australian singer-songwriter, actor and former ELMNT member, Justin Gray. It serves as his joint lead single alongside
Losing My Mind. The song is taken from his forthcoming debut album which is said to be titled;
BRIGHTSIDE. Musically, the track is a huge deviation from the material produced by his former band, ELMNT. It is a "throwback" inspired song, borrowing elements of Soul, Funk and Disco. The song was written by Justin himself alongside acclaimed songwriter Christopher Hudson. Production was handled by English DJ and producer, Starsmith. This is the first solo track from any ELMNT member after their split on 8th November 2015, almost two whole years to the day.
Gray previously collaborated with Starsmith back in 2014 and 2015 during his time with ELMNT. While none of the results made it onto their debut and only EP, Justin admired the producer's work and remained in contact ever since. Following the disbandment of ELMNT and after years of writing songs himself, Justin began writing in earnest for his debut album in 2016. The next 18 months would consist of vigorous experimentation with musical styles, with Starsmith at the helm of many of the sessions. While Justin was content with pursuing with a Motown/Soul style - his favourite genres - he also took it upon himself to continue "testing the waters" with new sounds in the hope of creating something "different".
Why Would I Lie? became the "perfect hybrid", combining his love for retro genres such as Funk & Soul alongside more a futuristic, experimental pop styling. Many critics have dubbed portions of the song similar to the works of Jamiroquai.
The song was written in early 2017 with Christopher Hudson, member of The Stat Nerds and an Ivor Novello award winning writer. The lyrics of the track are now the cause of media coverage of Gray's sexuality as they discuss the topic of confessing his love to another man and wanting to "live his truth". Speaking on the track, Justin declined to label his sexuality but did confirm that the story in the song is in fact true;
"It was hard for me to write let alone record and put it out as my first release but it was like therapy, you know? The more I worked on the song, went over it, relived it, shared with people piece by piece, the easier it became and it got to a point where I just HAD to get it out there. I was no longer sitting in fear or shame, I wanted my story to be told. We're human...we go through rough rides like this...we're loving, sexual beings and sometimes we find ourselves in situations we never imagined in a million years. The heart wants what the heart wants, you know? I don't want this to be a "coming out" song. I'm beyond that. I don't want to be labelled or for this to seem like a cash-in on the back of the LGBTQ community. It's simply my truth, my story, a period in my life."Upon release, the song has received an initially strong, positive reception. The production, Gray's vocals and mainly the lyrical content have all been lauded. Writing for Billboard, Jess Malone opined
"Justin really sets the bar high for former boybanders going solo on both his debut tracks but on "Why Would I Lie?" in particular. For a jaunty funk-soul number, it tells the heart-wrenching tale of Justin coming to terms with his sexuality and confessing his feelings for his best friend, only to receive a negative reaction". In Rolling Stone, Ryan Reed noted Gray "finds a new confidence" and sounds "equally heartbroken and badass" as he "belts out his emotional experience over a funky bassline". Editors for Rap-Up wrote "the track is a game changer, combining ear-candy production with gritty lyricism". Aston Kelly of Spin described the song as "the lovechild of a Jamiroquai and Amy Winehouse track" and that it was the "best of the two" singles released. Idolator write Mike Wass called the song a "triumphant debut that appeals to many forms of radio" before praising Gray for his choice to release such a personal track, calling him "brave" and "a new role model". Staring at another bottle, I can't keep on getting drunk
I'm as wrecked as it is, will take a miracle to fix
You're blind to signs, wish you knew where I'm coming from
Already know you'll flip the switch, haven't even said it
If you knew how I feel inside, maybe you'd listen to reason
I know you all too well and that's part of the issue
Love you more than anything, you're why this heart stays beating
But if we talk man to man, there's a chance I could lose you
In a perfect world, I'll see that perfect smile on your face
You'd light me up and brighten up all my shades of grey
But as the words stumble out, I can see you hesitate
Why do I get the feeling you don't believe a single word I say?
Why would I lie, baby? Why would I lie, baby?
I've got so much to lose putting myself out there tonight
So easy to play it safe but I have to lay it on the line
Why would I lie, baby? Why would I lie, baby?
When loving you could be considered such a crime
But I'm losing grip on sanity, I'm running out of time
Did you know it even hurts when I am breathing?
I know that my guard can be deceiving
But I gotta be honest to you, me, myself and I
Oh why would I lie, baby? Why would I lie, baby?
Why would I lie to you?Look myself in the mirror, start pinching on my skin
Can't believe I just took the jump, changed the chapter
A splash of water to the face, let reality sink back in
You left the front door wide open, far from happy ever after
Your temper's another thing I love and that I love to hate
I know it's so messed up and this whole thing just sucks
If I could wave a wand, I really wouldn't have it this way
But the truth is out there and I'm sorry that it hurts
In a perfect world, you'd stop our long fall from grace
You'd hold me close and we'd love the whole night away
But as the words spill out, I see you can't take on the weight
I wish I could sugarcoat but there is no other way to explain
Why would I lie, baby? Why would I lie, baby?
I've got so much to lose putting myself out there tonight
So easy to play it safe but I have to lay it on the line
Why would I lie, baby? Why would I lie, baby?
When loving you could be considered such a crime
But I'm losing grip on sanity, I'm running out of time
Did you know it even hurts when I am breathing?
I know that my guard can be deceiving
But I gotta be honest to you, me, myself and I
Oh why would I lie, baby? Why would I lie, baby?
Why would I lie to you?It hurts me to see you this way
Knowing that I'm the one to inflict all this pain
It's confusing and shocking, I see
And I feel for you but I'm bursting at the seams
Gotta start living out my own truth
You can take your time, do what you gotta do
Before you start thinking of that last goodbye
Tell me, man, why would I lie? Why would I lie? Oh!
Why would I lie, baby? Why would I lie, baby?
I've got so much to lose putting myself out there tonight
So easy to play it safe but I have to lay it on the line
Why would I lie, baby? Why would I lie, baby?
When loving you could be considered such a crime
But I'm losing grip on sanity, I'm running out of time
Did you know it even hurts when I am breathing?
I know that my guard can be deceiving
But I gotta be honest to you, me, myself and I
Oh why would I lie, baby? Why would I lie, baby?
Why would I lie to you?Oh baby...why would I lie to you?
Can Be Compared To:
