Former members of The Hague beat band The Hurricanes, Rink Groenveld and Peter Kok formed their duo in 1967, initially under the moniker Popshop. In 1969 they renamed themselves Greenfield & Cook: half-serious, literal translations of their Dutch family names into English.
Greenfield & Cook had a string of six Top 20 hits in The Netherlands, including 'Only Lies' (#4 in 1971), 'Don't Turn Me Loose' (#6 in 1972) and 'Easy Boy' (#8 in 1973). They released two full-length LPs: Greenfield & Cook (1972) and Second Album (1973).
They enjoyed some minor success abroad, in Germany and Spain primarily (they recorded Spanish-language versions of some of their singles), and wrote film scores for two Italian movies, 'La Signora è Stata Violentata' and 'Quattro dell'Apocalisse'.
Both Groenveld and Kok embarked on solo careers in 1974, holding on to their 'English' second names: Rink Greenfield and Peter Cook. Their solo activities marked the end of Greenfield & Cook as a duo.
Only Lies
Greenfield & Cook Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
People runnin' round
No-one knows my situation
Having their own destinations
They just look at me and let me down
I looked around to find a subway
To take a train downtown
nor do I know the things I do
I lost myself since I lost you
Only lies broke our hearts
Only lies to make us part
Lies right from the start
They just ruined our love
Memories, they're all you left me
But will they still remain?
Gone are the days we were together
Gone our love that should last forever
My life will never be the same
Only lies broke our hearts
Only lies to make us part
Lies right from the start
They just ruined our love
Lies broke our hearts
Dirty lies to make us part
Lies right from the start
They just ruined our love
The lyrics to Greenfield & Cook's "Only Lies" are about heartbreak and betrayal. The singer is sitting alone at a train station, surrounded by people who are preoccupied with their own lives, feeling lost and uncertain about where to go or what to do. The lyrics allude to past memories and a past love that has been destroyed by lies, which the singer blames for the heartbreak they feel. The chorus repeats the idea that these lies have ruined their love and broke their heart. The lyrics convey a sense of sadness, loneliness, and regret, as the singer acknowledges that their life will never be the same without their lost love.
One interpretation of the song could be that the lies refer to infidelity or deceit within the relationship, which ultimately led to its end. The singer is left with only memories, but questions if these memories will still remain with them. Despite the sadness and heartbreak, the song also conveys a sense of strength and resilience, with the singer acknowledging the lies as the reason for their pain, but taking responsibility for their own life and decisions moving forward.
Line by Line Meaning
Sitting on a dusty suitcase
I am sitting on a dusty suitcase, feeling neglected and stranded.
People runnin' round
People around me are busy running for their own purpose.
No-one knows my situation
No one knows how I am feeling or what I am going through.
Having their own destinations
Everyone has their own goals and plans to accomplish.
They just look at me and let me down
People just observe me and don't offer any help, which seems disappointing.
I looked around to find a subway
I searched for a subway to take me to the downtown area.
To take a train downtown
I wanted to go downtown by taking a train.
I don't know where I'm going to
I am uncertain about where I am heading.
nor do I know the things I do
I don't even understand my actions and behavioral patterns.
I lost myself since I lost you
Ever since I parted from my partner, I've lost my sense of direction and my heart is broken.
Only lies broke our hearts
Lies have shattered our hearts into pieces.
Only lies to make us part
The primary reason behind our break-up were lies and deceits.
Lies right from the start
The whole relationship was based on false promises and lies.
They just ruined our love
Lies and deceit have ultimately destroyed our relationship and love for each other.
Memories, they're all you left me
All my partner has left me with are memories.
But will they still remain?
I am sceptical about the longevity of these memories.
Gone are the days we were together
The days of our togetherness are long gone now.
Gone our love that should last forever
Our love that was supposed to be eternal is no longer there.
My life will never be the same
My life will never be the way it was before.
Dirty lies to make us part
Unsavoury and false statements are responsible for our break-up.
Contributed by Benjamin K. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
paul mccuytney
Als rechtgeaarde Nederlander ben ik apetrots dat wij in het verleden zo'n goede artiesten en liedjes hebben voortgebracht. Hulde!!
Erik Loupias
Voor zover ik mij kan herinneren hebben zij met dit lied op de BBC een Song Contest gewonnen. Lucifer ,met Margriet Eshuis, won het met hun lied ,,House for sale'' ook een keer!❤👍
Antoon Suijkerbuijk
Een nummer wat nooit de echte erkenning heeft gekregen die het verdiend. Supermooi
loeriebas
Een ongelofelijk mooi nummer,een echt meesterwerk!!!!
LhodaKblerz
Wonderful. Since I first heard them in about 1973 their songs have been part of the soundtrack to my life. Thanks to the internet and thanks for uploading!
Ella Bellina
Wow, these Dutch boys can sing beautifully.
MrsOfFire
Nooit geweten dat dit een Nederlands duo was! Zo een mooi nummer! :)
ed bertrand
Na haast 51 jaar nog steeds ongelooflijk mooie zang. Dat deze 'onschuldige ' muziek zóooooooooooooo populair was in de 70's en in het heden is niet voor niets zo. Nummers als only lies en don't turn me loose zullen ook nooit vergeten of verloren gaan. Tenminste niet door en bij mij. Ik draai ze nog regelmatig die ouwe meuk, die zoetertjes van weleer. Dit geeft mij een veel warmer gevoel in mijn hart en ziel dan het tegenwoordige Nick en Simon hoewel dit geen verkeerde jongens zijn die wel wat kunnen, hoewel ik geen fan van N en S ben maar wel van deze GE-WEL-DIGE muziek van Nederlandse bodem. Om trots op te zijn en blijven. Maar Nederland had meer aan goede bands. The shoes, Sandy Coast, Earth and Fire, Shocking Blue, Golden Earring(s) (destijds nog met een S op het einde) The Dizzy Man's Band, ach, noem ze maar op. De één was beter of zelfs nóg nét iets beter dan de ander. Goude pareltjes, oorwurmen, muzikale weldoening was en blijft het. Nog steeds prachtig om weer terug te horen en te zien. Bedankt Nederland dat je zoveel moois hebt gebracht aan muziek in mijn jeugd. Ik ben lichting '59 en voel me nog steeds piepjong met deze monsterlijk mooie muziek. Onwijs góed en geweldig. Ik luister nog elke dag tussen 06.45 i d ochtend tot 15 uur s'middags naar deze pareltjes. En denk dan. " Ed, wat was je toch rijk met deze muziek en de vriendenkring die je had". Voor géén enkele gulden zou je dit gemist willen hebben. Kunnen we de klok in plaats van 1 uur vooruit te draaien, niet 'gewoon' de klok 50 jaar terug zetten, en gewoon genieten op onze oude dag. Hoe geweldig is/zou dat zijn beste kijkbuis kinderen 🤔👍😁😉😉😉
Jeremy Jk
Hoi. zoek het nummer Locomotions - summernight fever 2004 eens op. Nederlandse coverband en een fantastisch lied. mijn vader kent alle nummers vanaf de 70,s en heeft die laatst ontdekt en kan niet stoppen met luisteren
Guy Nys
Onwaarschijnlijk mooie kwaliteitsmuziek uit de seventies. Een metalfan met nog wat plaats over in zijn muzikaal hart voor pareltjes als dit.